Photo: Mishimito · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 01 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Gambia: Governance & Institutions
How well is the state actually run?
Gambia is placed 86th of 194 countries on governance & institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Government Effectiveness -0.432 (2025); Statistical Performance Indicators 67.01 (2024).
Share
Governance & Institutions
86th
of 194 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- -0.432Government Effectiveness, 2025Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
- 67.01Statistical Performance Indicators, 2024SPI overall score (0–100)
- 37Corruption Perceptions Index, 2025CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
- 0.886Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index, 2025Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Gambia on governance & institutions — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
-0.432
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Higher is better
Gambia: -0.432. Across the 209 countries in this edition, values run from -2.251 (South Sudan) to 2.092 (Singapore); the world median is 0.101.
- World median
- 0.101
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.512 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 0.251
Key 2 of 4
Statistical Performance Indicators
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
67.01
SPI overall score (0–100)
Higher is better
Gambia: 67.01. Across the 188 countries in this edition, values run from 27.12 (South Sudan) to 94.14 (Norway); the world median is 69.3.
- World median
- 69.3
- Best in Western Africa
- 81.41 Senegal
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 81.41
Key 3 of 4
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
37
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Higher is better
Ranked 99th of 181 by Transparency International
Gambia: 37. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 9 (Somalia) to 89 (Denmark); the world median is 39.
- World median
- 39
- Best in Western Africa
- 62 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 46
Key 4 of 4
Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.886
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
Higher is better
Gambia: 0.886. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.003 (Nicaragua) to 0.988 (Australia); the world median is 0.676.
- World median
- 0.676
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.886 Gambia
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 0.694
02Over time
Which way Gambia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Government Effectiveness
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) · higher is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia rose from -0.627 in 2000 to -0.432 in 2025; the world median went from -0.397 to 0.101.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2025 -0.4322 0.1006 2024 -0.4365 0.0098 2023 -0.3816 -0.0408 2022 -0.4097 -0.0305 2021 -0.4069 -0.0158 2020 -0.4605 -0.0171 2019 -0.4079 0.0150 2018 -0.4000 0.0159 2017 -0.4356 0.0158 2016 -0.5514 0.0225 2015 -0.5434 0.0038 2014 -0.4514 0.0194 2013 -0.5137 -0.0758 2012 -0.4735 -0.0839 2011 -0.5080 -0.1221 2010 -0.5216 -0.1145 2009 -0.5181 -0.1609 2008 -0.6325 -0.2134 2007 -0.8365 -0.3260 2006 -0.9635 -0.3310 2005 -0.7462 -0.3706 2004 -0.6292 -0.3140 2003 -0.5507 -0.4369 2002 -0.6228 -0.3366 2000 -0.6271 -0.3969 Statistical Performance Indicators
SPI overall score (0–100) · higher is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia rose from 46.53 in 2016 to 67.01 in 2024; the world median went from 56.25 to 69.3.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2024 67.0 69.30 2023 68.6 68.86 2022 66.0 67.99 2021 67.4 69.96 2020 55.5 62.91 2019 48.2 61.19 2018 52.5 61.17 2017 50.7 59.55 2016 46.5 56.25 Corruption Perceptions Index
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) · higher is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia rose from 34 in 2012 to 37 in 2025; the world median went from 37 to 39.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2025 37 39.0 2024 38 40.0 2023 37 40.0 2022 34 39.5 2021 37 39.0 2020 37 40.0 2019 37 39.5 2018 37 38.0 2017 30 38.5 2016 26 38.0 2015 28 37.0 2014 29 38.0 2013 28 38.0 2012 34 37.0 Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) · higher is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia rose from 0.318 in 2000 to 0.886 in 2025; the world median went from 0.647 to 0.676.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2025 0.886 0.6760 2024 0.863 0.6645 2023 0.861 0.6590 2022 0.843 0.6600 2021 0.887 0.6580 2020 0.872 0.6645 2019 0.859 0.6560 2018 0.876 0.6485 2017 0.876 0.6550 2016 0.252 0.6520 2015 0.246 0.6700 2014 0.246 0.6515 2013 0.246 0.6550 2012 0.252 0.6750 2011 0.252 0.6680 2010 0.252 0.6640 2009 0.252 0.6580 2008 0.252 0.6590 2007 0.252 0.6630 2006 0.252 0.6590 2005 0.252 0.6580 2004 0.252 0.6480 2003 0.279 0.6480 2002 0.299 0.6470 2001 0.318 0.6530 2000 0.318 0.6465
03In context
Gambia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 194 countries on governance & institutions, never a place within the region.
Gambia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 194; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Government EffectivenessGovernance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) | Statistical Performance IndicatorsSPI overall score (0–100) | Corruption Perceptions IndexCPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) | Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexJudicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Senegal | 62nd | 0.251 | 81.41 | 46 | 0.694 |
| Gambia | 86th | -0.432 | 67.01 | 37 | 0.886 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 194.
Placed either side on governance & institutions
The countries immediately above and below Gambia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Gambia is ahead of the world, and behind
41 more statistics filed under governance & institutions, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which Gambia does better than the middle country measured.
Meritocratic Appointment in the State AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3091.270.309▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 1.27 · world median 0.309 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.6); higher = more appointments on merit. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.442 to 3.584; higher is better.
