Wassu Stone Cirles
Musicians from Gambia, Africa gave a free public concert in the…
Brightly-painted fishing boat, Bakau, The Gambia, 2007
IMG_3554.jpg
Arch 22 in Banjul, The Gambia.
A snapshot of the rural countryside of the Lower River Division…

Gambia

Atlantic Ocean
Climate
GMD
Currency
Caution
Safety
Low
Cost of Living
English
Language
Country Information Gambia

The Gambia is a small West African nation uniquely situated along the Gambia River, almost entirely surrounded by Senegal. As the smallest country on the African mainland, it spans approximately 10,689 square kilometers and has a population of around...

Cost of Living
vs EU Average35% cheaper
Rent
GMD0.00Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Meal
GMD386Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Groceries
GMD130Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Transport
GMD17.50One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide

Your Gambia Roadmap

40+ page relocation analysis tailored to your profile.

  • Custom Tax & Cost Projection
  • District Matching for your Lifestyle
  • Vetted Local Partner Directory

With a safety index of 39/100, Gambia offers below average safety conditions for expats and their families.

Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Citizens of numerous countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations, enjoy visa-free entry to The Gambia for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. This applies to holders of passports from countries with reciprocal agreements, such as full EU members, Commonwealth nations, and ECOWAS states. Travelers must present a passport valid for the duration of stay and at least one blank page, plus proof of yellow fever vaccination for those arriving from risk...

Visa-free entry: 90 days
Digital Nomad Visa available
Read full guide

Discover Cities in Gambia

Create your free profile to see personalized match scores.

Location Intelligence for Gambia
Cost of Living30.8

35% below EU avg

Safety39.3

40% below EU avg

Quality of Life0.0

100% below EU avg

Purchasing Power7.0

90% below EU avg

Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.

Capital

Banjul

Timezone

UTC+00:00

Area

10,689 km²

Population

2,416,664

Gambia shows a purchasing power index of 7/100, indicating below average economic conditions for expats.

Economic Overview in Gambia

GDP

$2.40B

HDI

0.5

Quality of Life

0/100

-43 vs NYC

Purchasing Power

3/100

-39 vs NYC

Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Gambia. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.

Comparison data legendCompare:
Gambia
Continent Avg

Cost of Living Index

Very High

Very affordable (CPI: 30.8). Groceries (30.2), rent (2.5), and restaurants (47.3) are low compared to NYC=100 baseline.

Housing Market

Very Poor

Property prices average 106.9 years of household income, making housing extremely unaffordable for residents.

Average Income Levels

Very Poor

Low purchasing power index of 6.7 indicates very weak buying power relative to costs.

Tax System

Moderate

Income tax up to 30% for high earners with progressive brackets; VAT at 15%; ongoing digitization improves tax administration and base broadening.

Business Environment

Moderate

Moderate growth at 5.6% projected 2024-26; high debt risk and bureaucracy challenge startups, but reforms in customs and revenue aid private investment.

Social Security

Poor

Limited social safety nets with basic healthcare and pensions; low coverage and quality, reliant on international aid amid poverty challenges.

Work & Business in Gambia
Business ClimateSee full guide for details
Work PermitsRequirements vary by nationality
Key IndustriesExplore opportunities
Read full guide
Education SystemInternational schools, universities & curricula
Explore Guide
Climate

The Gambia experiences a Sahelian tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw) characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The country has a long, dry season from November to May with cooler temperatures, and a short, wet season from June to October with higher humidity and rainfall.

Climate
Tropical savanna
Summer
23–33°C
Winter
18–30°C
Sunshine
3200+ hrs/yr
Read full guide
Demographics in Gambia

Life Expectancy

61.2

Population

2,416,664

Religions

Islam
96.4%
Christianity
3.5%

Ethnic Composition

Currently under research

What Expats Say About GambiaBETA

Research in Progress

We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Gambia. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!

We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Transportation & Infrastructure in Gambia
Public TransitAvailable in major cities
AirportsInternational connectivity
InfrastructureRoad & rail networks
Read full guide
Social Integration in Gambia
Expat CommunityActive communities available
Cultural IntegrationTips & resources
Language BarrierSee guide for details
Read full guide
Retirement & Benefits in Gambia
Retirement VisaCheck eligibility
Healthcare AccessPublic & private options
Pension RecognitionSee guide for details
Read full guide
Political Landscape & Stability

The Gambia is a presidential republic where President Adama Barrow serves as both head of state and head of government. The country operates under a 1997 Constitution providing for a unicameral legislature and independent judiciary. Recent political developments have centered on constitutional reform efforts and concerns about executive power, with the 2024 constitutional bill rejected by the National Assembly and presidential elections scheduled for December 2026.

System
Presidential Republic
Democracy
Hybrid Regime
Legal System
Mixed legal system based on English common law
Read full guide
Environment & Sustainability in Gambia
Air QualitySee detailed assessment
Green SpacesParks & nature areas
SustainabilityEnvironmental policies
Read full guide
Gambia flag
Gambia at a Glance

Capital

Banjul

Languages

English

UN Member

Yes

Quick Facts for Gambia

Population

2,416,664

Currency

GMD

Timezone

UTC+00:00

Calling Code

+220

Week starts on

Monday

Gini Coefficient

35.9 (2015)

Traffic side

right side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.