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Last update: January, 20 2021

Gabon

Flag of Gabon
Government
NameGabonese Republic
FrenchRépublique gabonaise
Government typePresidential republic
CapitalLibreville (703,940 (2013))
CurrencyCentral African CFA franc (XAF)
People
Population (2020)2,225,728 (146th)
Density of population5.5 P/km2 (216th)
NationalityGabonese
Official languages
French
Ethnic groups (2012)
Gabonese-born80.1%
Fang23.2%
Shira-Punu/Vili18.9%
Nzabi-Duma11.3%
Mbede-Teke6.9%
Myene5%
Kota-Kele4.9%
Okande-Tsogo2.1%
Pygmy0.3%
Other7.5%
Cameroonian4.6%
Malian2.4%
Beninese2.1%
 Acquired Gabonese nationality1.6%
Togolese1.6%
Senegalese1.1%
Congolese (Brazzaville)1%
Other5.5%
Religions (2012)
Roman Catholic42.3%
Protestant12.3%
Other Christian27.4%
Muslim9.8%
Animist0.6%
Other0.5%
None/no answer7.1%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male67.3 years
Female70.8 years
Total population69 years (172nd)
Homicides
n.a.
Geography
Land area257,667 km2
water area10,000 km2
total area267,667 km2 (78th)
Mean elevation377 m
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Mont Iboundji1,575 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land19%
Arable land1.2%
Permanent crops0.6%
Permanent pasture17.2%
Forest81%
Other0%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)90.1%
Rate of urbanization2.61% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)557,800 (155th)
Labor force by occupation (2005)
Agriculture64%
Industry12%
Services 24%
Unemployment rate (2015)28% (204th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2018)
Total$38.280 billion
Per capita$18,647
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2018)
Total$17.212 billion
Per capita$8,384
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture5%
Industry44.7%
Services50.4%
Exports (2017)$5.564 billion (105th)
Exports partners (2017)
China36.4%
US10%
Ireland8.5%
Netherlands6.3%
South Korea5.1%
Australia5%
Italy4.6
Imports (2017)$2.829 billion (150th)
Imports partners (2017)
France23.6%
Belgium19.6%
China15.2%

Gabon on the world map

Gabon on the world map

Gabon top 10 largest cities (2013)

  1. Libreville (703,940)
  2. Port-Gentil (or Mandji) (136,462)
  3. Franceville (or Masuku) (110,568)
  4. Oyem (60,685)
  5. Moanda (59,154)
  6. Mouila (36,061)
  7. Lambaréné (38,775)
  8. Tchibanga (30,042)
  9. Koulamoutou (25,651)
  10. Makokou (20,653)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Gabon (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 36.45% (male 413,883/female 399,374)
  • 15-24 years: 21.9% (male 254,749/female 233,770)
  • 25-54 years: 32.48% (male 386,903/female 337,776)
  • 55-64 years: 5.19% (male 58,861/female 56,843)
  • 65 years and over: 3.98% (male 44,368/female 44,381)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, cattle, okoume (a tropical softwood), fish

Industries:

petroleum extraction and refining, manganese, gold, chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement

Exports – commodities:

crude oil, timber, manganese, uranium

Imports – commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials

Time zone and current time in Gabon

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Gabon

Sources: