{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "

Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers landed on Bioko Island, and Portugal soon after established control of the island and other areas of modern Equatorial Guinea. In 1778, Portugal ceded its colonial hold over present-day Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. The borders of modern-day Equatorial Guinea would evolve between 1778 and 1968 as the area remained under European colonial rule.

In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain and elected Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA as its first president. MACIAS consolidated power soon after his election and ruled brutally for over a decade. Under his regime, Equatorial Guinea experienced mass suppression, purges, and killings. Some estimates indicate that a third of the population either went into exile or was killed under MACIAS’ rule. In 1979, present-day President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, then a senior military officer, deposed MACIAS in a violent coup. OBIANG has ruled since and has been elected in non-competitive contests several times, most recently in 2022. The president exerts near-total control over the political system.

Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in 2004 and has declined since. The country's economic windfall from oil production resulted in massive increases in government revenue, a significant portion of which was earmarked for infrastructure development. Systemic corruption, however, has hindered socio-economic development, and the population has seen only limited improvements to living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy, increase foreign investment, and assume a greater role in regional and international affairs. 

 

" } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "2 00 N, 10 00 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Africa" }, "Area": { "total ": { "text": "28,051 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "28,051 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "0 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "slightly smaller than Maryland" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "528 km" }, "border countries": { "text": "Cameroon 183 km; Gabon 345 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "296 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; always hot, humid" }, "Terrain": { "text": "coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Pico Basile 3,008 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean 0 m" }, "mean elevation": { "text": "577 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "3.7% (2022 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 1.9% (2022 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "86.7% (2022 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "9.6% (2022 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "NA" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "only two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "

violent windstorms; flash floods

volcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea

" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the Equator passes through Equatorial Guinea; the mainland part of the country is located just north of the Equator" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "total": { "text": "1,795,834 (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "962,385" }, "female": { "text": "833,449" } }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Fang 78.1%, Bubi 9.4%, Ndowe 2.8%, Nanguedambo 2.7%, Bisio 0.9%, foreigner 5.3%, other 0.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)" }, "Languages": { "Languages": { "text": "Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Fa d'Ambo spoken in Annobon) 32.4% (1994 est.)" }, "major-language sample(s)": { "text": "
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information." } }, "Religions": { "text": "Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.)" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "35.6% (male 330,636/female 309,528)" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "59.4% (male 585,139/female 481,121)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "5% (2024 est.) (male 46,610/female 42,800)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "72.2" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "66.7" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "5.4" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "18.5 (2021 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "22.1 years (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "22.7 years" }, "female": { "text": "21.5 years" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "3.23% (2024 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "29 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "12.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "only two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "74.4% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.03 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.07 male(s)/female" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "1.22 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "1.09 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1.16 male(s)/female (2024 est.)" } }, "Maternal mortality ratio": { "text": "212 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)" }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "77.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "83.3 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "71.3 deaths/1,000 live births" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "63.9 years (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "61.6 years" }, "female": { "text": "66.2 years" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "4.12 children born/woman (2024 est.)" }, "Gross reproduction rate": { "text": "2.03 (2024 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "NA" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 81.7% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 32.1% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 67.6% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 18.3% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 67.9% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "Current health expenditure": { "text": "3.4% of GDP (2021)" }, "Physician density": { "text": "0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2022)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 81.2% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 63.4% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 76.2% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 18.8% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 36.6% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 23.8% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "8% (2016)" }, "Alcohol consumption per capita": { "total": { "text": "6.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "beer": { "text": "3.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "wine": { "text": "1.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "spirits": { "text": "0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "other alcohols": { "text": "0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" } }, "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": { "text": "60.2% (2023 est.)" }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "NA" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "age 15 and over can read and write" }, "total population": { "text": "95.3%" }, "male": { "text": "97.4%" }, "female": { "text": "93% (2015)" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "deforestation (forests are threatened by agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution (tap water is non-potable); wildlife preservation" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands" }, "signed, but not ratified": { "text": "Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; always hot, humid" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "3.7% (2022 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 1.9% (2022 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "86.7% (2022 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "9.6% (2022 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "74.4% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "text": "1.52% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Revenue from coal": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Air pollutants": { "particulate matter emissions": { "text": "25.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)" }, "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "5.65 megatons (2016 est.)" }, "methane emissions": { "text": "11.21 megatons (2020 est.)" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "198,443 tons (2016 est.)" } }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { "text": "20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" }, "industrial": { "text": "3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)" }, "agricultural": { "text": "1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "26 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)" } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Republic of Equatorial Guinea" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Equatorial Guinea" }, "local long form": { "text": "Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ République de Guinée équatoriale (French)" }, "local short form": { "text": "Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/Guinée équatoriale (French)" }, "former": { "text": "Spanish Guinea" }, "etymology": { "text": "the country is named for the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; the \"equatorial\" refers to the fact that the country lies just north of the Equator" } }, "Government type": { "text": "presidential republic" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Malabo; note - Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region." }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "3 45 N, 8 47 E" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "etymology": { "text": "named after King MALABO (Malabo Lopelo Melaka) (1837–1937), the last king of the Bubi, the ethnic group indigenous to the island of Bioko" } }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas" }, "Independence": { "text": "12 October 1968 (from Spain)" }, "National holiday": { "text": "Independence Day, 12 October (1968)" }, "Legal system": { "text": "mixed system of civil and customary law" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991" }, "amendment process": { "text": "proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president" } }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction" }, "Citizenship": { "citizenship by birth": { "text": "no" }, "citizenship by descent only": { "text": "at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea" }, "dual citizenship recognized": { "text": "no" }, "residency requirement for naturalization": { "text": "10 years" } }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979)" }, "head of government": { "text": "Prime Minister Manuela ROKA Botey (since 1 February 2023)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 November 2022 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president; President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2022: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 95%, other 6.1%

