Introduction
Background
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Joining Senegal, it formed a short-lived Confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. A new constitution and presidential election in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule.
Geography
Area
total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,120 sq km
water: 1,180 sq km
Climate
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
Natural resources
fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon
People and Society
Population
2,468,569 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
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
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Religions
Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.)
Population growth rate
2.23% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Banjul
Executive branch
chief of state: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022); Vice President Isatou TOURAY (since 15 March 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022); Vice President Isatou TOURAY (since 15 March 2019)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral National Assembly (58 seats; 53 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
small West African economy; COVID-19 reversed robust growth trends; good fiscal management; substantial foreign direct investment and remittances; G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative participant; widespread poverty; increasing Chinese relations
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.482 billion (2021 est.)
$5.258 billion (2020 est.)
$5.227 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$2,100 (2021 est.)
$2,000 (2020 est.)
$2,100 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
groundnuts, milk, oil palm fruit, millet, sorghum, rice, maize, vegetables, cassava, fruit
Industries
peanuts, fish, hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Remittances
26.84% of GDP (2021 est.)
22.98% of GDP (2020 est.)
15.21% of GDP (2019 est.)
Exports
$135.448 million (2021 est.)
$175.682 million (2020 est.)
$360.208 million (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
China 38%, India 22%, Mali 7%, Chile 5% (2017)
Exports - commodities
cashews, lumber, refined petroleum, shellfish, scrap iron, fish, sesame seeds (2021)
Imports
$726 million (2021 est.)
$691 million (2020 est.)
$641 million (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
China 33%, India 10%, Senegal 5%, Brazil 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
clothing and apparel, refined petroleum, rice, raw sugar, palm oil (2019)
Exchange rates
dalasis (GMD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
51.484 (2021 est.)
51.502 (2020 est.)
50.062 (2019 est.)
48.152 (2018 est.)
46.609 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 12, 2023
