Country Profile: Gambia, The

The Gambia is a small country located in Western Africa, bordered by Senegal and the North Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by its tropical climate and a landscape that primarily consists of floodplains along the Gambia River. With a population of over 2.5 million, The Gambia's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, and it faces significant challenges such as poverty and high inflation. Governed as a presidential republic, it has made strides toward strengthening democracy since its transition from decades of authoritarian rule.

Geography

The Gambia boasts a unique geographical position as the smallest country on the African mainland, almost entirely surrounded by Senegal. The terrain is predominantly a flood plain along the Gambia River, with limited hills and a tropical climate that brings a distinct rainy season from June to November.

Area: 11,300 sq km, slightly less than twice the size of Delaware.
Population Distribution: Major settlements are located along the Gambia River, including the capital, Banjul.
Natural Resources: Includes fish, clay, silica sand, titanium, tin, and zircon.
Climate: Tropical, with a hot rainy season and a cooler dry season.
Irrigated Land: 50 sq km (2012).

People and Society

The Gambia's population is estimated at approximately 2.5 million, exhibiting a youthful demographic with a median age of 20.5 years. The country is diverse ethnically, with significant groups including the Mandinka, Fulani, and Wolof. Islam is the predominant religion, practiced by around 96.4% of the population.

Urbanization Rate: 64.5% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Literacy Rate: Approximately 51.6% of the total population (2021).
Life Expectancy: 68.4 years (2024).
Birth Rate: 26.49 births per 1,000 population (2025).
Population Growth Rate: 2.09% (2025).

Economy

The economy of The Gambia is classified as low-income, with agriculture playing a central role. The country relies heavily on foreign assistance and remittances, and structural reforms are in progress under the IMF program.

GDP (PPP): Estimated at $8.365 billion (2024).
GDP Growth Rate: 5.7% (2024).
Agriculture's GDP Share: 24.1% (2024).
Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (2024).
Poverty Rate: 53.4% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2020).
Remittances: Account for 21.1% of GDP (2024).

Government

The Gambia is a presidential republic with a mixed legal system that incorporates English common law and Islamic law. The current President, Adama Barrow, has been in office since January 2022, following his election in 2021.

Capital: Banjul.
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly with 58 seats.
Suffrage Age: 18 years.
Constitution: The most recent was adopted in 1996, with a commitment to adopt a new constitution announced in 2024.
Independence: Achieved on February 18, 1965.

Military and Security

The Gambian Armed Forces (GAF) comprises the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Republican National Guard, with a focus on both external defense and internal security. The military has played a significant role in the country's political history, with recent support from ECOWAS for stability.

Estimated Personnel: 3,000-4,000 active members (2025).
Military Expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024).
Service Age: 18-28 years for both men and women (2025).
Peacekeeping Operations: Participation in regional peacekeeping missions.
Security Assistance: Ongoing support from ECOWAS since January 2017.

Energy

Electricity access in The Gambia is limited, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. The country heavily relies on fossil fuels for electricity generation.

Electricity Access: 65.4% of the population (2022).
Installed Capacity: 162,000 kW (2023).
Consumption: 410.824 million kWh (2023).
Petroleum Consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023).
Transmission Losses: 104.176 million kWh (2023).

Environment

The Gambia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution. The country is active in various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Environmental Challenges: Deforestation, desertification, and water-related diseases.
Urbanization Impact: 64.5% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Water Resources: Total renewable water resources are estimated at 8 billion cubic meters (2022).
CO2 Emissions: 537,000 metric tonnes (2023).
Recycling Rate: 13% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).

Transportation

The Gambia has limited transportation infrastructure with a single airport and a small merchant marine fleet primarily for cargo.

Airports: 1 (2025).
Ports: 1 key port in Banjul.
Merchant Marine: 15 vessels (2023).
Civil Aircraft Registration: C5.
Road Infrastructure: Limited, primarily serving urban areas.

Communications

The Gambia's communications infrastructure includes a growing mobile phone subscription base and increasing internet access.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: Approximately 2.68 million (2021).
Internet Users: 46% of the population (2023).
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 60,000 (2021).
Broadcast Media: Includes multiple private and state-run channels.
Broadband Subscriptions: Less than 1 per 100 inhabitants (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,523,327 (2024 est.)
Area	11,300 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$8.365 billion (2024)
Energy Consumption per Capita	2.731 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	26.49 births/1,000 population (2025)
Unemployment Rate	6.5% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	68.4 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population	64.5% of total population (2023)
CO2 Emissions	537,000 metric tonnes (2023)
Poverty Rate	53.4% (2020 est.)