2016 Edition

Background

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived Confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential election in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH was elected president in all subsequent elections including most recently in late 2011. A presidential election is scheduled for December 2016.

Area

11,300 sq km 10,120 sq km 1,180 sq km

land

10,120 sq km

total

11,300 sq km

water

1,180 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Climate

tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Coastline

80 km

Elevation

34 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed elevation 53 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

unnamed elevation 53 m

mean elevation

34 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Geography - note

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country in Africa

Irrigated land

50 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

749 km Senegal 749 km

border countries (1)

Senegal 749 km

total

749 km

Land use

56.1% arable land 41%; permanent crops 0.5%; permanent pasture 14.6% 43.9% 0% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

56.1%

forest

43.9%

other

0% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 18 nm 200 nm extent not specified

contiguous zone

18 nm

continental shelf

extent not specified

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

Natural resources

fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon

Terrain

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Age structure

37.88% (male 382,215/female 379,029) 20.64% (male 204,979/female 209,866) 33.92% (male 333,875/female 347,779) 4.14% (male 39,978/female 43,177) 3.42% (male 32,011/female 36,739) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

37.88% (male 382,215/female 379,029)

15-24 years

20.64% (male 204,979/female 209,866)

25-54 years

33.92% (male 333,875/female 347,779)

55-64 years

4.14% (male 39,978/female 43,177)

65 years and over

3.42% (male 32,011/female 36,739) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

30.1 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

103,389 25% (2006 est.)

percentage

25% (2006 est.)

total number

103,389

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.4% (2013)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

9% (2013)

Death rate

7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

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. The Gambia is a source country for migrants and a transit and destination country for migrants and refugees. Since the 1980s, economic deterioration, drought, and high unemployment, especially among youths, have driven both domestic migration (largely urban) and migration abroad (legal and illegal). Emigrants are largely skilled workers, including doctors and nurses, and provide a significant amount of remittances. The top receiving countries for Gambian emigrants are Spain, the US, Nigeria, Senegal, and the UK. While the Gambia and Spain do not share historic, cultural, or trade ties, rural Gambians have migrated to Spain in large numbers because of its proximity and the availability of jobs in its underground economy (this flow slowed following the onset of Spain’s late 2007 economic crisis). The Gambia’s role as a host country to refugees is a result of wars in several of its neighboring West African countries. Since 2006, refugees from the Casamance conflict in Senegal have replaced their pattern of flight and return with permanent settlement in The Gambia, often moving in with relatives along the Senegal-Gambia border. The strain of providing for about 7,400 Casamance refugees has increased poverty among Gambian villagers.

Dependency ratios

94.2% 89.7% 4.5% 22.3% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

4.5%

potential support ratio

22.3% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

94.2%

youth dependency ratio

89.7%

Drinking water source

urban: 94.2% of population rural: 84.4% of population total: 90.2% of population urban: 5.8% of population rural: 15.6% of population total: 9.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

15.6% of population

total

9.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

5.8% of population

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Mandinka/Jahanka 33.8%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 22.1%, Wollof 12.2%, Jola/Karoninka 10.9%, Serahuleh 7%, Serere 3.2%, Manjago 2.1%, Bambara 1%, Creole/Aku Marabout 0.8%, other 0.9%, non-Gambian 5.2%, no answer 0.7% (2013 est.)

Health expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.82% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,000 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

20,500 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

62 deaths/1,000 live births 67.4 deaths/1,000 live births 56.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

56.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

67.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

62 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Life expectancy at birth

64.9 years 62.5 years 67.3 years (2016 est.)

female

67.3 years (2016 est.)

male

62.5 years

total population

64.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 55.5% 63.9% 47.6% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

47.6% (2015 est.)

male

63.9%

total population

55.5%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

BANJUL (capital) 504,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

706 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

20.7 years 20.4 years 21 years (2016 est.)

female

21 years (2016 est.)

male

20.4 years

total

20.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.9 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

Nationality

Gambian(s) Gambian

adjective

Gambian

noun

Gambian(s)

Net migration rate

-2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

9.1% (2014)

Physicians density

0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

2,009,648 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

2.11% (2016 est.)

