With a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Gabon shares borders with Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo. Its population as of 2023 is approximately 2.3 million.
Gabon has one of the highest urbanization rates (80%) in Africa. Libreville and Port-Gentil are home to nearly 59% of the population. Youthfulness is a defining demographic characteristic: half the population is under 20 years old, and fertility rates are significantly higher in rural areas (six children per woman) compared to urban areas (four children per woman).
A pioneer in ecological protection, Gabon actively works to preserve its tropical forest, making it a net carbon absorber. The country champions carbon neutrality initiatives. Its diverse ecosystem provides fertile soils, abundant coastal resources, and fisheries. However, despite its economic potential, Gabon struggles to translate resource wealth into sustainable and inclusive growth.
Political Situation
Since August 2023, Gabon has undergone profound political change. The military transition ended the long dominance of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) and the Bongo family, initially welcomed by a population weary of decades of poor governance.
On November 16, 2024, a referendum approved a new constitution designed to strengthen democratic institutions, limit the concentration of power, and prevent political dynasties. It set the presidential term at seven years, renewable once, and excluded spouses and direct descendants of former presidents from eligibility.
The transition concluded with the presidential election of April 12, 2025, during which General Oligui Nguema was elected President, and marked the beginning of Gabon’s Fifth Republic.
Legislative, local, and senatorial elections are scheduled for September 27 and October 11–13, 2025, which will formally end the transitional parliament.