2016: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 93.5%, other 6.5%" } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { "text": "Parliament (Parlamento)" }, "legislative structure": { "text": "bicameral" } }, "Legislative branch - lower chamber": { "chamber name": { "text": "Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de los Diputados)" }, "number of seats": { "text": "100 (all directly elected)" }, "electoral system": { "text": "proportional representation" }, "scope of elections": { "text": "full renewal" }, "term in office": { "text": "5 years" }, "most recent election date": { "text": "11/20/2022" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { "text": "Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (100)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { "text": "31%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "November 2027" } }, "Legislative branch - upper chamber": { "chamber name": { "text": "Senate (Senado)" }, "number of seats": { "text": "70 (55 directly elected; 15 appointed)" }, "electoral system": { "text": "proportional representation" }, "scope of elections": { "text": "full renewal" }, "term in office": { "text": "5 years" }, "most recent election date": { "text": "11/20/2022" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { "text": "Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (55)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { "text": "25%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "November 2027" } }, "Judicial branch": { "highest court(s)": { "text": "Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the President of the Supreme Court and nine judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members)" }, "judge selection and term of office": { "text": "Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for five-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president, 2 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies" }, "subordinate courts": { "text": "Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals" } }, "Political parties": { "text": "Center Right Union or UCD
Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS 
Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE 
Liberal Democratic Convention or CLD 
Liberal Party or PL 
National Congress of Equatorial Guinea (CNGE) 
National Democratic Party (PNDGE) 
National Democratic Union or UDENA 
National Union for Democracy PUNDGE 
Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE 
Popular Union or UP 
Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP 
Social and Popular Convergence Party or CSDP 
Social Democratic Coalition Party (PCSD) 
Social Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea or PSDGE 
Social Democratic Union or UDS 
Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea " }, "International organization participation": { "text": "ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, Francophonie, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Dr. Crisantos OBAMA ONDO (since 27 February 2024)" }, "chancery": { "text": "2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (202) 518-5700" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] (202) 518-5252" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
info@egembassydc.com

https://www.egembassydc.com/" }, "consulate(s) general": { "text": "Houston" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador David R. GILMOUR (since 24 May 2022)" }, "embassy": { "text": "Malabo II Highway (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo" }, "mailing address": { "text": "2320 Malabo Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520" }, "telephone": { "text": "[240] 333 09-57-41" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
Malaboconsular@state.gov

