Economy, jobs and prices in Banjul, Gambia: official figures
12.5% of the labour force aged 15 and over in Banjul was unemployed in the first quarter of 2026, the highest rate of the 8 areas (The Gambia: 6.2%); a year earlier the rate was 8.5%.
How many adults in Banjul are in the labour force?
64.0% of people aged 15 and over in Banjul were working or looking for work in the first quarter of 2026, the highest labour force participation rate among the 8 areas (The Gambia: 54.5%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Banjul lack the work they want?
21.0% of Banjul's extended labour force was unemployed, or wanted work but was not looking or not able to start (labour underutilisation, LU3), in early 2026, the 3rd lowest of the 8 areas (The Gambia: 23.6%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs in Banjul are informal?
78.4% of workers in Banjul were in informal jobs in early 2026, the lowest share of the 8 areas (The Gambia: 85.8%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Banjul work in farming?
3.7% of employed people in Banjul worked in agriculture in early 2026 (The Gambia: 17.8%), and 1.7% of households grew crops at the 2024 census (national: 28.9%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many young people in Banjul are out of work and out of school?
29.7% of young people aged 15-35 in Banjul were not in employment, education or training in early 2026, the 2nd lowest share among the 8 areas (The Gambia: 33.7%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is youth unemployment in Banjul?
Youth unemployment (ages 15-35) in Banjul was 17.8% in the first quarter of 2026, the highest of the 8 areas (The Gambia: 8.7%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow much do households in Banjul spend per person?
Households in Banjul spent an average of GMD 6,476 per person a month in 2020 (adjusted for regional price differences), the highest of the 8 areas (The Gambia: GMD 4,048).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Banjul have safe drinking water?
100.0% of people in Banjul had at least basic drinking water (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in 2019-20, the highest of the 8 areas (The Gambia: 90.7%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF) · saved copyHow many people in Banjul have a decent toilet?
54.6% of people in Banjul had basic sanitation (an improved toilet not shared with other households) in 2019-20, the 3rd highest of the 8 areas (The Gambia: 51.1%).
Source: Gambia Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF) · saved copyHow Banjul compares with other capital cities
Unemployment rate, labour force aged 15+ (2026 Q1)
Banjul ranks 1 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, labour force aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banjul | 12.5% |
| 2 | Basse | 10.7% |
| 3 | Kanifing | 8.6% |
| 4 | Kuntaur | 7.1% |
| 5 | Mansakonko | 5.5% |
| 6 | Brikama | 5.3% |
| 7 | Kerewan | 4.2% |
Labour underutilisation (LU3), aged 15+ (2026 Q1)
Banjul ranks 6 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labour underutilisation (LU3), aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Kerewan | 36.5% |
| 3 | Basse | 31.4% |
| 4 | Mansakonko | 30.8% |
| 5 | Janjanbureh | 28.7% |
| 6 | Banjul | 21.0% |
| 7 | Kanifing | 19.4% |
| 8 | Brikama | 18.0% |
Mean monthly household spending per person (GMD, 2020 prices) (2020)
Banjul ranks 1 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Mean monthly household spending per person (GMD, 2020 prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banjul | GMD 6,476 |
| 2 | Kanifing | GMD 6,407 |
| 3 | Brikama | GMD 3,930 |
| 4 | Janjanbureh | GMD 3,814 |
| 5 | Mansakonko | GMD 2,551 |
| 6 | Basse | GMD 2,484 |
| 7 | Kerewan | GMD 2,197 |
People with at least basic drinking water (2019-20)
Banjul ranks 1 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People with at least basic drinking water |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banjul | 100.0% |
| 2 | Kanifing | 99.7% |
| 3 | Basse | 92.6% |
| 4 | Brikama | 89.8% |
| 5 | Kerewan | 89.2% |
| 6 | Mansakonko | 84.7% |
| 7 | Janjanbureh | 79.0% |
More on Banjul: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · the Gambia
Sources
- Gambia Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF): The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2019-20, Final Report (tables by Local Government Area), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bbe8f65f5280…)
- Gambia Bureau of Statistics: Integrated Household Survey 2020, Volume II: Prevalence and Depth of Poverty (Tables 13, 18, 19, 20 and 21 by LGA), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 87b8e1aa0542…)
- Gambia Bureau of Statistics: The Gambia Labour Force Survey 2026 (Q1) Findings Report (Tables 0.3, 0.4, 2.3 and the child labour table by LGA), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cec405f9bf4c…)
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