2018 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, although tensions flared up intermittently during the regime of Yahya JAMMEH. 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. After 22 years of increasingly authoritarian rule, President JAMMEH was defeated in free and fair elections in December 2016. Due to The Gambia’s poor human rights record under JAMMEH, international development partners had distanced themselves, and substantially reduced aid to the country. These channels are now reopening under the administration of President Adama BARROW, who took office in January 2017.

Area

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

elevation extremes

0 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean

mean elevation

34 m

note

53 highest point: unnamed elevation

Environment Current Issues

deforestation due to slash-and-burn agriculture; desertification; water pollution; water-borne diseases

Environment International 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 on the African mainland

Irrigated Land

50 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

border countries (1)

Senegal 749 km

total

749 km

Land Use

arable land: 41% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.5% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 14.6% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

56.1% (2011 est.)

forest

43.9% (2011 est.)

other

0% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

contiguous zone

18 nm

continental shelf

extent not specified

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural Hazards

droughts

Natural Resources

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

Population Distribution

settlements are found scattered along the Gambia River; the largest communities, including the capital of Banjul, and the country's largest city, Serekunda, are found at the mouth of the Gambia River along the Atlantic coast

Terrain

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Age Structure

0-14 years

36.97% (male 388,615 /female 385,172)

15-24 years

20.31% (male 210,217 /female 214,807)

25-54 years

34.9% (male 357,934 /female 372,428)

55-64 years

4.26% (male 42,655 /female 46,591)

65 years and over

3.55% (male 34,328 /female 39,984) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

28.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

16.4% (2013)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

9% (2013)

Death Rate

6.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 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

elderly dependency ratio

4.5 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

22.3 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

92.3 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

87.8 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 94.2% of population

rural: 84.4% of population

total: 90.2% of population

unimproved: urban: 5.8% of population

rural: 15.6% of population

total: 9.8% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic Groups

Mandinka/Jahanka 34%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 22.4%, Wolof 12.6%, Jola/Karoninka 10.7%, Serahuleh 6.6%, Serer 3.2%, Manjago 2.1%, Bambara 1%, Creole/Aku Marabout 0.7%, other 0.9%, non-Gambian 5.2%, no answer 0.6% (2013 est.)

Health Expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

1.6% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

1,100 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

21,000 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

52.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

63.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

58.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

67.8 years (2018 est.)

male

63 years (2018 est.)

total population

65.4 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

47.6% (2015 est.)

male

63.9% (2015 est.)

total population

55.5% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

animal contact diseases

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high (2016)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)

respiratory diseases

meningococcal meningitis (2016)

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever (2016)

water contact diseases

schistosomiasis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

437,000 BANJUL (capital) (2018)

note

includes the local government areas of Banjul and Kanifing

Maternal Mortality Rate

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

Median Age

female

21.6 years (2018 est.)

male

20.9 years

total

21.3 years

Mother S Mean Age At First Birth

20.9 years (2013 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

adjective

Gambian

noun

Gambian(s)

Net Migration Rate

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

10.3% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

Population

2,092,731 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

1.99% (2018 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 61.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 55% of population (2015 est.)

total: 58.9% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 38.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 45% of population (2015 est.)

total: 41.1% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female

9 years (2010)

male

9 years (2010)

total

9 years (2010)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

0.98 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.88 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

3.42 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female

17.2% (2012 est.)

male

9.1% (2012 est.)

total

13.1% (2012 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.07% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

61.3% of total population (2018)

Administrative Divisions

5 regions, 1 city*, and 1 municipality**; Banjul*, Central River, Kanifing**, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast

Capital

geographic coordinates

13 27 N, 16 34 W

name

Banjul

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent only

yes

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

amendments

proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly membership in each of several readings and approval by the president of the republic; a referendum is required for amendments affecting national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, government structures and authorities, taxation, and public funding; passage by referendum requires participation of at least 50% of eligible voters and approval by at least 75% of votes cast; amended 2001, 2004, 2010 (2017)

history

previous 1965 (independence act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997; note - referendum on new constitution scheduled for late 2019 (2017)

Country Name

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

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Dawda D. FADERA (since 24 January 2018)

embassy

5630 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20011

FAX

[1] (202) 342-0240

telephone

[1] (202) 785-1399

Executive Branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); Vice President Fatoumata JALLOW-TAMBAJANG (since 23 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 1 December 2016 (next to be held in 2021); vice president appointed by the president

head of government

President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2017); Vice President Fatoumata JALLOW-TAMBAJANG (since 23 January 2017)

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

highest courts

Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 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

description

unicameral National Assembly (58 seats; 53 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 - UDP 37.5%, GDC 17.4%, APRC 16%, PDOIS 9%, NRP 6.3%, PPP 2.5%, other 1.7%, independent 9.6%; seats by party - UDP 31, APRC 5, GDC 5, NRP 5, PDOIS 4, PPP 2, independent 1

elections

last held on 6 April 2017 (next to be held in 2022)

National Anthem

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

Political Parties And Leaders

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Fabakary JATTA]Coalition 2016 [collective leadership] (electoral coalition includes UDP, PDOIS, NRP, GMC, GDC, PPP, GPDP)Gambia Democratic Congress or GDC [Mama KANDEH]Gambia Moral Congress or GMC [Mai FATTY]Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress or GPDP [Sarja JARJOU]National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat BAH]People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA]People's Progressive Party or PPP [Yaya CEESAY)]United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

expenditures

339 million (2017 est.)

revenues

300.4 million (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-2.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

9% (31 December 2009)

11% (31 December 2008)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

29% (31 December 2017 est.)

