Gabon

The population of Gabon is approximately 2.6M (2024).

The capital of Gabon is Libreville.

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8.8K (2024).

Life expectancy in Gabon is 68.51 years (2024).

Gabon covers 267,668 km² (103,347 sq mi).

Gabon is very sparsely populated, with about 10 people per km² — well below the global average of 60.

Gabon's population is growing rapidly at 2.2% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Gabon falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $8.8K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

The official language of Gabon is French.

Gabon uses the Central African CFA franc (Fr) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Gabon are July, August, based on climate data for the capital.

The latest estimates project the population of Gabon to be approximately 2.65 million people. This reflects an annual growth rate of 2.2%, placing the nation 142nd in global population rankings and 43rd within Africa. The country is characterized by a very high urbanization rate, with nearly 92% of citizens living in cities.

Gabon is considered one of the wealthiest nations in Africa based on individual income, with a projected GDP per capita of $8,798. This figure ranks Gabon 1st in the Middle Africa subregion and 3rd overall on the African continent. However, despite this high ranking, the country faces a high unemployment rate of 20.2%.

Gabon maintains a high adult literacy rate of 88.9%, which ranks 103rd globally. This level of education is among the highest in the region, reflecting long-term investment in the school system. The country uses French as its official language for instruction and government administration.

Recent data shows that 68.7% of Gabon's population are internet users, giving the country a global rank of 136th for digital penetration. This high level of connectivity is facilitated by the country's concentrated urban population, which allows for more efficient infrastructure development in cities like Libreville and Port-Gentil.

Life expectancy at birth in Gabon is approximately 68.5 years, which ranks 163rd globally. While this is higher than the average for many neighboring countries in Middle Africa, it remains a key area for national health improvement. The current crude birth rate is 27.1 births per 1,000 people.

Gabon's economy is primarily driven by its natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, manganese, and timber. The nation ranks 129th globally in total GDP with a value of approximately $20.9 billion. Other emerging sectors include gold mining and iron ore production, as the country seeks to diversify its revenue sources.

Gabon holds the global population rank of 142 of 215 countries. Within its specific region, it is ranked 43 of 54 in Africa and 8 of 10 in the Middle Africa subregion. This placement reflects its status as one of the less populous nations on the African continent despite its significant land area.

The current population density of Gabon is estimated at 10.3 people per km² (26.7 per sq mi). This places the country at a global density rank of 201 of 215. Because much of the interior is covered by dense rainforest, the population remains concentrated in coastal urban centers and along major transit routes.

Gabon is currently experiencing an annual population growth rate of 2.16%. This growth is primarily driven by a high crude birth rate of 27.127 per 1,000 people, which significantly outweighs the crude death rate of 6.226 per 1,000 people. Recent data indicates that the population continues to expand at a consistent pace.

The current fertility rate in Gabon is 3.592 births per woman. This rank places the nation 40 of 215 globally for fertility, indicating a high birth rate compared to world averages. While this rate has seen a gradual decline over recent decades, it remains a primary driver of the country's overall population growth.

Gabon has one of the highest urbanization rates in the world, with 91.86% of the population living in cities. The latest ranking places the country 28 of 215 globally for urbanization. Most residents live in Libreville and Port-Gentil, reflecting a long-term economic shift away from rural agriculture toward industrial sectors.