The Gambia has a population of 2.76M (ranked 140/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). The Gambia's land area is 3,907 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 161st vs. 24th).
By GDP, The Gambia ranks 174/197 ($2.4B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, The Gambia ranks 183/197 ($871), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
2902554
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 138/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$2.4B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 174/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$871
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 183/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$3,476
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$1.92B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
80%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$697
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 155/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$741
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 3,907 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
739 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
4.01
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
19.4 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
66.5 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Gambia and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Gambia and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $2,404,888,749 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $2,382,262,185 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $2,204,734,528 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $2,014,158,842 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $1,812,170,891 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $1,813,609,692 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $1,670,671,328 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $1,504,909,463 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $1,484,578,886 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $1,378,176,609 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $1,229,461,721 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $1,375,609,453 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $1,415,004,738 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $1,409,693,597 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $1,543,294,927 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $1,450,142,509 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $1,561,766,956 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $1,279,703,047 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $1,054,112,488 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $1,027,701,068 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $961,900,651 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $487,038,685 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $578,235,309 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $687,410,645 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $782,913,872 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $814,724,032 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $840,285,265 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $803,633,342 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $848,239,446 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $785,999,865 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $746,493,952 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $755,040,974 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $714,254,256 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $690,311,081 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $317,083,695 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $284,120,329 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $266,672,212 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $220,626,484 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $185,646,987 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $225,726,359 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $177,340,880 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $213,448,585 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $216,050,552 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $218,767,743 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $241,083,090 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $207,112,628 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $171,833,086 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $138,093,099 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $112,190,829 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $115,179,719 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $95,796,022 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $75,187,749 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $59,160,569 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $55,728,663 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $52,296,084 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $45,168,072 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $41,160,066 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $46,695,007 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $44,212,081 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | - | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | - | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | - | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | - | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | - | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | - | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/south-africa | CC BY 
Gambia and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $871 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $883 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $836 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $782 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $720 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $738 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $696 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $643 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $650 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $620 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $568 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $654 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $693 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $711 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $801 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $775 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $859 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $725 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $615 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $616 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $593 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $309 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $377 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $460 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $538 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $575 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $610 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $600 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $652 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $622 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $608 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $635 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $623 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $628 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $301 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $280.9 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $274.9 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $237 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $207.7 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $262.8 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $214.8 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $268.6 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $282.1 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $296 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $338 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $300 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $257.6 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $213.8 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $179.3 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $189.8 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $162.6 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $131.4 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $106.5 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $103.3 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $99.8 | $952 |
| 1969 | $88.7 | $891 |
| 1968 | $83.1 | $817 |
| 1967 | $97 | $779 |
| 1966 | $94.4 | $722 |
| 1965 | - | $685 |
| 1964 | - | $646 |
| 1963 | - | $605 |
| 1962 | - | $563 |
| 1961 | - | $546 |
| 1960 | - | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/south-africa | CC BY
Gambia vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 66.5 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 66.3 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 66.1 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 65.9 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 64.9 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 63.8 | 62 |
| 2020 | 64.4 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 64.4 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 64 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 63.7 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 63.4 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 63 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 62.6 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 62.3 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 61.9 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 61.6 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 61.2 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 60.7 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 60.5 | 56 |
| 2007 | 60 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 59.7 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 59.1 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 58.7 | 54 |
| 2003 | 58.2 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 57.7 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 57.3 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 56.9 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 56.5 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 56 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 55.2 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 54.8 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 54.3 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 53.8 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 53.2 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 52.5 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 51.9 | 63 |
| 1990 | 51.3 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 50.7 | 63 |
| 1988 | 50.1 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 49.4 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 48.8 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 48.2 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 47.5 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 46.9 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 46.3 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 44.5 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 45 | 60 |
| 1979 | 44.5 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 43.6 | 59 |
| 1977 | 43.4 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 42.9 | 58 |
| 1975 | 42.2 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 41.7 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 41.1 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 40.5 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 40 | 56 |
| 1970 | 39.5 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 39 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 38.5 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 38.1 | 55 |
| 1966 | 37.6 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 37.1 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 36.6 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 36.1 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 35.6 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 35.1 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 34.6 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 34.1 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 33.6 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 33.1 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 32.8 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 32.4 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 32.2 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 31.9 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 31.7 | 45 |
| 1951 | 31.5 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 31.2 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/south-africa | CC BY
