Demographics of Gabon

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Demographics of Gabon
Gabon single age population pyramid 2020.png
Population pyramid of Gabon in 2020
Population2,340,613 (2022 est.)
Growth rate2.4% (2022 est.)
Birth rate26.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Life expectancy69.7 years
  male67.98 years
  female71.48 years (2022 est.)
Fertility rate3.31 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate28.56 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Age structure
0–14 years36.45%
65 and over3.98%
Sex ratio
Total1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
At birth1.03 male(s)/female
Under 151.03 male(s)/female
65 and over0.78 male(s)/female
Nationality
NationalityGabonese
Language
OfficialFrench

The Demographics of Gabon is the makeup of the population of Gabon. As of 2020, Gabon has a population of 2,225,287. Gabon's population is relatively young with 35.5% of its population under 15 years of age and only 4.3% of its population over 65 years old. Gabon has a nearly even split between males and females with 0.99 males for every female in the population. In the age range of 15–65, the ratio is exactly 1 male to 1 female. The life expectancy of Gabon is lower than the world average. Gabon's population's life expectancy at birth is 53.11 years while the world average is 67.2 years as of 2010. Ethnically, the biggest group in Gabon are the Fang people with over 500,000 people, or about a third of Gabon's population, belonging to this ethnic group. The biggest religion in Gabon is Christianity, with between 55 and 75% of the population of Gabon being Christian.

Contents

Population

Gabon population statistics (1950-2014) Gabon population.svg
Gabon population statistics (1950–2014)

According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects [1] [2] the total population was 2,341,179 in 2021, compared to only 469,000 in 1950. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2010 was 35.5%, 60.2% was between 15 and 65 years of age, while 4.3% was 65 years or older . [3]

YearTotal populationPopulation percent
aged 0–14aged 15–64aged 65+
1950469 000
28.4%
64.3%
7.3%
1955476 000
29.4%
63.5%
7.1%
1960486 000
30.3%
62.6%
7.1%
1965502 000
31.9%
61.1%
7.1%
1970530 000
33.0%
59.9%
7.1%
1975595 000
35.2%
58.0%
6.8%
1980683 000
37.7%
55.9%
6.4%
1985794 000
40.0%
54.0%
6.0%
1990929 000
41.4%
53.0%
5.6%
19951 087 000
42.0%
52.8%
5.1%
20001 235 000
41.0%
54.3%
4.8%
20051 371 000
38.6%
57.0%
4.4%
20101 505 000
35.5%
60.2%
4.3%

Structure of the population (DHS 2012; males 19,318, females 20,636, total 39,955):

Age groupMale (%)Female (%)Total (%)
0–416.014.315.1
5–912.412.412.4
10–1412.012.512.3
15–199.69.99.7
20–247.69.68.7
25–297.58.48.0
30–347.87.07.4
35–396.65.45.9
40–445.44.44.9
45–494.13.33.7
50–543.44.23.8
55–592.02.32.1
60–642.61.72.1
65–691.11.41.2
70–740.91.31.1
75–790.60.70.6
80+0.51.30.9
Age groupMale (%)Female (%)Total (%)
0–1440.439.239.8
15–6456.556.156.4
65+3.14.73.8

Vital statistics

Registration of vital events is in Gabon not complete. The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates. Population estimates account for under numeration in population censuses. [4]

