Military Personnel as a Percentage of Population in Gambia, 1987-2016

In Gambia, the percentage of military personnel relative to the population remained consistently low over the observed period, indicating a limited defense focus relative to other national priorities. From 1987 to 1989, military personnel constituted 0.1% to 0.2% of the population, peaking slightly in 1989 and 1990 before stabilizing at 0.1% from 1992 onwards. This low and stable percentage reflects Gambia’s approach to maintaining a minimal defense force, focusing more on internal stability and regional partnerships than on military expansion. By 2016, the figure slightly declined to 0%, underscoring a reduced dependency on active military personnel, likely supported by diplomatic and cooperative security measures.