Country Profile: Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a small Central African nation comprising a mainland region and five inhabited islands, with a population of approximately 1.8 million. The country's capital, Malabo, is located on Bioko Island, which, along with its volcanic terrain, defines much of the nation's landscape. The economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas, contributing to significant government revenue, though pervasive corruption limits socio-economic development. Since gaining independence from Spain in 1968, the country has been governed by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has maintained a firm grip on power.

Geography

Equatorial Guinea is situated in Central Africa, bordered by the Bight of Biafra, Cameroon, and Gabon. The country has a total land area of 28,051 sq km, which is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland. Its coastline extends 296 km, and the country features a tropical climate characterized by heat and humidity. The terrain includes coastal plains rising to interior hills and volcanic islands.

528 km of land borders with Cameroon (183 km) and Gabon (345 km).
The highest point is Pico Basile at 3,008 m.
Natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, and timber.

People and Society

Equatorial Guinea has an estimated population of 1,795,834 (2024), with a median age of 22.1 years. The population is diverse, with the majority belonging to the Fang ethnic group. Spanish is the official language, while other languages like Fang and Bubi also have significant presence. The country’s society is predominantly Roman Catholic, accounting for 88% of the population.

Population growth rate is 3.23% (2024).
Urbanization rate stands at 74.4% of the total population (2023).
Life expectancy is 63.9 years (2024).

Economy

Equatorial Guinea's economy is driven by its vast oil and gas reserves, making it one of the largest oil producers in Africa. With a GDP (PPP) estimated at $29.248 billion (2024), the country's economic growth has been shaky, with a real GDP growth rate of 0.9% (2024). Despite economic wealth, systemic corruption has perpetuated poverty among the population.

The unemployment rate is 7.9% (2024).
GDP per capita of $15,500 (2024).
Exports total approximately $4.489 billion (2024), primarily of crude oil and natural gas.

Government

Equatorial Guinea operates as a presidential republic, with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in power since 1979. The political landscape is marked by a lack of competition, with elections described as non-competitive. The capital is Malabo, though government operations occasionally move to Bata.

The country has a bicameral legislature: a Chamber of Deputies with 100 seats and a Senate comprising 70 members.
The legal system is a mix of civil and customary law.
The last presidential election was held on November 20, 2022, with Obiang winning 95% of the vote.

Military and Security

The Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie, with around 2,000 active personnel estimated for 2025. Annual military expenditures are approximately 1% of GDP. The military is tasked with defending the country's territory and sovereignty, along with internal security duties.

Conscription applies at 18 years of age, though it is rarely enforced.
The military inventory includes mostly older Soviet-era weapons.
Maritime security is a key focus, especially in protecting offshore oil installations.

Energy

Equatorial Guinea has significant energy resources, including oil and natural gas, which are central to its economy. The electricity access rate is about 67%, with urban areas significantly better connected than rural areas.

Installed electricity generation capacity totals 349,000 kW (2023).
Total petroleum production stands at 98,000 bbl/day (2023).
Proven natural gas reserves are estimated at 139.007 billion cubic meters (2021).

Environment

The country faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution. Equatorial Guinea is party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at biodiversity and climate change.

Approximately 86.7% of land is forested (2022).
Urbanization is at 74.4% of the population (2023), impacting environmental sustainability.

Transportation

Equatorial Guinea's transportation infrastructure includes several ports and airports, facilitating trade and travel.

The country has 7 operational airports as of 2025.
The merchant marine consists of 53 vessels (2023), primarily for carrying bulk and general cargo.
There are 7 ports in total, with major ports including Bata and Malabo.

Communications

Equatorial Guinea's telecommunications network consists of both fixed and mobile lines, although access remains limited.

There are around 893,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2022), equating to 53 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.
Internet penetration is estimated at 60% of the population (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,795,834	2024 estimate
Area	28,051 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$29.248 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	7.9%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	63.9 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	67%	2022 estimate
Urban Population	74.4%	2023 estimate
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	54.509 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	1% of GDP	2024 estimate
Electricity Generation Capacity	349,000 kW	2023 estimate