Gambia and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 2,759,988 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 2,697,845 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 2,636,470 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 2,576,010 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 2,515,733 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 2,456,844 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 2,399,632 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 2,342,189 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 2,283,769 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 2,224,529 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 2,164,528 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 2,103,820 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 2,043,094 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 1,983,784 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 1,926,630 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 1,871,422 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 1,817,852 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 1,765,774 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 1,715,275 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 1,667,037 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 1,621,312 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 1,577,611 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 1,535,691 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 1,495,011 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 1,455,084 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 1,415,779 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 1,376,987 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 1,338,889 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 1,301,410 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 1,264,313 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 1,227,226 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 1,188,365 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 1,145,582 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 1,099,959 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 1,054,696 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 1,011,357 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 970,160 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 931,091 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 894,019 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 858,874 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 825,631 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 794,525 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 765,753 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 739,125 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 713,913 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 689,781 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 667,103 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 645,770 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 625,667 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 606,821 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 589,085 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 571,991 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 555,370 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 539,388 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 524,105 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 509,440 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 495,269 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 481,588 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 468,516 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 455,952 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 443,687 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 431,757 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 420,163 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 408,930 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 398,060 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Gambia and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 4.01 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 4.08 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 4.17 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 4.25 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 4.33 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 4.42 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 4.61 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 4.81 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 5 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 5.2 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 5.39 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 5.52 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 5.54 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 5.56 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 5.57 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 5.63 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 5.69 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 5.74 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 5.71 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 5.68 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 5.66 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 5.66 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 5.67 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 5.72 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 5.77 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 5.82 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 5.85 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 5.93 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 5.99 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 6.04 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 6.03 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 6.11 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 6.19 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 6.25 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 6.25 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 6.26 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 6.3 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 6.34 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 6.36 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 6.39 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 6.39 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 6.4 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.4 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.41 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.41 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.42 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.43 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.43 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.43 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.42 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.41 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.37 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.33 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.26 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.25 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.22 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 6.21 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 6.18 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 6.19 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.2 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.2 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.21 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.23 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.25 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/south-africa | CC BY
Gambia and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 19.4 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 19.2 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 19.1 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 18.9 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 18.7 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 18.5 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 18.4 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 18.2 | 27 |
| 2016 | 18.1 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 17.9 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 17.8 | 26 |
| 2013 | 17.7 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 17.6 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 17.5 | 25 |
| 2010 | 17.4 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 17.3 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 17.2 | 24 |
| 2007 | 17.1 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 17 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 16.9 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 16.8 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 16.7 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 16.6 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 16.6 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 16.5 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 16.5 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 16.5 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 16.6 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 16.7 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 16.8 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 16.9 | 22 |
| 1993 | 17 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 17.1 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 17.1 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 17.2 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 17.2 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 17.3 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 17.4 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 17.4 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 17.5 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 17.6 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 17.8 | 20 |
| 1982 | 17.9 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 18.1 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 18.2 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 18.4 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 18.5 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 18.6 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 18.8 | 19 |
| 1975 | 18.9 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 19.1 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 19.2 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 19.3 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 19.4 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 19.5 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 19.6 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 19.7 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 19.8 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 19.7 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 19.7 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 19.6 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 19.6 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 19.5 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 19.4 | 19 |
| 1960 | 19.4 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/gambia/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for the Gambia and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$2.43B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
25.8%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.81%
2023 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.57%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
4,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-4.08%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.48%
2023 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
56.8%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
15.3%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
56.3
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
30.5%
2020 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.6%
2020 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$629M
2024 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$529M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
246,000
2020 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
30.2%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
38.2%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
75.3 kg
2007 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$26.4
2007 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
0.49 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.18 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
0%
2007 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
47.7%
2022 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
1.6%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
0%
2021 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
66.9%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.03%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-2,984
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
64.3%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.8:50.2
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.52 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.31 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
21.9
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
37
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
35
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
9.13
2015 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
29.6
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
73
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
58.7%
2022 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
2.34%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
45.9%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$25.7
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$8.7
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
66.5 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
17.4%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.09
2023 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
20.7 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
354
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
44.1
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
15.3%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
5.5%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
9
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
10.5%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
0.61 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Gambia
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.007%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,416 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
2,448 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
871 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
1,850 mi
2011 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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