The Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) organized a seminar on Friday, 24 July 2026, to disseminate the results of the First Quarter 2026 Labour Force Survey (GLFS). The survey findings indicated that 733,364 Gambians are employed. According to the GLFS, The Gambia experienced a decline in its unemployment rate, which fell from 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2023 to 6.2 percent in the first quarter of 2026. GBoS presented these results to stakeholders and the public, detailing the current state of the nation's labor market.
Key Employment and Unemployment Metrics
The Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) reported that 48,504 Gambians are unemployed as of the first quarter of 2026. The country’s working-age population, defined as individuals 15 years and above, is estimated to be 1,434,115. Within this demographic, The Gambia’s labour force comprises 781,868 people.
According to the First Quarter 2026 Labour Force Survey (GLFS), the labour force participation rate saw an increase, rising from 43.6 percent in the first quarter of 2023 to 54.5 percent in the first quarter of 2026. This upward trend notes a growing engagement of the working-age population in economic activities. Similarly, the employment-to-population ratio also improved, moving from 40.3 percent in Q1 2023 to 51.1 percent in Q1 2026, indicating a higher proportion of the population is actively employed. The overall employment figure of 733,364 Gambians represents a significant portion of the labour force.
Beyond the headline unemployment rate, the GLFS provided additional insights into labour market conditions, offering a more nuanced understanding of underemployment and potential labour force. The LU3 indicator, which combines unemployment with the potential labour force, stood at 23.6 percent in Q1 2026. This metric captures individuals who are either actively seeking work or are available to work but are not actively searching. A broader measure, the LU4 indicator, which includes unemployment, time-related underemployment, and the potential labour force, was recorded at 32.1 percent. This full indicator reflects the total pool of underutilized labor resources within the economy, providing a deeper understanding of labor market slack.
Time-related underemployment affected approximately 81,725 people, representing 11.1 percent of all employed persons. These individuals are employed but work fewer hours than they would prefer, indicating a potential for increased productivity if full-time employment were available. The survey also found that discouraged jobseekers constituted 5.4 percent of the working-age population. These individuals have stopped actively looking for work due to a belief that no suitable employment is available, noting a segment of the population detached from the active job search. 347,987 people, or 24.3 percent of the working-age population, were engaged in at least one type of own-use production activity during the first quarter of 2026, indicating a significant reliance on subsistence or household-level economic activities.
GBoS stated that the survey utilized a two-stage stratified sampling design, which was based on the 2024 Population and Housing Census. This rigorous methodology ensured the representativeness of the data collected across various demographics and geographical areas. The survey achieved a high adult individual response rate of 96.3 percent, contributing to the robustness of the findings. Additionally, the household response rate for the survey was an impressive 97.6 percent, further bolstering the reliability and accuracy of the collected data. The high response rates across different categories show the full nature of the GLFS data collection efforts.
Sectoral Employment and Income Disparities
The services sector constitutes the largest portion of employment in The Gambia, accounting for 57.9 percent of all jobs, according to the First Quarter 2026 Labour Force Survey (GLFS). This dominance reflects the country's economic structure, with a significant part of its workforce engaged in service-related industries. The industry sector also saw an increase in its contribution to employment, rising from 21.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023 to 24.3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, indicating growth and diversification in manufacturing and other industrial activities. Agriculture represents the smallest of the three main sectors, contributing 17.8 percent to the country's total employment, despite its traditional importance.
The survey findings also detailed significant disparities in income across various employment categories. The average monthly employment-related income for all workers in The Gambia was D6,238. However, the median monthly income, which reflects the midpoint of earnings, stood considerably lower at D3,000, indicating a skewed distribution of income where a smaller number of high earners pull up the average. This disparity suggests an uneven distribution of economic benefits within the labor market.
A breakdown by employment type shows employees generally earn more than self-employed individuals. Employees received an average monthly income of D9,455, noting the benefits of formal employment structures. In contrast, self-employed workers earned an average of D4,609 per month, often reflecting the challenges and lower returns associated with independent work, particularly within the informal sector. Further distinctions emerged between public and private sector employees. Public sector employees reported an average monthly income of D15,095, which is substantially higher than the D7,942 average monthly income earned by private sector employees. This significant difference points to the relatively better compensation and stability often associated with government employment.
The GLFS also noted the income gap between formal and informal sector workers. Workers in the formal sector earned an average monthly income of D12,753. This figure shows the economic advantages, including better pay and potentially benefits, that come with formal employment. In contrast, informal workers received a significantly lower average monthly income of D5,262. These figures show the economic disadvantages faced by those in informal employment, who often lack job security, social protection, and consistent earnings. The clear income disparity between these groups emphasizes the need for policies aimed at formalizing the economy and improving working conditions for informal laborers.
The Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) stated that the survey methodology involved a two-stage stratified sampling design. In the first stage, 260 Enumeration Areas were selected to ensure representative data collection across the country. In the second stage of the data collection process, 20 households were chosen from each Enumeration Area, ensuring a thorough and geographically diverse sample. The survey achieved a high child response rate of 98.9 percent, contributing to the overall robustness of the gathered data, alongside the adult response rate. This high response rate for children is particularly important for accurately assessing child labor statistics.
Persistent Informal Sector Concerns
Informal employment remains a significant characteristic of The Gambia's labor market, with 85.8 percent of all employed persons working informally, according to the First Quarter 2026 Labour Force Survey (GLFS). This high prevalence indicates that the majority of the workforce operates outside formal regulatory frameworks, often without social security, employment benefits, or legal protection. This prevalence is particularly high in certain sectors, where nearly all employment falls under informal arrangements. The construction sector, for example, registers an informality rate of 98.1 percent, reflecting a widespread reliance on casual and unregulated labor. Similarly, agriculture records 97.7 percent informal employment, largely due to its nature as a seasonal and often subsistence-based activity. Accommodation and food services show 93.6 percent, while wholesale and retail trade accounts for 91.5 percent informal employment, noting the widespread nature of informal work in these consumer-facing sectors.
The survey also noted gender disparities within informal employment, with 88.7 percent of employed women working informally, compared with 83.6 percent of employed men. This suggests that women are disproportionately affected by the lack of formal employment opportunities and the associated benefits. Geographic location also plays a role, as 91.2 percent of rural workers are employed informally, a higher figure than the 83.1 percent observed in urban areas. This difference can be attributed to the predominance of agricultural and small-scale informal activities in rural communities. Among different population groups, migrants demonstrate an informality rate of 90.1 percent, which is higher than the 85.5 percent among native-born workers, indicating that migrant workers may face additional barriers to formal employment.
Despite these informal sector challenges, the GLFS indicated some positive trends for specific demographics. Labour force participation among persons with disabilities increased from 20.1 percent in 2025 to 27.4 percent in 2026, showing an encouraging rise in their engagement in the labor market. The employment rate among persons with disabilities also saw an increase, rising from 19.4 percent to 26.5 percent, further demonstrating improved integration. In comparison, the labour force participation among persons without disabilities stands at 55 percent, indicating there is still a gap to address. Migrants also exhibit a higher labour force participation rate of 65 percent, compared with 53.8 percent for native-born Gambians, suggesting their strong drive to seek employment. The employment-to-population ratio for migrants stands at 63.8 percent, which is also higher than the 50.3 percent for native-born Gambians, showing their significant contribution to the workforce. International migrants account for 6 percent of the country’s working-age population, playing a notable role in the Gambian economy. For the survey methodology, 20 households were chosen from each Enumeration Area in the second stage of the data collection process, ensuring a detailed and localized data capture.
Child Labour and Vulnerable Groups
The First Quarter 2026 Labour Force Survey (GLFS) revealed that 108,087 children, representing 12.9 percent of children aged 5-17, are engaged in child labour in The Gambia. This significant number notes an ongoing challenge in protecting children from exploitative work. Disaggregated data shows child labour prevalence is 12.3 percent among children aged 5-15 years and rises to 17.4 percent for those aged 16-17 years, indicating that older children are more likely to be involved in work activities. Geographically, child labour is more prevalent in rural communities, affecting 19.5 percent of children, compared with 7.9 percent in urban areas, a disparity often linked to agricultural practices and limited educational opportunities in rural settings.
Regionally, Kuntaur recorded the highest prevalence of child labour at 34.7 percent, showing a particular concentration of the issue in this area. Mansakonko followed with 22.6 percent, and Janjanbureh registered 17.9 percent, indicating specific regions where interventions are most needed. In contrast, urban centers showed lower rates; Kanifing recorded 3.5 percent and Banjul 3.8 percent, reflecting greater access to education and more formal economic structures. Agriculture is the dominant sector for child labour among children aged 5-15 years, accounting for 63.4 percent of those involved. This notes the urgent need for targeted efforts to address child labor within the agricultural sector. Additionally, 9 percent of children aged 5-17 years are engaged in hazardous work, exposing them to dangerous conditions that can severely impact their health, safety, and development. Despite these challenges, the GLFS indicated a decline in child labour for SDG Indicator 8.7.1, falling from 9 percent in the first quarter of 2023 to 7.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026, suggesting that efforts to combat child labor are beginning to yield positive results, albeit with much work remaining.