The Gambia

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Independence Day

  2/18

  Independence Day

Dates of Interest

• February 18th

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What is family life like in The Gambia?

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Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 1455

   Portuguese establish trading stations along Gambia river.

   Portuguese establish trading stations along Gambia river.

2. 1618

   Portugal sells its rights to the coastal region to Britain.

   Portugal sells its rights to the coastal region to Britain.

3. 1642

   France founds a trading post on the Gambia river.

   France founds a trading post on the Gambia river.

4. 1658

   James Island given over to the Dutch.

   James Island given over to the Dutch.

5. 1665 – 1667

   James Island recaptured by Britain during the Second Dutch War.

   James Island recaptured by Britain during the Second Dutch War.

6. 1866 – 1888

   The Gambia is governed as part of Sierra Leone.

   The Gambia is governed as part of Sierra Leone.

7. 1888

   The Gambia becomes British Crown Colony.

   The Gambia becomes British Crown Colony.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• English
• Mandinka
• Wolof

Population

Population

2,686,002

Population in Major Urban Areas

BANJUL (capital) 506,000

Nationality Noun

Gambian(s)

Ethnic Groups

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%

Education

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in The Gambia has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, reflecting gradual advances in public health infrastructure, maternal and child care, and disease prevention. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in The Gambia stands at approximately 62 years for the combined population. Women tend to live slightly longer than men, with female life expectancy estimated at around 63 years, while male life expectancy sits closer to 61 years. These figures place The Gambia below the global average of roughly 73 years, yet the country has made notable strides when compared to its own historical baseline. In the early 1960s, life expectancy in The Gambia was estimated at just under 35 years. The dramatic rise since then reflects improved access to vaccines, oral rehydration therapy, and basic prenatal care, as well as international health partnerships that have helped reduce child mortality rates. Several factors continue to weigh on life expectancy. Malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among children under five. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and respiratory infections also contribute to premature mortality. Limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation in rural areas creates persistent health risks. The country's healthcare system faces ongoing challenges including understaffing, inadequate medical facilities outside the capital Banjul, and a shortage of essential medicines. Despite these obstacles, child mortality rates have fallen considerably, and programs targeting maternal health have contributed to fewer deaths during childbirth. The Gambia has benefited from support by organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, which have funded vaccination campaigns and community health worker training programs. The under-five mortality rate, while still elevated by global standards, has declined significantly since the turn of the century, reflecting the cumulative impact of these public health investments. For travelers, The Gambia's health landscape underscores the importance of taking standard precautions such as malaria prophylaxis and ensuring routine vaccinations are up to date before visiting. For students studying development metrics, The Gambia illustrates how a low-income country can achieve incremental but meaningful health gains even under constrained resources, while still facing the challenges common to sub-Saharan West Africa.

