Updated
Overview
The Republic of the Congo has 2.5 times the population of Gabon: 6.48 million people against 2.59 million (2025).
Gabon's economy is 31% larger than the Republic of the Congo's, at $21.43B versus $16.31B.
Per person, Gabon is the wealthier of the two: $8,263 against $2,515 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Republic of the Congo | Gabon | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $16.31B | Higher: $21.43B | 2025 | $15.72B / $20.87B |
| GDP per capita | $2,515 | Higher: $8,263 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.1% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 1.8% | 2025 | 3.1% / 1.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 19.9% | 20.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 35 | 37 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $198 | Higher: $247 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.48 million | 2.59 million | 2025 | 6.10 million / 2.51 million |
| Population growth | 2.4% | 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.6 yrs | 21.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.05 | 3.54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.0 yrs | Higher: 68.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 47% | Higher: 69% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,000 km² | 267,668 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 19.0/km² | 9.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 8.84 Mt | Lower: 5.40 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.4 t | 2.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $182.04M | $319.10M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 12,000 | 7,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
The Republic of the Congo is growing faster: 3.1% annual GDP growth versus 2.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in the Republic of the Congo and 1.8% in Gabon.
People and society
The Republic of the Congo is the younger society: median age 18.6 versus 21.5 years.
Life expectancy is 2.5 years longer in Gabon (68.5 vs 66.0).
Gabon is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Gabon (69% vs 47% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Republic of the Congo is 28% larger than Gabon: 342,000 km² versus 267,668 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Gabon spends about 75% more on defence than the Republic of the Congo: $319.10M versus $182.04M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Republic of the Congo fields the larger armed forces: 12,000 personnel against 7,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Republic of the Congo bigger than Gabon?
- The Republic of the Congo is larger by land area. The Republic of the Congo covers 342,000 km² while Gabon covers 267,668 km², so the Republic of the Congo is 28% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the Republic of the Congo or Gabon?
- The Republic of the Congo has the larger population: 6.48 million versus 2.59 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Republic of the Congo richer than Gabon?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Gabon is richer: $8,263 against $2,515. Total GDP tells the same story: $16.31B for the Republic of the Congo versus $21.43B for Gabon.
- Who spends more on their military, the Republic of the Congo or Gabon?
- Gabon spends more: $319.10M versus $182.04M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for Republic of the Congo · Gabon