Gambia
Gambia is a West African nation located along the banks of the Gambia River and surrounded almost entirely by Senegal. Current estimates indicate a population of approximately 2.9 million people with a projected GDP per capita of 971 USD.
Where is Gambia?
Gambia
- Continent
- Africa
- Country
- Gambia
- Coordinates
- 13.47°, -16.57°
Population Details
- Population
- 2.9M
- Area
- 10,689 km²
- Density per km²
- 270 / km²
- Growth rate
- +2.28%
- Annual growth
- +65.7K people
- Daily growth
- +180.13 people
- World population share
- 0.04%
Population Trend
Historical series from 1960 to 2026
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Gambia
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Banjul
- Region
- Africa
- Area
- 10,689 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- dalasi (D)
- Timezones
- UTC+00:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
The Gambian economy is driven primarily by agriculture, tourism, and remittances, with a projected GDP per capita of 971 USD. Current estimates show an annual GDP growth rate of 5.6%, although the nation still ranks 199 globally in GDP per capita and 184 in nominal GDP. The unemployment rate stands at 6.5%, which represents a global rank of 70 for the lowest unemployment. Most of the labor force is engaged in subsistence farming, particularly groundnut cultivation, which remains a vital export.
Society
Public health and education metrics show that Gambia has a life expectancy at birth of 66.1 years, ranking 185 globally. The adult literacy rate is 51.6%, placing the country 157 in a global ranking of 170 nations. Internet usage has reached 49.5% of the population, which corresponds to a global rank of 163. While approximately 64.3% of the population is now urbanized, access to consistent social services remains a challenge for many residents.
Climate & Environment
Gambia experiences a tropical climate characterized by a hot, rainy season from June to October and a cooler, dry season from November to May. Temperatures typically fluctuate between 23 °C (73 °F) and 32 °C (90 °F), with the dry Harmattan winds often blowing from the Sahara during the winter months.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- presidential republic
- Independence
- 1965-02-18 (UK)
Gambia is a presidential republic where the president serves as both the head of state and head of government. The executive power is exercised by the president and their cabinet, while legislative power is vested in the unicameral National Assembly. Following a significant democratic transition in early 2017, the country has worked to strengthen its institutional framework and judicial independence. The legal system is a mixture of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law, reflecting the diverse cultural fabric of the nation. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into several regions and the capital city of Banjul. The political landscape has evolved into a multi-party system that encourages broader civic participation compared to previous decades. The government remains focused on judicial reform, human rights protections, and decentralization to improve service delivery across its 10,689 km² (4,127 sq mi) territory.
History
Gambia's history is deeply intertwined with the river that shares its name, which served as a vital trade artery for centuries. The region was once part of the influential Mali and Songhai empires before European explorers arrived. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the area became a site of intense competition between British and French interests. Eventually, the British established control, and the country became a crown colony. Gambia achieved formal independence from the UK on 18 February 1965, led by Sir Dawda Jawara, who served as the first president. In 1994, a bloodless military coup led by Yahya Jammeh ended the Jawara era, initiating a period of authoritarian rule that lasted for 22 years. This era was marked by significant isolation and domestic tension until a landmark election in December 2016 led to the inauguration of Adama Barrow. This transition, finalized in early 2017 with support from regional ECOWAS forces, signaled a return to democratic norms and international re-engagement. Today, the nation focuses on reconciliation and rebuilding its economy while maintaining its unique status as the smallest country on mainland Africa, almost entirely surrounded by Senegal (SEN) except for its 80 km (50 mi) coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
Notable Facts
- Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland, occupying a narrow strip of land that follows the Gambia River for approximately 320 km (200 mi).
- The country is a premier destination for birdwatchers, hosting over 500 species of birds within its diverse gallery forests and wetlands.
- Kunta Kinteh Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Gambia River, served as a significant point in the transatlantic slave trade and inspired the famous novel Roots.
- The nation is affectionately known as the Smiling Coast of Africa due to the perceived friendliness of its people and its growing reputation as a stable tourist hub.
- Nearly all of the country's land borders are shared with a single neighbor, Senegal, making it one of the most geographically unique nations in Western Africa.
