Gambia, The

Broadcast media

state-owned, single-channel TV service; state-owned radio station and 15 privately owned radio stations; 6 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2015)

Internet country code

.gm

Internet users

total: 371,785 | percent of population: 18.5% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate microwave radio relay and open-wire network; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007 | domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, is over 140 per 100 persons | international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; a landing station for the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) undersea fiber-optic cable completed in 2011 and launched in 2012; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 37,969 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 2,838,127 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 141 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Agriculture - products

rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (manioc, tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats

Budget

revenues: $192.9 million | expenditures: $380.6 million (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-19.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 215

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2009) | 11% (31 December 2008) | country comparison to the world: 34

Commercial bank prime lending rate

30.4% (31 December 2016 est.) | 30.1% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 7

Current account balance

$-86 million (2016 est.) | $-131.7 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Debt - external

g: $571.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $526.7 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.2 (1998) | country comparison to the world: 17

Economy - overview

The government has invested in the agriculture sector because three-quarters of the population depends on the sector for its livelihood and agriculture provides for about one-third of GDP, making The Gambia largely reliant on sufficient rainfall. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated and agricultural productivity is low. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of cashews, groundnuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's reexport trade accounts for almost 80% of goods exports and China has been its largest trade partner for both exports and imports for several years. | The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits. It relies heavily on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. Remittance inflows to The Gambia amount to about one-fifth of the country’s GDP. The Gambia's location on the ocean and proximity to Europe has made it one of the most frequented tourist destinations in West Africa, boosted by private sector investments in eco-tourism and facilities. Tourism normally brings in about 20% of GDP, but it suffered in 2014 from tourists’ fears of Ebola virus in neighboring West African countries. Unemployment and underemployment remain high. | Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. International donors and lenders were concerned about the quality of fiscal management under the administration of former President Yahya JAMMEH, who reportedly stole hundreds of millions of dollars of the country’s funds during his 22 years in power, but anticipate significant improvements under the new administration of President Adama BARROW, who assumed power in early 2017. As of April 2017, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Union, and the African Development Bank were all negotiating with the new government of The Gambia to provide financial support in the coming months to ease the country’s financial crisis. | The country’s GDP contracted in 2016 largely as a result of the limited availability of foreign exchange, weak agricultural output, the border closure with Senegal during the first half of the year, and a slowdown in tourism during the political impasse that occurred at the height of the tourist season. The country faces a large fiscal deficit and a high domestic debt burden that has crowded out private sector investment and driven interest rates to new highs. The new government has committed to taking steps to reduce the deficit, including through expenditure caps, debt consolidation, and reform of state-owned enterprises.

Exchange rates

dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - | 43.8846 (2016 est.) | 43.8846 (2015 est.) | 41.89 (2014 est.) | 41.733 (2013 est.) | 32.08 (2012 est.)

Exports

$106.6 million (2016 est.) | $108.3 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195

Exports - commodities

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels

Exports - partners

Mali 36.3%, Guinea 24.5%, Senegal 12.3%, China 11.7%, Guinea-Bissau 5.8% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$965 million (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.418 billion (2016 est.) | $3.302 billion (2015 est.) | $3.132 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 182

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 86.3% | government consumption: 10.4% | investment in fixed capital: 19.9% | investment in inventories: -7% | exports of goods and services: 19.9% | imports of goods and services: -29.5% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 21% | industry: 13.8% | services: 65.2% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,700 (2016 est.) | $1,700 (2015 est.) | $1,700 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 216

GDP - real growth rate

2.2% (2016 est.) | 4.3% (2015 est.) | 0.9% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Gross national saving

9.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | 4.7% of GDP (2015 est.) | 10.1% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2% | highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)

Imports

$326.7 million (2016 est.) | $370.2 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Imports - partners

Cote dIvoire 13%, Brazil 12.3%, China 11%, Belgium 8.6%, India 5.7%, Spain 4.7%, Senegal 4.6% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-6.1% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.2% (2016 est.) | 6.8% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Labor force

777,100 (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 75% | industry: 19% | services: 6% (1996)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

48.4% (2010 est.)

