World · permanent entity record · GB

Gabon

Thirty-second orientation

Gabon at a glance

Capital: Libreville; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 2,593,130; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 267,667 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural); adjective: Gabonese; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Gabon through time

1960-09-20
Admitted to the United Nations
Gabon became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	2,593,130World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 2,513,738 (2025 est.) male: 1,299,085 female: 1,214,653CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $21.4 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $8,263; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 68.5 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 92.1%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 95.1%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 68.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Libreville; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 267,667 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 2,593,130; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Coopération Financière en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural); adjective: Gabonese; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1960-09-20; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 885 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Protestant 46.4% (Revival Church 37%, other Protestant 9.4%), Roman Catholic 29.8%, other Christian 4%, Muslim 10.8%, traditional/animist 1.1%, other 0.9%, none 7% (2019-21 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: green, yellow, blue; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: black panther; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Mont Bengoue · 3,445 ft (1,050 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in present-day Gabon and the surrounding area, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, much of Gabon's early history was lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization after World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960. Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the still-dominant Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG). In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution in response to growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. After BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power, and he was reelected in 2016. He won a third term in the August 2023 election but was overthrown in a military coup a few days later. Gen. Brice OLIGUI Nguema led a military group called the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions that arrested BONGO, canceled the election results, and dissolved state institutions. In September 2023, OLIGUI was sworn in as transitional president of Gabon.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography19 fields

Location: Central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 267,667 sq km land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 3,261 km border countries (3): Cameroon 349 km; Republic of the Congo 2,567 km; Equatorial Guinea 345 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 885 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Mont Bengoue 1,050 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 377 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 8.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.4% (2023 est.) forest: 91.5% (2023 est.) other: 0.2% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major aquifers: Congo Basin; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: none; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: the country has maintained its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society33 fields

