Equatorial Guinea

Republic of Equatorial GuineaRepublica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale

republicIndependence 12 October 1968 (from Spain)

Equatorial Guinea as the 2010 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 130 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalMalabo, UTC+1
Position2 00 N, 10 00 E
Area28,051 sq km
LocationWestern Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Populationas each edition published it
650,702 people July 2010 est. · 368,935 in 1990
Population growth% a year
2.674% 2010 est. · 2.6% in 1993
Median ageyears
19 years 2010 est. · 18.7 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
61.98 years 2010 est. · 51.63 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
5 children per woman 2010 est. · 5.5 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
79.47 deaths per 1,000 live births 2010 est. · 118 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$37,900 2010 est. · $380 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
2% 2010 est. · -1% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996, 2002, and 2009 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed.

The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards.

Geography

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon

20 fields

Land useshare of 28,051 sq km

arable land 4.63%permanent crops 3.57%other 91.8% (2005)
Area
28,051sq km
country comparison to the world: 145land: 28,051 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly smaller than Maryland
Coastline
296km
territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Highest point
3,008m
Pico Basilelowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Land boundaries
539km
border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon

Geographic coordinates

2 00 N, 10 00 E

Climate

tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain

coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total:
0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%)
per capita:
220 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

violent windstorms; flash floods

volcanism:
  • Santa Isabel (elev. 3,007 m, 9,865 ft), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano;
  • Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, forms Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea

Environment - current issues

tap water is not potable; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

insular and continental regions widely separated

People

23 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2010 est.)

11,574
65 and over4.1%
14,678
167,820
15-6454%
174,238
134,823
0-1441.9%
130,308
MaleFemale
Population
650,702
(July 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 166growth rate: 2.674% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 24

Per 1,000 population

Birth
36 (2010 est.)Death
9.26 (July 2010 est.)Net migration
0

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2010 est.)61.98
61.05 · 62.94Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)79.47
80.55 · 78.36Literacy (2000 est.)87%
93.4% · 80.5%
TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2010 est.)19
18.4 · 19.6School life expectancy years (2000)8
9 · 7
MaleFemaleLife expectancy country comparison to the world: 182 · Infant mortality country comparison to the world: 14 · Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups(1994 census)

Fang 85.7%Bubi 6.5%Mdowe 3.6%Annobon 1.6%Bujeba 1.1%other 1.4% (1994 census)
Urban population
39%of total population
(2008)rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
3.4%
(2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 20

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.78 male(s)/female
total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

5 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

HIV/AIDS - deaths

370 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk:
very high
food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:
malaria and yellow fever
animal contact disease:
rabies (2009)

Nationality

noun:
Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective:
Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

Religions

nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices

Languages

Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)

Education expenditures

0.6% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 185

Government

Republic; President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup); Prime Minister Ignacio MILAM Tang (since 8 July 2008)

19 fields

Legislature, 100 seats, elected 4 May 2008one dot, one seat

PDGE 89EC 10CPDS 1

Country name

conventional long form:
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form:
Equatorial Guinea
local long form:
Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale
local short form:
Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale
former:
Spanish Guinea

Capital

name:
Malabo
geographic coordinates:
3 45 N, 8 47 E
time difference:
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas

Independence

12 October 1968 (from Spain)

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

Constitution

approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)
head of government:
Prime Minister Ignacio MILAM Tang (since 8 July 2008);
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits);
  • election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in 2016);
  • prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results:
  • Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president;
  • percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 95.8%, Placido Mico ABOGO 3.6%;
  • elections marred by widespread fraud

Legislative branch

unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held on 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1

note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president

Judicial branch

Supreme Tribunal

Political parties and leaders

  • Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo];
  • Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO] (ruling party);
  • Electoral Coalition or EC;
  • Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO];
  • Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE];
  • Popular Union or UP

Political pressure groups and leaders

ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global Witness (anti-corruption)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, 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:
Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO
chancery:
2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 518-5700
FAX:
[1] (202) 518-5252

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Alberto M. FERNANDEZ
embassy:
  • K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo;
  • note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions;
  • inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon
mailing address:
B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone:
[237] 2220-1500
FAX:
[237] 2220-1572

Flag description

  • 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 anthem

name:
"Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)
lyrics/music:
Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)

note: adopted 1968

Economy

The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth but fluctuating oil prices have produced huge swings in GDP growth in recent years.

