Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia

Gambia: Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line was 33.6% in 2020. ▼ Falling

Latest (2020)
33.6%
World rank
22nd
of 123 countries
All-time high
78.0%
in 1998
All-time low
31.1%
in 2015
Years of data
5
1998–2020

Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia, 1998–2020

0204060801998200920201998: 78 % of population2003: 55.2 % of population2010: 39.8 % of population2015: 31.1 % of population2020: 33.6 % of population

Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in % of population.

Analysis

In 2020, poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia stood at 33.6%.

The figure is down 15.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia peaked at 78.0% in 1998 and was at its lowest, 31.1%, in 2015.

That places Gambia 22nd out of 123 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.

Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia, year by year

Annual values for Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population) in Gambia, 1998 to 2020.
Year % of population Change
1998 78.0%
2003 55.2% -29.2%
2010 39.8% -27.9%
2015 31.1% -21.9%
2020 33.6% +8.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 78.0% 78.0% 78.0% 1
2000s 55.2% 55.2% 55.2% 1
2010s 35.5% 31.1% 39.8% 2
2020s 33.6% 33.6% 33.6% 1

Countries ranked near Gambia

  1. 19 Botswana 36.0% compare
  2. 20 Benin 35.0% compare
  3. 21 South Africa 33.8% compare
  4. 23 Pakistan 32.8% compare
  5. 24 Côte d'Ivoire 32.5% compare
  6. 25 Honduras 32.3% compare

See the full ranking of 137 places →

More poverty & inequality data for Gambia

All data for Gambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia?
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia was 33.6% in 2020, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
What is the highest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Gambia?
The highest recorded value was 78.0% in 1998.
What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Gambia?
The lowest recorded value was 31.1% in 2015.
How does Gambia rank for poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line?
Gambia ranks 22nd out of 123 countries with data for 2020.
Is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line rising or falling in Gambia?
Over the last ten years it is down 15.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Gambia data come from?
The figures come from World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Gambia. Statizoid, drawing on World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/poverty-headcount-ratio-at-societal-poverty-line-percent-of-population/gambia-the/

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About this data

Indicator
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population)
Unit
% of population
Source
World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
137 places, 2,860 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed

The poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Societal Poverty Line. The Societal Poverty Line is expressed in purchasing power adjusted 2021 U.S. dollars and defined as max($3.00, $1.30 + 0.5*Median). This means that when the national median is sufficiently low, the Societal Poverty line is equivalent to the extreme poverty line, $3.00. For countries with a sufficiently high national median, the Societal Poverty Line grows as countries’ median income grows.