Mid-year population (thousands)Live births (thousands)Deaths (thousands)Natural change (thousands)Crude birth rate (per 1000)Crude death rate (per 1000)Natural change (per 1000) Total fertility rate (TFR) Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) Life expectancy (in years)
1950  473  14  11  330.224.16.03.95158.639.63
1951  476  14  11  330.123.86.33.95154.940.34
1952  479  14  11  330.123.56.63.97151.341.04
1953  482  15  11  330.123.07.13.99147.741.81
1954  486  15  11  430.222.87.44.03144.342.43
1955  489  15  11  430.322.38.04.07140.743.18
1956  494  15  11  430.522.08.54.12137.243.90
1957  498  15  11  530.721.69.14.17133.844.60
1958  503  16  11  531.121.39.84.25130.545.28
1959  508  16  11  531.521.010.54.34127.445.90
1960  513  16  11  631.920.611.34.42124.146.58
1961  519  17  11  632.320.311.94.50121.047.23
1962  526  17  11  732.620.012.64.59118.047.84
1963  533  18  10  732.919.713.24.65115.048.48
1964  540  18  10  733.119.313.84.71112.249.05
1965  548  18  10  833.518.914.54.79109.449.75
1966  556  19  10  833.818.615.24.86106.750.35
1967  564  19  10  934.118.315.84.92104.050.89
1968  574  20  10  934.418.016.44.98101.451.44
1969  585  20  10  1034.717.717.15.0598.851.96
1970  597  21  10  1135.117.317.85.1096.352.56
1971  610  22  10  1135.617.018.65.1693.953.07
1972  622  22  10  1236.016.619.45.2491.553.61
1973  635  23  10  1336.316.319.95.2989.254.06
1974  649  24  10  1336.516.020.55.3386.954.57
1975  663  24  10  1436.915.721.25.3984.655.04
1976  679  25  10  1537.315.322.05.4682.455.57
1977  695  26  10  1637.715.022.75.5280.356.09
1978  712  27  10  1738.014.623.45.5778.256.66
1979  730  28  10  1738.214.323.95.6176.157.05
1980  749  29  11  1838.514.024.55.6674.157.45
1981  769  30  11  1938.913.825.15.7372.257.82
1982  790  31  11  2038.913.525.45.7470.358.11
1983  811  32  11  2139.013.225.95.7668.658.60
1984  833  32  11  2238.912.926.05.7367.058.89
1985  856  33  11  2238.812.526.35.7165.559.31
1986  880  34  11  2338.712.326.45.6964.159.64
1987  905  35  11  2438.712.026.75.6762.959.89
1988  930  36  11  2538.511.826.65.6261.860.01
1989  957  36  11  2538.111.626.55.5560.860.27
1990  983  37  11  2637.611.426.25.4660.060.31
1991  1 010  38  11  2637.211.326.05.3759.360.40
1992  1 037  38  11  2736.811.125.85.2958.660.55
1993  1 065  39  12  2736.410.925.55.1958.160.72
1994  1 094  39  12  2735.610.824.85.0457.760.70
1995  1 122  39  12  2734.810.624.24.8857.360.70
1996  1 151  39  12  2734.210.523.74.7457.060.61
1997  1 180  40  12  2834.010.423.64.6656.660.66
1998  1 210  41  12  2833.810.323.54.5856.160.79
1999  1 241  42  13  2933.510.223.34.5055.460.85
2000  1 273  43  13  3033.510.023.54.4754.761.07
2001  1 307  43  13  3133.39.823.44.4253.861.27
2002  1 342  44  13  3133.19.823.34.3652.961.29
2003  1 378  45  13  3232.99.523.34.3051.861.67
2004  1 417  46  13  3332.89.423.44.2550.661.84
2005  1 458  48  14  3432.79.323.44.2149.461.96
2006  1 503  49  14  3532.79.123.64.1748.262.38
2007  1 550  50  14  3732.78.923.84.1446.862.62
2008  1 600  52  14  3832.78.724.04.1245.463.08
2009  1 654  54  14  4033.08.624.44.1443.963.30
2010  1 711  57  14  4233.28.324.94.1542.463.90
2011  1 773  59  14  4433.28.225.04.1541.064.05
2012  1 837  60  14  4532.77.924.84.0939.764.59
2013  1 902  61  15  4632.27.824.44.0238.464.78
2014  1 967  62  15  4731.67.724.03.9537.064.97
2015  2 029  63  15  4831.07.423.63.8935.665.46
2016  2 086  63  15  4830.47.223.13.8233.865.80
2017  2 140  64  15  4829.77.122.73.7532.666.19
2018  2 192  64  15  4829.07.022.03.6831.666.31
2019  2 243  64  15  4828.46.921.53.6230.966.60
2020  2 293  63  16  4827.76.920.83.5530.166.53
2021  2 341  6417  4727.17.319.93.4929.265.82

