Equatorial Guinea

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

republicIndependence 12 October 1968 (from Spain)

Equatorial Guinea as the 2012 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 150 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
LocationCentral Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Populationas each edition published it
685,991 people July 2012 est. · 368,935 in 1990
Population growth% a year
2.607% 2012 est. · 2.6% in 1993
Median ageyears
19.2 years 2012 est. · 18.7 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
62.75 years 2012 est. · 51.63 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
4.83 children per woman 2012 est. · 5.5 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
75.18 deaths per 1,000 live births 2012 est. · 118 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$20,200 2012 est. · $380 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
5.7% 2012 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, 2004, and 2008 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, improvements in the population's living standards have been slow to develop.

Geography

Central 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: 146land: 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

Central 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), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano;
  • Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form 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 and Society

29 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2012 est.)

12,023
65 and over4.1%
16,048
185,097
15-6454.6%
189,714
143,910
0-1441.3%
139,199
MaleFemale
Population
685,991
(July 2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 166growth rate: 2.607% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 25

Per 1,000 population

Birth
34.88 (2012 est.)Death
8.81 (July 2012 est.)Net migration
0 (2012 est.)

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2012 est.)62.75
61.75 · 63.78Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)75.18
76.25 · 74.08Literacy (2010 est.)93.9%
97.1% · 90.6%
TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2012 est.)19.2
18.7 · 19.7School life expectancy years (2002)8
9 · 7
MaleFemaleLife expectancy country comparison to the world: 181 · 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
40%of total population
(2010)rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)Major cities - population: MALABO (capital) 128,000 (2009)
Maternal mortality rate
240deaths/100,000 live births
(2010)country comparison to the world: 46
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
10.6%
(2004)country comparison to the world: 65
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
5%
(2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 15

Nationality

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

Languages

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

Religions

nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.75 male(s)/female
total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.83 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Health expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 187

Physicians density

0.3 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Hospital bed density

1.92 beds/1,000 population (2009)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

20,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

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)

Education expenditures

0.6% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 163

Government

Republic; President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup); Prime Minister Vicente Ehate TOMI (since 22 May 2012)

21 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

95.8%
Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 95.8%Placido Mico ABOGO 3.6%election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in 2016)

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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 Vicente Ehate TOMI (since 22 May 2012)
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%

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 2013)
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 [Daniel MARTINEZ Ayecaba]

Political pressure groups and leaders

ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); EG Justice (US-based anti-corruption group)

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, IPU, 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 Mark L. ASQUINO
embassy:
  • KM-3, Carreterade de Aeropuerto (El Paraiso), Apartado 95, 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 symbol(s)

silk cotton tree

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 and gas reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth, but fluctuating oil prices have produced huge swings in GDP growth in recent years.

34 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$28.03billion
(2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 114$26.52 billion (2011 est.) · $24.6 billion (2010 est.)note: data are in 2012 US dollarsofficial exchange rate: $20.65 billion (2012 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,200
(2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 63$19,600 (2011 est.) · $18,700 (2010 est.)
Note
note: data are in 2010 US dollars; population figures are uncertain for Equatorial Guinea; these per capita income figures are based on a estimated population of less than 700,000; some estimates put the figure as high as 1.2 million people; if true, the per capita GDP figures would be significantly lower
Real growth rate
5.7%
(2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 467.8% (2011 est.) · -0.5% (2010 est.)industrial production growth: 1.8% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 127
Inflation, consumer prices
6.2%
(2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 1647% (2011 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2012 est.)

agriculture 3.5%industry 90.5%services 6% (2012 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

14.8%
Spain
17.1%
13.1%
China
12.3%
9.5%
US
13.1%
4.7%
France
12.4%
10.9%
Italy
6.7%
10.5%
Japan
7.6%
Netherlands
Cote dIvoire
6%
5.5%
Canada
5%
Brazil
4.1%
South Korea
Exports $18.31 billion (2012 est.)Imports $7.59 billion (2012 est.)(2011)

Budget

Revenues
$10.22 billionExpenditures
$9.644 billion (2012 est.)

