Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Gambia
Gambia: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 17.1% in 2020. ▲ Rising
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Gambia, 1990–2020
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Gambia is 17.1%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is up 5.1% on the previous year and up 67.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Gambia peaked at 17.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 6.7%, in 1990.
Gambia ranks 102nd of 113 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Gambia, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 6.7% | — |
| 2000 | 8.7% | +30.0% |
| 2001 | 13.4% | +53.8% |
| 2010 | 10.2% | -23.8% |
| 2013 | 8.1% | -20.7% |
| 2018 | 16.3% | +100.8% |
| 2020 | 17.1% | +5.1% |
Gambia compared with similar countries
- Gambia's 17.1% is below the median for low income countries, which is 22.9%, 75% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Gambia's 17.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.3%, 68% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 1 |
| 2000s | 11.1% | 8.7% | 13.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 11.5% | 8.1% | 16.3% | 3 |
| 2020s | 17.1% | 17.1% | 17.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Gambia
More gender data for Gambia
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 1,149 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.4019 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 1,981 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 1,981 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 2.94 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 39,680 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 40,675 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 39,327 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 40,247 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 38,827 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Gambia?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Gambia was 17.1% in 2020, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Gambia?
- The highest recorded value was 17.1% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Gambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.7% in 1990.
- How does Gambia rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Gambia ranks 102nd out of 113 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of women using modern contraceptive methods rising or falling in Gambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 67.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Gambia data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.