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...
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With a safety index of 39/100, Gambia offers below average safety conditions for expats and their families.
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...
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35% below EU avg
40% below EU avg
100% below EU avg
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.
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.
Cost of Living Index
Very affordable (CPI: 30.8). Groceries (30.2), rent (2.5), and restaurants (47.3) are low compared to NYC=100 baseline.
Housing Market
Property prices average 106.9 years of household income, making housing extremely unaffordable for residents.
Average Income Levels
Low purchasing power index of 6.7 indicates very weak buying power relative to costs.
Tax System
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 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
Limited social safety nets with basic healthcare and pensions; low coverage and quality, reliant on international aid amid poverty challenges.
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.
Life Expectancy
61.2
Population
2,416,664
Religions
Ethnic Composition
Currently under research
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.
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.
Your Gambia Roadmap
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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.





