Demographics of the Gambia

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Gambia, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populous, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

A wide variety of ethnic groups live in The Gambia, each preserving its own language and traditions with minimal intertribal friction. The Mandinka are the largest ethnic group with 40% of the population, followed by the Fula, the Wolof, the Jola, and the Serahuli. The Aku also live here although only constituting a small community. Approximately 25,000 non-Africans live in The Gambia, including about 20,000 Europeans and 2,500 people of Moroccan origin. Most Europeans are Britons and most of them stepped out after independence.

Muslims constitute more than 92% of the population. Christians of various denominations account for most of the remainder. Gambians officially observe the holidays of both religions and practice religious tolerance.

More than 80% of Gambians live in rural villages, although more and more young people come to the capital in search of work and education. While urban migration, development projects, and modernization are bringing more Gambians into contact with Western habits and values, the traditional emphasis on the extended family, as well as indigenous forms of dress and celebration, remain integral parts of everyday life.

CIA World Factbook demographic statistics

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

Population

1,782,893 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.6% (male 390,806; female 387,172)
15-64 years: 53.6% (male 473,478; female 481,315)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 25,071; female 25,051) (2009 est.)

Population growth rate

2.668% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Birth rate

37.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Death rate

11.74 deaths/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Net migration rate

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Urbanization

urbanization population: 57% of the total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 67.33 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 29
male: 73.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 60.91 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 55.35 years
country comparison to the world: 193
male: 53.43 years
female: 57.34 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

• 4.96 children born/woman (2010 est.)
• 5.04 children born/woman (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 29

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,2000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

HIV/AIDS - deaths

600 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
water contact diseases: schistomiasis
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact diseases: rabies (2009)

Nationality

noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian

Ethnic groups

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003)

Religions

Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%

Languages

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

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 40.1%
male: 47.8%
female: 32.8% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years
male: 9 years
female: 9 years (2008)

Education expenditures

2% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 166

See also

• Religion in the Gambia