https://gq.usembassy.gov/" } }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green symbolizes the jungle and natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the fight for independence" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "silk cotton tree; national colors: green, white, red, blue" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "\"Caminemos pisando la senda\" (Let Us Tread the Path)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)" }, "note": "note: adopted 1968" } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "growing CEMAC economy and new OPEC member; large oil and gas reserves; targeting economic diversification and poverty reduction; still recovering from CEMAC crisis; improving public financial management; persistent poverty; hard-hit by COVID-19" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { "text": "$28.985 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": { "text": "$30.539 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": { "text": "$29.585 billion (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: data in 2021 dollars" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2023": { "text": "-5.09% (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2022": { "text": "3.22% (2022 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2021": { "text": "0.86% (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency" }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2023": { "text": "$15,700 (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2022": { "text": "$16,900 (2022 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2021": { "text": "$16,800 (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: data in 2021 dollars" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$12.338 billion (2023 est.)", "note": "note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022": { "text": "4.79% (2022 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": { "text": "-0.1% (2021 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020": { "text": "4.77% (2020 est.)" }, "note": "note: annual % change based on consumer prices" }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "3.1% (2023 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "46.5% (2023 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "50.4% (2023 est.)" }, "note": "note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data" }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "52.7% (2023 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "26.2% (2023 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "9.3% (2023 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "0% (2023 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "36.6% (2023 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-24.8% (2023 est.)" }, "note": "note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection" }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "sweet potatoes, cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, root vegetables, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa beans, chicken (2023)", "note": "note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage" }, "Industries": { "text": "petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "-12.92% (2023 est.)", "note": "note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency" }, "Labor force": { "text": "645,000 (2023 est.)", "note": "note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work" }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2023": { "text": "8.67% (2023 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2022": { "text": "8.75% (2022 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2021": { "text": "9.19% (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: % of labor force seeking employment" }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "16.4% (2023 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "15.1% (2023 est.)" }, "female": { "text": "17.8% (2023 est.)" }, "note": "note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment" }, "Remittances": { "Remittances 2023": { "text": "0% of GDP (2023 est.)" }, "Remittances 2022": { "text": "0% of GDP (2022 est.)" }, "Remittances 2021": { "text": "0% of GDP (2021 est.)" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "$3.62 billion (2022 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "$1.512 billion (2022 est.)" }, "note": "note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2017": { "text": "37.4% of GDP (2017 est.)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "6.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)", "note": "note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2017": { "text": "-$738 million (2017 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2016": { "text": "-$1.457 billion (2016 est.)" } }, "Exports": { "Exports 2022": { "text": "$6.231 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Exports 2021": { "text": "$5.851 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Exports 2020": { "text": "$4.041 billion (2020 est.)" }, "note": "note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars" }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "China 27%, Netherlands 12%, Spain 10%, Italy 7%, Germany 6% (2023)", "note": "note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "crude petroleum, natural gas, alcohols, wood, scrap iron (2023)", "note": "note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2022": { "text": "$4.297 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Imports 2021": { "text": "$4.351 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Imports 2020": { "text": "$3.669 billion (2020 est.)" }, "note": "note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars" }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "China 20%, Spain 17%, USA 10%, Gabon 5%, UK 5% (2023)", "note": "note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "ships, poultry, plastic products, beer, valves (2023)", "note": "note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023": { "text": "$1.538 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022": { "text": "$1.458 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021": { "text": "$44.271 million (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars" }, "Exchange rates": { "Currency": { "text": "Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2023": { "text": "606.57 (2023 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2022": { "text": "623.76 (2022 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2021": { "text": "554.531 (2021 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "575.586 (2020 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2019": { "text": "585.911 (2019 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "67% (2022 est.)" }, "electrification - urban areas": { "text": "89.8%" }, "electrification - rural areas": { "text": "1.4%" } }, "Electricity": { "installed generating capacity": { "text": "349,000 kW (2023 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "1.402 billion kWh (2023 est.)" }, "transmission/distribution losses": { "text": "170.527 million kWh (2023 est.)" } }, "Electricity generation sources": { "fossil fuels": { "text": "68.