Gabon: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Gabon?

Life expectancy at birth in Gabon was 68.5 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, up from 67.1 years in 2021.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if the death rates of that year stayed the same throughout their life. It is not a forecast for any individual. The World Bank series is based on UN population estimates. The Ministry of Health's website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Gabon

What is the infant mortality rate in Gabon?

Gabon's infant mortality rate was 25.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to the World Bank, down from 28.5 in 2021.

The rate counts deaths of babies before their first birthday. The World Bank publishes modelled estimates from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, which combine household surveys such as the Demographic and Health Survey with other data, so the figures are smoothed and can be revised. The maternal mortality ratio, from the same family of UN estimates, was 233 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023.

Official sources: World Bank: Infant mortality rate, Gabon

What is the HIV rate in Gabon?

2.8% of people aged 15 to 49 in Gabon were living with HIV in 2024, according to the World Bank, which publishes UNAIDS estimates. The rate has fallen from 3.2% in 2021.

The figure is a modelled estimate of everyone living with the virus, diagnosed or not, in that age group. It is not the number of new infections. Prevalence can fall slowly even when new infections drop sharply, because people on treatment live long lives. The national health insurance fund, CNAMGS, lists the care it covers and its approved providers on its website.

Official sources: World Bank: Prevalence of HIV, Gabon · CNAMGS

Who is covered by CNAMGS health insurance in Gabon?

CNAMGS, the National Health Insurance and Social Guarantee Fund, says it provides health cover to the whole Gabonese population, according to its website. It groups insured people into categories: people on low incomes (Gabonais économiquement faibles, GEF), students, private and semi-public sector employees and retirees, public sector workers and retirees, and the self-employed and voluntary members.

The fund also pays family benefits to people in the GEF category. Employers pay contributions for their staff. The website has an online services portal for registration and card renewal, the basket of covered care, the list of approved providers and rules for medical evacuations. It does not publish coverage numbers on its home page.

Official sources: CNAMGS

What is the average life expectancy in Gabon?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Gabon at 68.5 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3 years, and Gabon placed 9th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 141st of 193.

How many babies die in Gabon?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Gabon was 25.9 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 42nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.2 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 55th highest.

What is maternal mortality in Gabon?

233 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Gabon for 2023, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 273 per 100,000; its low point was 2010, at 144 per 100,000. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 257 per 100,000; Gabon is 30th highest of 48. Worldwide: 33rd of 192.

What is Gabon's health spending?

3.1% of GDP: that is current health spending in Gabon for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.4% of GDP (2012) to 3.8% of GDP (2009). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and Gabon placed 41st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 173rd of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Gabon?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Gabon was 17.3%, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 37th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. Worldwide: 133rd of 191.

How many doctors per person does Gabon have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Gabon at 0.52 per 1,000 in 2022. Its high point since 2008 was 2017, at 0.65 per 1,000; its low point was 2008, at 0.10 per 1,000. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and Gabon placed 7th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 82nd of 125.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Gabon?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 57.0%. The peak was 72.0% in 2011 and the low 52.0% in 2022. It is 40th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 81.0%. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 179th highest.