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The Gabonese Republic, more commonly known as Gabon, is one of West Africa's more stable countries. However, its dependence on oil has made Gabon's economy subject to fluctuations in the oil price, and the country is attempting to diversify away from oil. Gabon achieved independence from France in August 1960. The elections in 2009, will be the first without the participation of late President Bongo. French is the country's official language, with Bantu-group languages commonly spoken.
Leader: Ali Ben Bongo, son of late President Omar Bongo, elected President on August 31, 2009.
Capital city: Libreville
Economic profile
Monetary unit: CFA franc (Communaute Financiere Africaine) GDP per capita: $14 500 (2010) (CIA) GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 4.5% (2010) (CIA)
Industry: 62.7% (2010) (CIA)
Services: 32.8% (2010) (CIA) GDP growth rate: 5.7% (2010) (CIA) Budget:
Government revenue, excluding grants: $3.577-billion (2010) (CIA)
Government expenditure: $2.945-billion (2010) (CIA) Consumer price inflation: -1.3% (2010) (CIA) Industries: Petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, and cement Exports of goods and services: $6.803-billion (2010) (CIA) Imports of goods and services: $2.433-billion (2010) (CIA) Export commodities: Crude oil, timber, manganese, and uranium Import commodities: Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, and construction materials Trade balance: $591-million (2010) (CIA) Reserves: $2.602-million (2010) (CIA) Total investment: 32% of GDP (2008) (IMF) Market capitalisation of listed companies: Figures not available
Social profile
Population: 1.47-million (2010) (World Bank) Population growth: 1.8% (2010) (World Bank) Life expectancy at birth: 60.9 years (2010) (CIA) Adult literacy: 88% (2009) (World Bank) School enrolment primary: 128,8% (2000) (World Bank) School enrolment secondary: 45,3% (2000) (World Bank) Number of people living with HIV/Aids: 46 000 (2009) (Unicef)
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