45 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$24.66billion
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 113$24.18 billion (2009 est.) · $22.96 billion (2008 est.)note: data are in 2010 US dollarsofficial exchange rate: $14.55 billion (2010 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$37,900
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 28$38,200 (2009 est.) · $37,200 (2008 est.)note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Real growth rate
2%
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 1525.3% (2009 est.) · 11.3% (2008 est.)industrial production growth: 1.8% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 134
Inflation, consumer prices
8.2%
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 1917.1% (2009 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2010 est.)

agriculture 2.2%industry 93.9%services 3.8% (2010 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

30.31%
US
17.28%
12.54%
China
19.97%
7.5%
Spain
14.94%
France
9.49%
9.21%
Japan
7.01%
South Korea
Cote d'Ivoire
6.34%
5.63%
Taiwan
5.38%
Italy
5.02%
4.09%
Netherlands
Exports $10.24 billion (2010 est.)Imports $5.743 billion (2010 est.)(2009)

Electricity

Electricity production
28 million (2007 est.)Electricity consumption
26.04 million (2007 est.)

Economy - overview

The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth but fluctuating oil prices have produced huge swings in GDP growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming is the dominate form of livelihood.

Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and mismanagement.

Government officials and their family members own most businesses, but corruption is rampant. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2008, led by oil, but dropped in 2009-10, as the price of oil fell.

Labor force

195,200 NA (2007) country comparison to the world: 170

Unemployment rate

30% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Investment (gross fixed)

29.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Public debt

4.1% of GDP (2010 est.) · 5.4% of GDP (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) · 4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 100

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) · NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.86 billion (31 December 2010 est) · $1.295 billion (31 December 2009 est) country comparison to the world: 121

Stock of broad money

$2.207 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $1.473 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Stock of domestic credit

$1.534 billion (31 December 2009) · $3.579 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 136

Agriculture - products

  • coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts;
  • livestock;
  • timber

Industries

petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas

Oil - production

346,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Oil - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Oil - exports

362,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Oil - imports

1,114 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Natural gas - production

6.67 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Natural gas - consumption

1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - exports

5.17 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Natural gas - proved reserves

36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Current account balance

-$1.477 billion (2010 est.) · -$1.883 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Exports

$10.24 billion (2010 est.) · $8.495 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Exports - commodities

petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa

Imports

$5.743 billion (2010 est.) · $5.258 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Imports - commodities

petroleum sector equipment, other equipment

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.086 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $3.252 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Debt - external

$832 million (31 December 2010 est.) · $766 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs per US dollar - 506.04 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006)

Communications

7 fields
Mobile cellular
445,000
(2009)
Fixed lines
10,000
(2009) · country code .gq

Telephone system

general assessment:
digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage
domestic:
fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2009 stood at about 70 percent of the population
international:
  • country code - 240;
  • international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries;
  • satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)

Broadcast media

  • state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 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 accessible (2007)

Internet users

14,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199

Transportation

7 fields

Merchant marine, 4 ships by typeone square, one ship

cargo 1chemical tanker 1petroleum tanker 2foreign-owned: 1 (Norway 1) (2010)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m
2

Airports

7 (2010) country comparison to the world: 166

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1; 2,438 to 3,047 m:; 1 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 38 km (2009)

Roadways

total: 2,880 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 167

Ports and terminals

Bata, Luba, Malabo (2010)

Military

National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2010)

6 fields
Military expenditures
0.1%of GDP
(2009)country comparison to the world: 173

Military branches

National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

  • 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service;
  • service obligation 2 years;
  • women hold only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49:
146,241
females age 16-49:
146,138 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
109,311
females age 16-49:
111,543 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

  • in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation;
  • UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay

Trafficking in persons

current situation:
  • Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation;
  • children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation;
  • women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation
tier rating:
  • Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize mechanisms to provide assistance to victims;
  • although the government made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation, it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in 2007;
  • the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures for providing care to victims (2008)

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Equatorial Guinea.” The World Factbook 2010. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/equatorial-guinea/2010.