GeoRealityMatch
Stunning aerial view of Banjul, The Gambia's scenic coastline under a cloudy sky.Scenic aerial view of Arch 22 in Banjul, The Gambia amid lush greenery and cloudy sky.

Gambia

Africa · Western Africa

High safetyLow development

Incomes are low.

Safety

55th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.837lower is more peacefulHigh safety
#55 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Money

Incomes below the median country

GNI per person
$930national income per person, US dollarsVery low
World Bank · 2025

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 49% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 23% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$2.0K$4.0K$3,706 PPP$919Inflation, % a year20%0200620102015202020252006, $615 a person, $1,931 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2007, $725 a person, $1,985 at PPP, inflation 5.4%2008, $859 a person, $2,088 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2009, $775 a person, $2,177 at PPP, inflation 4.6%2010, $801 a person, $2,267 at PPP, inflation 5%2011, $711 a person, $2,064 at PPP, inflation 4.8%2012, $693 a person, $2,065 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2013, $654 a person, $2,007 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2014, $568 a person, $1,934 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2015, $620 a person, $1,990 at PPP, inflation 6.8%2016, $650 a person, $2,013 at PPP, inflation 7.2%2017, $643 a person, $2,039 at PPP, inflation 8%2018, $696 a person, $2,277 at PPP, inflation 6.5%2019, $738 a person, $2,422 at PPP, inflation 7.1%2020, $720 a person, $2,531 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2021, $782 a person, $2,778 at PPP, inflation 7.4%2022, $836 a person, $3,067 at PPP, inflation 11.5%2023, $883 a person, $3,292 at PPP, inflation 17%2024, $871 a person, $3,481 at PPP, inflation 11.6%2025, $919 a person, $3,706 at PPP$0$2.0K$4.0KInflation, % a year20%0200620102015202020252006, $615 a person, $1,931 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2007, $725 a person, $1,985 at PPP, inflation 5.4%2008, $859 a person, $2,088 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2009, $775 a person, $2,177 at PPP, inflation 4.6%2010, $801 a person, $2,267 at PPP, inflation 5%2011, $711 a person, $2,064 at PPP, inflation 4.8%2012, $693 a person, $2,065 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2013, $654 a person, $2,007 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2014, $568 a person, $1,934 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2015, $620 a person, $1,990 at PPP, inflation 6.8%2016, $650 a person, $2,013 at PPP, inflation 7.2%2017, $643 a person, $2,039 at PPP, inflation 8%2018, $696 a person, $2,277 at PPP, inflation 6.5%2019, $738 a person, $2,422 at PPP, inflation 7.1%2020, $720 a person, $2,531 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2021, $782 a person, $2,778 at PPP, inflation 7.4%2022, $836 a person, $3,067 at PPP, inflation 11.5%2023, $883 a person, $3,292 at PPP, inflation 17%2024, $871 a person, $3,481 at PPP, inflation 11.6%2025, $919 a person, $3,706 at PPP

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the shortest life expectancies

Life expectancy
66.1years, at birthLow
#165 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
53WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100LowWHO · 2023
Air pollution
39.6PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery highWHO · 2023
Work and internet
Unemployment rate
6.5%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Scenic aerial view of Arch 22 in Banjul, The Gambia amid lush greenery and cloudy sky.
How it changed

Gambia's Human Development Index

0.524Low human development

170th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 33rd of 54 in Africa.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #168Pakistan0.544
  2. #169Senegal0.530
  3. #170Gambia0.524
  4. #171DR Congo0.522
  5. #172Malawi0.517
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.331 in 1990 to 0.524 in 2023.

0.300.430.550.52419902000201020231990: 0.3311991: 0.3391992: 0.3471993: 0.3551994: 0.3621995: 0.3701996: 0.3771997: 0.3811998: 0.3891999: 0.3962000: 0.4032001: 0.4102002: 0.4152003: 0.4222004: 0.4322005: 0.4362006: 0.4412007: 0.4472008: 0.4552009: 0.4592010: 0.4632011: 0.4632012: 0.4692013: 0.4742014: 0.4772015: 0.4822016: 0.4872017: 0.4932018: 0.5002019: 0.5082020: 0.5122021: 0.5132022: 0.5192023: 0.5240.300.430.5519902000201020231990: 0.3311991: 0.3391992: 0.3471993: 0.3551994: 0.3621995: 0.3701996: 0.3771997: 0.3811998: 0.3891999: 0.3962000: 0.4032001: 0.4102002: 0.4152003: 0.4222004: 0.4322005: 0.4362006: 0.4412007: 0.4472008: 0.4552009: 0.4592010: 0.4632011: 0.4632012: 0.4692013: 0.4742014: 0.4772015: 0.4822016: 0.4872017: 0.4932018: 0.5002019: 0.5082020: 0.5122021: 0.5132022: 0.5192023: 0.524

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
66.1 years2024at birthUp 7 years from 59.1 years in 2005
Internet users
49%2024of people onlineUp 44 points from 5% in 2006
Urban population
65%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 12 points from 53% in 2006
Births per woman
3.912024births per womanDown 1.80 from 5.71 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
48%2022of energy usedDown 14 points from 61% in 2004
Access to electricity
69%2024of people with electricityUp 39 points from 31% in 2005
Infant mortality
332024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 29 from 62 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
0.2 t2024of CO2 per person a yearLevel with 2005
Forest area
22%2023of land under forestDown 11 points from 33% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Africa's smallest mainland country, in post-dictatorship recovery, with tourism growing. The case against is low incomes, polluted air and short lives.

About Gambia

The Gambia is Africa's smallest mainland country, a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River surrounded by Senegal, with a well-established tradition of welcoming visitors. The Atlantic beaches, river birdwatching, and the warmth of Gambian hospitality make it one of West Africa's most accessible destinations. Those seeking wild adventure or complex cultural layering may find it compact and straightforward, but as a gentle introduction to the region it is excellent.

Practical facts

  • CapitalBanjul
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • Currencydalasi (GMD)
  • Area10,120 km²
  • Plug typeType G
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Gambia's Human Development Index?

Gambia's Human Development Index is 0.524 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #170 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Gambia safe?

Gambia scores 1.84 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #55 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

What is life expectancy in Gambia?

Life expectancy at birth in Gambia is 66.1 yrs (World Bank), ranked #165 of 195 countries.