Fertility and births

Total Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR): [5]

YearTotalUrbanRural
CBRTFRCBRTFRCBRTFR
200033.14.3 (3.5)33.33.9 (3.2)32.45.7 (4.7)
201233.34.1 (3.2)33.23.9 (3.0)33.46.1 (4.6)
2019–202131.33.9 (3.2)31.63.8 (3.1)28.95.4 (4.1)

Fertility data as of 2012 (DHS Program): [6]

ProvinceTotal fertility ratePercentage of women age 15–49 currently pregnantMean number of children ever born to women age 40–49
Libreville/Port-Gentil3.59.34.4
Estuaire (except Libreville)4.18.65.2
Haut-Ogooué4.910.35.8
Moyen-Ogooué4.98.95.4
Ngounié5.710.96.0
Nyanga5.710.76.2
Ogooué Maritime (except Port-Gentil)4.89.84.6
Ogooué-Ivindo6.714.06.6
Ogooué-Lolo5.311.35.9
Woleu-N’tem5.09.84.7

Life expectancy

PeriodLife expectancy in
Years [7]
1950–195537.00
1955–1960Increase2.svg 39.00
1960–1965Increase2.svg 40.50
1965–1970Increase2.svg 44.65
1970–1975Increase2.svg 48.78
1975–1980Increase2.svg 52.91
1980–1985Increase2.svg 57.03
1985–1990Increase2.svg 60.70
1990–1995Increase2.svg 61.01
1995–2000Decrease2.svg 60.03
2000–2005Decrease2.svg 59.07
2005–2010Increase2.svg 61.34
2010–2015Increase2.svg 64.45

Other demographics statistics

Demographic statistics according to the World Population Review in 2019. [8]

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook. [9]

Population

2,340,613 (2022 est.)
2,119,036 (July 2018 est.)

Religions

Protestant 46.4% (Revival Church 37%, other Protestant 9.4%), Roman Catholic 29.8%, other Christian 4%, Muslim 10.8%, traditional/animist 1.1%, other 0.9%, none 7% (2019-21 est.)
Roman Catholic 43.5%, Protestant and other Christian 36%, Muslim 10%, animist 3.3%, other 6%, none 1.2% (2020 figures) [10]

Age structure

Population pyramid of Gabon in 2020 Gabon single age population pyramid 2020.png
Population pyramid of Gabon in 2020
0-14 years: 36.45% (male 413,883/female 399,374)
15-24 years: 21.9% (male 254,749/female 233,770)
25-54 years: 32.48% (male 386,903/female 337,776)
55-64 years: 5.19% (male 58,861/female 56,843)
65 years and over: 3.98% (male 44,368/female 44,381) (2020 est.)
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.)

Birth rate

26.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 44th
26.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 46th

Death rate

5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 175th
6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 157th

Total fertility rate

3.26 children born/woman (2023 est.) Country comparison to the world: 44th
3.31 children born/woman (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 43rd
3.52 children born/woman (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 42nd

Population growth rate

2.4% (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 28th
2.73% (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 15th

Median age

total: 21 years. Country comparison to the world: 186th
male: 21.4 years
female: 20.6 years (2020 est.)
total: 20.5 years. Country comparison to the world: 187th
male: 20.8 years
female: 20.2 years (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.6 years (2012 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 20-49

Contraceptive prevalence rate

31.1% (2012)

Net migration rate

3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 31st
-2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) Country comparison to the world: 161st

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.)

