Hidden within its narrow borders, Africa's smallest mainland nation, The Gambia, pulsates with a remarkably youthful and dynamic population of over 2.7 million people, setting the stage for a nation of immense potential and profound challenges.
Key Takeaways
- The population of The Gambia reached 2,773,168 in 2023 according to official estimates, reflecting a steady growth from previous years driven by high fertility rates.
- The Gambia has a population density of approximately 240 people per square kilometer, one of the highest in Africa due to its narrow geography.
- Median age in The Gambia is 19.7 years, indicating a very youthful population with significant implications for labor markets.
- GDP of The Gambia in 2023 was $2.368 billion USD nominal.
- GDP per capita reached $850 USD in 2023, low but growing slowly.
- Real GDP growth rate was 5.8% in 2023, driven by services and agriculture recovery.
- Total land area of The Gambia is 11,300 square kilometers, smallest on African mainland.
- The Gambia River traverses the entire length of the country, 470 km within borders.
- Climate is tropical savanna with wet season June-October, average rainfall 1,100 mm.
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.5 years overall in 2023.
- Under-5 mortality rate: 50.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.
- Immunization coverage DTP3: 94% among 1-year olds.
- Youth literacy rate 15-24: 64.9% overall.
- Primary school enrollment net: 84.2%.
- Secondary school enrollment net: 47.6%.
The Gambia is youthful and rapidly growing yet faces economic and social challenges.
Demographics
- The population of The Gambia reached 2,773,168 in 2023 according to official estimates, reflecting a steady growth from previous years driven by high fertility rates.
- The Gambia has a population density of approximately 240 people per square kilometer, one of the highest in Africa due to its narrow geography.
- Median age in The Gambia is 19.7 years, indicating a very youthful population with significant implications for labor markets.
- Annual population growth rate stands at 2.81% as of 2023, fueled by net migration and natural increase.
- Urban population percentage is 62.8% in 2023, with Banjul and Serekunda as major hubs.
- Ethnic composition shows Mandinka at 34.5%, Fula 24.3%, and Wolof 15.4% as the largest groups.
- Religious demographics: 96.4% Muslim, 3.5% Christian, and 0.1% other.
- Net migration rate is -1.4 migrants per 1,000 population, indicating outward migration trends.
- Dependency ratio is 86.5%, with 77.8% youth dependency highlighting youth bulge challenges.
- Sex ratio at birth is 1.03 males per female, typical for the region.
- Life expectancy at birth for males is 64.6 years and for females 68.4 years in 2023.
- Infant mortality rate is 39.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, improved from previous decades.
- Maternal mortality ratio is 667 deaths per 100,000 live births as of latest data.
- Total fertility rate is 4.42 children per woman, contributing to population growth.
- Age structure: 0-14 years 42.5%, 15-64 years 54.7%, 65+ years 2.8%.
- Literacy rate for population aged 15+ is 50.8% overall, with male 62.1% and female 41.9%.
- Languages spoken: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, among others.
- Gambia has 6 regions administratively, with West Coast Region most populous.
- Youth unemployment rate among 15-24 year olds is 12.5%, exacerbating social issues.
- International migrant stock is 4.2% of population, mostly to Europe and Senegal.
- Remittances received amount to 8.5% of GDP, vital for household incomes.
- HIV prevalence among adults 15-49 is 1.2%, managed through national programs.
- Obesity rate among adults is 10.2%, rising with urbanization.
- Access to improved drinking water: 78.5% of population.
- Sanitation access: 53.2% with improved facilities.
- Refugee population hosted: approximately 12,000 from conflicts in region.
- Population below poverty line: 48.6% using national definition.
- Gini index of income inequality is 35.9, moderate for West Africa.
- Labor force participation rate: 65.4% for ages 15+.
- Female labor force participation: 58.2%, lower than male 72.1%.
Demographics Interpretation
The Gambia is a densely-packed nation of energetic youth who are rapidly outgrowing their slender borders, creating a future that hinges on turning its vibrant demographic momentum into sustainable economic opportunity before it bursts at the seams.
Economy
- GDP of The Gambia in 2023 was $2.368 billion USD nominal.
- GDP per capita reached $850 USD in 2023, low but growing slowly.
- Real GDP growth rate was 5.8% in 2023, driven by services and agriculture recovery.
- Inflation rate (consumer prices) averaged 13.2% in 2023 due to food and fuel shocks.
- Unemployment rate is officially 4.3%, but underemployment is widespread at over 30%.
- Agriculture sector contributes 25.8% to GDP, employing 70% of workforce.
- Industry sector: 21.3% of GDP, including manufacturing and construction.
- Services sector dominates at 52.9% of GDP, led by tourism.
- Exports of goods in 2022 totaled $139.5 million, mainly groundnuts and fish.
- Major exports: groundnuts 20%, fish 15%, cotton 5%.
- Imports of goods: $627.6 million in 2022, dominated by food and fuels.
- Current account balance: -15.2% of GDP in 2023, reflecting trade deficit.
- Public debt as % of GDP is 82.4% in 2023, high risk of distress.
- Foreign direct investment inflow: $22 million in 2022.
- Tourism contributes 20% to GDP, with 300,000 visitors pre-COVID.
- Groundnut production: 180,000 metric tons annually, key cash crop.
- Rice production self-sufficiency: only 20%, heavy imports needed.
- Fishing sector catches 50,000 tons yearly, export-oriented.
- Remittances as % of GDP: 18.5%, highest in West Africa.
