Gabon

Quick Facts

🇬🇦
Capital:
Libreville
Official Language(s):
French
Currency:
Central African CFA franc (Fr)
Population:
2,225,728

Overview

Gabon, officially the Gabonese Republic, is a country on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, on the equator, bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Gulf of Guinea to the west. It has an area of 270,000 square kilometres (100,000 sq mi) and a population of 2.3 million people. There are coastal plains, mountains, and a savanna in the east. Libreville is the country's capital and largest city.

Institutional Framework

The strength of a country's institutions directly impacts its economic development and stability. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty, protect property rights, and enable efficient markets through:
  • Rule of law and contract enforcement
  • Control of corruption
  • Government effectiveness and regulatory quality

* Indicators normalized to 0-100 scale

Economic Structure

The composition of an economy reveals its strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential for growth. Understanding the balance between sectors (agriculture, industry, services) and their sophistication helps assess economic resilience and development opportunities.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic Scale & Power

An economy with $19,444,935,097.24B(2021) GDP, showing moderate growth at 1.5%(2021). Developing economy with moderate income levels.

GDP Growth
1.5%(2021)
GDP PPP
$44,025,399,637.067

Economic Structure

Economic structure shows 38.6%(2021) in services, 52.9%(2021) in industry, and 6.8%(2021) in agriculture. Industry-driven economy.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic health indicators show 21.2%(2021) unemployment and 1.1%(2021) inflation. Trade profile with 60.9%(2021) exports and 24.4%(2021) imports as % of GDP.

Unemployment
21.2%(2021)
Inflation
1.1%(2021)
Exports/GDP
60.9%(2021)
Imports/GDP
24.4%(2021)

Innovation & Competitiveness

Innovation capacity determines a country's ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. Key indicators like R&D investment, patent applications, and high-tech exports reveal the potential for sustainable economic growth and value creation.

High-Tech Exports

1.5

% of manufactured exports

ICT Exports

N/A

% of total goods exports

Digital Adoption

73.1

% of population using internet

Mobile Connectivity

134.3

Subscriptions per 100 people

Manufacturing Value

21.6

% of GDP

International Position

A country's integration into global markets affects its economic opportunities and risks. Trade relationships, financial flows, and geographic advantages or constraints shape its development trajectory and resilience to external shocks.

Financial & Trade Geography

Trade Profile

Trade represents 85.35%(2021) of GDP, with a trade balance of 36.53%(2021).

FDI Inflows
N/A
FDI Outflows
N/A

Financial Security

External Debt

45.94%(2021)

Foreign Reserves

N/A(N/A months of imports)

Supply Chain & Technology

Technology Trade

ICT Imports
N/A
High-Tech Exports
1.48%(2021)

Economic Structure

Manufacturing
21.65%(2021)
Services
38.58%(2021)

Trade Agreements & Dependencies

Trade Agreements

No major trade agreements

Critical Dependencies

    Growth Trajectory

    Understanding growth patterns helps predict future economic performance and development challenges. Key factors include productivity trends, investment levels, and structural transformation progress, which together determine long-term prosperity potential.

    Growth Potential Indicators

    Human Capital

    Education and workforce development

    54.5/100

    Trade Position

    International trade and competitiveness

    13.4/100

    Economic Structure

    Sectoral balance and sophistication

    37.8/100

    Demographics & Human Capital

    Demographics are fundamental to understanding a country's economic potential and challenges. The population structure influences everything from labor force availability to social security systems and public spending priorities.

    Demographics

    Population Overview

    Total population of 2,376,722(2021) with 2.3%(2021) annual growth. Median age is N/A with fertility rate at 3.491 births/woman(2021).

    Life Expectancy
    65.821 years(2021)
    Birth Rate
    27.142 per 1,000(2021)

    Age Structure

    Working-age population (59.2%(2021)) with youth at 36.8%(2021) and elderly at 4.0%(2021). Total dependency ratio: 69.0%(2021).

    Young Dependency
    62.2%(2021)
    Old Dependency
    6.8%(2021)

    Gender & Migration

    Population is 49.1%(2021) female and 50.9%(2021) male, with sex ratio of 1.021 males/female(2021) at birth. Net migration: 1,503(2021).

    Male Mortality
    285.584/1,000(2021)
    Female Mortality
    191.839/1,000(2021)

    Development Indicators

    Urban population growing at 2.7%(2021) annually, with 9.6%(2021) in rural areas. Literacy rate: 88.9%(2021).

    Urbanization
    90.4%(2021)
    Infant Mortality
    29.5 per 1,000(2021)

    Population Structure

    The population pyramid visualizes the age and gender distribution, revealing crucial insights about economic sustainability. A balanced pyramid with a strong working-age population (typically ages 15-64) indicates greater economic potential, as this group supports both the younger and older generations through:
    • Labor force participation and productivity
    • Tax contributions to support social services
    • Innovation and economic growth

    An aging population (top-heavy pyramid) or youth bulge (bottom-heavy) can create demographic pressures on social systems and economic stability.

    Source: World Bank Development Indicators

    Security Context

    Security considerations fundamentally affect economic development and investment attractiveness. Both geographic factors and military capabilities influence a country's stability and its ability to protect economic interests and maintain sustainable growth.

    Geographic & Resource Security

    Food & Agriculture

    Arable land comprises 1.3%(2021) of territory, with 8.4%(2021) total agricultural land. Cereal yield: 1,587.6 kg/hectare(2021).

    Food Production Index
    104.82(2021)
    Cereal Production
    46,810.38 MT(2021)

    Energy Security

    Net energy imports at N/A of consumption. Renewable energy makes up 91.8%(2021) of total. Electricity access: N/A.

    Resource Rents
    N/A

    Water Resources

    Fresh water resources of 1,831 m³/capita(2021) per person. Annual precipitation: 91.275 mm(2021).

    Forest Area
    1.5%(2021)

    Environmental Vulnerability

    69002.6%(2021) of population affected by climate disasters. Forest coverage at 1.5%(2021) providing natural buffer.

    Annual Rainfall
    91.275 mm(2021)

    Military & Security

    Military Capabilities

    Military expenditure at N/A of GDP. Armed forces personnel: 2,000,000(2021) ( N/A of labor force).

    Arms Exports
    272 USD(2021)
    Arms Imports
    N/A

    Strategic Status

    Military Alliances

    No major military alliances

    Nuclear Status

    Non-Nuclear State

    Security Environment

    Refugee population: 164,042(2021)Internally displaced: 148,106(2021)

    Strategic Geography

    Strategic Features

    • Borders 3 countries