Population, GDP, natural resources, leaders and history of The Gambia: the Magna Factbook country file, with its Magna Power score (16.46/100, ranked #167 of 195).
The Gambia is a presidential republic in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal. The country's capital is Banjul; it covers 11,300 sq km. Independence: 18 February 1965 (from the UK). Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills. Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May). Population: 2.5 million (2024 estimate). Population growth: +2.09% per year. Median age: 20.5 years. Life expectancy: 68.4 years (2024 est.). Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Religions: Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.) Urban population: 64.5% of t…
| Capital | Banjul |
|---|---|
| Population | 2,523,327 (2024 est.) |
| GDP (PPP) | $8.365 billion (2024 est.) |
| GDP per capita (PPP) | $3,000 (2024 est.) |
| Real GDP growth | 5.7% (2024 est.) |
| Inflation | 11.6% |
| Unemployment | 6.5% |
| Public debt | 82.3% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Exports | $838.409 million (2024 est.) |
| Imports | $1.549 billion (2024 est.) |
| Life expectancy | 68.4 years (2024 est.) |
| Median age | 20.5 |
| Urbanization | 64.5% of total population (2023) |
| Government | presidential republic |
| Independence | 18 February 1965 (from the UK) |
| Languages | English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
POWER 16.46/100 — The Magna Power score is our 0–100 composite of structural national power — five dimensions, 100+ indicators. It is the Bureau's own assessment, not a mirror of World Bank or CIA figures.
Momentum 0 — Quarterly momentum: the Bureau's read on the country's trajectory over the last quarter, from −10 (deteriorating fast) to +10 (accelerating).
A quiet quarter: no major shocks, no breakthroughs. The country's trajectory is set by structural forces larger than any single season.
The honest reading is steadiness — neither crisis nor windfall — with the long currents of demography, trade and institutions deciding more than any three months.
Titanium, Tin.
Adama Barrow — President. President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022)
The Gambia maintains 22 embassies and 2 consulates abroad, hosts 14 foreign diplomatic missions, holds permanent missions to UN New York, AU Addis Ababa. The breadth of a diplomatic network is a direct measure of diplomatic power — it shows how far a country’s influence, alliances and interests reach.
| Embassies abroad | 22 |
|---|---|
| Consulates abroad | 2 |
| Foreign missions hosted | 14 |
| Multilateral missions | UN New York, AU Addis Ababa |
Source: Consular Affairs Center, Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, January 2026 (Zenodo, CC BY 4.0). https://zenodo.org/records/18109976
Transport networks are economic power made physical — ports, runways, railways and pipelines decide what a country can move, sell and defend.
| Sea access | Coastal — 80 km of coastline. |
|---|---|
| Airports (total) | 1 (registration prefix C5) |
| Major seaports | Banjul |
Banjul International Airport (BJL) — Banjul (Yundum).
Sources: OurAirports public-domain extract (2026-10-02); per-entry Wikipedia links included; CIA World Factbook via cia_factbook snapshot (2026-09-28)
| Political system | presidential republic |
|---|---|
| Next election | No election currently scheduled. |
POWER 16.46/100 Ranked #167 of 195 countries in the Magna Country Rankings. Full ranking breakdown for The Gambia.
Historical timeline of The Gambia