Geography
- Highest Point
- unnamed location (53 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 80 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in GambiaExplore weather and climate data for cities in Gambia
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Banjul
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January best | 31°C / 21°C | 31°C / 19°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 10.6h Excellent | 49% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| February best | 32°C / 21°C | 33°C / 20°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 10.9h Excellent | 49% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| March best | 32°C / 22°C | 34°C / 21°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 11.5h Excellent | 58% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| April | 32°C / 23°C | 36°C / 24°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 11.9h Excellent | 64% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| May | 31°C / 24°C | 36°C / 26°C | 0days (2 mm) Excellent | 11.8h Excellent | 74% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| June | 31°C / 26°C | 36°C / 30°C | 3days (18 mm) Excellent | 11.6h Excellent | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| July | 30°C / 26°C | 36°C / 31°C | 18days (189 mm) Wet | 10.1h Excellent | 83% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| August | 30°C / 26°C | 36°C / 30°C | 24days (291 mm) Wet | 9h Good | 86% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| September | 30°C / 26°C | 37°C / 31°C | 21days (269 mm) Wet | 9.4h Good | 86% Very Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| October | 32°C / 26°C | 39°C / 32°C | 9days (65 mm) Wet | 10.7h Excellent | 83% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| November | 33°C / 25°C | 37°C / 27°C | 1days (2 mm) Excellent | 10.7h Excellent | 70% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| December best | 31°C / 21°C | 32°C / 21°C | 0days (0 mm) Excellent | 10.2h Excellent | 56% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 31°C / 21°C . Feb: 32°C / 21°C . Mar: 32°C / 22°C . Apr: 32°C / 23°C . May: 31°C / 24°C . Jun: 31°C / 26°C . Jul: 30°C / 26°C . Aug: 30°C / 26°C . Sep: 30°C / 26°C . Oct: 32°C / 26°C . Nov: 33°C / 25°C . Dec: 31°C / 21°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 0 mm. Feb: 0 mm. Mar: 0 mm. Apr: 0 mm. May: 2 mm. Jun: 18 mm. Jul: 189 mm. Aug: 291 mm. Sep: 269 mm. Oct: 65 mm. Nov: 2 mm. Dec: 0 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Gambia is approximately 2.9M (2024).
The capital of Gambia is Banjul.
Gambia's GDP per capita is $970.77 (2024).
Life expectancy in Gambia is 66.06 years (2024).
Gambia covers 10,689 km² (4,127 sq mi).
Gambia is densely populated, with 270 people per km² — above the global average of 60.
Gambia's population is growing rapidly at 2.3% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, Gambia falls in the low GDP-per-person tier at $970.77. 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 Gambia is English.
Gambia uses the dalasi (D) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Gambia are January, February, March, December, based on climate data for the capital.
The latest projected GDP per capita for Gambia is 971 USD. This value places the country at a global rank of 199 out of 212 countries and 43 out of 54 in the Africa region. Despite this lower tier ranking, the economy is currently experiencing an annual GDP growth rate of 5.6%.
Approximately 49.5% of the Gambian population uses the internet according to the latest available data. This penetration rate gives the country a global rank of 163 out of 212 measured nations. Access is higher in urban centers, where about 64.3% of the total population now resides.
The adult literacy rate in Gambia is 51.6% based on recent data. This indicates that roughly half of the adult population can read and write, placing the country 157 among 170 ranked nations globally. Improving educational access remains a key priority for the national government and international partners.
Recent health data indicates that life expectancy at birth in Gambia is 66.1 years. This figure ranks the nation 185 globally out of 215 countries. While healthcare infrastructure is developing, the country faces challenges common to the region, including limited access to specialized medical services in rural areas.
The current unemployment rate in Gambia is 6.5%. When ranked by the lowest unemployment rate first, Gambia holds the global position of 70 out of 186 nations. The labor market is heavily influenced by seasonal activities in the agricultural and tourism sectors, which are primary employers.
The estimated 2026 population of Gambia is 2,887,126 residents. This figure is projected from the official 2024 population of 2,759,988 using a consistent annual growth rate of 2.3%. The country continues to experience steady growth due to a high birth rate and improving life expectancy.
Gambia currently holds a global population rank of 141 out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it is the 42nd largest nation in Africa out of 54 countries and the 14th largest in the Western Africa subregion. Despite its small land area, it maintains a significant presence due to high density.
Gambia has a high population density, with an estimated 285.2 people per km² (738.7 per sq mi). This places the country at 45th globally and 5th in Africa for population density. Most of the population is concentrated along the Gambia River and in the coastal urban centers.
The population of Gambia is growing at an annual rate of 2.3%. This results in an estimated net increase of 172 people every day, driven by 226 births and 47 deaths. This growth rate is among the highest in Western Africa, contributing to a youthful demographic profile.
The current fertility rate in Gambia is 3.9 births per woman, which is the 28th highest fertility rate globally. While this represents a decrease from previous decades, it remains high enough to drive significant population expansion. Efforts to improve maternal health and education are influencing these trends.
Recent data indicates that 64.3% of the Gambian population lives in urban areas. This high urbanization rate, ranked 108th globally, is primarily centered around the capital of Banjul and the surrounding urban sprawl of Serekunda and Brikama, as people move from rural areas for economic opportunities.
All Indicators
Explore Gambia's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
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Environment
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Geography
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