Country Profile: Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a small Central African nation comprising a continental territory and five inhabited islands, bordered by Cameroon and Gabon. The population, estimated at nearly 1.8 million, is diverse, primarily consisting of the Fang and Bubi ethnic groups. The country's economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas, having experienced significant growth since the discovery of offshore reserves in 1996, although challenges such as corruption and poverty persist. Governance is marked by a presidential republic system, with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo holding near-total power since 1979.

Geography

Equatorial Guinea is situated in Central Africa, lying between Cameroon and Gabon along the Bight of Biafra. The country's total land area is approximately 28,051 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Maryland, with a coastline of 296 km. The terrain features coastal plains that rise to interior hills, with volcanic islands including Bioko, where the capital, Malabo, is located. The climate is tropical, always hot and humid, and the country is rich in natural resources, primarily petroleum and natural gas.

Highest Point: Pico Basile at 3,008 m.
Land Borders: 528 km total, with Cameroon (183 km) and Gabon (345 km).
Natural Hazards: Includes violent windstorms and flash floods.

People and Society

As of 2024, Equatorial Guinea has an estimated population of 1,795,834, predominantly consisting of Fang (78.1%) and Bubi (9.4%) ethnic groups. The country is officially bilingual, with Spanish as the predominant language. The population is relatively young, with a median age of 22.3 years and a high birth rate of 28.55 births per 1,000 population. Urbanization is significant, with approximately 74.4% of the population living in urban areas, primarily in cities like Malabo and Bata.

Life Expectancy: 63.9 years for the total population.
Infant Mortality Rate: 76.9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Dependency Ratio: Total dependency ratio is 68.4.

Economy

Equatorial Guinea's economy is largely driven by oil and gas, and it is a member of OPEC. The Real GDP (PPP) in 2024 is estimated at $29.248 billion, with a GDP per capita of $15,500. While the economy has shown signs of recovery post-COVID-19, persistent poverty and systemic corruption remain significant challenges. The government aims to diversify the economy and reduce poverty, although economic growth was negative at -5.1% in 2023.

Exports: Estimated at $4.489 billion (2024).
Unemployment Rate: Projected at 7.9% (2024).
Labor Force: Approximately 715,000 individuals.

Government

Equatorial Guinea is a presidential republic, with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo serving as a longstanding leader since 1979. The capital, Malabo, is located on Bioko Island, while governance sometimes operates from Bata on the mainland. The political system is marked by limited competition, and suffrage is universal for citizens aged 18 years and over. The country comprises eight provinces and adheres to a mixed legal system of civil and customary law.

Most Recent Election: Held on 20 November 2022.
Political Parties: Dominated by the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE).
National Holiday: Independence Day on 12 October.

Military and Security

The Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie, with approximately 2,000 active personnel. The military budget is approximately 1% of GDP in 2024. While the military is equipped mainly with older Soviet-era systems, efforts to modernize have been made. Internal security and maritime protection for offshore resources are critical functions of the military.

Military Service Age: Voluntary service begins at age 18.
Military Expenditures: Estimated at 1.6% of GDP (2023).
Gendarmerie Role: Responsible for law enforcement outside urban areas.

Energy

Energy production in Equatorial Guinea is primarily derived from fossil fuels, comprising 68.6% of the installed capacity. The country produces around 98,000 barrels of oil per day and has significant natural gas reserves. Electricity access remains a challenge, with only 67% of the total population having access to electricity in 2022.

Electricity Generation: Total installed capacity of 349,000 kW (2023).
Natural Gas Exports: Estimated at 3.63 billion cubic meters (2023).
Electricity Consumption: Approximately 1.402 billion kWh (2023).

Environment

Equatorial Guinea faces environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and water pollution. The country's infrastructure for waste management is developing, with 23.9% of municipal solid waste recycled as of 2022. The government is a party to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues and preserving biodiversity.

Forest Coverage: 86.4% of land area is forested (2023).
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Approximately 5.471 million metric tons in 2023.
Total Renewable Water Resources: 26 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

The nation consists of a modest transportation network, featuring seven airports and a merchant marine fleet of 53 vessels. The country’s ports, including Bata and Malabo, are crucial for trade and export activities. Civil aviation plays a role in connecting the islands and the mainland.

Airports: 7 as of 2025.
Merchant Marine: Includes 7 oil tankers and 16 general cargo ships.
Total Ports: 7 with six having oil terminals.

Communications

Equatorial Guinea's communication infrastructure includes limited fixed-line telephone services, but mobile subscriptions are more prevalent, exceeding 893,000 as of 2022. The state controls most broadcast media, with a few private entities operating under tight regulations. Internet access is growing, with about 60% of the population estimated to be online by 2023.

Internet Users: Approximately 60% of the population (2023).
Mobile Subscriptions: 50 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022).
Fixed-line Subscriptions: Fewer than 1 per 100 inhabitants (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,795,834 (2024 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	28,051 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$29.248 billion (2024 est.)	Real GDP in purchasing power parity
Energy Consumption per Capita	54.509 million Btu/person (2023 est.)	Total energy consumption per capita
Unemployment Rate	7.9% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Life Expectancy	63.9 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Birth Rate	28.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Annual birth rate
Electricity Access	67% (2022 est.)	Percentage of population with electricity access
Infant Mortality Rate	76.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)	Infant mortality rate
Military Expenditures	1% of GDP (2024 est.)	Military budget as a percentage of GDP