Country Profile: Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea, one of Africa's smallest countries by both area and population, comprises a mainland territory bordered by Cameroon and Gabon, along with several inhabited islands, the largest being Bioko, where the capital, Malabo, is located. The country has a diverse ethnic composition, predominantly Fang, and features a tropical climate. Despite significant oil and gas reserves that have fueled economic growth since the 1990s, systemic corruption and political instability have hindered socioeconomic development, with many citizens experiencing persistent poverty.

Geography

Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa, bordered by the Bight of Biafra and neighboring Cameroon and Gabon. The country has a total area of 28,051 square kilometers, characterized by coastal plains that rise to interior hills, while its islands are volcanic in nature. The climate is tropical, marked by consistently hot and humid conditions.

28,051 sq km: Total area.
528 km: Total land boundaries with Cameroon and Gabon.
296 km: Coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
3,008 m: Elevation of Pico Basile, the highest point.

People and Society

As of 2024, Equatorial Guinea's population is estimated to be approximately 1.8 million, with a youthful demographic where about 35.6% are under the age of 15. The majority of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, and Spanish is the official language. Urbanization has been on the rise, with 74.4% of the population living in urban areas.

1,795,834: Estimated population in 2024.
35.6%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years.
22.3 years: Median age of the population.
63.9 years: Life expectancy at birth.

Economy

Equatorial Guinea's economy heavily relies on its oil and gas sector, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP and government revenues, although the country is striving to diversify its economy. The GDP per capita has seen fluctuations due to economic challenges, with a noted increase in government efforts toward infrastructure development despite issues of corruption and poverty.

$29.248 billion: Real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
7.9%: Unemployment rate in 2024.
45.8%: Contribution of the industry sector to GDP for 2024.
3.1%: Agricultural sector contribution to GDP for 2024.

Government

Equatorial Guinea is a presidential republic, with the president holding significant control over all branches of government. The country's political framework has been criticized for its lack of competitive elections, as evidenced by the most recent election in 2022 where President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo secured a substantial majority.

President: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, in power since August 3, 1979.
Next expected election: 2029.
100: Total members in the Chamber of Deputies.
8: Total provinces in the country.

Military and Security

The Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie, tasked with both national defense and internal security. Military expenditures have varied but represent a small percentage of GDP, with ongoing efforts to modernize equipment with new acquisitions.

2,000: Estimated active military personnel in 2025.
1%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2024.
18-25 years: Age range for voluntary military service with a 24-month obligation.

Energy

Equatorial Guinea is rich in energy resources, particularly oil and natural gas, which are central to its economy. The country is working towards improving electricity access, although rural electrification remains low.

67%: Percentage of the total population with access to electricity as of 2022.
98,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production in 2023.
1.402 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption in 2023.

Environment

Environmental challenges in Equatorial Guinea include deforestation, water pollution, and limited potable tap water. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.

86.4%: Forest area as a percentage of total land use (2023).
15.8 million cubic meters: Total annual municipal water withdrawal (2022).
5.471 million metric tonnes: Total carbon dioxide emissions (2023).

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Equatorial Guinea includes a limited number of airports and ports primarily used for shipping oil and gas. The country has a modest civil aircraft registry and a merchant marine fleet.

7: Total airports anticipated by 2025.
53: Total merchant marine vessels as of 2023.

Communications

Communications infrastructure is developing, with mobile cellular subscriptions growing, although fixed-line and broadband subscriptions remain low. Internet access is improving, with 60% of the population estimated to be users.

893,441: Total mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2022.
60%: Percentage of the population with internet access as of 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,795,834	Estimated for 2024
Total Area	28,051 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$29.248 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	7.9%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth	63.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Electric Access	67%	Estimated for 2022
Military Expenditures	1% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	54.509 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Total Carbon Dioxide Emissions	5.471 million metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023
Urban Population	74.4%	Of total population (2023)