Country Profile: Gambia, The

The Gambia is a small, tropical country located in Western Africa, bordered by Senegal and the North Atlantic Ocean. With a population of approximately 2.5 million, the country predominantly relies on agriculture, which drives its economy amidst high poverty rates and inflation challenges. Governance has evolved from a colonial past, marked by military coups, to a presidential republic characterized by its unique electoral landscape, including a lack of presidential term limits.

Geography

The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland, with its geography defined by the floodplain of the Gambia River and flanked by low hills. The climate is tropical, featuring a hot rainy season from June to November and a cooler dry season from November to May. The nation's land is primarily used for agriculture, with significant resources including fish, clay, and silica sand.

Area: 11,300 sq km
Land boundaries: 749 km, bordered entirely by Senegal
Coastline: 80 km along the Atlantic Ocean
Elevation: Highest point at 63 m (near Sabi)
Natural resources: Include fish, clay, and titanium
Agricultural land: 62.6% of total area (2023 est.)

People and Society

The estimated population of The Gambia is around 2.5 million, composed of several ethnic groups, primarily Mandinka and Fulani, with Islam being the predominant religion. The country has a youthful demographic, with a median age of approximately 20.5 years and a significant urban population, particularly in Banjul and Serekunda.

Population: 2,523,327 (2024 est.)
Urbanization: 64.5% of the total population lives in urban areas (2023)
Life expectancy: 68.4 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate: 51.6% (2021 est.)
Languages: English (official), along with indigenous languages like Mandinka and Wolof
Religions: 96.4% Muslim, 3.5% Christian (2019-20 est.)
Birth rate: 26.49 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Economy

The Gambian economy is primarily agrarian, with a high dependence on foreign assistance and remittances. Despite facing challenges such as inflation and poverty, the country has seen steady GDP growth attributed to structural reforms. Agriculture, services, and industry contribute to its GDP, with peanuts and fish being notable exports.

GDP (PPP): $8.365 billion (2024 est.)
GDP growth rate: 5.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural contribution: 24.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Inflation rate: 11.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 53.4% of the population below the poverty line (2020 est.)
Remittances: 21.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

The Gambia operates as a presidential republic with a unicameral National Assembly. The current president is Adama Barrow, who was re-elected in 2021. The legal system is a mix of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law, with significant reforms planned to reshape governance.

Government type: Presidential republic
Capital: Banjul
Executive branch: President Adama Barrow (since 2022)
Administrative divisions: 5 regions, 1 city, and 1 municipality
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Independence: Gained from the UK on February 18, 1965

Military and Security

The Gambian Armed Forces encompass the army, navy, and air force, with a focus on both external defense and internal security. The military budget remains modest, constituting about 0.6% of GDP, and the country benefits from regional security assistance.

Military personnel: Estimated 3,000-4,000 active members (2025)
Military expenditure: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Service age: 18-28 years for men and women
Security forces: Include the Gambian Police Force and Republican National Guard
Involvement in peacekeeping: Regional partnerships for stability and training assistance (2025)

Energy

Energy access in The Gambia is improving, with electricity coverage at 65.4% for the total population. The energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, with limited contributions from renewable sources.

Electricity access: 65.4% of the population (2022 est.)
Installed capacity: 162,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 410.824 million kWh (2023 est.)
Fossil fuels: Account for 99% of total installed capacity
Petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

The Gambia faces environmental challenges such as deforestation, desertification, and pollution. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements, reflecting its commitment to addressing these issues.

Carbon dioxide emissions: 537,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Water withdrawal: 101.6 million cubic meters total (2022 est.)
Urban population: Constitutes 64.5% of the total population (2023)
Deforestation causes: Slash-and-burn agriculture practices contribute to environmental degradation
Natural hazards: Droughts are prevalent

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure is limited, with a single major airport and few merchant marine vessels. The country primarily relies on road systems to facilitate movement.

Airports: 1 operational airport (2025)
Merchant marine: 15 ships (2023)
Key port: Banjul serves as the principal port
Civil aircraft registration prefix: C5
Transportation infrastructure: Focused on road networks for domestic connectivity

Communications

The Gambian communication network has seen growth, particularly in mobile cellular subscriptions. However, fixed-line usage remains low, and internet penetration is gradually increasing.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 2.68 million (2021 est.)
Internet users: 46% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 60,000 (2021 est.)
Broadcast media: Includes state-run and privately owned outlets
Broadband subscriptions: Less than 1 per 100 inhabitants (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,523,327 (2024 est.)
Area	11,300 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$8.365 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption	2.731 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	26.49 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	6.5% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	68.4 years (2024 est.)
Poverty rate	53.4% (2020 est.)
Electricity access	65.4% (2022 est.)