Country Comments

Monga Bay reports The Gambia is one of the world's poorest countries, and is faced with rapid population growth which is putting tremendous pressure on its few resources and remaining forests. The government has enacted laws to promote sustainable development, but these are widely disregarded and not understood by the largely illiterate population. In addition, the government lacks the funds and staff to enforce this legislation. Over the past generation the environment in Gambia suffered from fuelwood collection, subsistence agriculture, and clearing for livestock, as well as hunting and desertification. (1)

The Gambia has a very high total fertility rate averaging 5 ½ children per woman over the last decade, adding an additional 65,000 citizens every year pushing the country further from achieving sustainability. Additionally the country has a high maternal mortality rate at 400 deaths per 100,000 live births and 41% of women aged 20-49 years are married by age 18, indicating a high rate of child marriage, with risks of longer lifetime fertility and its consequences on socio-economic development. The country has a low Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) and an unmet need for Family Planning of 24.9%. As a result of the high fertility, the population is projected to double by 2030. (2)

(1) https://rainforests.mongabay.com/20gambia.htm

(2) UNFPA