Public Confidence in Economy Plummets as 76 Percent Rate Conditions Negatively.

Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A new survey by the Centre for Policy Research and Strategic Studies (CEPRASS) has revealed deep public dissatisfaction with the state of The Gambia’s economy, with a significant majority of respondents describing current conditions as poor.

According to the poll’s findings, 76 percent of respondents hold a negative view of the economy. This includes 56 percent who rate it as “very bad” and a further 20 percent who describe it as “fairly bad.”

In contrast, only 18 percent express a positive outlook, with just 2 percent considering the economy “very good.” Six percent of respondents reported neutral views, while 1 percent said they were unsure.

The survey underscores a pronounced imbalance in public perception, with negative assessments overwhelmingly outweighing positive sentiment.

Regionally, dissatisfaction appears widespread. In Brikama, a large share of respondents reported negative views, while Kerewan recorded some of the highest levels of concern, with most respondents describing the economy as very bad.

Urban centers such as Kanifing and Banjul also reflected strong dissatisfaction, indicating that economic pressures are being felt across both metropolitan and peri-urban areas.

In Basse and Janjanbureh, opinions were more mixed, though negative views still predominated. Similar patterns were observed in Mansakonko and Kuntaur, reinforcing the nationwide scope of economic concern.

Overall, the CEPRASS report points to a broad lack of confidence in the country’s economic trajectory, with concerns over living conditions and the general direction of the economy resonating across regions.

The Gambia’s economy is a small, developing system driven by services (roughly 60–68% of GDP), agriculture (18–30%), and remittances, with a growing reliance on tourism and a GDP growth rate in 2025 around 5.8%.

The economy faces challenges from high debt, inflation, and vulnerability to external shocks and climate-related agriculture disruptions, though tourism and remittances provide key stability.