Gambia: housing

How many households are there in The Gambia?

The Gambia had 297,581 households in 2024, according to the preliminary report of the 2024 Population and Housing Census by the Gambia Bureau of Statistics. That is up from 217,610 in 2013 and 157,494 in 2003.

The average household has 8.0 people. Household size ranges from 4.6 in Banjul to 10.7 in Kuntaur and 12.6 in Basse. Brikama local government area has 147,611 households, 49.6% of the total, and Kanifing 61,586. The final census results will add detail on housing conditions.

Official sources: GBoS: 2024 Population and Housing Census preliminary report (PDF)

What is the population of The Gambia?

The Gambia's population was 2,422,712 in the 2024 census, according to the preliminary report of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics. Females make up 51% and males 49%.

The census found the population growing by 2.5% a year between 2013 and 2024, slower than the 3.1% a year between 2003 and 2013. The census counts people present on census night. The World Bank's mid-year estimate for 2025 is higher, at about 2.82 million, because it is based on UN population estimates rather than the census count. GBoS will publish the final results in later reports.

Official sources: GBoS: 2024 Population and Housing Census preliminary report (PDF)

What is the Gambia's urbanisation rate?

65.0%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in the Gambia for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 44.9%, and the Gambia placed 7th highest of 48. Worldwide: 90th of 193.

What share of the Gambia's city dwellers live in slums?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in the Gambia at 37.1% in 2022. That is the lowest since at least 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 48.7%; the Gambia is 42nd highest of 48. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 62nd highest.

How many people in the Gambia have electricity?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in the Gambia was 69.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.8%, and the Gambia placed 16th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 157th of 193.

How many people in the Gambia have clean water?

48.2%: that is the share of people using safely managed drinking water in the Gambia for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.2%; the Gambia is 4th highest of 25. Worldwide: 96th of 134.

What is access to sanitation in the Gambia?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed sanitation in the Gambia at 28.1% in 2024. The peak was 38.1% in 2005 and the low 28.0% in 2022. It is 12th highest of 29 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 23.6%. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 134.

What share of homes in the Gambia cook with clean fuels?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in the Gambia was 3.0%, according to the WHO. The peak was 4.0% in 2005 and the low 2.0% in 2011. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 13.0%, and the Gambia placed 37th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 181st highest.