| variable |
|---|
| real gdp growth |
| CPI % |
| Unemployment rate |
| Debt/GDP % |
| Current account balance/GDP % |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia. The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. He subsequently won every presidential election until 2016, when he lost to Adama BARROW, who headed an opposition coalition during free and fair elections. BARROW won reelection in 2021. The Gambia is the only member of the Economic Community of West African States that does not have presidential term limits. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported democracy-strengthening activities, capacity building, economic development, and security sector education and training programs.
Area: 11,300 sq km km2
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
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:
Religions: Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.)
Capital: Banjul
Government type: presidential republic
Chief of state: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022)
Head of government: Vice President Mohammed JALLOW (since 23 February 2024)
Description: National Assembly - unicameral
low-income West African economy; agriculture-dominant; high poverty rate; heightened inflation; dependent on foreign assistance and remittances; structural reforms conditioned by IMF Extended Credit Facility program
peanuts, fish, hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 24.1% (2024 est.), Industry: 14.7% (2024 est.), Services: 53.9% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Kazakhstan 92%, Guinea-Bissau 2%, China 1%, India 1%, Greece 1% (2023)
Export commodities: packaged medicine, cars, harvesting machinery, refined petroleum, trailers (2023)
Import partners: Kazakhstan 26%, China 18%, Senegal 8%, India 7%, Brazil 4% (2023)
Import commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cotton fabric, iron alloys, rice (2023)
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Military expenditure: 2024: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.