Public debt

116.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | 110.2% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$87.64 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $111 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Stock of broad money

$529.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $507.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Stock of domestic credit

$496.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $475.2 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Stock of narrow money

$279.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $261.2 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Taxes and other revenues

20% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 155

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

500,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 139

Electricity - consumption

223.2 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 6

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - installed generating capacity

114,000 kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity - production

240 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity access

population without electricity: 1,200,000 | electrification - total population: 36% | electrification - urban areas: 60% | electrification - rural areas: 2% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 143

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 183

Refined petroleum products - exports

41.62 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,552 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 174

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Area

total: 11,300 sq km | land: 10,120 sq km | water: 1,180 sq km | country comparison to the world: 166

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Climate

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

Coastline

80 km

Elevation

mean elevation: 34 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m | highest point: unnamed elevation 53 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

50 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 749 km | border countries (1): Senegal 749 km

Land use

agricultural land: 56.1% | arable land 41%; permanent crops 0.5%; permanent pasture 14.6% | forest: 43.9% | other: 0% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 18 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: extent not specified

Natural hazards

droughts

Natural resources

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

Population - distribution

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

Terrain

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

name: Banjul | geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W | time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes | citizenship by descent: yes | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution

history: previous 1965 (independence act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997 | amendments: 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; amended 2001, 2004, 2010 (2017)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia | conventional short form: The Gambia | etymology: named for the Gambia River that flows through the heart of the country

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador C. Patricia ALSUP (since 11 January 2016) | embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul | mailing address: P.M.B. 19, Banjul | telephone: [220] 439-2856 | FAX: [220] 439-2475

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Manneh HAMBA (since 3 May 2017) | chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Georgetown Plaza, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007 | telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 | FAX: [1] (202) 342-0240

Executive branch

chief of state: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); Vice President Fatoumata JALLOW-TAMBAJANG (since 23 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); Vice President Fatoumata JALLOW-TAMBAJANG (since 23 January 2017) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24 November 2011 (next to be held on 1 December 2016); vice president appointed by the president | election results: Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC)39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1%

Flag description

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

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

18 February 1965 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): 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: 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 age | subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts

Legal system

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

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) | elections: last held on 6 April 2017 (next to be held in 2022) | election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 37.5%, GDC 17.4%, APRC 16%, PDOIS 9%, NRP 6.3%, PPP 2.5%, independent 9.6%; seats by party - UDP 31, APRC 5, GDC 5, NRP 5, PDOIS 4, PPP 2, independent 1

National anthem

name: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland" | lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE | note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: red, blue, green, white

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Fabakary JATTA] | Coalition 2016 [collective leadership] (electoral coalition including UDP, PDOIS, NRP, GMC, GDC, PPP, GPDP) | Gambia Democratic Congress or GDC [Mama KANDEH] | Gambia Moral Congress or GMC [Mai FATTY] | Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ] | National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Samba JALLOW] | National Convention Party or NCP [Ebrima Janko SANYANG] | People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA] | People's Progressive Party or PPP [Yaya CEESAY)] | United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations or TANGO | Female Lawyers Association of Gambia or FLAG | Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices or GAMCOTRAP | Gambia Press Union or GPU | West African Peace Building Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA | Youth Employment Network Gambia or YENGambia | other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived Confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential election in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH was elected president in all subsequent elections including most recently in late 2011. After 22 years of increasingly authoritarian rule, President JAMMEH was defeated in free and fair elections in December 2016. Due to The Gambia’s poor human rights record under JAMMEH, international development partners had distanced themselves, and substantially reduced aid to the country. These channels may re-open under the administration of President

Military branches

Office of the Chief of Defense Staff: Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Republican National Guard (RNG) (2010)

Military expenditures

1.48% of GDP (2015) | 1.72% of GDP (2014) | 1.15% of GDP (2013) | 1.22% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation 6 months (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 37.44% (male 385,646/female 382,328) | 15-24 years: 20.47% (male 207,611/female 212,366) | 25-54 years: 34.4% (male 345,788/female 359,976) | 55-64 years: 4.2% (male 41,295/female 44,865) | 65 years and over: 3.48% (male 33,153/female 38,335) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

29.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.4% (2013) | country comparison to the world: 38

Contraceptive prevalence rate

9% (2013)

