World Factbook
Gabon
Introduction
Background
Following, independence from France in 1960, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-ruling heads of state in the world - dominated the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in December 2002 and the presidential election in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power. Despite constrained political conditions, Gabon's small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make it one of the more stable African countries.President Ali BONGO Ondimba’s controversial August 2016 reelection sparked unprecedented opposition protests that resulted in the burning of the parliament building. The election was contested by the opposition after fraudulent results were flagged by international election observers. Gabon’s Constitutional Court reviewed the election results but ruled in favor of President BONGO, upholding his win and extending his mandate to 2023.
Geography
Location
Central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates
1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total: 267,667 sq km
land: 257,667 sq km
water: 10,000 sq km
country comparison to the world: 78
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries
total: 3,261 km
border countries (3): Cameroon 349 km, Republic of the Congo 2567 km, Equatorial Guinea 345 km
Coastline
885 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
Climate
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain
narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Elevation
mean elevation: 377 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land: 19% (2011 est.)
arable land: 1.2% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0.6% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 17.2% (2011 est.)
forest: 81% (2011 est.)
other: 0% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
40 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest
Natural hazards
none
Environment - current issues
deforestation (the forests that cover three-quarters of the country are threatened by excessive logging); burgeoning population exacerbating disposal of solid waste; oil industry contributing to water pollution; wildlife poaching
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity
People and Society
Population
2,119,036 (July 2018 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
country comparison to the world: 145
Nationality
noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)
adjective: Gabonese
Ethnic groups
Gabonese-born 80.1% (includes Fang 23.2%, Shira-Punu/Vili 18.9%, Nzabi-Duma 11.3%, Mbede-Teke 6.9%, Myene 5%, Kota-Kele 4.9%, Okande-Tsogo 2.1%, Pygmy .3%, other 7.5%), Cameroonian 4.6%, Malian 2.4%, Beninese 2.1%, acquired Gabonese nationality 1.6%, Togolese 1.6%, Senegalese 1.1%, Congolese (Brazzaville) 1%, other 5.5% (includes Congolese (Kinshasa), Equatorial Guinean, Nigerian) (2012)
Languages
French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Religions
Roman Catholic 42.3%, Protestant 12.3%, other Christian 27.4%, Muslim 9.8%, animist 0.6%, other 0.5%, none/no answer 7.1% (2012 est.)
Demographic profile
Gabon’s oil revenues have given it one of the highest per capita income levels in sub-Saharan Africa, but the wealth is not evenly distributed and poverty is widespread. Unemployment is especially prevalent among the large youth population; more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. With a fertility rate still averaging more than 4 children per woman, the youth population will continue to grow and further strain the mismatch between Gabon’s supply of jobs and the skills of its labor force.Gabon has been a magnet to migrants from neighboring countries since the 1960s because of the discovery of oil, as well as the country’s political stability and timber, mineral, and natural gas resources. Nonetheless, income inequality and high unemployment have created slums in Libreville full of migrant workers from Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and elsewhere in West Africa. In 2011, Gabon declared an end to refugee status for 9,500 remaining Congolese nationals to whom it had granted asylum during the Republic of the Congo’s civil war between 1997 and 2003. About 5,400 of these refugees received permits to reside in Gabon.
Age structure
0-14 years: 37.45%(male 405,676 /female 387,900)
15-24 years: 22.08%(male 245,490 /female 222,343)
25-54 years: 31.6%(male 355,348 /female 314,344)
55-64 years: 4.96%(male 54,679 /female 50,356)
65 years and over: 3.91%(male 40,721 /female 42,179) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 67.4 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 59.9 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 13.2 (2015 est.)
Median age
total: 20.5 years (2018 est.)
male: 20.8 years
female: 20.2 years
country comparison to the world: 187
Population growth rate
2.73% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Birth rate
26.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Death rate
6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Net migration rate
7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Population distribution
the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest
Urbanization
urban population: 89.7% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 2.61% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population
824,000 LIBREVILLE (capital) (2019)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.3 years (2012 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality rate
252 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Infant mortality rate
total: 32.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 36.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 29.3 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 56
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 68 years (2018 est.)
male: 66.3 years
female: 69.6 years
country comparison to the world: 169
Total fertility rate
3.52 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Contraceptive prevalence rate
31.1% (2012)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 97.2% of population
rural: 66.7% of population
total: 93.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population
rural: 33.3% of population
total: 6.8% of population (2015 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
3.1% (2016)
Physicians density
0.36 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density
6.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 43.4% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 31.5% of population (2015 est.)
total: 41.9% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 56.6% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 68.5% of population (2015 est.)
