Gambia GDP Growth Rate (2026)
The Gambia has a small West African economy supported by tourism, agriculture, trade, services, and remittances. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+5.1%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#25
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-0.9 pp
2025: +6.0%
Africa Rank
#14
Out of 54 countries
1. Gambia GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Gambian economic growth is influenced by tourism, household demand, agriculture, trade, and public investment. International travel and weather conditions remain especially important.
2. Gambia GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The Gambia’s growth history has been shaped by tourism cycles, agriculture, remittances, and political developments.
3. Gambia GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +5.1% | -0.9 pp |
| 2025 | +6.0% | +0.4 pp |
| 2024 | +5.6% | -0.3 pp |
| 2023 | +5.9% | +0.4 pp |
| 2022 | +5.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2021 | +5.3% | +4.7 pp |
| 2020 | +0.6% | -5.6 pp |
| 2019 | +6.2% | -1.0 pp |
| 2018 | +7.2% | +2.4 pp |
| 2017 | +4.8% | +2.9 pp |
| 2016 | +1.9% | -2.2 pp |
| 2015 | +4.1% | +5.5 pp |
| 2014 | -1.4% | -4.3 pp |
| 2013 | +2.9% | -2.3 pp |
| 2012 | +5.2% | +13.3 pp |
| 2011 | -8.1% | -14.0 pp |
| 2010 | +5.9% | -0.8 pp |
| 2009 | +6.7% | +0.4 pp |
| 2008 | +6.3% | +3.3 pp |
| 2007 | +3.0% | +3.6 pp |
| 2006 | -0.6% | +1.8 pp |
| 2005 | -2.4% | -9.4 pp |
| 2004 | +7.0% | +0.1 pp |
| 2003 | +6.9% | +10.1 pp |
| 2002 | -3.2% | -9.0 pp |
| 2001 | +5.8% | +0.3 pp |
| 2000 | +5.5% | -0.9 pp |
| 1999 | +6.4% | -0.1 pp |
| 1998 | +6.5% | +5.1 pp |
| 1997 | +1.4% | -1.5 pp |
| 1996 | +2.9% | -0.4 pp |
| 1995 | +3.3% | +6.7 pp |
| 1994 | -3.4% | -7.2 pp |
| 1993 | +3.8% | +2.0 pp |
| 1992 | +1.8% | -0.4 pp |
| 1991 | +2.2% | -3.5 pp |
| 1990 | +5.7% | +1.4 pp |
| 1989 | +4.3% | +2.6 pp |
| 1988 | +1.7% | -1.1 pp |
| 1987 | +2.8% | +0.4 pp |
| 1986 | +2.4% | -1.2 pp |
| 1985 | +3.6% | +11.2 pp |
| 1984 | -7.6% | -21.1 pp |
| 1983 | +13.5% | -7.3 pp |
| 1982 | +20.8% | +30.3 pp |
| 1981 | -9.5% | -10.2 pp |
| 1980 | +0.7% | — |
4. Gambia GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+5.1%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+5.6%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+5.2%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.9%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from tourism and regional trade, but its small market, limited industrial base, and climate exposure constrain expansion.
5. Gambia GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Gambia
+5.1%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.6%
5.1%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Gambia’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.0 pp
above the
Africa average
and
2.3 pp
above the world average.
6. Gambia GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #10 | Tanzania | +5.9% |
| #11 | DR Congo | +5.9% |
| #12 | Mali | +5.5% |
| #13 | Chad | +5.2% |
| #14 | Gambia | +5.1% |
| #15 | Liberia | +5.1% |
| #16 | Togo | +5.0% |
| #17 | Zimbabwe | +5.0% |
| #18 | Guinea-Bissau | +4.9% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Gambia
Gambia GDP (Nominal)
$2.8 Billion
(2026)
Gambia GDP Growth Rate
+5.1%
(2026)
The Gambia can grow faster than mature economies from a low base, although tourism dependence creates significant volatility.
Explore more:
Gambia GDP
9. Gambia GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on tourism, agriculture, investment, remittances, and fiscal stability. External financing and climate risks remain important.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +5.0% | -0.1 pp |
| 2028 | +5.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 2029 | +5.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +5.0% | 0.0 pp |
10. Gambia GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Gambia GDP growth rate is estimated at +5.1% in 2026.
It ranks #25 globally and #14 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 0.9 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +5.6%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +5.2%.
The current rate is 1.0 percentage points above the Africa average.
The current rate is 2.3 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +5.0% in 2030, 0.1 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Gambia GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Gambia GDP growth rate is estimated at +5.1% in 2026.
Gambia ranks #25 globally and #14 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +5.1% in 2026.
Gambia GDP growth rate was +4.1% in 2015.
Gambia GDP growth rate is 1.0 percentage points above the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.