In its preliminary report on the 2024 population and housing census, released on Wednesday, the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS) revealed that the country’s population has grown to 2,422,712 individuals.

There are 51% more women than men in the population, according to the survey.

Brikama is the most populated Local Government Area in the nation, with 47.5% of the total population, according to the preliminary report. These two Local Government Areas, along with Kanifing, account for 63.2% of the total population of the country.

The preliminary report for the 2024 census was released by GBoS on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Stakeholders stated that the primary goal of the 2024 population and housing census was to produce statistics on the demographic, sociological, and economic features of the population as well as household and housing characteristics.

The data collected is supported by evidence and is intended to assist the Central and Local Governments in making plans for a range of social services, including housing, sanitation, health care, education, and other services. The private sector, including companies, uses the census data to plan their operations, which benefits the nation’s economic growth, according to Mr. Nyakassi Sanyang, the General GBoS Statistician.

The vast majority of people living in The Gambia are Gambians, according to the data gathered. At 1.7% (forty thousand eight hundred and forty-nine), Senegalese nationals make up the largest group of foreign nationals, followed by Guineans at 1.5% (thirty-six thousand and seventy-seven). Less than 1% of people are of other nationalities, such as Nigerians, Sierra Leoneans, and others.

The fast rise between 2013 and 2024 is the most noteworthy trend; it may indicate changes in household formation patterns or a quickly growing population. The research stated, “This upward trajectory highlights the increasing demand for housing and related services over time.”

The study also showed that there are notable differences in household sizes between Local Government Areas in The Gambia. With an average size of 4.6, Banjul is the smallest place, whereas Kuntaur and Basse have substantially greater average sizes of 10.7 and 12.6, respectively. The average household in the country is 8.0.

The GBoS preliminary report estimated that the Gambia’s annual population growth rate will be 2.5% between 2013 and 2024. In comparison to the 3.1% annual growth rate reported during the 2003–2013 intercensal period, this indicates a decrease in the annual growth rate.