Quick facts
Gambia population overview
The Gambia is the 42nd most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 2,853,928 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.2% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 168 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 81,908 births (28.7 per 1,000 people) and 17,694 deaths (6.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 2,854 people. The infant mortality rate is 27.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 398,060 in 1960 to 2,822,093 in 2025 — a change of +609%, or +3.1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 66.5 years; women have on average 3.9 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 39.7% of residents are under 15 and 3.2% are 65 or older (2025); 65% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Banjul. The Gambia covers 11,300 km², giving a population density of about 257 people per km². GDP was $2.59B in 2025 — about $919 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Gambia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,902,860 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,853,928 |
| World rank | #141 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #42 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.035% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.2% |
| Births per year est. | 81,908 |
| Deaths per year est. | 17,694 |
| Net migration per year est. | -2,854 |
| Birth rate | 28.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 27.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 18.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 66.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.9 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 65% |
| Surface area 2023 | 11,300 km² |
| Population density | 257 per km² |
| Capital | Banjul |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $2.59B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $919 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Gambia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,902,860 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,822,093 | +62,105 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | 2,759,988 | +62,143 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | 2,697,845 | +61,375 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 2,636,470 | +60,460 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 2,576,010 | +60,277 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 2,515,733 | +291,204 | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 2,224,529 | +297,899 | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 1,926,630 | +259,593 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 1,667,037 | +211,953 | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 1,455,084 | +190,771 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 1,264,313 | +209,617 | +3.7% |
| 1990 | 1,054,696 | +195,822 | +4.2% |
| 1985 | 858,874 | +144,961 | +3.8% |
| 1980 | 713,913 | +107,092 | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 606,821 | +82,716 | +3% |
| 1970 | 524,105 | +68,153 | +2.8% |
| 1965 | 455,952 | +57,892 | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 398,060 | – | – |
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 Gambia
Population over time
- From 398,060 in 1960 to 2,902,860 today — up 629.3%.
- 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: 66.1 years (2024), up 31.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.9 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 29.9 births vs 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 23.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 39.7% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.49 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.52 Mt in 2017 — down 6% since.
- Per person: 0.18 t in 2024, vs 0.15 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 75.32 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 28.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 47.7% of final energy in 2022 (-14.3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 22.3% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 41% to 22.3% since 1990 — roughly 2,113 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 65% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 9.1% in 1960 (+55.9 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2003.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 3.4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,138 m³ in 2022, down 84.5% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $2.59B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 88.2% since 2015.
- That works out to $919 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 11.6% in 2024 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 49.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 126.2 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Gambia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Gambia in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Gambia has an estimated population of 2,902,860. The United Nations estimated 2,853,928 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Gambia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.2% per year — roughly 168 more people every day. Each year there are about 81,908 births and 17,694 deaths, with net migration of -2,854.
What is the population density of the Gambia?
About 257 people per square kilometre: 2,902,860 people living on 11,300 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Gambia?
The median age is 18.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 66.5 years. 39.7% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Gambia rank by population?
The Gambia is the 141st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 42nd in Africa, with 0.035% of the global population.
How has the population of the Gambia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 398,060; by 2025 it had grown to 2,822,093 (+609%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Egypt
DR Congo
Jamaica
Lithuania
Armenia
AlbaniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.2%); 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.