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Gambia

Rank #142 by populationAfrica

Officially Republic of the Gambia

Population 2025
2,822,093
0.03% of world population
World Bank, 2025
Annual Growth
+2.23%
+62,792 people a year
World Bank, 2025
Density
267/km²
10,120 km² land area
World Bank, 2023
Median Age
18.6 years
Life expectancy 66.1 years
Our World in Data, 2025

About Gambia

With a population of 2,822,093 and a median age of 18.6 years, the Republic of the Gambia has a notably young demographic profile that supports rapid population growth of 2.2% annually. The country's fertility rate of 3.9 births per woman and life expectancy of 66.1 years reflect conditions typical of developing West African nations. Urban areas account for 65% of residents, concentrated in settlements across the nation's compact 10,120 km² territory.

Despite its small land area and population density of 267 people per km², Gambia ranks 140th globally by population. The economy remains modest, with a GDP per capita of $919, while the dalasi serves as the official currency. English is the primary language, and the country has functioned as a republic since gaining independence in 1965, bordered solely by Senegal.

This summary is AI-generated from the indicators on this page. The figures themselves come from the sources cited beside each value.

Country Facts

Capital
Banjul
Continent
Africa
ISO codes
GM · GMB
Demonym
Gambian
Currency
dalasi (GMD D)
Government
Republic
State inception
1965
Time zone
UTC±00:00
Driving side
Right
Calling code
+220
Internet TLD
.gm
Land neighbours
1

Languages

  • English

Demographics

Urban Population122nd of 240
65.0%
World Bank, 2025
Fertility Rate29th of 240
3.91 births per woman
World Bank, 2024
Birth Rate32nd of 213
29.9 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024
Death Rate144th of 213
6.2 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024

Economy

GDP per Capita227th of 240
$919
World Bank, 2025
GDP Growth36th of 210
+5.9%
World Bank, 2025
Unemployment Rate70th of 186
6.5%
World Bank, 2025
Inflation Rate21st of 191
11.6%
World Bank, 2024
Poverty Rate15th of 164
53.4%
World Bank, 2020
Gini Index58th of 170
38.8
World Bank, 2020

Health

Infant Mortality41st of 194
32.7 per 1,000 live births
World Bank, 2024
Health Spending179th of 192
2.9% of GDP
World Bank, 2023
Physicians195th of 206
0.09 per 1,000
World Bank, 2023
Hospital Beds148th of 199
1.11 per 1,000
World Bank, 2023
Maternal Mortality19th of 193
354 per 100,000 live births
World Bank, 2023
Obesity Rate164th of 198
11.2%
Our World in Data, 2024

Education

Literacy Rate162nd of 175
51.6%
World Bank, 2021
Education Spending162nd of 202
2.8% of GDP
World Bank, 2023
School Enrollment36th of 207
107.0% gross, secondary
World Bank, 2021
Mean Years of Schooling139th of 148
4.9 years
Our World in Data, 2020

Environment

Renewable Energy52nd of 211
47.7% of final consumption
World Bank, 2022
Forest Coverage126th of 211
22.3% of land area
World Bank, 2023
Protected Areas167th of 211
7.7% of land area
World Bank, 2025
CO₂ Emissions189th of 212
0.29 tonnes per capita
Our World in Data, 2024

Infrastructure

Internet Penetration159th of 211
49.5%
World Bank, 2024
Mobile Subscriptions72nd of 212
126.2 per 100 people
World Bank, 2024

Quality of Life

Human Development Index169th of 192
0.524
Our World in Data, 2023
Happiness Index137th of 164
4.31/ 10
Our World in Data, 2025

Geography

Land Area168th of 240
10,120 km²
World Bank, 2023

Military

Military Spending149th of 163
0.57% of GDP
World Bank, 2024

Age & Gender Distribution

Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.

Male Female
100+95-9990-9485-8980-8475-7970-7465-6960-6455-5950-5445-4940-4435-3930-3425-2920-2415-1910-145-90-4196K196KAge
Age 0–14
40.2%
Age 15–64
56.7%
Age 65+
3.1%
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant.
Gambia population pyramid
Age bandMaleFemale
100+13
95-992250
90-94236349
85-891,0891,354
80-843,1133,805
75-796,1737,489
70-749,93312,599
65-6917,18521,558
60-6426,38931,522
55-5934,42838,969
50-5439,23642,840
45-4945,03946,532
40-4458,95459,922
35-3977,23178,344
30-3497,36298,073
25-29114,007113,691
20-24129,386127,853
15-19153,450150,960
10-14178,744175,467
5-9186,113182,451
0-4196,242191,822

Population History & Projection (1950–2100)

Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.

01M2M3M4M5M1950197520002025205020752100projected →
Gambia's population was 307K in 1950 and is projected at 5.7M by 2100. Peak of 5.7M in 2100. Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 (estimates to 2024, medium variant thereafter).
Gambia population, 1950 to 2100
YearPopulation
1950306,736
1960398,060
1970524,105
1980713,913
19901,054,696
20001,455,084
20101,926,630
20202,515,733
20303,130,133
20403,732,798
20504,301,895
20604,800,124
20705,203,320
20805,487,552
20905,649,789
21005,703,042

How Gambia Compares

Population against the ten most populous countries.

  1. India1.46B
  2. China1.41B
  3. United States341.8M
  4. Indonesia285.7M
  5. Pakistan255.2M
  6. Nigeria237.5M
  7. Brazil212.8M
  8. Bangladesh175.7M
  9. Russia143.5M
  10. Ethiopia135.5M
  11. Gambia2.82M
Sources as cited on each country page.
Gambia compared with the ten largest countries by population
NamePopulation
India1.46B
China1.41B
United States341.8M
Indonesia285.7M
Pakistan255.2M
Nigeria237.5M
Brazil212.8M
Bangladesh175.7M
Russia143.5M
Ethiopia135.5M
Gambia2.82M

Countries Bordering Gambia

1 land border.

Gambia Population FAQ

What is the population of Gambia in 2026?

Gambia has a population of 2,822,093 people (2025 estimate), which is 142nd in the world and about 0.03% of the global total.

Is the population of Gambia growing or shrinking?

Gambia's population is growing at +2.23% per year, a change of roughly 62,792 people annually.

What is the capital of Gambia?

The capital of Gambia is Banjul.

How densely populated is Gambia?

Gambia has 267/km² across 10,120 km² of land area.

What is life expectancy in Gambia?

Life expectancy at birth in Gambia is 66.1 years (2024).

What is the median age in Gambia?

The median age in Gambia is 18.6 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.

Which continent is Gambia in?

Gambia is in Africa.

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