2024 Edition Primary

Background

Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers landed on Bioko Island, and Portugal soon after established control of the island and other areas of modern Equatorial Guinea. In 1778, Portugal ceded its colonial hold over present-day Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. The borders of modern-day Equatorial Guinea would evolve between 1778 and 1968 as the area remained under European colonial rule.In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain and elected Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA as its first president. MACIAS consolidated power soon after his election and ruled brutally for over a decade. Under his regime, Equatorial Guinea experienced mass suppression, purges, and killings. Some estimates indicate that a third of the population either went into exile or was killed under MACIAS’ rule. In 1979, present-day President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, then a senior military officer, deposed MACIAS in a violent coup. OBIANG has ruled since and has been elected in non-competitive contests several times, most recently in 2022. The president exerts near-total control over the political system. Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in 2004 and has declined since. The country's economic windfall from oil production resulted in massive increases in government revenue, a significant portion of which was earmarked for infrastructure development. Systemic corruption, however, has hindered socio-economic development, and the population has seen only limited improvements to living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy, increase foreign investment, and assume a greater role in regional and international affairs.   

Area

land

28,051 sq km

total

28,051 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

tropical; always hot, humid

Coastline

296 km

Elevation

highest point

Pico Basile 3,008 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation

577 m

Geographic coordinates

2 00 N, 10 00 E

Geography - note

insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the Equator passes through Equatorial Guinea; the mainland part of the country is located just north of the Equator

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

border countries

Cameroon 183 km; Gabon 345 km

total

528 km

Land use

agricultural land

10.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 4.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.)

forest

57.5% (2018 est.)

other

32.4% (2018 est.)

Location

Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

violent windstorms; flash floodsvolcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

Population distribution

only two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map

Terrain

coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

Age structure

0-14 years

35.6% (male 330,636/female 309,528)

15-64 years

59.4% (male 585,139/female 481,121)

65 years and over

5% (2024 est.) (male 46,610/female 42,800)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

3.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

6.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

1.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

29 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

3.8% of GDP (2020)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

60.2% (2023 est.)

Death rate

8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Demographic profile

Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and least populated countries in continental Africa and is the only independent African country where Spanish is an official language. Despite a boom in oil production in the 1990s, authoritarianism, corruption, and resource mismanagement have concentrated the benefits among a small elite. These practices have perpetuated income inequality and unbalanced development, such as low public spending on education and health care. Unemployment remains problematic because the oil-dominated economy employs a small labor force dependent on skilled foreign workers. The agricultural sector, Equatorial Guinea’s main employer, continues to deteriorate because of a lack of investment and the migration of rural workers to urban areas. About two-thirds of the population lives below the poverty line as of 2020. Equatorial Guinea’s large and growing youth population – about 60% are under the age of 25 as of 2022 – is particularly affected because job creation in the non-oil sectors is limited, and young people often do not have the skills needed in the labor market. Equatorial Guinean children frequently enter school late, have poor attendance, and have high dropout rates. Thousands of Equatorial Guineans fled across the border to Gabon in the 1970s to escape the dictatorship of Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA; smaller numbers have followed in the decades since. Continued inequitable economic growth and high youth unemployment increases the likelihood of ethnic and regional violence.

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

5.4

potential support ratio

18.5 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

72.2

youth dependency ratio

66.7

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 32.1% of population

improved: total

total: 67.6% of population

improved: urban

urban: 81.7% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 67.9% of population

unimproved: total

total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 18.3% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Fang 78.1%, Bubi 9.4%, Ndowe 2.8%, Nanguedambo 2.7%, Bisio 0.9%, foreigner 5.3%, other 0.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

2.03 (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

71.3 deaths/1,000 live births

male

83.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

77.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Languages

Languages

Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Fa d'Ambo spoken in Annobon) 32.4% (1994 est.)

major-language sample(s)

La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

female

66.2 years

male

61.6 years

total population

63.9 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93% (2015)

male

97.4%

total population

95.3%

Major urban areas - population

297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

212 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Median age

female

21.5 years

male

22.7 years

total

22.1 years (2024 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

noun

Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)

Net migration rate

12.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

8% (2016)

Physician density

0.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

female

833,449 (2024 est.)

male

962,385

total

1,795,834

Population distribution

only two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map

Population growth rate

3.23% (2024 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 63.4% of population

improved: total

total: 76.2% of population

improved: urban

urban: 81.2% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 36.6% of population

unimproved: total

total: 23.8% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 18.8% of population

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years

1.22 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.09 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.16 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.12 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

74.4% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas

Capital

etymology

named after King MALABO (Malabo Lopelo Melaka) (1837–1937), the last king of the Bubi, the ethnic group indigenous to the island of Bioko

geographic coordinates

3 45 N, 8 47 E

name

Malabo; note - Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region.