Religions

Muslim 95.7%, Christian 4.2%, none 0.1%, no answer 0.1% (2013 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 61.5% of population rural: 55% of population total: 58.9% of population urban: 38.5% of population rural: 45% of population total: 41.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

45% of population

total

41.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

38.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 9 years 9 years (2010)

female

9 years (2010)

male

9 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.88 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.63 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

59.6% of total population (2015) 4.33% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.33% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

59.6% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western

Capital

Banjul 13 27 N, 16 34 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

13 27 N, 16 34 W

name

Banjul

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes no 5 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997; amended several times, last in 2010 (2016)

Country name

Republic of The Gambia The Gambia named for the Gambia River that flows through the heart of the country

conventional long form

Republic of The Gambia

conventional short form

The Gambia

etymology

named for the Gambia River that flows through the heart of the country

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador C. Patricia ALSUP (since 11 January 2016) Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul P.M.B. 19, Banjul [220] 439-2856 [220] 439-2475

chief of mission

Ambassador C. Patricia ALSUP (since 11 January 2016)

embassy

Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul

FAX

[220] 439-2475

mailing address

P.M.B. 19, Banjul

telephone

[220] 439-2856

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Omar FAYE (since 3 August 2015) 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Georgetown Plaza, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 [1] (202) 342-0240

chancery

2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Georgetown Plaza, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Omar FAYE (since 3 August 2015)

FAX

[1] (202) 342-0240

telephone

[1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425

Executive branch

President Yahya JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Yahya JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) Cabinet appointed by the president president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24 November 2011 (next to be held on 1 December 2016) Yahya JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 71.5%, Ousainou DARBOE (UDP) 17.4%, Hamat BAH (NRP) 11.1%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Yahya JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Yahya JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 71.5%, Ousainou DARBOE (UDP) 17.4%, Hamat BAH (NRP) 11.1%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24 November 2011 (next to be held on 1 December 2016)

head of government

President Yahya JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green; red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue represents the Gambia River, and green symbolizes forests and agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

18 February 1965 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 other justices; court sessions held with 5 justices) justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement age Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 other justices; court sessions held with 5 justices)

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement age

subordinate courts

Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 29 March 2012 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - APRC 51.8%, NRP 9.4%, independent 38.8%; seats by party - APRC 42, NRP 2, independent 4

description

unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - APRC 51.8%, NRP 9.4%, independent 38.8%; seats by party - APRC 42, NRP 2, independent 4

elections

last held on 29 March 2012 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"For The Gambia, Our Homeland" Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"

lyrics/music

Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE

name

"For The Gambia, Our Homeland"

note

adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: red, blue, green, white

lion; national colors

red, blue, green, white

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya JAMMEH] Gambia Moral Congress or GMC [Mai FATTY] Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ] National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat BAH] National Convention Party or NCP [Ebrima Janko SANYANG] People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH] People's Progressive Party or PPP [Omar JALLOW] United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations or TANGO Female Lawyers Association of Gambia or FLAG Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices or GAMCOTRAP Gambia Press Union or GPU West African Peace Building Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA Youth Employment Network Gambia or YENGambia special needs group advocates; teachers and principals

other

special needs group advocates; teachers and principals

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (manioc, tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats

Budget

$210.1 million $281.7 million (2015 est.)

expenditures

$281.7 million (2015 est.)

revenues

$210.1 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2009) 11% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

30.8% (31 December 2015 est.) 28.5% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$136 million (2015 est.) -$90 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$502.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) $500.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)

g

$502.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.2 (1998)

Economy - overview

The government has invested strongly in the agriculture sector because three-quarters of the population depends on the sector for its livelihood and agriculture provides for another one-fifth of GDP. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's re-export trade accounts for almost 80% of goods exports and China has been its largest trade partner for both exports and imports for several years. The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits and a limited agricultural base. It relies heavily on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. Remittance inflows to The Gambia amount to about one-fifth of the country’s GDP. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger tourist destinations in West Africa, boosted by government and private sector investments in eco-tourism and upscale facilities. Tourism normally brings in about 20% of GDP, but suffered in 2014 from tourists’ fears of Ebola virus in neighboring West African countries. Unemployment and underemployment remain high. Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. International donors and lenders continue to be concerned about the quality of fiscal management. The IMF provided $10.8 million in emergency financial assistance to The Gambia in April 2015 to shore up the country’s finances. Relations with international donors have been tarnished by the country’s human rights record.

Exchange rates

dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 41.89 (2015 est.) 41.733 (2014 est.) 41.733 (2013 est.) 32.08 (2012 est.) 29.4615 (2011 est.)

