Gambia Society
The Gambia is a small, West African nation with a population of just over 2 million people. It is the smallest country on the continent in both size and population. The country is predominantly Muslim, with about 95% of the population identifying as such. Christianity and traditional African religions are also practiced by a small minority.
Gambian society is largely patriarchal, with men typically holding the highest positions of power and authority in both family and public life. Women are often seen as subordinate to men in terms of their rights and status in society, with many facing discrimination when it comes to access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
The Gambia has a strong oral tradition in which stories are passed down orally from generation to generation. This type of storytelling is an important part of Gambian culture and helps to preserve history and cultural values. Music is also an important part of Gambian culture, with traditional music styles such as Fula music being popular among locals.
The economy of The Gambia relies heavily on agriculture, fishing, and tourism for its income. However, poverty levels remain high due to a lack of economic diversification and limited access to resources such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Despite this, there has been some progress made in recent years towards reducing poverty levels through programs such as free healthcare for children under five years old.
Demographics of Gambia
According to wholevehicles.com, the Gambia is a small, West African nation with a population of just over 2 million people. It is the smallest country on the continent in terms of both size and population. The majority of the population is comprised of ethnic groups such as Mandinka, Fula, Jola, Wolof, and Serahuli.
The official language of The Gambia is English, though many other languages are spoken by locals including Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Jola and Serahuli. Most Gambians are Muslim (about 95%), with Christianity and traditional African religions practiced by a small minority.
The majority of the population is rural (about two thirds), with about one-third living in urban areas. The largest cities are Banjul (the capital city) and Serekunda (the largest city).
Gambia has a young population; almost half are under 15 years old. Life expectancy at birth in 2019 was estimated to be 61 years for males and 63 years for females. The fertility rate was estimated to be 4 children per woman in 2019.
The literacy rate among adults aged 15-24 was estimated to be 70% for males and 62% for females in 2018. Additionally, there are significant gender disparities within the labor market with men more likely to be employed than women (62% versus 54%). Women are also more likely to be employed in part-time or unpaid roles due to traditional gender roles which leave them responsible for most household tasks.
Poverty in Gambia
Poverty in The Gambia is widespread and affects a large portion of the population. According to the World Bank, approximately 43% of people in The Gambia lived below the poverty line in 2019. This means that almost half of all citizens are living in extreme poverty, with limited access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and clean water.
Poverty is most prevalent among rural communities, with most households relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. Low agricultural productivity and limited access to markets make it difficult for farmers to generate income and improve their standards of living. Additionally, many rural areas have limited access to basic services such as education and healthcare as they are often located far from urban areas.
The Gambia also has a high youth unemployment rate, with over 50% of young people aged 15-24 unemployed in 2018. This is largely due to a lack of job opportunities within the country; many young people move abroad or seek informal employment instead.
In addition to economic poverty, there is also considerable inequality between genders in terms of access to resources such as education and healthcare opportunities. Women are more likely than men to be illiterate or underemployed due to traditional gender roles which leave them responsible for most household tasks and childcare duties.
The government has implemented various initiatives aimed at reducing poverty levels within the country; however progress has been slow due to limited resources available for implementation and enforcement. Additionally, corruption remains an issue which further hinders progress towards reducing poverty levels in The Gambia.
Labor Market in Gambia
According to Countryvv, the labor market in The Gambia is characterized by a large informal sector and limited job opportunities. According to the World Bank, the unemployment rate in The Gambia was 8.9% in 2018, with the majority of those unemployed being young people between 15-24 years of age. This is largely due to a lack of job opportunities within the country; many young people move abroad or seek informal employment instead.
The formal labor market in The Gambia is predominantly based around export industries such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Additionally, there are some manufacturing and construction jobs available as well as government jobs and positions within international organizations. However, these are often limited and highly competitive due to a lack of skilled workers within the country.
Informal employment makes up a large portion of the labor market in The Gambia, with many people working as street vendors or in small businesses such as tailoring shops or restaurants. This type of work often lacks job security and benefits such as health insurance or pensions; additionally, wages tend to be low due to competition from other informal workers.
Women are underrepresented within the labor force in The Gambia; they make up only 54% of employed persons compared to 62% for men (World Bank). Women are also more likely to be employed in part-time or unpaid roles due to traditional gender roles which leave them responsible for most household tasks and childcare duties.
Overall, the labor market in The Gambia remains highly competitive with limited job opportunities available for both skilled and unskilled workers alike. In order to improve employment prospects for its citizens, the government must invest more resources into creating jobs while also providing better access to education and training opportunities for those seeking work.
