Gabon Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Gabon, Republic of Western Central Africa; 268,000 km², 2.1 million residents (2019).The country borders Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon in the north and Congo in the east and west and has a coast to the Atlantic in the west. The capital is Libreville (797,000 residents, 2012).

Country facts

Republic of Gabonaise / Republic of Gabon
Country abbreviation: GA
Area: 268 000 km²
Population (2019): 2.1 million residents
Capital: Libreville
Main languages: French, Bantu languages
State: Republic
Head of State: Ali Ben Bongo (President)
Head of Government: Julien Nkoghe Bekale
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 8,030
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 6,800
Currency unit: 1 CFA franc = 100 centimes
Currency code: XAF
Country number (telephony): 241
Internet Domain Name: ga
Time difference compared to Sweden: 0
National Day: March 12 (formation of Parti démocratique gabonais, 1968)
Independence Day: August 17, 1960

Nature

Land use: forest (74%), agricultural land (0.1%), pasture land (0.1%)
Highest mountain: Milondo (1,020 m above sea level)
Longest river: Ogooué (800 km)

Population

Population density (2019): 8 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 2.1%; birthrate 27 ‰, deathrate 6 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (38%), 15-64 (58%), 65- (4%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 66 years, women 69 years
Infant mortality (2019): 34 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 4 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.702 (place 110 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 89%
Most populous cities (2012): Libreville (797,000 residents), Port-Gentil (150,500)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (5%), industry (45%), service (50%)
Exports (2017): US $ 5,564 million
Main export products: oil, timber
Main exporting countries: USA, China, Ireland
Imports (2017): US $ 2,829 million
Main import products: machinery, food, chemicals
Main importing countries: France, Belgium, China
Railway network (2014): 650 km

The central parts of Gabon are occupied by Ogooué’s river system. The numerous tributaries have carved deep valleys in the interior of the country, and on the coastal plain the river forms a large delta.

The president, who is elected for seven years, is the head of state and commander-in-chief, appoints the prime minister and holds the executive power together with a council of ministers. The National Assembly is elected by universal suffrage for five years. The general elections have usually been bordered by violent unrest and protests for alleged cheating. The country became independent in 1960.

Although a large part of the population is dependent on agriculture, Gabon’s natural resources (mainly oil, manganese and uranium) are the most influential factors in the economy. Exploitation of oil, uranium and manganese deposits and of the country’s rainforest led to rapid economic growth until the 1990s, when falling oil prices slowed growth. During the 2000s, oil prices have risen again and temporarily saved the economy. However, declining oil resources mean that the country must broaden its economic base.