Urbanization

urban population: 90.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 89.4% of total population (2018)
rate of urbanization: 2.61% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 69.7 years. Country comparison to the world: 174th
male: 67.98 years
female: 71.48 years (2022 est.)
total population: 68.1346 years (2018 est.)
male: 66.3 years (2018 est.)
female: 69.6 years (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2019) Country comparison to the world: 160th

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

total population: 84.7%
male: 85.9%
female: 83.4% (2018)
total population: 83.2% (2015 est.)
male: 85.3% (2015 est.)
female: 81% (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 35.7%
male: 30.5% (2010 est.)
female: 41.9% (2010 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies

Ethnic groups

Broad ethnic groups in Gabon are:

  1. Bantu groups including four major groupings (Fang, Eshira, Punu, Teke)
  2. Other Africans, notably 'forest people' (pygmy, now sedentary) such as the Babongo tribe
Ethnic Groups of Gabon.png

2012 Census

GroupsPercentage
Gabonese-born80.1%
Fang23.2%
Shira-Punu/Vili18.9%
Nzabi-Duma11.3%
Mbede-Teke6.9%
Myene5%
Kola-Kele4.9%
Okande-Tsogo2.1%
Pygmy0.3%
Other Gabonese Groups7.5%
Other19.9%
Cameroonian4.6%
Malian2.4%
Beninese2.1%
Acquired Gabonese Nationality1.6%
Togolese1.6%
Senegalese1.1%
Congolese (Brazzaville)1%
Other (Includes Congolese (Kinshasa), Equatorial Guinean, Nigerian )5.5%

Source: [11]

Language and religion

Religions include Roman Catholic 43.5%, Protestant and other Christian 36%, Muslim 10%, animist 3.3%, other 6%, and none 1.2% (2020 figures). [12]

Languages include French (official since colonial rule), Fang, Myene, the Teke group, Punu, and Njebi.

According to research conducted in 2011 at the University of Western Cape:

"It has been noted that French is increasingly be-coming the mother tongue and the initial language of the younger generations in urban Gabon (Pambou, 1998:147; Ndinga-Koumba-Binza, 2005a:72 & 2005b:141; Idiata, 2008:85; cf. Blanchon, 1994). In fact, studies by Ntong Amvame (1984), Bouché (1998), Mbondzi (1998), Ompoussa (1998), Itembo (1999) and Mouloungui Nguimbyt (2002) have shown that pupils of various ages and grades at schools learn French more efficiently than any other Gabonese language. Idiata (2008:200 & 2009:126) has also noted that some pupils do not speak any of the Gabonese native languages at all. One of the reasons for this phenomenon (i.e. French being the mother tongue of younger generations) is cross-ethnic marriages.

"In fact, many couples of mixed ethnicity prefer French rather than Gabonese native languages as the code for better communication within the family. Children from a family of this kind have no choice but to acquire French as their first language. The children learn the language at home from the parents before they even get to school, therefore lessening the chances of learning any of the Gabonese native languages.

"This urbanisation is also to be considered as a cause for French being the initial language of Gabonese younger generations. In fact, “in certain urban contexts there is a large degree of learning by contact at an early age” (Lafage, 1993:216)." [13]

Literacy rates are as follows: [14]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 83.2%
male: 85.3%
female: 81% (2015 est.)

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References

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  2. "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100" (XSLX) ("Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)"). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
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  7. "World Population Prospects - Population Division - United Nations". esa.un.org. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  8. "Gabon Population 2022", World Population Review
  9. PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain : "The World FactBook - Eswatini", The World Factbook , July 12, 2018
  10. The ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-03
  11. "Africa :: Gabon — The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  12. The ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-03
  13. Ndinga-Koumba-Binza, Hugues Steve. "From foreign to national: a review of the status of French in Gabon". University of the Western Cape.
  14. "Africa :: GABON". CIA The World Factbook. 13 March 2024.

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