Country Details
Gabon
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
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People and Society
Detailed information and insights
Population
Total
2,523,327 (2024 est.)
Male
1,250,490
Female
1,272,837
Nationality
Noun
Gambian(s)
Adjective
Gambian
Ethnic groups
Mandinka/Jahanka 33.3%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 18.2%, Wolof 12.9%, Jola/Karoninka 11%, Serahuleh 7.2%, Serer 3.5%, other 4%, non-Gambian 9.9% (2019-20 est.)
Languages
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Religions
Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
38.2% (male 486,472/female 477,309)
15-64 years
58.1% (male 723,360/female 743,127)
65 years and over
3.7% (2024 est.) (male 40,658/female 52,401)
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio
72.1 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio
65.7 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio
6.3 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio
15.8 (2024 est.)
Median age
Total
20.5 years (2025 est.)
Male
19.8 years
Female
20.6 years
Population growth rate
2.09% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
26.49 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
settlements are found scattered along the Gambia River; the largest communities, including the capital of Banjul and the country's largest city, Serekunda, are found at the mouth of the Gambia River along the Atlantic coast, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
Urban population
64.5% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization
3.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
481,000 BANJUL (capital) (2023)
Note
note: includes the local government areas of Banjul and Kanifing
Sex ratio
At birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.78 male(s)/female
Total population
0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.7 years (2019/20 est.)
Note
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
354 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
Total
35 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Male
39.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Female
32.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
Total population
68.4 years (2024 est.)
Male
66.7 years
Female
70.1 years
Total fertility rate
3.39 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.67 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
Improved: urban
urban: 90.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: rural
rural: 76.4% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total
total: 85.6% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban
urban: 9.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural
rural: 23.6% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total
total: 14.4% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
3.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
7.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
Improved: urban
urban: 74.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: rural
rural: 32% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total
total: 59.4% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban
urban: 25.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural
rural: 68% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total
total: 40.6% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
10.3% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
Total
2.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Beer
0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits
0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols
2.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
Total
8.6% (2025 est.)
Male
17% (2025 est.)
Female
0.5% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
11.6% (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
63% (2020 est.)
Child marriage
Women married by age 15
5.6% (2020)
Women married by age 18
23.1% (2020)
Men married by age 18
0.2% (2020)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.2% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy
Total population
51.6% (2021 est.)
Male
65.3% (2021 est.)
Female
40.5% (2021 est.)