total: 58.1% of population (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
3.8% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
53,000 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
HIV/AIDS - deaths
1,200 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: very high (2016)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever (2016)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis (2016)
animal contact diseases: rabies (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
15% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 127
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
6.4% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 76
Education expenditures
2.7% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 151
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 83.2%
male: 85.3%
female: 81% (2015)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 35.7%
male: 30.5%
female: 41.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Gabonese Republic
conventional short form: Gabon
local long form: Republique Gabonaise
local short form: Gabon
etymology: name originates from the Portuguese word "gabao" meaning "cloak," which is roughly the shape that the early explorers gave to the estuary of the Komo River by the capital of Libreville
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Libreville
geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: original site settled by freed slaves and the name means "free town" in French; named in imitation of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone
Administrative divisions
9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem
Independence
17 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday
Independence Day, 17 August (1960)
Constitution
history: previous 1961; latest drafted May 1990, adopted 15 March 1991, promulgated 26 March 1991
amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by the Council of Ministers, or by one third of either house of Parliament; passage requires Constitutional Court evaluation, at least two-thirds majority vote of two thirds of the Parliament membership convened in joint session, and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on Gabon’s democratic form of government cannot be amended; amended several times, last in 2011 (2017)
Legal system
mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Gabon
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Julien NKOGHE BEKALE (since 15 January 2019)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 27 August 2016 (next to be held in August 2023); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Ali BONGO Ondimba reelected president; percent of vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba (PDG) 49.8%, Jean PING (UFC) 48.2%, other 2.0%
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of:
Senate or Senat (102 seats; members indirectly elected by municipal councils and departmental assemblies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms)
National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (143 seats; members elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms)
elections:
Senate - last held on 13 December 2014 (next to be held in January 2020)
National Assembly - held in 2 rounds on 6 and 27 October 2018 (next to be held in 2023)
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 81, CLR 7, PSD 2, ADERE-UPG 1, UPG 1, PGCI 1, independent 7; composition - men 84, women 18, percent of women 17.6%
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 98, The Democrats or LD 11, RV 8, Social Democrats of Gabon 5, RH&M 4, other 9, independent 8; composition - men 123, women 20, percent of women 14%; note - total Parliament percent of women 15.5%
Judicial branch
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 4 permanent specialized supreme courts - Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation, Administrative Supreme Court or Conseil d'Etat, Accounting Supreme Court or Cour des Comptes, Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle, and the non-permanent Court of State Security, initiated only for cases of high treason by the president and criminal activity by executive branch officials)
judge selection and term of office: appointment and tenure of Supreme, Administrative, Accounting, and State Security courts NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed - 3 by the national president, 3 by the president of the Senate, and 3 by the president of the National Assembly; judges serve single renewable 7-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; county courts; military courts
Political parties and leaders
Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [Gen. Jean-Boniface ASSELE]
Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [DIDJOB Divungui di Ndinge]
Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG [Ali BONGO Ondimba]
Independent Center Party of Gabon or PGCI [Luccheri GAHILA]
Legacy and Modernity Party or RH&M
Rally for Gabon or RPG
Restoration of Republican Values or RV
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]
Social Democrats of Gabon
The Democrats or LD
Union for the New Republic or UPRN [Louis Gaston MAYILA]
Union of Gabonese People or UPG [Richard MOULOMBA]
Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Jean PING]
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Ambassador Michael MOUSSA-ADAMO (since September 9, 2011)
chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000
FAX: [1] (301) 332-0668
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert E. WHITEHEAD (since March 2019); note - also accredited to Sao Tome and Principe
telephone: [241] 01-45-71-00
embassy: Sabliere, B.P. 4000, Libreville
mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville; pouch: 2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270
FAX: [241] 01-74-55-07
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue; green represents the country's forests and natural resources, gold represents the equator (which transects Gabon) as well as the sun, blue represents the sea
National symbol(s)
black panther; national colors: green, yellow, blue
National anthem
name: "La Concorde" (The Concorde)
lyrics/music: Georges Aleka DAMAS
note: adopted 1960
Economy
Economy - overview
Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon relied on timber and manganese exports until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. From 2010 to 2016, oil accounted for approximately 80% of Gabon’s exports, 45% of its GDP, and 60% of its state budget revenues.Gabon faces fluctuating international prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. A rebound of oil prices from 2001 to 2013 helped growth, but declining production, as some fields passed their peak production, has hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. GDP grew nearly 6% per year over the 2010-14 period, but slowed significantly from 2014 to just 1% in 2017 as oil prices declined. Low oil prices also weakened government revenue and negatively affected the trade and current account balances. In the wake of lower revenue, Gabon signed a 3-year agreement with the IMF in June 2017.Despite an abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management and over-reliance on oil has stifled the economy. Power cuts and water shortages are frequent. Gabon is reliant on imports and the government heavily subsidizes commodities, including food, but will be hard pressed to tamp down public frustration with unemployment and corruption.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$36.66 billion (2017 est.)
$36.5 billion (2016 est.)
$35.75 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 123
GDP (official exchange rate)
$14.93 billion (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
0.5% (2017 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)
3.9% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$18,100 (2017 est.)
$18,400 (2016 est.)
$18,500 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 98
Gross national saving
25.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
24.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
29.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 37.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.6% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -26.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 5% (2017 est.)
industry: 44.7% (2017 est.)
services: 50.4% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - products
cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish
Industries
petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement
Industrial production growth rate
1.8% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Labor force
557,800 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 64%
industry: 12%
services: 24% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate
28% (2015 est.)