Population: total: 2,513,738 (2025 est.) male: 1,299,085 female: 1,214,653; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Fang 23.5%, Shira-Punu'Vii 20.6%, Nzabi-Duma 11.2%, Mbede-Teke 5.6%, Myene 4.4%, Kota-Kele 4.3%, Okande-Tsogho 1.6%, other 12.6%, foreigner 16.2% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Protestant 46.4% (Revival Church 37%, other Protestant 9.4%), Roman Catholic 29.8%, other Christian 4%, Muslim 10.8%, traditional/animist 1.1%, other 0.9%, none 7% (2019-21 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 34.6% (male 429,133/female 421,120) 15-64 years: 61.1% (male 787,480/female 711,913) 65 years and over: 4.3% (2024 est.) (male 53,410/female 52,049); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 63 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 55.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 13.9 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 22.3 years (2025 est.) male: 22.5 years female: 21.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 2.35% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 25.51 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: 3.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 91% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 870,000 LIBREVILLE (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.6 years (2012 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 233 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.4 years (2024 est.) male: 68.6 years female: 72.1 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 3.16 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.56 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 90.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 54.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 86.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 9.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 45.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 13.1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 2.7% of GDP (2021) 9.6% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.52 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 81.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 55.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 78.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 18.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 44.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 21.1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 15% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 6.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 5.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 5.4% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 48.5% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 2.9% (2021) women married by age 18: 13.3% (2021) men married by age 18: 4.8% (2021); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 2.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 13.6% national budget (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 88.9% (2021 est.) male: 90.8% (2021 est.) female: 87.1% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation from logging; solid-waste disposal; water pollution from oil industry; wildlife poaching; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 8.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.4% (2023 est.) forest: 91.5% (2023 est.) other: 0.2% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 91% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 230,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.005 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 908,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 29.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 272.4 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 4.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 18.6 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 5.4 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 238,100 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22.4% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 84.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 14.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 40.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 166 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government26 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: République Gabonaise local short form: Gabon etymology: name originates from the Portuguese word gabão, meaning "cloak," possibly used by early explorers to describe the shape of the Komo River estuary; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Libreville geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the city was founded in 1849 by freed slaves, and the name means "free town" in French; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: mixed system of French civil law and customary law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: previous 1961, 1991; latest approved in November 2024 referendum amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic, by the Council of Ministers, or by one third of either house of Parliament; passage requires Constitutional Court evaluation, at least two-thirds majority vote of two thirds of the Parliament membership convened in joint session, and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on Gabon’s democratic form of government cannot be amended; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Gabon dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Brice OLIGUI Nguema (since 3 May 2025) head of government: President Brice OLIGUI Nguema (since 3 May 2025) cabinet: cabinet appointed by president election/appointment process: the president directly elected by plurality vote to a 7-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 12 April 2025 election results: 2025: Brice OLIGUI Nguema elected president; percent of vote - Brice OLIGUI Nguema (Ind.) 90.35%, Alain Claude Bilie By Nze (EPG) 3.02%, other 6.63% 2016: Ali BONGO Ondimba reelected president; percent of vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba (PDG) 49.8%, Jean PING (UFC) 48.2%, other 2.0%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) number of seats: 145 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 10/6/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 21.6% expected date of next election: November 2030; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Senate (Senate) number of seats: 70 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 9/27/2025 to 10/11/2025 percentage of women in chamber: 20.3% expected date of next election: November 2025; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 4 permanent specialized supreme courts - Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation, Administrative Supreme Court or Conseil d'Etat, Accounting Supreme Court or Cour des Comptes, Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle, and the non-permanent Court of State Security, initiated only for cases of high treason by the president and criminal activity by executive branch officials) judge selection and term of office: appointment and tenure of Supreme, Administrative, Accounting, and State Security courts NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed - 3 by the national president, 3 by the president of the Senate, and 3 by the president of the National Assembly; judges serve single renewable 7-year terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; county courts; military courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG Restoration of Republican Values or RV The Democrats or LD Paul Mba Abessole; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Noël Nelson MESSONE (12 December 2022) chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 FAX: [1] (301) 332-0668 email address and website: info@gaboneembassyusa.org https://gabonembassyusa.org/en/ consulate(s) general: New York; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vernelle Trim FITZPATRICK (since 26 January 2024); note - also accredited to Sao Tome and Principe embassy: Sabliere, B.P. 4000, Libreville mailing address: 2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270 telephone: [241] 011-45-71-00 FAX: [241] 011-45-71-05 email address and website: ACSLibreville@state.gov https://ga.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSCA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1960); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue meaning: green stands for the country's forests and natural resources, gold for the equator and the sun, and blue for the sea; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): black panther; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): green, yellow, blue; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National coat of arms: the panthers represent vigilance and courage, and they support a shield with a ship and an okoume tree, which is a symbol of the timber trade; the ribbon below the shield has the national motto in French, Union, Travail, Justice ("Union, Work, Justice"), and the ribbon above the shield has the Latin phrase Uniti Progrediemur ("We shall go forward united"); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "La Concorde" (The Concorde) lyrics/music: Georges Aleka DAMAS history: adopted 1960; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda (m); Ivindo National Park (n); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy31 fields