Economy - overview

The discovery and exploitation of large oil and gas reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth, but fluctuating oil prices have produced huge swings in GDP growth in recent years. Forestry and farming are also minor 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.

The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues; however, in 2010, under Equatorial Guinea's candidacy in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the government published oil revenue figures for the first time. Undeveloped natural resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals.

The economy recovered from the global recession in 2011-12 stimulated by higher oil prices and large investments in public infrastructure and hotels.

Labor force

195,200 (2007) country comparison to the world: 172

Unemployment rate

22.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Investment (gross fixed)

44.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Taxes and other revenues

49.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

2.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Public debt

4.3% of GDP (2012 est.) · 5.1% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Central bank discount rate

8.5% (31 December 2010 est.) · 4.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15% (31 December 2012 est.) · 15% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Stock of narrow money

$2.478 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $1.936 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Stock of broad money

$3.115 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $2.166 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Stock of domestic credit

$508.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) · $570.8 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Agriculture - products

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

Current account balance

$290.2 million (2012 est.) · -$945 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Exports

$18.31 billion (2012 est.) · $15.63 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Exports - commodities

petroleum products, timber

Imports

$7.59 billion (2012 est.) · $7.32 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Imports - commodities

petroleum sector equipment, other equipment, construction materials, vehicles

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.825 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $3.054 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Debt - external

$1.232 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $1.149 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs per US dollar - 511.4 (2012 est.) · 471.87 (2011 est.) · 495.28 (2010 est.) · 472.19 (2009) · 447.81 (2008)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Energy

23 fields

Installed generating capacity, 31,000 kW(2009 est.)

Fossil fuels 96.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)Hydroelectric plants 3.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)Nuclear fuels 0% · Other renewable sources 0%
Electricity production
97 million (2009 est.)Electricity consumption
90.21 million (2009 est.)Refined petroleum imports
4,561 (2008 est.)Refined petroleum consumption
1,588 (2011 est.)Refined petroleum exports
25,670 (2008 est.)

Crude oil - production

302,500 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Crude oil - exports

299,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas - production

6.74 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Natural gas - consumption

1.58 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - exports

5.16 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas - proved reserves

36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

5.005 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Communications

7 fields
Mobile cellular
426,000
(2011)
Fixed lines
13,500
(2010) · 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 2011 stood at about 60 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) (2011)

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: 200

Transportation

7 fields

Merchant marine, 5 ships by typeone square, one ship

cargo 1chemical tanker 1petroleum tanker 3foreign-owned: 1 (Norway 1) (2010)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m
2

Airports

7 (2012) country comparison to the world: 169

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1; 2,438 to 3,047 m:; 1 (2012)

Pipelines

gas 37 km (2010)

Roadways

total: 2,880 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 168

Ports and terminals

Bata, Luba, Malabo (2010)

Military

Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2012)

6 fields
Military expenditures
0.1%of GDP
(2009)country comparison to the world: 171

Military branches

Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2012)

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 (2012)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49:
151,147
females age 16-49:
150,345 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
113,277
females age 16-49:
115,320 (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 delayed final delimitation;
  • UN urged 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 3 - Equatorial Guinea is not making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards on the elimination of trafficking;
  • despite limited law enforcement action against suspected human smugglers and traffickers, including complicit public officials, the government has made no tangible efforts to provide victims of trafficking with the protective services mandated in its 2004 anti-trafficking law;
  • prevention efforts have decreased, as the government did not hold any public awareness campaigns and its interagency commission on human trafficking took little, if any, action;
  • the government's response to human trafficking has been inadequate, particularly given the government's substantial financial resources (2008)

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Equatorial Guinea.” The World Factbook 2012. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/equatorial-guinea/2012.