Gabon
Region
🌍 Africa
Population
👥 2
Currency
💱 Central African CFA franc
Languages
🗣️ French
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Official NameSource: REST Countries
Gabonese Republic
Continent
Africa
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Gabonese
Independence
August 17, 1960 (from France)
Top-Level Domain
.ga
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+241
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC+01:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Libreville
ISO Alpha-2
GA
ISO Alpha-3
GAB
UN Code
266
Geographic Coordinates
-1,11.75
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
267,668#77 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
2,469,296#142 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
9.64
Highest Point (m)
Mont Bengoué, 1,070 m
Lowest Point (m)
Atlantic Ocean, 0 m
Land Use
Forest: 84.8%; arable land: 1.1%; other: 14.1% (2018 estimate)
Irrigated Land
20 sq km (2012)
Coastline Length
887 km
Climate
Tropical; hot, humid; equatorial climate with heavy rainfall
Natural Resources
Petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea
Major Rivers
Ogooué, Ivindo, Ngounié
Major Lakes
This country has no major lakes.
Government Type
Presidential republic
Administrative Divisions
9 provinces
Legal System
Based on French civil law and customary law
Chief of State
President Ali Bongo Ondimba
Head of Government
Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima
Cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Elections
Presidential elections are held every 7 years; legislative elections are held every 5 years.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate and National Assembly
Major Political Parties
Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), National Woodcutters' Rally (RPG)
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Central African CFA franc
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
21.43#134 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
57.62#132 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
8,263.03#111 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
6.75
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
47.19
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
42.34
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
1.77#134 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
844,145
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
20.15#6 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Approximately 58.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
Gabon's budget reflects its revenue and expenditure plans.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
11.89#104 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
6.3#137 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Information on foreign reserves is available through financial sources.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates can be found through online financial resources.
GDP by Sector
Services, Industry, and Agriculture are the main sectors contributing to GDP.
Major Industries
Petroleum, manganese, wood products.
Major Export Partners
China, United States, France.
Major Import Partners
France, United States, Belgium.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2021)Checked September 29, 2026
88.86#103 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
27.1
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
6.2
Net Migration Rate
Approximately 0.4 migrants per 1,000 population (2023 est.)
Median Age
Approximately 20.3 years (2023 est.)
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
92.09#28 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Approximately 1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
68.5#163 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Approximately 3.4% (2021 est.)
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
3.13
Ethnic Groups
Fang, Myene, Bateke, and others.
Religions
Christianity, Islam, and indigenous beliefs.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
French
Education
Education System
Gabon's education system follows a structure similar to the French system, with primary, secondary, and higher education. French is the primary language of instruction.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2001)Checked September 29, 2026
12.2
Government Education Spending
Government spending on education is a significant portion of the budget.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
Omar Bongo University.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Gabon's culture is influenced by its ethnic diversity, with Fang, Myene, and other groups. Music, dance, and storytelling are important.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- Renovation Day (2026-03-12)
- Easter Monday (2026-04-06)
- Women's Day (2026-04-17)
- Labour Day (2026-05-01)
- Martyr's Day (2026-05-06)
- Whit Monday (2026-05-25)
- Assumption Day (2026-08-15)
- Independence Day (2026-08-17)
- All Saints' Day (2026-11-01)
- Božić (2026-12-25)
Popular Music
Makossa and other genres are popular.
Traditional Food
Cassava, plantains, and seafood are common ingredients; also Nyembwe chicken.
Sports
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport.
Major Festivals
Various traditional and cultural festivals throughout the year.
Famous People
Ali Bongo Ondimba (politician); Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (footballer).
Cultural Heritage Sites
Limited number of established heritage sites.
UNESCO Sites
Loango National Park.
Annual Tourist Visits
—
Tourism Overview
—
Top Tourist Attractions
—
Famous Cities
—
National Parks
—
Protected Areas
—
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
—
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
—
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
Information on healthcare quality is available from global health reports.
Medical Cost
Medical costs vary depending on the service and facility.
Number of Hospitals
Information on the exact number of hospitals can be found in healthcare directories.
Universal Healthcare
Gabon's healthcare system is a mix of public and private providers. Access and quality can vary.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available in urban areas, with fewer resources in rural regions.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, especially in major cities.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
—
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
—
Emergency Number (Fire)
—
Crime Rate
—
Safety Index
—
Military Expenditure
—
Emergency Services Overview
—
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
—
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
—
Water Access
—
Sanitation Access
—
Railways
A railway line connects Franceville to Libreville.
Roadways
—
Transportation System
Includes road, air, and some river transport. Road infrastructure varies.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Libreville Leon M'ba International Airport (LBV), Port Gentil International Airport (POG), Bitam Airport (BMM), Koulamoutou Mabimbi Airport (KOU), Lambarene Airport (LBQ), M'Vengue El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba International Airport (MVB)
Ports
—
Public Transit
—
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
68.72#135 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
—
Tech Startups
—
Innovation Index
—
ICT Development Index
—
TV Broadcast Stations
—
Radio Broadcast Stations
—
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
2.05#113 of 202
Air Quality Index
Limited data available; may face air pollution challenges, particularly in urban areas.
Water Pollution Level
May experience water pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff, and inadequate sanitation.
Renewable Energy Usage
Limited renewable energy usage; primarily relies on hydropower.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation, illegal logging, poaching, and water pollution are significant concerns.
Natural Hazards
Experiences floods, droughts, and potential for wildfires.
Waste Management
Waste management infrastructure is developing; faces challenges in collection, treatment, and disposal.
Environmental Agreements
Party to international environmental agreements, including those on climate change and biodiversity.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Maintains diplomatic missions in various countries.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
Commonwealth, African Union, OPEC
Major Treaties
Party to various international treaties, including those on human rights and trade.
Visa-Free Countries
Gabon citizens may have visa-free access to a limited number of countries.