30.4% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$194 million (2017 est.)

-$85 million (2016 est.)

Debt External

$586.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$571.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

50.2 (1998)

Economy Overview

The government has invested in the agriculture sector because three-quarters of the population depends on the sector for its livelihood and agriculture provides for about one-third of GDP, making The Gambia largely reliant on sufficient rainfall. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated and agricultural productivity is low. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of cashews, groundnuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's reexport 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. 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 location on the ocean and proximity to Europe has made it one of the most frequented tourist destinations in West Africa, boosted by private sector investments in eco-tourism and facilities. Tourism normally brings in about 20% of GDP, but it 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 were concerned about the quality of fiscal management under the administration of former President Yahya JAMMEH, who reportedly stole hundreds of millions of dollars of the country’s funds during his 22 years in power, but anticipate significant improvements under the new administration of President Adama BARROW, who assumed power in early 2017. As of April 2017, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Union, and the African Development Bank were all negotiating with the new government of The Gambia to provide financial support in the coming months to ease the country’s financial crisis.The country faces a limited availability of foreign exchange, weak agricultural output, a border closure with Senegal, a slowdown in tourism, high inflation, a large fiscal deficit, and a high domestic debt burden that has crowded out private sector investment and driven interest rates to new highs. The government has committed to taking steps to reduce the deficit, including through expenditure caps, debt consolidation, and reform of state-owned enterprises.

Exchange Rates

dalasis (GMD) per US dollar -

49.74 (2017 est.)

43.8846 (2016 est.)

43.8846 (2015 est.)

41.89 (2014 est.)

41.733 (2013 est.)

Exports

$72.9 million (2017 est.)

$106.6 million (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels

Exports Partners

Guinea-Bissau 51.9%, Vietnam 14.6%, Senegal 8.8%, Mali 7.2% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

20.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption

12% (2017 est.)

household consumption

90.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-40% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

-2.7% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

20.4% (2017 est.)

industry

14.2% (2017 est.)

services

65.4% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$1.482 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$2,600 (2017 est.)

$2,600 (2016 est.)

$2,700 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$5.556 billion (2017 est.)

$5.314 billion (2016 est.)

$5.292 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

4.6% (2017 est.)

0.4% (2016 est.)

5.9% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

6.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

7.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

3.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

36.9% (2003)

lowest 10%

36.9% (2003)

Imports

$376.9 million (2017 est.)

$310.5 million (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Imports Partners

Cote dIvoire 11.5%, Brazil 10.6%, Spain 10.2%, China 7.8%, Russia 6.4%, Netherlands 5.3%, India 5% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

-0.8% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

8% (2017 est.)

7.2% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

777,100 (2007 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

75%

industry

19%

services

6% (1996 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

note

NA

Population Below Poverty Line

48.4% (2010 est.)

Public Debt

88% of GDP (2017 est.)

82.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$170 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$87.64 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$297.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$279.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$552.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$499 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$297.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$279.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

note

NA

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

607,300 Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - rural areas

2% (2013)

electrification - total population

36% (2013)

electrification - urban areas

60% (2013)

population without electricity

1.2 million (2013)

Electricity Consumption

282.8 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

97% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

3% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

117,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

304.1 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

3,800 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

42 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

3,738 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

total

3,750 (2017 est.)

Broadcast Media

1 state-run TV-channel; 1 privately-owned TV-station; 1 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 (2018)

Internet Country Code

.gm

Internet Users

percent of population

18.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

371,785 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic

fixed-line stands at 2 per 100 subscriptions with one dominant company and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, is over 138 per 100 persons (2017)

general assessment

adequate microwave radio relay and open-wire network; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized but still retaining a monopoly; multiple mobile networks offering effective competition; three licensed ISPs which serve local area without much competion (2017)

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) (2016)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

2 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

37,969 (July 2016 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

138 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

2,838,127 (July 2016 est.)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

over 3,047 m

1 (2017)

total

1 (2017)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

C5 (2016)

Merchant Marine

by type

other 8 (2017)

total

8 (2017)

Ports And Terminals

major seaport(s)

Banjul

Roadways

paved

711 km (2011)

total

3,740 km (2011)

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) (2018)

Military Expenditures

1.48% of GDP (2015)

1.72% of GDP (2014)

1.15% of GDP (2013)

1.22% of GDP (2012)

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

refugees (country of origin)

8,031 (Senegal) (2018)

Trafficking In Persons

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)