Updated
Overview
Senegal has 6.7 times the population of the Gambia: 18.93 million people against 2.82 million (2025).
Senegal's economy is 14 times the size of the Gambia's, at $37.01B versus $2.59B.
Per person, Senegal is the wealthier of the two: $1,955 against $919 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Senegal | Gambia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $37.01B | $2.59B | 2025 | $32.27B / $2.51B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,955 | $919 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 6.7% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 11.6% | 2025 / 2024 | 0.8% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 6.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 36 | 25 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $279 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $106 | $19 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.93 million | 2.82 million | 2025 | 18.85 million / 2.52 million |
| Population growth | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 19.6 yrs | 18.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.71 | 3.80 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 68.9 yrs | 66.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 60% | 49% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 196,722 km² | 10,689 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 96.2/km² | 264.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 14 Mt | Lower: 0.80 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.8 t | Lower: 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $514.94M | $14.43M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 19,000 | 4,000 | 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
Senegal is growing faster: 6.7% annual GDP growth versus 5.9%.
The Gambia runs the hotter price environment: 11.6% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Gambia: a price level of 25 versus 36 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 19.6 (Senegal) and 18.6 (the Gambia).
Life expectancy is 2.9 years longer in Senegal (68.9 vs 66.1).
Internet adoption is higher in Senegal (60% vs 49% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Senegal is 18 times the size of the Gambia: 196,722 km² versus 10,689 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
The Gambia is far more densely settled: 264 people per km² against 96.
Military
Senegal spends 36 times as much on defence as the Gambia: $514.94M versus $14.43M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Senegal carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Senegal fields the larger armed forces: 19,000 personnel against 4,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Senegal bigger than the Gambia?
- Senegal is larger by land area. Senegal covers 196,722 km² while the Gambia covers 10,689 km², so Senegal is 18 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Senegal or the Gambia?
- Senegal has the larger population: 18.93 million versus 2.82 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Senegal richer than the Gambia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Senegal is richer: $1,955 against $919. Total GDP tells the same story: $37.01B for Senegal versus $2.59B for the Gambia.
- Who spends more on their military, Senegal or the Gambia?
- Senegal spends more: $514.94M versus $14.43M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).