Gambia Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 139th most populous · Low income
Population right now (estimate)
2,903,272
The population of Gambia is about 2,903,272 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 2.9 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.03% of the world's people.
Gambia is ranked 139th of 217 by population. Its population is growing fast — about 2.2% a year, roughly 174 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 4.3 million. That is 7.2 times its 1960 population of 398 thousand. Population density is 285 people per square kilometre. 65% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
2.9 million
Yearly change
+2.20%
World rank
139th
Share of world
0.03%
Density
285/km²
Land area
10,120 km²
Life expectancy
66.1 yrs
Births per woman
3.91
GDP per capita
$919
GDP
$2.6B
Population of Gambia, 1960–2050
Gambia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 398,060 | — | 39 |
| 1970 | 524,105 | +2.88% | 52 |
| 1980 | 713,913 | +3.50% | 71 |
| 1990 | 1,054,696 | +4.29% | 104 |
| 2000 | 1,455,084 | +2.78% | 144 |
| 2010 | 1,926,630 | +2.95% | 190 |
| 2020 | 2,515,733 | +2.40% | 249 |
| 2024 | 2,759,988 | +2.30% | 273 |
| 2026proj. | 2,884,079 | +2.20% | 285 |
| 2030proj. | 3,130,133 | +1.99% | 309 |
| 2040proj. | 3,732,798 | +1.62% | 369 |
| 2050proj. | 4,301,895 | +1.28% | 425 |
Gambia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 61.7 times as many people as Gambia. Bangladesh is 4.8 times more densely populated.
Gambia population: questions and answers
What is the population of Gambia in 2026?
About 2,884,079 (2.9 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Gambia's population growing?
Yes, by about 2.20% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Gambia?
About 285 people per km², with a land area of 10,120 km².
What will the population of Gambia be in 2050?
About 4.3 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Gambia?
Banjul.
What is the life expectancy in Gambia?
66.1 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.