The Gambia

Code: GA | Region: Africa

Introduction

Background

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In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia. The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. He subsequently won every presidential election until 2016, when he lost to Adama BARROW, who headed an opposition coalition during free and fair elections. BARROW won reelection in 2021. The Gambia is the only member of the Economic Community of West African States that does not have presidential term limits. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported democracy-strengthening activities, capacity building, economic development, and security sector education and training programs.

Geography

Location

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Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Geographic coordinates

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13 28 N, 16 34 W

Map references

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Africa

Area

total

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11,300 sq km

land

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10,120 sq km

water

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1,180 sq km

Area - comparative

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slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Land boundaries

total

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749 km

border countries

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Senegal 749 km

Coastline

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80 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

contiguous zone

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18 nm

continental shelf

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extent not specified

exclusive fishing zone

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200 nm

Climate

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tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Terrain

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flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Elevation

highest point

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unnamed elevation 63 m; 3 km southeast of the town of Sabi

lowest point

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Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation

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34 m

Natural resources

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fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon

Land use

agricultural land

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62.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 43.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 18.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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22% (2023 est.)

other

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15.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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50 sq km (2012)

Major rivers (by length in km)

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Gambia river mouth (shared with Senegal and Guinea [s]) - 1,094 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major aquifers

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Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin

Population distribution

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settlements are found scattered along the Gambia River; the largest communities, including the capital of Banjul and the country's largest city, Serekunda, are found at the mouth of the Gambia River along the Atlantic coast, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

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droughts

Geography - note

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almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the African mainland

People and Society

Population

total

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2,523,327 (2024 est.)

male

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1,250,490

female

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1,272,837

Nationality

noun

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Gambian(s)

adjective

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Gambian

Ethnic groups

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Mandinka/Jahanka 33.3%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 18.2%, Wolof 12.9%, Jola/Karoninka 11%, Serahuleh 7.2%, Serer 3.5%, other 4%, non-Gambian 9.9% (2019-20 est.)

Languages

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English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Religions

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Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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38.2% (male 486,472/female 477,309)

15-64 years

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58.1% (male 723,360/female 743,127)

65 years and over

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3.7% (2024 est.) (male 40,658/female 52,401)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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72.1 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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65.7 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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6.3 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

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15.8 (2024 est.)

Median age

total

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20.5 years (2025 est.)

male

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19.8 years

female

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20.6 years

Population growth rate

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2.09% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

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-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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Urbanization

urban population

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64.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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3.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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481,000 BANJUL (capital) (2023)

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note: includes the local government areas of Banjul and Kanifing

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.78 male(s)/female

total population

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0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

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20.7 years (2019/20 est.)

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note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Infant mortality rate

total

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35 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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39.1 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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32.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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68.4 years (2024 est.)

male

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66.7 years

female

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70.1 years

Total fertility rate

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3.39 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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1.67 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 90.9% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 76.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 85.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 9.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 23.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 14.4% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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3.2% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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7.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

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1.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 74.9% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 32% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 59.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 25.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 68% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 40.6% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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10.3% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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2.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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2.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

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8.6% (2025 est.)

male

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17% (2025 est.)

female

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0.5% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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11.6% (2020 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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63% (2020 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

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5.6% (2020)

women married by age 18

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23.1% (2020)

men married by age 18

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0.2% (2020)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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14.2% national budget (2025 est.)

Literacy

total population

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51.6% (2021 est.)

male

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65.3% (2021 est.)

female

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40.5% (2021 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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deforestation due to slash-and-burn agriculture; desertification; water pollution; water-borne diseases

International environmental agreements

party to

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Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

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Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban

Climate

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tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Land use

agricultural land

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62.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 43.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 18.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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22% (2023 est.)

other

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15.4% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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64.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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3.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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537,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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537,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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34.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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193,400 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

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13% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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41.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

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21.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

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39.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

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8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Republic of The Gambia

conventional short form

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The Gambia

etymology

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named for the Gambia River that flows through the country; Portuguese explorers in the 15th century derived the name for the river from its local name, Ba-Dimma, meaning "the river"