Death rate

7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Demographic profile

The Gambia’s youthful age structure – almost 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – is likely to persist because the country’s total fertility rate remains strong at nearly 4 children per woman. The overall literacy rate is around 55%, and is significantly lower for women than for men. At least 70% of the populace are farmers who are reliant on rain-fed agriculture and cannot afford improved seeds and fertilizers. Crop failures caused by droughts between 2011 and 2013 have increased poverty, food shortages, and malnutrition. | The Gambia is a source country for migrants and a transit and destination country for migrants and refugees. Since the 1980s, economic deterioration, drought, and high unemployment, especially among youths, have driven both domestic migration (largely urban) and migration abroad (legal and illegal). Emigrants are largely skilled workers, including doctors and nurses, and provide a significant amount of remittances. The top receiving countries for Gambian emigrants are Spain, the US, Nigeria, Senegal, and the UK. While the Gambia and Spain do not share historic, cultural, or trade ties, rural Gambians have migrated to Spain in large numbers because of its proximity and the availability of jobs in its underground economy (this flow slowed following the onset of Spain’s late 2007 economic crisis). | The Gambia’s role as a host country to refugees is a result of wars in several of its neighboring West African countries. Since 2006, refugees from the Casamance conflict in Senegal have replaced their pattern of flight and return with permanent settlement in The Gambia, often moving in with relatives along the Senegal-Gambia border. The strain of providing for about 7,400 Casamance refugees has increased poverty among Gambian villagers.

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 92.3 | youth dependency ratio: 87.8 | elderly dependency ratio: 4.5 | potential support ratio: 22.3 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 94.2% of population | rural: 84.4% of population | total: 90.2% of population | urban: 5.8% of population | rural: 15.6% of population | total: 9.8% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 109

Ethnic groups

Mandinka/Jahanka 34%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 22.4%, Wolof 12.6%, Jola/Karoninka 10.7%, Serahuleh 6.6%, Serer 3.2%, Manjago 2.1%, Bambara 1%, Creole/Aku Marabout 0.7%, other 0.9%, non-Gambian 5.2%, no answer 0.6% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.7% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,100 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

20,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

Health expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 73

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 60.2 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 65.6 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 65.1 years | male: 62.8 years | female: 67.5 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 55.5% | male: 63.9% | female: 47.6% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever | vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever | water contact disease: schistosomiasis | respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis | animal contact disease: rabies (2016)

Major urban areas - population

BANJUL (capital) 504,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

706 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 9

Median age

total: 21 years | male: 20.7 years | female: 21.3 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.9 years | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Gambian(s) | adjective: Gambian

Net migration rate

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10.3% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 138

Physicians density

0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

2,051,363 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

2.05% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

Religions

Muslim 95.7%, Christian 4.2%, none 0.1%, no answer 0.1% (2013 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 61.5% of population | rural: 55% of population | total: 58.9% of population | urban: 38.5% of population | rural: 45% of population | total: 41.1% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years | male: 9 years | female: 9 years (2010)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female | total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.52 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 44.3% | male: 38.1% | female: 49.5% (2012 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 60.8% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 3.96% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international

attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 7,530 (Senegal) (2017)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: The Gambia is a source and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Gambian women, girls, and, to a lesser extent, boys are exploited for prostitution and domestic servitude; women, girls, and boys from West African countries are trafficked to The Gambia for commercial sexual exploitation, particularly by European sex tourists; boys in some Koranic schools are forced into street vending or begging; some Gambian children have been identified as victims of forced labor in neighboring West African countries | tier rating: Tier 3 – The Gambia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government demonstrated minimal anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, investigating one trafficking case but not prosecuting or convicting any offenders in 2014; authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any government employees complicit in trafficking, although corruption was a serious problem; the government identified and repatriated 19 Gambian girls subjected to domestic servitude in Lebanon but did not identify or provide protective services to any trafficking victims in The Gambia; a government program continued to provide resources and financial support to 12 Koranic schools on the condition that their students were not forced to beg (2015)

Airports

1 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 218

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 | over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C5 (2016)

Merchant marine

total: 4 | by type: passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2010) | country comparison to the world: 131

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Banjul

Roadways

total: 3,740 km | paved: 711 km | unpaved: 3,029 km (2011) | country comparison to the world: 159

Waterways

390 km (on River Gambia; small oceangoing vessels can reach 190 km) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 88