>Gambia
People
A wide variety of ethnic groups live side by side in The Gambia with a minimum of inter-tribal friction, each preserving its own language and traditions. The Mandinka tribe is the largest, followed by the Fula, Wolof, Jola, and Serahuli. Approximately 2,500 non-Africans live in The Gambia, including Europeans and many families of Lebanese origin. The Gambia’s youthful age structure – almost 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – is likely to persist because the country’s total fertility rate remains strong at nearly 4 children per woman. The overall literacy rate is around 55%, and is significantly lower for women than for men. At least 70% of the populace are farmers who are reliant on rain-fed agriculture and cannot afford improved seeds and fertilizers. Crop failures caused by droughts between 2011 and 2013 have increased poverty, food shortages, and malnutrition.
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| 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | |
| Population, total (millions) | 0.96 | 1.32 | 1.79 | 2.42 |
| Population growth (annual %) | 4.3 | 3.1 | 3 | 2.9 |
| Surface area (sq. km) (thousands) | 11.3 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| Population density (people per sq. km of land area) | 94.4 | 130.2 | 177.2 | 238.8 |
| Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) | .. | .. | 48.1 | .. |
| Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) (% of population) | .. | 70.8 | 25.4 | .. |
| Income share held by lowest 20% | .. | 4.3 | 5.7 | .. |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | 52 | 56 | 60 | 62 |
| Fertility rate, total (births per woman) | 6.1 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 5.2 |
| Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) | 163 | 124 | 96 | 73 |
| Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49) | 12 | 10 | 13 | 19 |
| Births attended by skilled health staff (% of total) | 44 | 52 | 56 | 83 |
| Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) | 166 | 113 | 74 | 49 |
| Prevalence of underweight, weight for age (% of children under 5) | .. | 15.4 | 17.4 | 11.6 |
| Immunization, measles (% of children ages 12-23 months) | 86 | 89 | 92 | 85 |
| Primary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | 44 | 66 | 67 | 82 |
| School enrollment, primary (% gross) | 58.6 | 80.2 | 79.8 | 103.5 |
| School enrollment, secondary (% gross) | 17 | .. | 50 | .. |
| School enrollment, primary and secondary (gross), gender parity index (GPI) | 1 | .. | 1 | .. |
| Prevalence of HIV, total (% of population ages 15-49) | 0.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
| Environment | ||||
| Forest area (sq. km) (thousands) | 4.1 | 3.6 | 3 | 2.4 |
| Terrestrial and marine protected areas (% of total territorial area) | .. | .. | .. | 1.4 |
| Annual freshwater withdrawals, total (% of internal resources) | 2 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| Urban population growth (annual %) | 7.1 | 5 | 4.3 | 3.9 |
| Energy use (kg of oil equivalent per capita) | 65 | .. | 81 | .. |
| CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) | 0.2 | 0.18 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Electric power consumption (kWh per capita) | .. | .. | .. | .. |