Gabon statistics — population, economy, trade and telecom
Gabon occupies a strategically significant position in Central Africa — a mid-sized oil producer navigating a post-coup political transition while attempting to diversify an economy long dependent on hydrocarbon revenues. As the country moves through 2026 under the transitional government that took power in August 2023, understanding Gabon’s core statistics is essential for investors, policymakers, and development partners seeking to assess risk, opportunity, and trajectory across one of the continent’s more resource-rich but structurally constrained economies.
Population and Demographics
Gabon’s population stands at approximately 2.4 to 2.5 million people as of 2024–2025 estimates, making it one of the least densely populated countries in sub-Saharan Africa relative to its land area of roughly 268,000 square kilometres. The annual population growth rate is estimated at around 2.5 to 2.7 percent. One of Gabon’s most distinctive demographic features is its exceptionally high urbanisation rate — World Bank data consistently places it above 90 percent, among the highest on the African continent, with the capital Libreville alone accounting for a substantial share of the urban population. The median age is approximately 22 to 23 years, reflecting a relatively young population typical of the broader Central African region. A notable characteristic of Gabon’s demographic profile is the significant proportion of non-nationals in the labour force, with migrants from across the region — particularly from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and West African states — estimated to represent a meaningful share of residents, though precise figures remain difficult to verify through official channels.
Economic Indicators
Gabon is classified as an upper-middle-income country by the World Bank, with GDP estimated at roughly 20 to 22 billion USD in current prices for 2024. GDP per capita is among the higher figures in sub-Saharan Africa, with World Bank estimates placing it in the range of approximately 8,000 to 9,000 USD in nominal terms — though purchasing power parity adjustments and income inequality mean this figure masks significant disparities in lived standards. GDP growth has been modest, with IMF projections for 2024–2025 suggesting growth in the range of 2 to 3 percent, shaped by oil output trends and the broader uncertainty of the political transition. Inflation, which spiked across the region in 2022–2023, is estimated to have moderated toward the 3 to 5 percent range by 2024–2025, partly anchored by Gabon’s membership in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and its use of the CFA franc (XAF), which is pegged to the euro. Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, remains a structural concern, with industry estimates suggesting rates well above official figures in urban areas. Public debt-to-GDP has been a point of concern, with IMF assessments in recent years placing it at roughly 60 to 70 percent of GDP, elevated by oil revenue volatility and legacy borrowing.
Trade and External Accounts
Gabon’s trade profile is heavily concentrated. Crude oil dominates export revenues, typically accounting for roughly 80 percent or more of total export earnings, though declining mature field output has gradually eroded this share. Manganese ore is the second most significant export commodity, with Gabon holding some of the world’s largest manganese reserves and the Compagnie Minière de l’Ogooué (COMILOG) operating as a major producer. Timber and wood products represent a third export stream, though a 2010 ban on raw log exports — intended to promote domestic processing — has reshaped the sector. China is consistently Gabon’s largest trading partner on the export side, absorbing a significant share of both oil and manganese. The European Union, and France in particular, remains important for imports and investment flows. Imports are dominated by machinery, transport equipment, food products, and manufactured goods. The current account balance fluctuates significantly with oil prices; in periods of elevated prices, Gabon has run surpluses, but structural import dependence keeps the underlying position vulnerable.
Key Sectors
The oil and gas sector remains the backbone of the Gabonese economy, contributing the largest share of government revenues and export earnings, though production from mature fields has been declining for over a decade. Manganese mining has grown in relative importance as a result, with Gabon ranking among the world’s top manganese producers. The forestry and wood processing sector, while constrained by the log export ban, continues to contribute to industrial output and employment. Agriculture is underdeveloped relative to the country’s land and ecological potential — Gabon imports a substantial portion of its food, and the sector contributes a comparatively small share of GDP, perhaps 5 to 7 percent by most estimates. Services, concentrated in Libreville, account for a growing share of economic activity, encompassing retail, finance, and public administration. Tourism remains nascent despite Gabon’s exceptional biodiversity and national park network — covering roughly 11 percent of the country’s territory — with visitor numbers limited by infrastructure gaps and relatively high travel costs. The transitional government has signalled interest in accelerating economic diversification, though concrete structural reforms remain in early stages as of 2025–2026.
Telecommunications and Digital
Gabon’s telecommunications sector is relatively advanced by regional standards, reflecting its higher income level and urbanisation. Mobile penetration is estimated at above 100 percent of the population on a SIM-card basis, indicating multiple-SIM usage, with active unique subscriber penetration somewhat lower. Internet penetration has grown steadily, with ITU and industry estimates placing it in the range of 60 to 70 percent of the population by 2024, driven primarily by mobile broadband access. The dominant mobile operators include Airtel Gabon and Gabon Telecom (in which Maroc Telecom holds a significant stake), with a competitive but concentrated market. Fixed-line infrastructure remains limited outside Libreville. Mobile money services have expanded, though adoption lags behind West African markets such as Côte d’Ivoire or Senegal; Airtel Money is among the active platforms. The government has articulated digital economy ambitions, and submarine cable connectivity — via the SAT-3/WASC and ACE cables — provides international bandwidth capacity, though last-mile infrastructure constraints persist in rural and peri-urban areas.
Sources and Methodology
The statistics and estimates presented in this dashboard draw on a range of international and institutional sources. Primary references include the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and Open Data platform, IMF Article IV consultation reports and World Economic Outlook databases, the African Development Bank’s African Economic Outlook, and the United Nations Statistics Division. Telecommunications data references the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and GSMA Intelligence industry reports. Trade data draws on UN Comtrade and IMF Direction of Trade Statistics. Where Gabon’s Direction Générale de la Statistique (DGS) has published national accounts or census data, these inform demographic estimates. Given the political transition underway since August 2023, some official data publication timelines have been affected, and figures should be treated as estimates subject to revision. All monetary figures are expressed in current USD unless otherwise noted. Africa Research recommends cross-referencing with primary institutional sources for investment or policy decisions.
For deeper qualitative and geopolitical context, visit our Gabon expert briefing. To benchmark Gabon against other African nations, explore our all African country statistics hub. For broader analysis of growth, investment, and structural trends across the continent, see our African economy pillar.
