Countries, Compared

Gambia

The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, a narrow strip of land that follows the Gambia River inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

Countries, Compared: country research and comparison

The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, a narrow strip of land that follows the Gambia River inland from the Atlantic Ocean. It is almost entirely surrounded by Senegal, except for its short coastline. This profile gives you the verified classification facts, explains where to find current data, and shows how to distinguish hard statistics from political claims.

Classification and identifiers

The United Nations Statistics Division assigns The Gambia the following standard codes and classifications:

  • UN M49 code: 270
  • ISO alpha-2: GM
  • ISO alpha-3: GMB
  • UN region: Africa
  • UN subregion: Sub-Saharan Africa
  • UN member state: Yes
  • World Bank capital field: Banjul

These identifiers come from the UN M49 standard, the UN’s maintained classification of countries and areas for statistical purposes. M49 is a statistical geography, not a political or territorial claim. The World Bank country API also uses the ISO alpha-3 code GMB in its records.

The Republic of The Gambia borders Senegal on three sides, with a short Atlantic coastline. Official languages are English and several national languages including Mandinka, Wolof, and Fula. The 2013 census and subsequent national statistics provide language shares, but the most recent official breakdowns are older than the present year.

How to verify population figures

For population estimates, the reference is the UN World Population Prospects, updated every two years. The World Bank API returns the official country code, region and income-level classification, but the population figure in that API is a snapshot, not a live number. Do not quote a single population figure without naming the dataset and its reference year; the UN’s 2024 revision is the present standard.

Population and development indicators from the UN and World Bank update on different schedules, so a figure may differ between sources even for the same year. Always check the reference year for any statistic: population estimates, economic data, and development indices are periodically revised by their issuing agencies.

  • UN World Population Prospects: biennial estimates and projections.
  • World Bank country API: returns country metadata and indicators. The API URL returns country metadata but not the full indicator series.
  • UN M49 overview: defines the classification at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/overview/. The Gambia is a UN member state, code 270, with alpha codes GM and GMB, region Africa, subregion Sub-Saharan Africa. The capital is Banjul.

Language

English is the official language. Several national languages are widely spoken, including Mandinka, Wolof, and Fula. The 2013 census provides the most recent official language-share breakdowns. More recent estimates may exist from academic surveys, but no newer national census data has been published. When quoting language statistics, specify the source and year.

Currency

The national currency is the Gambian dalasi (GMD). Exchange rates change daily; do not state a fixed value. Use a named source such as the IMF’s International Financial Statistics or a central bank reference for present rates. GDP figures should always be cited with their year, the exact indicator (nominal vs PPP), and the source (World Bank, IMF, or national statistics). GDP data from the World Bank uses the Atlas method for some comparisons and PPP for others; the two are not interchangeable.

Government and economy

The 1997 Constitution of The Gambia (as amended) establishes a presidential republic. The nation is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Commonwealth of Nations. For the incumbent president, political situation, or recent elections, consult the latest reports from the Gambia Independent Electoral Commission, the Gambia Government, and major news agencies. Do not rely on this profile for live political facts.

The World Bank lists Gambia, The as a low-income nation (as of FY2025 classification, based on 2023 GNI per capita). Verify the present classification directly via the World Bank API. Membership in international bodies does not determine visa policy or territorial boundaries. Statistical classifications (UN M49, ISO 3166) are about data organization, not political status.

  • Constitution: 1997 Constitution (as amended) establishes a presidential republic.
  • International memberships: United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, Commonwealth of Nations.
  • Income classification: low-income (World Bank FY2025, based on 2023 GNI per capita). Verify via the World Bank API.
  • GDP: always cite the year, indicator (nominal or PPP), and source (World Bank, IMF, or national statistics).

Travel requirements and safety

For visa and entry rules, no third-party summary is a substitute for your own government’s present travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre. The Gambia’s membership in the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Commonwealth of Nations does not determine its visa policy.

Health and life expectancy data should be drawn from WHO country profiles, with the most recent year available on the data page. Education and literacy figures come from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics country profiles. Political rights and civil liberties assessments are published in the annual Freedom House country report. Corruption perceptions data is released annually by Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

  • Visa and entry: your government’s foreign ministry travel advisory, or the IATA Travel Centre.
  • Health: WHO country profiles.
  • Education and literacy: UNESCO Institute for Statistics country profiles.
  • Political rights and civil liberties: Freedom House annual report.
  • Corruption perceptions: Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, annual release.

Where to go next

Volatile figures change frequently. Do not rely on a profile page for present population, currency exchange rates, visa rules, or health requirements. Instead, use the named primary sources below and note the reference year for each statistic. If you see a number on this profile without a year, treat it as illustrative and verify it against the cited source.

  • Population, GDP, income classification: World Bank country API returns present indicators with the reference year attached to each data point.
  • UN statistics and classifications: UN M49 overview at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/overview/ provides the standard country codes and regional groupings.
  • Health and life expectancy: WHO country profiles, with the most recent year available on the data page.
  • Education and literacy: UNESCO Institute for Statistics country profiles.
  • Political rights and civil liberties: Freedom House country page, annual report.
  • Corruption perceptions: Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, annual release.
  • Travel and entry requirements: your own government’s foreign ministry travel advisory, or IATA Travel Centre. Do not rely on a country profile for visa rules.