Country Profile: Gambia, The

The Gambia, a small West African country bordered by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean, has a diverse landscape characterized by the floodplain of the Gambia River and a tropical climate. With a population of approximately 2.5 million, the country is largely Muslim and follows a mix of English common law and Islamic law for its governance. The economy is predominantly agricultural, yet it relies heavily on foreign aid and remittances, with significant structural reforms in progress to improve living standards and economic stability.

Geography

The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland, situated in Western Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and encircled by Senegal. The country's terrain mainly consists of a floodplain along the Gambia River, with low hills typical in the eastern regions. The climate features a hot, rainy season from June to November and a cooler, dry season from November to May.

Total area: 11,300 sq km
Land boundaries: 749 km (Senegal)
Coastline: 80 km
Natural resources: Fish, clay, silica sand, titanium, tin, zircon
Land use: 62.6% agricultural land (2023 est.)

People and Society

The population of The Gambia is approximately 2.5 million, with a youthful demographic; about 38.2% are aged 0-14 years. The key ethnic groups include Mandinka, Fulani, and Wolof, while English serves as the official language. The country is predominantly Muslim, with over 96% of the population practicing Islam.

Population (2024 est.): 2,523,327
Urbanization: 64.5% live in urban areas (2023)
Literacy rate: 51.6% (2021 est.)
Life expectancy: 68.4 years (2024 est.)
Birth rate: 26.49 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)

Economy

The Gambian economy is classified as low-income and is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for 24.1% of GDP. The country faces issues such as a high poverty rate and inflation, with a significant portion of its GDP reliant on foreign remittances. The government is implementing reforms under the IMF's Extended Credit Facility program to stabilize the economy.

GDP (2024 est.): $2.508 billion (official exchange rate)
GDP growth rate: 5.7% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line: 53.4% (2020 est.)
Remittances: 21.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

The Gambia operates as a presidential republic, with a constitution that was last adopted in 1996 and several amendments over the years. The country has experienced political shifts, especially after the 2016 elections, which saw a transition to a more democratic governance structure. The current president is Adama BARROW, who was reelected in 2021.

Capital: Banjul
Government type: Presidential republic
Legal system: Mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Number of administrative divisions: 5 regions, 1 city, and 1 municipality

Military and Security

The Gambian Armed Forces comprise the army, navy, air force, and the Republican National Guard. The military plays a key role in national security and has been involved in peacekeeping efforts. Military expenditures are relatively low, at 0.6% of GDP as of 2024, and the force consists of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 active members.

Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active military personnel: 3,000-4,000 (2025)
Military service age: 18-28 years
History of military involvement: Multiple coup attempts, with the latest occurring in 2022

Energy

Access to electricity in The Gambia remains limited, particularly in rural regions, where only about 31.2% of the population has electricity. The country relies predominantly on fossil fuels for electricity generation, with a small contribution from renewable sources.

Electricity access: 65.4% of total population (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 162,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 410.824 million kWh (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

The Gambia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and water pollution. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues, including those related to biodiversity and climate change.

Major environmental issues: Deforestation, water pollution, and water-borne diseases
Urban population (2023): 64.5%
Total renewable water resources: 8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 537,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in The Gambia is limited but includes a small number of airports and a merchant marine fleet. The main port is located in Banjul, which plays an essential role in trade and transportation.

Airports: 1 (2025)
Merchant marine: 15 vessels (2023)
Key port: Banjul
Civil aircraft registration code: C5

Communications

The communication system in The Gambia includes a mix of state-run and private media outlets, with growing mobile cellular subscriptions. Internet penetration remains moderate at 46% of the population as of 2023.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 2.68 million (2021)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 60,000 (2021)
Internet users: 46% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadband subscriptions: 6,000 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,523,327	(2024 est.)
Area	11,300 sq km	Total area
GDP	$2.508 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	6.5%	(2024 est.)
Birth Rate	26.49 births/1,000 population	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	68.4 years	(2024 est.)
Electricity Access	65.4%	Total population (2022 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources	8 billion cubic meters	(2022 est.)
Urban Population	64.5%	Total population (2023)
Military Expenditures	0.6% of GDP	(2024 est.)