Quick facts
Gabon population overview
Gabon is the 43rd most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 2,621,030 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 147 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 68,671 births (26.2 per 1,000 people) and 15,988 deaths (6.1 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 1,048 people. The infant mortality rate is 25.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 512,316 in 1960 to 2,593,130 in 2025 — a change of +406.2%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 21.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 68.9 years; women have on average 3.6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 36.2% of residents are under 15 and 4.1% are 65 or older (2025); 92.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Libreville. Gabon covers 267,670 km², giving a population density of about 10 people per km². GDP was $21.43B in 2025 — about $8,263 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Gabon population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,663,879 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,621,030 |
| World rank | #145 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #43 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.032% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.1% |
| Births per year est. | 68,671 |
| Deaths per year est. | 15,988 |
| Net migration per year est. | +1,048 |
| Birth rate | 26.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 25.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 102.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 21.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 68.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 92.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 267,670 km² |
| Population density | 10 per km² |
| Capital | Libreville |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $21.43B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $8,263 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Gabon population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,663,879 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,593,130 | +54,178 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 2,538,952 | +54,163 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 2,484,789 | +54,042 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 2,430,747 | +54,025 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 2,376,722 | +54,183 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 2,322,539 | +281,550 | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 2,040,989 | +321,110 | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 1,719,879 | +256,384 | +3.3% |
| 2005 | 1,463,495 | +187,923 | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 1,275,572 | +152,359 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 1,123,213 | +139,479 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 983,734 | +127,008 | +2.8% |
| 1985 | 856,726 | +108,337 | +2.7% |
| 1980 | 748,389 | +86,192 | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 662,197 | +66,351 | +2.1% |
| 1970 | 595,846 | +49,538 | +1.8% |
| 1965 | 546,308 | +33,992 | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 512,316 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Gabon
Population over time
- From 512,316 in 1960 to 2,663,879 today — up 420%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 68.5 years (2024), up 22.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 27.1 births vs 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 20.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 36.2% of the population is under 15 and 4.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 7.8% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 5.2 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 7.84 Mt in 1985 — down 33.7% since.
- Per person: 2.05 t in 2024, vs 1.01 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,041.9 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 70% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 91.3% of final energy in 2021 (+13 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 91.2% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 92.2% to 91.2% since 1990 — roughly 2,770 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 92.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 12.6% in 1960 (+79.5 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1978.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 67,469 m³ in 2022, down 78.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $21.43B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 49% since 2015.
- That works out to $8,263 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 20.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 68.7% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 125.3 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Gabon in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Gabon in 2026?
As of October 2026, Gabon has an estimated population of 2,663,879. The United Nations estimated 2,621,030 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Gabon growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.1% per year — roughly 147 more people every day. Each year there are about 68,671 births and 15,988 deaths, with net migration of +1,048.
What is the population density of Gabon?
About 10 people per square kilometre: 2,663,879 people living on 267,670 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Gabon?
The median age is 21.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 68.9 years. 36.2% of the population is under 15 and 4.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Gabon rank by population?
Gabon is the 145th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 43rd in Africa, with 0.032% of the global population.
How has the population of Gabon changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 512,316; by 2025 it had grown to 2,593,130 (+406.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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JamaicaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.