Mali
Profiled in Bamako · West Africa
A Sahelian state built on the Niger river and the legacy of the Mali Empire, with Djenné's mud mosque and Timbuktu's libraries, now constrained by a long-running security crisis.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Bamako is affordable in local terms, but security costs, generators and imported goods dominate foreign budgets. Much of the north and centre is inaccessible.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Bamako
- Great Mosque of DjennéThe largest mud-brick building in the world, a UNESCO site.
- TimbuktuAncient manuscript city and UNESCO site, currently unsafe to visit.
- Bandiagara EscarpmentDogon cliff dwellings, a UNESCO cultural landscape.
- Musée National du MaliThe country's best archaeological and textile collection.
- Marché RoseBamako's landmark pink-painted central market.
- Monument de l'IndépendanceBamako's independence memorial.
- Arche de KamandjanNatural sandstone arch at Siby.
- Tomb of AskiaGao's fifteenth-century pyramidal tomb, a UNESCO site.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- SégouRiverside town of Bambara pottery and the annual festival.
- DjennéMud-brick town with the world's largest adobe mosque.
- SibySandstone arch and hills an hour from Bamako.
- Bandiagara EscarpmentDogon country cliff villages, currently insecure.
- Niger RiverPinasse trips downstream from Koulikoro.
Residency
Residence follows work or business permits, and there is no investor route. Security conditions and successive coups since 2020 make relocation impractical for most.
Tax
Personal rates are progressive to 40% and the corporate rate is 30%, with 18% VAT. Mining conventions govern gold projects. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Mali tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
Nearby
More of West Africa
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to live in Mali?
About $700 a month for one person and $1,600 for a family. A one-bedroom flat rents for around $350, and a casual meal costs about $5. Bamako is affordable in local terms, but security costs, generators and imported goods dominate foreign budgets. Much of the north and centre is inaccessible.
Is Mali safe, and what is healthcare like?
In our index safety scores 2 out of 10 and healthcare 3 out of 10, where 10 is best.
What language and currency are used in Mali?
French. The currency is West African CFA franc (XOF).
What is the capital of Mali?
Bamako.
How can a foreigner get residency in Mali?
Residence follows work or business permits, and there is no investor route. Security conditions and successive coups since 2020 make relocation impractical for most.
What taxes does Mali charge?
Personal rates are progressive to 40% and the corporate rate is 30%, with 18% VAT. Mining conventions govern gold projects. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.