Government type

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presidential republic

Capital

name

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Banjul

geographic coordinates

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13 27 N, 16 34 W

time difference

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UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology

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the name derives from a misunderstanding between Portuguese colonists and inhabitants in the 15th century; when asked what the area was called, the inhabitants thought they were being asked what they were doing and replied, "bangjulo," or "rope making"

Administrative divisions

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5 regions, 1 city*, and 1 municipality**; Banjul*, Central River, Kanifing**, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast

Legal system

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mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law

Constitution

history

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previous 1965 (Independence Act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997

amendment process

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proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly membership in each of several readings and approval by the president of the republic; a referendum is required for amendments affecting national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, government structures and authorities, taxation, and public funding; passage by referendum requires participation of at least 50% of eligible voters and approval by at least 75% of votes cast

note

note: in 2024, The Gambian government announced its commitment to adopting a new constitution

International law organization participation

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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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yes

citizenship by descent only

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yes

dual citizenship recognized

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residency requirement for naturalization

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5 years

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022)

head of government

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Vice President Mohammed JALLOW (since 23 February 2024)

cabinet

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Cabinet appointed by the president

election/appointment process

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president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); vice president appointed by the president

most recent election date

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4 December 2021

election results

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2021: Adama BARROW reelected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (NPP) 53.2%, Ousainou DARBOE (UDP) 27.7%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 12.3%, other 6.8% 2016: Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1%

expected date of next election

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2026

Legislative branch

legislature name

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National Assembly

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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58 (53 directly elected; 5 appointed)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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5 years

most recent election date

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4/9/2022

parties elected and seats per party

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National People's Party (NPP) (18); United Democratic Party (UDP) (15); National Reconciliation Party (NRP) (4); Independents (12); Other (4)

percentage of women in chamber

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8.6%

expected date of next election

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April 2027

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices; court sessions held with 5 justices)

judge selection and term of office

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justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 75

subordinate courts

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Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts; cadi courts

Political parties

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Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC Gambia Democratic Congress or GDC Gambia Moral Congress or GMC National People's Party or NPP People's Progressive Party or PPP United Democratic Party or UDP

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Momodou Lamin BAH (12 December 2022)

chancery

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5630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone

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[1] (202) 785-1399

FAX

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[1] (202) 785-1430

email address and website

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info@gambiaembassydc.us https://www.gambiaembassydc.us/home

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Eugene S. YOUNG (since 14 October 2025)

embassy

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Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, P.M.B. 19, Banjul

mailing address

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2070 Banjul Place, Washington DC  20521-2070

telephone

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[220] 439-2856

FAX

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[220] 439-2475

email address and website

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ConsularBanjul@state.gov https://gm.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

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18 February 1965 (from the UK)

National holiday

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Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Flag

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description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green meaning: red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue for the Gambia River, and green for forests and agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace

National symbol(s)

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lion

National color(s)

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red, blue, green, white

National anthem(s)

title

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"For The Gambia, Our Homeland"

lyrics/music

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Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE

history

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adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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2 (both cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

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Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites; Stone Circles of Senegambia

Economy

Economic overview

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low-income West African economy; agriculture-dominant; high poverty rate; heightened inflation; dependent on foreign assistance and remittances; structural reforms conditioned by IMF Extended Credit Facility program

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$8.365 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$7.911 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$7.549 billion (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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5.7% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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4.8% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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5.5% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$3,000 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$2,900 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$2,900 (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$2.508 billion (2024 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

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11.6% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

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17% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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11.5% (2022 est.)