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)" }, "hydroelectricity": { "text": "31.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)" } }, "Coal": { "imports": { "text": "8 metric tons (2023 est.)" } }, "Petroleum": { "total petroleum production": { "text": "98,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)" }, "refined petroleum consumption": { "text": "6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)" }, "crude oil estimated reserves": { "text": "1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)" } }, "Natural gas": { "production": { "text": "6.013 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "2.332 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "3.63 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)" }, "proven reserves": { "text": "139.007 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)" } }, "Carbon dioxide emissions": { "total emissions": { "text": "5.471 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)" }, "from coal and metallurgical coke": { "text": "1 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)" }, "from petroleum and other liquids": { "text": "896,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)" }, "from consumed natural gas": { "text": "4.575 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)" } }, "Energy consumption per capita": { "Total energy consumption per capita 2023": { "text": "54.509 million Btu/person (2023 est.)" } } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "11,000 (2022 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "1 (2022 est.) less than 1" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "893,000 (2022 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "53 (2022 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "the telecom service is forecasted to register a growth of more than 6% during the period of 2022-2026; mobile data is the largest contributor to total service revenue in 2021, followed by mobile voice, fixed broadband, mobile messaging, and fixed voice; the launch of the international submarine cable ACE, which connects 13 West African countries with Europe, will improve international capacity, bringing opportunities to data center providers; 4G network expansion and 4G service promotion will allow consumers and businesses to leverage 4G services (2022)" }, "domestic": { "text": "fixed-line density is less than 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 39 per 100 (2021)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 240; landing points for the ACE, Ceiba-1, and Ceiba-2 submarine cables providing communication from Bata and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to numerous Western African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" } }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son (who is the Vice President), 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".gq" }, "Internet users": { "percent of population": { "text": "67% (2022 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "2,000 (2022 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "(2022 est.) less than 1" } } }, "Transportation": { "National air transport system": { "number of registered air carriers": { "text": "6 (2020)" }, "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": { "text": "15" }, "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "466,435 (2018)" }, "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "350,000 (2018) mt-km" } }, "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "3C" }, "Airports": { "text": "7 (2025)" }, "Pipelines": { "text": "42 km condensate, 5 km condensate/gas, 79 km gas, 71 km oil (2013)" }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "2,880 km (2017)" } }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "53 (2023)" }, "by type": { "text": "bulk carrier 1, general cargo 16, oil tanker 7, other 29" } }, "Ports": { "total ports": { "text": "7 (2024)" }, "large": { "text": "0" }, "medium": { "text": "0" }, "small": { "text": "1" }, "very small": { "text": "6" }, "ports with oil terminals": { "text": "6" }, "key ports": { "text": "Bata, Ceiba Terminal, Cogo, Luba, Malabo, Punta Europa Terminal, Serpentina Terminal" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, GNGE (Army)), Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2024)", "note": "note: police report to the Ministry of National Security, while gendarmes report to the Ministry of National Defense; police generally are responsible for maintaining law and order in the cities, while gendarmes are responsible for security outside cities and for special events" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2023": { "text": "1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2022": { "text": "1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2021": { "text": "1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2020": { "text": "1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2019": { "text": "1.5% of GDP (2019 est.)" } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { "text": "approximately 1,500 active-duty troops (2023)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years, it has sought to modernize its naval inventory with purchases of vessels from several countries, including Bulgaria and Israel; China and Russia have also supplied some equipment to the FAGE (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { "text": "18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 24-month service obligation (2023)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "the Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea (FAGE) are responsible for defending the territory and sovereignty of the country; it also has some internal security duties, including fulfilling some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas; the FAGE’s National Guard (Army) is a small force with a few infantry battalions; over the past decade, the country has made considerable investments in naval capabilities to protect its oil installations and combat piracy and crime in the Gulf of Guinea; while the Navy is small, its inventory includes a light frigate and a corvette, as well as several off-shore patrol vessels; the Air Force has a handful of operational combat aircraft and ground attack-capable helicopters (2023)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Trafficking in persons": { "tier rating": { "text": "Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/equatorial-guinea/" } } } }