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president; amended several times, last in 2012

history

previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Equatorial Guinea

conventional short form

Equatorial Guinea

etymology

the country is named for the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; the "equatorial" refers to the fact that the country lies just north of the Equator

former

Spanish Guinea

local long form

Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ République de Guinée équatoriale (French)

local short form

Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/Guinée équatoriale (French)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador David R. GILMOUR (since 24 May 2022)

email address and website

Malaboconsular@state.govhttps://gq.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Malabo II Highway (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo

mailing address

2320 Malabo Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520

telephone

[240] 333 09-57-41

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Dr. Crisantos OBAMA ONDO (since 27 February 2024)

consulate(s) general

Houston

email address and website

info@egembassydc.comhttps://www.egembassydc.com/

FAX

[1] (202) 518-5252

telephone

[1] (202) 518-5700

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister

chief of state

President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979)

election results

2022: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 95%, other 6.1%2016: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 93.5%, other 6.5%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 November 2022 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president; President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)

head of government

Prime Minister Manuela ROKA Botey (since 1 February 2023)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green symbolizes the jungle and natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the fight for independence

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

12 October 1968 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, Francophonie, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the President of the Supreme Court and nine judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for five-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president, 2 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies; note - judges subject to dismissal by the president at any time

subordinate courts

Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals

Legal system

mixed system of civil and customary law

Legislative branch

description

bicameral National Assembly or Asemblea Nacional consists of:Senate or Senado (70 seats statutory, 74 seats for current term; 55 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote, 15 appointed by the president, and 4 ex-officio)Chamber of Deputies or Camara de los Diputados (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; (elected) seats by party - PDGE 55; composition - men 60, women 20, percentage women 25% (includes 15 appointed and 2 ex-officio members)Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 100; composition - men 68, women 32, percentage women 32%; total National Assembly percentage women 28.9%

elections

Senate - last held on 19 January 2023 (next to be held in 2028)Chamber of Deputies - last held on 19 January 2023 (next to be held in 2028)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)

name

"Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)

note

note: adopted 1968

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

National symbol(s)

silk cotton tree; national colors: green, white, red, blue

Political parties

Center Right Union or UCDConvergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE Liberal Democratic Convention or CLD Liberal Party or PL National Congress of Equatorial Guinea (CNGE) National Democratic Party (PNDGE) National Democratic Union or UDENA National Union for Democracy PUNDGE Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE Popular Union or UP Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP Social and Popular Convergence Party or CSDP Social Democratic Coalition Party (PCSD) Social Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea or PSDGE Social Democratic Union or UDS Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea 

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

sweet potatoes, cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, root vegetables, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa beans, chicken (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

expenditures

$1.512 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

revenues

$3.62 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

-$1.457 billion (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

-$738 million (2017 est.)

Economic overview

growing CEMAC economy and new OPEC member; large oil and gas reserves; targeting economic diversification and poverty reduction; still recovering from CEMAC crisis; improving public financial management; persistent poverty; hard-hit by COVID-19

Exchange rates

Currency

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

585.911 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

575.586 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

554.531 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

623.76 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

606.57 (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2020

$4.041 billion (2020 est.)

Exports 2021

$5.851 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$6.231 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers, packaged medicine, cars (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Zambia 21%, Spain 15%, China 15%, India 10%, Italy 6% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

47.8% (2023 est.)

government consumption

26% (2023 est.)

household consumption

54.7% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-39.3% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

10.8% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

0.1% (2019 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

2.9% (2023 est.)

industry

51.2% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

44.9% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.117 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Imports

Imports 2020

$3.669 billion (2020 est.)