Exports

$113.2 million (2015 est.) $121.5 million (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels

Exports - partners

China 47.6%, India 27.2%, France 5.9%, UK 4.9% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

81.7% 8.8% 19.4% -1.6% 26.3% -34.6% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

26.3%

government consumption

8.8%

household consumption

81.7%

imports of goods and services

-34.6% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.4%

investment in inventories

-1.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

21.6% 15.8% 62.6% (2015 est.)

agriculture

21.6%

industry

15.8%

services

62.6% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,600 (2015 est.) $1,600 (2014 est.) $1,700 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.4% (2015 est.) -0.2% (2014 est.) 4.8% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$893 million (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.261 billion (2015 est.) $3.124 billion (2014 est.) $3.131 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

4% of GDP (2015 est.) 6.7% of GDP (2014 est.) 11.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 36.9% (2003)

highest 10%

36.9% (2003)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$365.1 million (2015 est.) $339 million (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Imports - partners

China 34.2%, Brazil 8.1%, Senegal 6.9%, India 5.7%, Netherlands 4.8% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2015 est.)

Industries

peanuts, fish, hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.9% (2015 est.) 5.9% (2014 est.)

Labor force

777,100 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

75% 19% 6% (1996)

agriculture

75%

industry

19%

services

6% (1996)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

48.4% (2010 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$83.8 million (31 December 2015 est.) $159.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$534.7 million (31 December 2014 est.) $511.5 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$466.7 million (31 December 2015 est.) $421 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$275.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $231.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

500,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

300 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

91,000 kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

300 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

1,200,000 36% 60% 2% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

2% (2013)

electrification - total population

36%

electrification - urban areas

60%

population without electricity

1,200,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

41.62 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,552 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned, single-channel TV service; state-owned radio station and 15 privately owned radio stations; 6 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2015)

Internet country code

.gm

Internet users

337,000 17.1% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

17.1% (July 2015 est.)

total

337,000

Telephone system

adequate microwave radio relay and open-wire network; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007 combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, is roughly 130 per 100 persons country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; a landing station for the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) undersea fiber-optic cable completed in 2011 and launched in 2012; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, is roughly 130 per 100 persons

general assessment

adequate microwave radio relay and open-wire network; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007

international

country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; a landing station for the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) undersea fiber-optic cable completed in 2011 and launched in 2012; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

45,000 2 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

2 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

45,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.586 million 131 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

131 (July 2015 est.)

total

2.586 million

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C5 (2016)

Merchant marine

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2010)

by type

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2010)

total

4

Ports and terminals

Banjul

major seaport(s)

Banjul

Roadways

3,740 km 711 km 3,029 km (2011)

paved

711 km

total

3,740 km

unpaved

3,029 km (2011)

Waterways

390 km (on River Gambia; small oceangoing vessels can reach 190 km) (2010)

Military branches

Office of the Chief of Defense Staff: Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Republican National Guard (RNG) (2010)

Office of the Chief of Defense Staff

Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Republican National Guard (RNG) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation 6 months (2012)

Disputes - international

attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states

Refugees and internally displaced persons

7,392 (Senegal) (2015)

refugees (country of origin)

7,392 (Senegal) (2015)

Trafficking in persons

The Gambia is a source and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Gambian women, girls, and, to a lesser extent, boys are exploited for prostitution and domestic servitude; women, girls, and boys from West African countries are trafficked to The Gambia for commercial sexual exploitation, particularly by European sex tourists; boys in some Koranic schools are forced into street vending or begging; some Gambian children have been identified as victims of forced labor in neighboring West African countries Tier 3 – The Gambia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government demonstrated minimal anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, investigating one trafficking case but not prosecuting or convicting any offenders in 2014; authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any government employees complicit in trafficking, although corruption was a serious problem; the government identified and repatriated 19 Gambian girls subjected to domestic servitude in Lebanon but did not identify or provide protective services to any trafficking victims in The Gambia; a government program continued to provide resources and financial support to 12 Koranic schools on the condition that their students were not forced to beg (2015)

current situation

The Gambia is a source and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Gambian women, girls, and, to a lesser extent, boys are exploited for prostitution and domestic servitude; women, girls, and boys from West African countries are trafficked to The Gambia for commercial sexual exploitation, particularly by European sex tourists; boys in some Koranic schools are forced into street vending or begging; some Gambian children have been identified as victims of forced labor in neighboring West African countries

tier rating

Tier 3 – The Gambia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government demonstrated minimal anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, investigating one trafficking case but not prosecuting or convicting any offenders in 2014; authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any government employees complicit in trafficking, although corruption was a serious problem; the government identified and repatriated 19 Gambian girls subjected to domestic servitude in Lebanon but did not identify or provide protective services to any trafficking victims in The Gambia; a government program continued to provide resources and financial support to 12 Koranic schools on the condition that their students were not forced to beg (2015)