Equatorial Guinea

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Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers landed on Bioko Island, and Portugal soon after established control of the island and other areas of modern Equatorial Guinea. In 1778, Portugal ceded its colonial hold over present-day Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. The borders of modern-day Equatorial Guinea would evolve between 1778 and 1968 as the area remained under European colonial rule.<br><br>In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain and elected Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA as its first president. MACIAS consolidated power soon after his election and ruled brutally for over a decade. Under his regime, Equatorial Guinea experienced mass suppression, purges, and killings. Some estimates indicate that a third of the population either went into exile or was killed under MACIAS’ rule. In 1979, present-day President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, then a senior military officer, deposed MACIAS in a violent coup. OBIANG has ruled since and has been elected in non-competitive contests several times, most recently in 2022. The president exerts near-total control over the political system. <br><br>Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in 2004 and has declined since. The country's economic windfall from oil production resulted in massive increases in government revenue, a significant portion of which was earmarked for infrastructure development. Systemic corruption, however, has hindered socio-economic development, and the population has seen only limited improvements to living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy, increase foreign investment, and assume a greater role in regional and international affairs.&amp;nbsp

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Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon

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2 00 N, 10 00 E

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Africa

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slightly smaller than Maryland

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296 km

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tropical; always hot, humid

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coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

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petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

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NA

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the two large cities are Bata on the mainland and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko; small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands, as shown in this population distribution map

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violent windstorms; flash floods <br><br><strong>volcanism:</strong> Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel and two dormant volcanoes form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea

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insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the equator passes through Equatorial Guinea -- the mainland part of the country is located just north of the equator

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Fang 78.1%, Bubi 9.4%, Ndowe 2.8%, Nanguedambo 2.7%, Bisio 0.9%, foreigner 5.3%, other 0.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)

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Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.)

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3.1% (2025 est.)

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28.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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8.81 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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11.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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the two large cities are Bata on the mainland and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko; small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands, as shown in this population distribution map

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297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018)

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174 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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4.05 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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1.99 (2025 est.)

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0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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8% (2016)

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deforestation (agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution; tap water non-potable; wildlife preservation

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tropical; always hot, humid

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26.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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26 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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presidential republic

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8 provinces (<em>provincias</em>, singular - <em>provincia</em>); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas

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mixed system of civil and customary law

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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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18 years of age; universal

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Center Right Union or UCD<br>Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS <br>Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE <br>Liberal Democratic Convention or CLD <br>Liberal Party or PL <br>National Congress of Equatorial Guinea (CNGE) <br>National Democratic Party (PNDGE) <br>National Democratic Union or UDENA <br>National Union for Democracy PUNDGE <br>Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE <br>Popular Union or UP <br>Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP <br>Social and Popular Convergence Party or CSDP <br>Social Democratic Coalition Party (PCSD) <br>Social Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea or PSDGE <br>Social Democratic Union or UDS <br>Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea 

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ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, Francophonie, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

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12 October 1968 (from Spain)

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Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

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<strong>description:</strong> three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the left side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six six-pointed yellow stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield with a silk-cotton tree; below is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> green stands for the jungle and natural resources, blue for the sea, white for peace, and red for the fight for independence

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silk cotton tree

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green, white, red, blue

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the national symbol, the silk cotton tree, is in the center of the coat of arms; the tree represents the location where the first treaty was signed between local rulers and the Portuguese; the stars above the tree symbolize the mainland and the five offshore islands; a ribbon below the shield displays the national motto, &ldquo;Unidad, Paz, Justicia&rdquo; (Unity, Peace, Justice)

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growing CEMAC economy and new OPEC member; large oil and gas reserves; targeting economic diversification and poverty reduction; still recovering from CEMAC crisis; improving public financial management; persistent poverty; hard-hit by COVID-19

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$12.766 billion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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sweet potatoes, cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, root vegetables, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa beans, chicken (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling

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0.8% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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715,000 (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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<strong>note:</strong> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

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<strong>note:</strong> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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<strong>note:</strong> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

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<b>note:</b> central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

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6.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

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<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

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<strong>note: </strong>GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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China 27%, Netherlands 12%, Spain 10%, Italy 7%, Germany 6% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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crude petroleum, natural gas, alcohols, wood, scrap iron (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<strong>note: </strong>GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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China 20%, Spain 17%, USA 10%, Gabon 5%, UK 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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ships, poultry, plastic products, beer, valves (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

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the state maintains control of broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son, 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019)

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.gq

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3C

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7 (2025)

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Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2025)

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<strong>note:</strong> the National Police report to the Ministry of National Security, while the Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of National Defense; police generally are responsible for maintaining law and order in the cities, while gendarmes are responsible for security outside cities and for special events

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estimated 2,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)

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the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and secondhand weapons systems; in recent years, it has sought to modernize its naval inventory with purchases of vessels from several countries, including Bulgaria and Israel; China and Russia have also supplied some equipment to the FAGE (2025)

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18-25 for voluntary military service; selective compulsory military service for men; 24-month service obligation (2025)

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the Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea (FAGE) are responsible for defending the territory and sovereignty of the country; the FAGE also has some internal security duties, including fulfilling some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas; maritime security, particularly protecting offshore oil installations and combating piracy and crime in the Gulf of Guinea, is a key priority (2025)