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk

Very high

Infant Mortality Rate

The Gambia faces significant challenges in infant health, with an infant mortality rate of approximately 37 to 40 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years. This figure, while still elevated by global standards, represents a meaningful improvement from earlier decades, when the rate exceeded 80 deaths per 1,000 live births in the early 2000s. The downward trend reflects sustained public health efforts, increased access to maternal and child healthcare services, and support from international health organizations. The primary causes of infant mortality in The Gambia include neonatal complications such as preterm birth, birth asphyxia, and neonatal sepsis, as well as post-neonatal causes like malaria, diarrheal disease, acute respiratory infections, and malnutrition. Malaria remains one of the most significant contributors to under-five and infant deaths, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where access to preventive measures and prompt treatment is more limited. Geographic disparities play a notable role in infant survival outcomes. Infants born in rural regions of The Gambia face higher mortality risks compared to those born in the Greater Banjul Area, due to differences in healthcare infrastructure, availability of skilled birth attendants, and access to emergency obstetric care. Approximately 57 percent of births in the country are attended by skilled health personnel, though this figure varies considerably by region. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have been active partners with the Gambian government in rolling out immunization campaigns, promoting exclusive breastfeeding practices, expanding oral rehydration therapy for diarrheal illnesses, and training community health workers. The government's health strategy has increasingly prioritized the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness framework to address the leading causes of infant death in a coordinated way. Despite progress, The Gambia's infant mortality rate remains higher than the Sub-Saharan African average and significantly above rates seen in high-income countries, where the figure typically falls below 5 per 1,000 live births. Continued investment in healthcare access, nutrition programs, and maternal health services will be critical to sustaining improvements in the years ahead.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in The Gambia has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, reflecting gradual advances in public health infrastructure, maternal and child care, and disease prevention. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in The Gambia stands at approximately 62 years for the combined population. Women tend to live slightly longer than men, with female life expectancy estimated at around 63 years, while male life expectancy sits closer to 61 years. These figures place The Gambia below the global average of roughly 73 years, yet the country has made notable strides when compared to its own historical baseline. In the early 1960s, life expectancy in The Gambia was estimated at just under 35 years. The dramatic rise since then reflects improved access to vaccines, oral rehydration therapy, and basic prenatal care, as well as international health partnerships that have helped reduce child mortality rates. Several factors continue to weigh on life expectancy. Malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among children under five. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and respiratory infections also contribute to premature mortality. Limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation in rural areas creates persistent health risks. The country's healthcare system faces ongoing challenges including understaffing, inadequate medical facilities outside the capital Banjul, and a shortage of essential medicines. Despite these obstacles, child mortality rates have fallen considerably, and programs targeting maternal health have contributed to fewer deaths during childbirth. The Gambia has benefited from support by organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, which have funded vaccination campaigns and community health worker training programs. The under-five mortality rate, while still elevated by global standards, has declined significantly since the turn of the century, reflecting the cumulative impact of these public health investments. For travelers, The Gambia's health landscape underscores the importance of taking standard precautions such as malaria prophylaxis and ensuring routine vaccinations are up to date before visiting. For students studying development metrics, The Gambia illustrates how a low-income country can achieve incremental but meaningful health gains even under constrained resources, while still facing the challenges common to sub-Saharan West Africa.

Infant Mortality Rate

The Gambia faces significant challenges in infant health, with an infant mortality rate of approximately 37 to 40 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years. This figure, while still elevated by global standards, represents a meaningful improvement from earlier decades, when the rate exceeded 80 deaths per 1,000 live births in the early 2000s. The downward trend reflects sustained public health efforts, increased access to maternal and child healthcare services, and support from international health organizations. The primary causes of infant mortality in The Gambia include neonatal complications such as preterm birth, birth asphyxia, and neonatal sepsis, as well as post-neonatal causes like malaria, diarrheal disease, acute respiratory infections, and malnutrition. Malaria remains one of the most significant contributors to under-five and infant deaths, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where access to preventive measures and prompt treatment is more limited. Geographic disparities play a notable role in infant survival outcomes. Infants born in rural regions of The Gambia face higher mortality risks compared to those born in the Greater Banjul Area, due to differences in healthcare infrastructure, availability of skilled birth attendants, and access to emergency obstetric care. Approximately 57 percent of births in the country are attended by skilled health personnel, though this figure varies considerably by region. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have been active partners with the Gambian government in rolling out immunization campaigns, promoting exclusive breastfeeding practices, expanding oral rehydration therapy for diarrheal illnesses, and training community health workers. The government's health strategy has increasingly prioritized the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness framework to address the leading causes of infant death in a coordinated way. Despite progress, The Gambia's infant mortality rate remains higher than the Sub-Saharan African average and significantly above rates seen in high-income countries, where the figure typically falls below 5 per 1,000 live births. Continued investment in healthcare access, nutrition programs, and maternal health services will be critical to sustaining improvements in the years ahead.

Country Identity

Country Name

TheGambia

Full Country Name

Republic of The Gambia

Government Structure

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); Vice President Mohammed JALLOW (since 2023); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 4 December 2021 (next to be held in December 2026) election results: Adama BARROW reelected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW 53.2%, Ousainou DARBOE 27.7%, Mamma KANDEH 12.3%

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly (58 seats; 53 elected by popular vote and 5 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms). Elections: Last held on 9 April 2022 (next to be held in 2027). Election results: Percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — NPP 40, UDP 7, NRP 4, PDOIS 1, PPP 1, independents 4; composition — men 52, women 6.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Capital City

Capital Name

Banjul

Capital - geographic coordinate

13 27 N, 16 34 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Military

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

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Dalasi (GMD)

GDP — official exchange rate

$429,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

4.3%

GDP by Sector

agriculture: 26.8% industry: 14.5% services: 58.7%