Gambia: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in The Gambia?

53.4% of Gambians lived below the national poverty line in 2020, according to the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS). Poverty was 64.6% in rural areas and 35.4% in urban areas.

The figures come from the Integrated Household Survey 2020, which measures how much households spend on food and other essentials against a national poverty line. It is the latest official poverty estimate, and GBoS lists the survey reports for 2003/04, 2010, 2015/16 and 2020 on its downloads page.

Official sources: GBoS: key indicators · GBoS: downloads

How many people in The Gambia are food insecure?

24% of the population was food insecure in 2024, according to the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS).

Food insecurity measures whether households can reliably get enough food, based on survey questions about skipping meals, eating less or running out of food. It is a separate measure from poverty. GBoS also tracks food prices: its food and non-alcoholic beverages index stood at 207.04 in August 2026 (January 2020 = 100), compared with 161.32 for non-food items, which means food prices have roughly doubled since early 2020. GBoS lists its food security surveys under agriculture, nutrition and food insecurity on its downloads page.

Official sources: GBoS: key indicators · GBoS: downloads

How fast are food and transport prices rising in The Gambia?

Food inflation was 5.8% in July 2026, down from 6.6% in June, while transport inflation rose to 16.5% from 14.5%, according to the Central Bank of The Gambia's August 2026 MPC statement. Non-food inflation as a whole was 8.9%.

The bank says bread and cereal prices eased, but oil and fat prices stayed high. Transport costs reflect world fuel prices, which the bank notes remained about 25% above their level before the Middle East conflict. Core inflation, which leaves out volatile items, fell to 6.9% on one measure and 7.8% on another. GBoS publishes the full monthly CPI, broken down by division, on its website.

Official sources: CBG: MPC Press Release, 20 August 2026 (PDF) · GBoS

What is the inflation rate in the Gambia?

In 2024, consumer price inflation in the Gambia was 11.6%, according to the IMF. The peak was 17.0% in 2023 and the low 2.1% in 2006. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.3%, and the Gambia placed 11th highest of 42. World rank, highest first: 20th of 172.

How much do households in the Gambia spend per person?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in the Gambia was $594 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from $496 (2016) to $620 (2010). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and the Gambia placed 28th highest of 37. World rank, highest first: 115th of 124.

What is the extreme poverty rate in the Gambia?

In 2020, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in the Gambia was 22.0%, according to the World Bank. It was 34.2% in 2010. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 44.4%, and the Gambia placed 4th highest of 5. Worldwide: 4th of 69.

What share of the Gambia lives below the poverty line?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in the Gambia was 53.4% in 2020. In 2010 the figure was 48.1%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 51.3%; the Gambia is 2nd highest of 5. Of 57 countries with 2020 data, 2nd highest.

How unequal are incomes in the Gambia?

38.8: that is the Gini index in the Gambia for 2020, according to the World Bank. That compares with 43.6 in 2010. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.5, and the Gambia placed 2nd highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 17th of 69.

How many people in the Gambia go hungry?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in the Gambia at 47.2% in 2024. No year since 2016 has been lower. It is 25th highest of 34 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 60.5%. Worldwide: 30th of 135.