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note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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24.1% (2024 est.)

industry

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14.7% (2024 est.)

services

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53.9% (2024 est.)

note

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

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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83.2% (2024 est.)

government consumption

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8.5% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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39% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

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0% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

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6.6% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-37.2% (2024 est.)

note

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

Agricultural products

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rice, groundnuts, milk, millet, oil palm fruit, maize, vegetables, cassava, fruits, sorghum (2023)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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peanuts, fish, hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing

Industrial production growth rate

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2.4% (2024 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force

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783,100 (2024 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

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6.5% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

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6.5% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

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6.1% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

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10.9% (2024 est.)

male

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10.9% (2024 est.)

female

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10.9% (2024 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line

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53.4% (2020 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2020

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38.8 (2020 est.)

note

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

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

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2.6% (2020 est.)

highest 10%

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30.5% (2020 est.)

note

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

Remittances 2024

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21.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Remittances 2023

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21.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

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22.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

note

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

Budget

revenues

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$308.887 million (2018 est.)

expenditures

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$221.137 million (2018 est.)

note

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

Public debt

Public debt 2016

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82.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024

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-$74.374 million (2024 est.)

Current account balance 2023

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-$120.064 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

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-$90.251 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2024

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$838.409 million (2024 est.)

Exports 2023

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$717.774 million (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

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$267.377 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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Kazakhstan 92%, Guinea-Bissau 2%, China 1%, India 1%, Greece 1% (2023)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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packaged medicine, cars, harvesting machinery, refined petroleum, trailers (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2024

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$1.549 billion (2024 est.)

Imports 2023

text

$1.353 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

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$829.516 million (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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Kazakhstan 26%, China 18%, Senegal 8%, India 7%, Brazil 4% (2023)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

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crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cotton fabric, iron alloys, rice (2023)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$577.028 million (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

text

$568.244 million (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

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$652.671 million (2021 est.)

note

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

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

text

$902.421 million (2023 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

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dalasis (GMD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2023

text

61.096 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

text

54.923 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

text

51.484 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

text

51.502 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

text

50.062 (2019 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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65.4% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

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82.8%

electrification - rural areas

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31.2%

Electricity

installed generating capacity

text

162,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

text

410.824 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

text

104.176 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

text

99% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

text

3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

text

2.731 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

text

60,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

2 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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2.68 million (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

101 (2021 est.)

Broadcast media

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1 state-run TV-channel; one privately owned TV station; 1 online TV station; 3 state-owned and 31 privately owned radio stations; 8 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available; cable and satellite TV subscription services in some parts of the country (2019)

Internet country code

text

.gm

Internet users

percent of population

text

46% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

text

6,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

(2022 est.) less than 1

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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Airports

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1 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

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15 (2023)

by type

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general cargo 5, other 10

Ports

total ports

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1 (2024)

large

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medium

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small

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very small

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ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Banjul

Military and Security

Military and security forces

text

Gambian Armed Forces (GAF; aka Armed Forces of the Gambia): the Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambia Navy, Gambia Air Force, Republican National Guard (RNG) Ministry of Interior: Gambia Police Force (GPF) (2025)

note

note: the RNG is responsible for VIP protection, riot control, and presidential security, while the GPF maintains internal security

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024

text

0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

text

0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

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0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

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0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

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0.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

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estimated 3,000-4,000 active Gambian Armed Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

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the military of Gambia has a limited inventory of mostly older, obsolescent, or donated equipment originating from several suppliers, including Taiwan, Turkey, the UK, and the US (2025)

Military service age and obligation

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18-28 years of age for men and women depending on enlisted, officer, or specialized positions (2025)

Military - note

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the Gambian Armed Forces (GAF) are responsible for external defense and aiding civil authorities in internal emergencies and natural disaster relief; they participate in multinational peacekeeping missions, as well as domestic support activities such as agricultural development, construction, education, and health services; the Gambian security forces have a history of involvement in domestic politics, including multiple coup attempts and mutinies, with the latest being an attempted coup in 2022 since January 2017, several members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have provided security forces for Gambia's stability, plus assistance and training for the GAF and other Gambian security forces through the ECOWAS Mission in the Gambia (ECOMIG); as of 2025, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal were providing military and gendarmerie personnel for ECOMIG (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

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4,411 (2024 est.)

IDPs

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7,462 (2024 est.)