Gabon: environment

How much of Gabon is covered by forest?

91.4% of Gabon's land area was covered by forest in 2024, according to the World Bank, which publishes figures from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The share was 91.5% in 2021.

The FAO counts land of more than half a hectare with trees taller than 5 metres and canopy cover above 10%. Gabon's forests are part of the Congo Basin rainforest, and the share has changed little since 2021. The website of the National Parks Agency (ANPN) could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area, Gabon

What are Gabon's CO2 emissions?

Gabon emitted 5.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, or 2.05 tonnes per person, according to the World Bank. Emissions were 5.58 million tonnes in 2022.

The figures exclude land use, land-use change and forestry, and come from the EDGAR database. For a country covered mostly by forest, that exclusion matters: the carbon taken up or released by forests is reported separately in the national greenhouse gas inventory submitted to the UN climate convention.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Gabon

How many people in Gabon have electricity?

95.1% of Gabon's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank, up from 91.8% in 2021. About a third of electricity output, 33.0% in 2021, came from renewable sources.

Access means a household has a connection or an off-grid source. It does not measure how often power cuts happen, which are a common search topic in Gabon. Electricity and water are supplied by the national utility SEEG.

Official sources: World Bank: Access to electricity, Gabon · SEEG

What are Gabon's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Gabon was 2.0 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.4 tonnes, and Gabon placed 6th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 101st of 186.

What are Gabon's emissions?

21.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Gabon for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2018) to 26.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2005). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Gabon placed 25th highest of 47. Worldwide: 116th of 186.

How much of Gabon's energy is renewable?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Gabon at 91.3% in 2021. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 71.1%, and Gabon placed 4th highest of 48. Worldwide: 4th of 191.

How much of Gabon is forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Gabon was 91.4% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and Gabon placed 1st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 3rd of 190.

What is air pollution like in Gabon?

31.3 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Gabon for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 32.2 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2006, at 25.3 micrograms per cubic metre. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre; Gabon is 21st highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 44th highest.

How much of Gabon is in national parks and reserves?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Gabon at 22.6% in 2025. Its high point since 2013 was 2024, at 22.7%; its low point was 2013, at 20.0%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Gabon placed 19th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 64th highest.

How much of Gabon's fresh water is used?

The FAO puts water stress in Gabon at 0.5% in 2022. It has not changed since 2005. It is 40th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.1%. Worldwide: 164th of 175.