Gambia · Africa
How many people die in the Gambia every day?
In the Gambia, about 52 people die every day, roughly one death every 28 minutes. That is about 19,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 138th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 62.6 years and the leading cause of death is malaria. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
52
Deaths per year
19,000
Life expectancy
62.6 years
Population
2,773,168
Death rate
6.9 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Malaria
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Gambia
62.6
World avg
72.8
-10.2 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Gambia
6.9
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the Gambia by time period
| Per hour | 2.2 |
| Per day | 52 |
| Per week | 364 |
| Per month | 1,583 |
| Per year | 19,000 |
What people die of in the Gambia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the Gambia in 2023 was pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 12.9% of all deaths, about 5.6 a day. It was followed by stroke and HIV/AIDS.
Deaths from road injuries have more than doubled since 2000, from about 248 to 557 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 60% since 2000, from about 1,304 to 527 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 2,054 | 5.6 | 12.9% | -14% |
| 2 | Stroke | 1,284 | 3.5 | 8% | +78% |
| 3 | HIV/AIDS | 1,261 | 3.5 | 7.9% | +80% |
| 4 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 1,026 | 2.8 | 6.4% | +98% |
| 5 | Preterm birth complications | 802 | 2.2 | 5% | -3% |
| 6 | Malaria | 632 | 1.7 | 4% | +36% |
| 7 | Road injuries | 557 | 1.5 | 3.5% | +125% |
| 8 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 527 | 1.4 | 3.3% | -60% |
| 9 | Tuberculosis | 468 | 1.3 | 2.9% | +23% |
| 10 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 414 | 1.1 | 2.6% | -31% |
Deaths in the Gambia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 15,981 people died in the Gambia in 2023, 10% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 14,571 deaths |
| 2010 | 14,467 deaths |
| 2019 | 15,129 deaths |
| 2023 | 15,981 deaths |
Life expectancy in the Gambia since 1950
A baby born in the Gambia in 1950 could expect to live about 31.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 65.9, a gain of 34.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 31.2 years |
| 1980 | 45 years |
| 2000 | 56.9 years |
| 2010 | 61.2 years |
| 2019 | 64.4 years |
| 2023 | 65.9 years |
The Gambia compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, the Gambia ranks 21st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gambia | 52 | 62.6 | Malaria |
| Botswana | 38 | 61.1 | HIV/AIDS |
| Namibia | 49 | 59.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Gabon | 41 | 66.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Lesotho | 66 | 50.7 | HIV/AIDS |
| Guinea-Bissau | 52 | 59.4 | Malaria |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in the Gambia every day?
In the Gambia, about 52 people die every day, or roughly one death every 28 minutes. That adds up to about 19,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the Gambia?
Malaria is the leading cause of death in the Gambia. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections first in 2023, with 12.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the Gambia?
Life expectancy at birth in the Gambia is 62.6 years, 10.2 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 164th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the Gambia high?
The Gambia records about 6.9 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.