Economic overview: natural-resource-rich, upper-middle-income, Central African economy; significant reliance on oil and mineral exports; highly urbanized population; high levels of poverty and unemployment; uncertainty on institutional and development reform progress following 2023 military coup; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $48.045 billion (2024 est.) $46.472 billion (2023 est.) $45.363 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 3.4% (2024 est.) 2.4% (2023 est.) 3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $18,900 (2024 est.) $18,700 (2023 est.) $18,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $20.867 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.2% (2024 est.) 3.6% (2023 est.) 4.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.2% (2024 est.) industry: 50.9% (2024 est.) services: 37.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 33.7% (2024 est.) government consumption: 12.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.1% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 65.3% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -29.2% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: oil palm fruit, plantains, cassava, sugarcane, yams, taro, vegetables, maize, groundnuts, game meat (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 824,400 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 20.1% (2024 est.) 20.3% (2023 est.) 20.4% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 36% (2024 est.) male: 31.1% (2024 est.) female: 42.3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 33.4% (2017 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38 (2017 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% (2017 est.) highest 10%: 27.7% (2017 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $2.939 billion (2021 est.) expenditures: $3.226 billion (2021 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 64.2% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 9.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: $140.996 million (2015 est.) $1.112 billion (2014 est.) $1.463 billion (2013 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $13.622 billion (2024 est.) $12.869 billion (2023 est.) $13.814 billion (2022 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: China 26%, Indonesia 8%, Spain 7%, Israel 6%, Congo, Republic of the 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, ships, manganese ore, refined petroleum, wood (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $6.094 billion (2024 est.) $5.38 billion (2023 est.) $5.005 billion (2022 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: France 14%, China 13%, S. Korea 13%, USA 7%, India 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, iron pipes, cars, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.447 billion (2023 est.) $1.415 billion (2022 est.) $1.304 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $6.442 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Coopération Financière en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 606.345 (2024 est.) 606.57 (2023 est.) 623.76 (2022 est.) 554.531 (2021 est.) 575.586 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 93.5% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 98.5% electrification - rural areas: 29%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 785,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 3.173 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 584.039 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 604 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 51.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 47.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: imports: 75,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 204,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 14,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2 billion barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: production: 463 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 463 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 25.995 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 22.101 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 67,100 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3.18 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: 2 state-run TV stations and 2 state-run radio stations; a few private radio and TV stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible; satellite service subscriptions are available; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .ga; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 72% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 80,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TR; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 42 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 649 km (2014) standard gauge: 649 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 87 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 19, oil tanker 30, other 37; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 9 (2024) large: 0 medium: 2 small: 2 very small: 5 ports with oil terminals: 7 key ports: Libreville, Oguendjo Terminal, Port Gentil, Port Owendo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Gabonese Armed Forces (Force Armées Gabonaise or FAG; aka National Defense and Security Forces of Gabon or des Forces Nationales de Défense et de Sécurité (FNDS) du Gabon): Army, Navy, Air Force, Light Aviation, Fire Brigade; Gabon National Gendarmerie (GENA); Republican Guard (GR); Military Health Service; Military Engineering (2025) note: the National Police Forces, under the Ministry of Interior, and the National Gendarmerie (GENA), under the Ministry of Defense, are responsible for law enforcement and public security; elements of the armed forces and the Republican Guard, an elite unit that protects the president under his direct authority, sometimes perform internal security functions; the GENA is organized into regionally-based “legions,” mobile forces, a national parks security unit, and a special intervention group; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 7,000 active-duty Armed Forces including the Republican Guard and Gendarmerie (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Gabonese military has a mix of older and limited quantities of more modern armaments; suppliers include Brazil, China, France, Germany, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, and Spain (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Gabonese military is a small and lightly armed force that is responsible for both external and internal security; the military may also participate in the economic and social development work of the nation; key defense priorities include securing the country's borders and maritime domain; it has contributed to regional peacekeeping and joint security operations; in August 2023, officers from the Republican Guard seized control of the government and placed the president under arrest (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Space3 fields

Space agency/agencies: Gabonese Studies and Space Observations Agency (Agence Gabonaise d’Etudes et d’Observations Spatiales or AGEOS; established 2015) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Space program overview: has a small space program focused on using data from remote sensing (RS) satellites for environmental and natural-resource management, mapping, land-use planning, maritime surveillance, and research; member of the African Space Agency; has relationships with Brazil, China, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France), and the US, as well as African countries such as Kenya, Niger, Rwanda, and South Africa; shares RS satellite data with neighboring countries (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Key space-program milestones: 1986 - ESA established a ground station in Gabon 2018 - completed mapping Gabon’s forests 2019 - founding member of the Space Climate Observatory 2021 - began acquisition process for first satellite in joint project with Japan, known as BIRDs 2025 - became member of new African Space Agency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 261 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

Gabon at a glance

Gabon through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile