Country Profile: Gambia, The

The Gambia is a small country located in Western Africa, bordered by Senegal and the North Atlantic Ocean. It has a diverse population of approximately 2.5 million people, primarily engaged in agriculture, which drives the economy along with tourism and remittances. Governed as a presidential republic, The Gambia transitioned to a more democratic political climate following the end of Yahya Jammeh's long rule in 2016, leading to improved international relations, particularly with the United States.

Geography

The Gambia is situated in Western Africa, almost entirely surrounded by Senegal, with a narrow coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The country covers an area of approximately 11,300 square kilometers, characterized by a floodplain of the Gambia River and some low hills. The tropical climate features a hot rainy season from June to November and a cooler, dry season from November to May.

11,300 sq km: Total area.
62.6% (2023 est.): Agricultural land usage.
80 km: Length of the coastline.
22% (2023 est.): Forest coverage.
749 km: Length of land borders with Senegal.

People and Society

The Gambia's population is estimated at 2,523,327 in 2024, with a high proportion of young people; approximately 38.2% are aged 0-14. It is ethnically diverse, with the Mandinka, Fulani, Wolof, and Jola groups being the largest. The country is predominantly Muslim (96.4%), and English serves as the official language.

20.2 years: Median age of the population (2024 est.).
27.3 births/1,000 population: Birth rate (2024 est.).
68.4 years: Life expectancy (2024 est.).
64.5%: Urban population (2023).
51.6%: Literacy rate (2021 est.).
38.8: Gini Index coefficient (2020 est.), indicating income inequality.

Economy

The Gambian economy is classified as low-income and heavily reliant on agriculture, which constitutes about 24.1% of its GDP. The country faces high poverty rates and inflation, with significant reliance on foreign aid and remittances. In 2024, GDP is projected at approximately $2.508 billion, with real GDP growth estimated at 5.7%.

$8.365 billion: Real GDP (PPP) (2024 est.).
6.5%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
53.9%: Services sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.).
21.1%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.).
$1.549 billion: Imports in 2024 est.
$838.409 million: Exports in 2024 est.

Government

The Gambia operates as a presidential republic with a mixed legal system incorporating English common law, Islamic law, and customary law. The current president, Adama Barrow, has been in office since January 2022. The country has undergone significant political reforms and now has a unicameral National Assembly with 58 members.

18 February 1965: Independence from the UK.
5 regions and 2 municipalities: Administrative divisions.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
0.6% of GDP: Military expenditures (2024 est.).
8.6%: Percentage of women in the National Assembly.

Military and Security

The Gambia's military comprises the Gambian National Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Republican National Guard. With an estimated 3,000-4,000 active personnel, the military is primarily responsible for national defense and internal security, supported by ECOWAS forces for stability post-2017.

0.6% of GDP: Military expenditures (2024 est.).
18-25 years: Age for voluntary military service.
Limited inventory: Mostly older military equipment.
Participates in: Multinational peacekeeping missions.

Energy

Energy access in The Gambia is limited, with an electrification rate of 65.4% overall, much higher in urban areas (82.8%) compared to rural areas (31.2%). The electricity generation is predominantly based on fossil fuels, representing 99% of installed capacity.

162,000 kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.).
410.824 million kWh: Electricity consumption (2023 est.).
3,000 bbl/day: Refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.).
Total energy consumption per capita: 2.731 million Btu (2023 est.).

Environment

The Gambia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and water pollution. It participates in multiple international environmental agreements concerning biodiversity and climate change initiatives.

62.6%: Agricultural land use (2023 est.).
13%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).
537,000 metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.).

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure includes limited civil aviation capabilities and a small merchant marine fleet. The capital, Banjul, serves as the main port and airport hub.

1: Major airport (2025).
15: Merchant marine vessels (2023).
1: Key port (Banjul, 2024).

Communications

The Gambia has a developing communications sector, with approximately 2.68 million mobile subscriptions. Various media outlets operate, including several radio stations and one state-run TV channel.

46%: Internet penetration rate (2023).
60,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,523,327 (2024 est.)
Area	11,300 sq km
GDP (official exchange rate)	$2.508 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption	410.824 million kWh (2023 est.)
Birth rate	27.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	6.5% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	68.4 years (2024 est.)