Imports 2021

$4.351 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$4.297 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

ships, refined copper, iron alloys, raw copper, poultry (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

Zambia 38%, China 14%, Spain 10%, Nigeria 7%, US 4% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

-11.87% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

4.77% (2020 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

-0.1% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

4.79% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

593,000 (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Public debt

Public debt 2017

37.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$29.585 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$30.685 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$28.938 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

0.86% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

3.72% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

-5.69% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$18,100 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$18,300 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$16,900 (2023 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2017

0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Remittances 2018

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Remittances 2019

0% of GDP (2019 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$44.271 million (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$1.458 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$1.538 billion (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

6.69% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

9.19% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

8.75% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

8.67% (2023 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

17.8% (2023 est.)

male

15.1% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

16.4% (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from consumed natural gas

2.951 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

855,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

3.806 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Coal

imports

17.1 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity

consumption

1.326 billion kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

349,000 kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

147.498 million kWh (2022 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

1.4%

electrification - total population

67% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

89.8%

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

67.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity

32.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

41.487 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

1.504 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

exports

4.964 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

production

6.75 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves

139.007 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil estimated reserves

1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

total petroleum production

98,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

0.1 (2020 est.)

total

1,000 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

the state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son (who is the Vice President), 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019)

Internet country code

.gq

Internet users

percent of population

54% (2021 est.)

total

864,000 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line density is less than 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 39 per 100 (2021)

general assessment

the telecom service is forecasted to register a growth of more than 6% during the period of 2022-2026; mobile data is the largest contributor to total service revenue in 2021, followed by mobile voice, fixed broadband, mobile messaging, and fixed voice; the launch of the international submarine cable ACE, which connects 13 West African countries with Europe, will improve international capacity, bringing opportunities to data center providers; 4G network expansion and 4G service promotion will allow consumers and businesses to leverage 4G services (2022)

international

country code - 240; landing points for the ACE, Ceiba-1, and Ceiba-2 submarine cables providing communication from Bata and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to numerous Western African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

(2022 est.) less than 1

total subscriptions

11,000 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

53 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

893,000 (2022 est.)

Airports

7 (2024)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

3C

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 1, general cargo 16, oil tanker 7, other 29

total

53 (2023)

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

350,000 (2018) mt-km

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

466,435 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

15

number of registered air carriers

6 (2020)

Pipelines

42 km condensate, 5 km condensate/gas, 79 km gas, 71 km oil (2013)

Ports

key ports

Bata, Ceiba Terminal, Cogo, Luba, Malabo, Punta Europa Terminal, Serpentina Terminal

ports with oil terminals

6

small

1

total ports

7 (2024)

very small

6

Roadways

total

2,880 km (2017)

Military - note

the Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea (FAGE) are responsible for defending the territory and sovereignty of the country; it also has some internal security duties, including fulfilling some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas; the FAGE’s National Guard (Army) is a small force with a few infantry battalions; over the past decade, the country has made considerable investments in naval capabilities to protect its oil installations and combat piracy and crime in the Gulf of Guinea; while the Navy is small, its inventory includes a light frigate and a corvette, as well as several off-shore patrol vessels; the Air Force has a handful of operational combat aircraft and ground attack-capable helicopters (2023)

Military and security forces

Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, GNGE (Army)), Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2024)

note

note: police report to the Ministry of National Security, while gendarmes report to the Ministry of National Defense; police generally are responsible for maintaining law and order in the cities, while gendarmes are responsible for security outside cities and for special events

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 1,500 active-duty troops (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years, it has sought to modernize its naval inventory with purchases of vessels from several countries, including Bulgaria and Israel; China and Russia have also supplied some equipment to the FAGE (2024)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2019

1.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 24-month service obligation (2023)

Trafficking in persons

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/equatorial-guinea/

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

5.65 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

11.21 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

25.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Climate

tropical; always hot, humid

Environment - current issues

deforestation (forests are threatened by agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution (tap water is non-potable); wildlife preservation

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban

Land use

agricultural land

10.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 4.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.)

forest

57.5% (2018 est.)

other

32.4% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

1.52% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

26 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

74.4% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

198,443 tons (2016 est.)