Country Profile: Gambia, The

The Gambia is a small, tropical country in Western Africa, bordered by Senegal and the North Atlantic Ocean. With a population of approximately 2.5 million people, the nation has a youthful demographic, with a median age of 20.2 years. The economy is primarily agriculture-based, with a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1965, The Gambia has transitioned to a presidential republic, highlighted by a recent shift toward greater democratic governance.

Geography

The Gambia is geographically unique, positioned along the Gambia River, which is flanked by low hills and a tropical climate. The country covers an area of 11,300 sq km, making it the smallest in mainland Africa. Its terrain consists mainly of flood plains that provide fertile land for agriculture, which is critical to the economy.

Total Area: 11,300 sq km
Land Borders: 749 km (with Senegal)
Coastline: 80 km
Major River: Gambia River (1,094 km)
Climate: tropical with a hot rainy season from June to November

People and Society

The Gambia has a diverse population of about 2.5 million, with a majority being Muslim (96.4%). Its ethnic makeup includes groups such as Mandinka, Fulani, and Wolof, with English as the official language. The country experiences rapid urbanization, with 64.5% of its population living in urban areas as of 2023.

Population Growth Rate: 2.16% (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate: 51.6% (2021 est.)
Life Expectancy: 68.4 years (2024 est.)
Median Age: 20.2 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 27.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Economy

The Gambia is classified as a low-income economy with a strong reliance on agriculture, contributing 24.1% to the GDP. High poverty rates and inflation are persistent issues, and the economy remains dependent on foreign assistance. In 2024, the real GDP is estimated to grow by 5.7%.

Real GDP: $8.365 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 53.4% (2020 est.)
Remittances: 21.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 11.6% (2024 est.)

Government

The Gambia is a presidential republic, with President Adama Barrow currently in office. The government operates under a mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law. The country does not have presidential term limits, which differs from many of its regional counterparts.

Capital: Banjul
Independence: 18 February 1965
Constitution Adopted: 8 April 1996
Suffrage: Universal for those aged 18 and above
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly with 58 seats

Military and Security

The Gambian Armed Forces are tasked with both external defense and internal security, supported by the Gambia Police Force. Military expenditure is relatively low, constituting 0.6% of GDP in 2024.

Active Personnel: 3,000-4,000 (2025)
Military Expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Service Age: 18-25 years for voluntary service
Military Equipment: Predominantly older or donated equipment
Security Assistance: ECOMIG forces from ECOWAS member states

Energy

Energy access remains limited, with 65.4% of the population having electricity as of 2022. The overwhelming majority of energy generation comes from fossil fuels.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 162,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 410.824 million kWh (2023 est.)
Access to Electricity: 82.8% in urban areas, 31.2% in rural areas
Carbon Emissions: 537,000 metric tonnes CO2 (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 2.731 million Btu (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in The Gambia include deforestation and water pollution, exacerbated by agricultural practices. The country is party to several international environmental agreements aimed at mitigating these issues.

Agricultural Land Use: 62.6% of total land (2022 est.)
Forested Area: 22.8% of total land (2022 est.)
Water Pollution: A significant concern affecting health and agriculture
Urban Population: 64.5% of total population (2023)
Total Renewable Water Resources: 8 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Transportation

The Gambia has limited transportation infrastructure, with a single airport and a small merchant marine fleet. Its primary port is located in Banjul.

Airports: 1 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 15 vessels (2023)
Total Ports: 1 (small, with oil terminals)
Civil Aircraft Registration Prefix: C5
Railways: None reported

Communications

Telecommunication access is growing, with over 2.68 million mobile cellular subscriptions by 2021. The internet penetration rate reached 46% of the population in 2023.

Telephones - Fixed Lines: 60,000 (2021 est.)
Telephones - Mobile Cellular: 2.68 million (2021 est.)
Internet Users: 46% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadcast Media: 1 state-run TV channel and multiple radio stations
Internet Country Code: .gm

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,523,327	Estimated for 2024
Total Area	11,300 sq km	Smallest country in mainland Africa
GDP	$8.365 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	6.5%	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	2.731 million Btu	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	27.3 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	68.4 years	Estimated for 2024
Poverty Rate	53.4%	Population below the national poverty line (2020)
Electric Access	65.4%	Of the total population (2022)
Total Fertility Rate	3.52 children/woman	Estimated for 2024