- Ease of doing business rank: 148 out of 190 in latest report.
- Tax revenue as % of GDP: 12.4%, low collection efficiency.
- Official development assistance received: $150 million annually.
- Central bank discount rate: 12% as of 2023.
- Stock market capitalization: negligible, no formal exchange.
- Energy imports cover 90% of consumption, mainly petroleum.
- Mobile money transactions: over 60% of GDP volume in fintech growth.
- Construction sector growth: 8.2% in 2023 from infrastructure projects.
- Manufacturing value added: 7.5% of GDP, small-scale agro-processing.
Economy Interpretation
For a nation where most people work the land but services and tourism bring in the money, Gambia's economy is a delicate balancing act of promising growth, painful inflation, and a heavy reliance on the kindness of relatives abroad to keep the lights on.
Education
- Youth literacy rate 15-24: 64.9% overall.
- Primary school enrollment net: 84.2%.
- Secondary school enrollment net: 47.6%.
- Tertiary enrollment gross: 3.2%.
- Pupil-teacher ratio primary: 35.2 students per teacher.
- Government expenditure on education: 4.8% of GDP.
- Schools total: over 1,800 primary, 300 secondary.
- Female primary completion rate: 72.1%.
- Male primary completion rate: 78.4%.
- Out-of-school children primary age: 15.8%.
- Education index HDI: 0.412, low level.
- Vocational training centers: 20 nationwide.
- Adult education participation: 12% of population.
- STEM graduates: 15% of tertiary degrees.
- Public expenditure per student primary: $45 USD.
- Learning poverty rate: 88% unable to read proficiently by age 10.
Education Interpretation
The education system is managing to enroll children, but with primary classes crammed, teachers underfunded, and a staggering 88% failing to read proficiently by age ten, it's a perfect recipe for building schools but not necessarily educating anyone.
Geography
- Total land area of The Gambia is 11,300 square kilometers, smallest on African mainland.
- The Gambia River traverses the entire length of the country, 470 km within borders.
- Climate is tropical savanna with wet season June-October, average rainfall 1,100 mm.
- Elevation extremes: lowest point Atlantic Ocean 0 m, highest unnamed 53 m.
- Arable land: 17.9% of total land, vital for agriculture.
- Forest cover: 26.2% , threatened by deforestation.
- Coastline length: 80 km along Atlantic Ocean.
- Capital Banjul area: 12 sq km, population 31,000.
- Largest city Serekunda: population over 400,000 in metro area.
- Natural resources: fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (limited).
- Irrigated land: 140 sq km, small fraction.
- Renewable water resources: 4.229 billion cubic meters per year.
- Border with Senegal: 749 km, fully enclaved.
- Major environmental issues: deforestation, desertification, water pollution.
- Protected areas: 5 national parks covering 3% of territory.
- Kiang West National Park: 11,526 hectares, biodiversity hotspot.
- Average temperature Banjul: 27°C annual mean, highs 35°C dry season.
- Soil types: mostly lateritic, sandy loams suitable for peanuts.
- Flood-prone areas along Gambia River affect 10% of farmland yearly.
- Coastal erosion rate: 0.5-1 meter per year in some areas.
- Biodiversity: 609 bird species, 920 plant species recorded.
- Mangrove forests: 17,000 hectares along coast and river.
- Wind speeds average 3-5 m/s, potential for small wind energy.
- Solar irradiation: 5.5 kWh/m²/day average, high potential.
- Earthquake risk: very low, stable West African shield.
Geography Interpretation
Despite being the smallest country on mainland Africa, The Gambia's narrow strip of land punches above its weight with rich biodiversity, but this fragile ecosystem is being squeezed by deforestation and erosion.
Health
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.5 years overall in 2023.
- Under-5 mortality rate: 50.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.
- Immunization coverage DTP3: 94% among 1-year olds.
- Malaria incidence: 7.3% of population at risk, 1.2 cases per 1,000.
- HIV/AIDS adult prevalence: 1.6%, with 17,000 living with HIV.
- Tuberculosis incidence: 112 per 100,000 population.
- Hospital beds per 1,000 people: 1.1, severely limited.
- Physicians density: 0.1 per 1,000 population.
- Health expenditure: 5.6% of GDP, mostly out-of-pocket.
- Diabetes prevalence among adults: 4.8%.
- Non-communicable diseases cause 25% of deaths.
- Antenatal care coverage: 82% at least once.
- Contraceptive prevalence: 25.8% among married women.
- Stunting in children under 5: 25.1%.
- Wasting in children under 5: 4.6%.
- Overweight children under 5: 6.3%.
- Mental health facilities: 1 psychiatric hospital for whole country.
- Suicide rate: 3.5 per 100,000 population.
- Tobacco use among adults: 12.4%.
- Alcohol consumption per capita: 2.1 liters pure alcohol yearly.
- COVID-19 vaccination coverage: 28.5% fully vaccinated as of 2023.
- Neglected tropical diseases: onchocerciasis and trachoma prevalent.
- Health insurance coverage: 25% via national health scheme.
- Adolescent birth rate: 78.5 per 1,000 women aged 15-19.
- Female genital mutilation prevalence: 73% among girls under 14.
- Road traffic death rate: 27.6 per 100,000.
Health Interpretation
The Gambia's healthcare system is a study in contrasts, where impressive childhood immunization rates provide a hopeful foundation, yet this progress is undercut by scarce hospital beds, a heavy reliance on out-of-pocket spending, and stubbornly high rates of maternal and adolescent health challenges.
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