20.4% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Population below poverty line
34.3% (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 32.7% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
42.2 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Budget
revenues: 2.634 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 2.914 billion (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-1.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Public debt
62.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
64.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Fiscal year
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.7% (2017 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Central bank discount rate
3% (31 December 2010)
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 110
Commercial bank prime lending rate
15% (31 December 2017 est.)
14% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Stock of narrow money
$2.357 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.053 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Stock of broad money
$2.357 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.053 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Stock of domestic credit
$2.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.097 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Market value of publicly traded shares
NA
Current account balance
-$725 million (2017 est.)
-$1.389 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Exports
$5.564 billion (2017 est.)
$4.364 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Exports - partners
China 36.4%, US 10%, Ireland 8.5%, Netherlands 6.3%, South Korea 5.1%, Australia 5%, Italy 4.6% (2017)
Exports - commodities
crude oil, timber, manganese, uranium
Imports
$2.829 billion (2017 est.)
$2.652 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials
Imports - partners
France 23.6%, Belgium 19.6%, China 15.2% (2017)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$981.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$804.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Debt - external
$6.49 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$5.321 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Exchange rates
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
605.3 (2017 est.)
593.01 (2016 est.)
593.01 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
population without electricity: 200,000 (2017)
electrification - total population: 91.4% (2016)
electrification - urban areas: 96.7% (2016)
electrification - rural areas: 55% (2016)
Electricity - production
2.244 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - consumption
2.071 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - imports
344 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - installed generating capacity
671,000 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - from fossil fuels
51% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
49% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Crude oil - production
196,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Crude oil - exports
214,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Crude oil - proved reserves
2 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Refined petroleum products - production
16,580 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Refined petroleum products - consumption
24,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Refined petroleum products - exports
4,662 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Refined petroleum products - imports
10,680 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - production
401 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - consumption
401 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - proved reserves
28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
4.293 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 21,235
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 2,663,243
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 150 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Telephone system
general assessment: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations; competition among telecoms, independent regulatory authority and reduction in cost connecting makes for strong telecommunications (2018)
domestic: fiixed-line is 1 per 100 subscriptions; a growing mobile cellular network with multiple providers is making telephone service more widely available with mobile cellular teledensity at 150 per 100 persons (2018)
international: country code - 241; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, ACE and Libreville-Port Gentil Cable fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
Broadcast media
state owns and operates 2 TV stations and 2 radio broadcast stations; a few private radio and TV stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible; satellite service subscriptions are available
Internet country code
.ga
Internet users
total: 835,408
percent of population: 48.1% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 14,967
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Military and Security
Military expenditures
1.53% of GDP (2018)
1.81% of GDP (2017)
1.43% of GDP (2016)
1.19% of GDP (2015)
1.14% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 74
Military and security forces
Gabonese Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Gabonaise): Land Force (Force Terrestre), Gabonese Navy (Marine Gabonaise), Gabonese Air Forces (Forces Aerienne Gabonaises, FAG) (2012)
Military service age and obligation
20 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 5 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 7 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 137,331 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0mt-km (2015)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TR (2016)
Airports
44 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 97
Airports - with paved runways
total: 14 (2019)
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 30 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)
under 914 m: 14 (2013)
Pipelines
807 km gas, 1639 km oil, 3 km water (2013)
Railways
total: 649 km (2014)
standard gauge: 649 km1.435-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 106
Roadways
total: 14,300 km (2001)
paved: 900 km (2001)
unpaved: 13,400 km (2001)
country comparison to the world: 124
Waterways
1,600 km(310 km on Ogooue River) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 48
Merchant marine
total: 29
by type: general cargo 11, oil tanker 1, other 17 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 127
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Libreville, Owendo, Port-Gentil
oil terminal(s): Gamba, Lucina
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay
Trafficking in persons
current situation: Gabon is primarily a destination and transit country for adults and children from West and Central African countries subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; boys are forced to work as street vendors, mechanics, or in the fishing sector, while girls are subjected to domestic servitude or forced to work in markets or roadside restaurants; West African women are forced into domestic servitude or prostitution; men are reportedly forced to work on cattle farms; some foreign adults end up in forced labor in Gabon after initially seeking the help of human smugglers to help them migrate clandestinely; traffickers operate in loose, ethnic-based criminal networks, with female traffickers recruiting and facilitating the transport of victims from source countries; in some cases, families turn child victims over to traffickers, who promise paid jobs in Gabon
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Gabon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Gabon’s existing laws do not prohibit all forms of trafficking, and the government failed to pass a legal amendment drafted in 2013 to criminalize the trafficking of adults; anti-trafficking law enforcement decreased in 2014, dropping from 50 investigations to 16, and the only defendant to face prosecution fled the country; government efforts to identify and refer victims to protective services declined from 50 child victims in 2013 to just 3 in 2014, none of whom was referred to a care facility; the government provided support to four centers offering services to orphans and vulnerable children – 14 child victims identified by an NGO received government assistance; no adult victims have been identified since 2009 (2015)