Position 41st of 176 · derived.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.938.14412.93▲ Improved since 2014
Gambia: 8.144 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 83rd of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.7730.651▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.773 · world median 0.651 · Equal protection index (0–1); higher = rights and freedoms protected more equally across social groups and classes. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.027 to 0.986; higher is better.
Position 45th of 176 · derived.
Political Corruption IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5180.2710.518▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.271 · world median 0.518 · Political corruption index (0–1; higher = more corrupt). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.004 to 0.968; lower is better.
Position 126th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.230.445▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.23 · world median 0.445 · Neopatrimonial rule index (0–1; higher = more personalised rule). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.008 to 0.989; lower is better.
Position 123rd of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.5220.353▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.522 · world median 0.353 · Liberal democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.009 to 0.884; higher is better.
Position 58th of 176 · derived.
Rigorous and Impartial Public AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3330.970.333▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.97 · world median 0.333 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +4.0); higher = a more rigorous and impartial administration. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.552 to 3.99; higher is better.
Position 60th of 176 · derived.
V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4970.6410.497▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.641 · world median 0.497 · Electoral democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.016 to 0.913; higher is better.
Position 62nd of 176 · derived.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.33.246▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 3.3 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 33rd of 78 · derived.
Behind the world median27
Statistics on which Gambia does worse than the middle country measured.
Civic Space RatingsCIVICUS · 2025 · world median 50.4646.6850.46No earlier reading
Gambia: 46.68 · world median 50.46 · Civic space score (0–100). CIVICUS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.17 to 100; higher is better.
Position 109th of 198 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6813.8916.68No earlier reading
Gambia: 13.89 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 77th of 139 · derived.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.022-0.208-0.022▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: -0.208 · world median -0.022 · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.348 to 1.825; higher is better.
Position 116th of 206 · derived.
State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.394.6795.3▼ Worsened since 2015
Gambia: 94.67 · world median 95.3 · Territory under effective state control (% of official territory). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 47.56 to 100; higher is better.
Rule of LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.102-0.395-0.102▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: -0.395 · world median -0.102 · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.199 to 2.012; higher is better.
Position 129th of 211 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7511.123.75No earlier reading
Gambia: 11.1 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Control of CorruptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.197-0.511-0.197▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: -0.511 · world median -0.197 · Control of Corruption (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.259; higher is better.
Position 137th of 211 · derived.
State Fiscal Source of RevenueV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.1790.5821.179▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.582 · world median 1.179 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.1); higher = broader taxation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -1.716 to 3.135; higher is better.
Position 120th of 176 · derived.
Open Data InventoryOpen Data Watch · 2024 · world median 594859▼ Worsened since 2015
Gambia: 48 · world median 59 · ODIN overall score (0–100). Open Data Watch, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19 to 90; higher is better.
Ranked 118th of 168 by Open Data Watch.
Global Indicators of Regulatory Governance ScoreWorld Bank Group · 2018 · world median 2.251.252.25No earlier reading
Gambia: 1.25 · world median 2.25 · Regulatory governance score (0–5, where 5 is the most transparent rule-making). World Bank Group, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; higher is better.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.644-0.093No real change since 2015
Gambia: -0.644 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 151st of 209 · derived.
Women, Business and the LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 81.2572.581.25▼ Worsened since 2015
Gambia: 72.5 · world median 81.25 · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.125 to 100; higher is better.
Position 137th of 190 · derived.
Government Spending on EducationUIS · 2023 · world median 3.7092.8083.709▲ Improved since 2013
Gambia: 2.808 · world median 3.709 · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 16.39; higher is better.
Position 91st of 123 · derived.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9466.3643.94▼ Worsened since 2014
Gambia: 66.36 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 29th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1923.6440.19▼ Worsened since 2020
Gambia: 23.64 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 153rd of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Bribery IncidenceWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 7.26920.17.269No earlier reading
Gambia: 20.1 · world median 7.269 · Firms asked for a bribe at least once in six dealings with officials (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 64.26; lower is better.
Position 39th of 175 · derived, 1st = worst.
State Capacity IndexJonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School) · 2015 · world median 0.487-0.1570.487No real change since 2005
Gambia: -0.157 · world median 0.487 · Latent estimate of state capacity (≈ −2.3 to +3.0, centred near 0); higher = a more capable state. Jonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School), 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.697; higher is better.
Position 133rd of 166 · derived.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.81780.8No earlier reading
Gambia: 17 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.486.4594.4No earlier reading
Gambia: 86.45 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.3870.2730.387▼ Worsened since 2014
Gambia: 0.273 · world median 0.387 · ND-GAIN Readiness (0–1, where 1 is the most ready). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.137 to 0.749; higher is better.
Ranked 163rd of 192 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
GovTech Maturity IndexWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 0.630.1990.63No real change since 2022
Gambia: 0.199 · world median 0.63 · GTMI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.01 to 0.997; higher is better.
Position 172nd of 196 · derived.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.45998.4No earlier reading
Gambia: 59 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Business Ready: Operational EfficiencyWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 65.8248.4465.82No earlier reading
Gambia: 48.44 · world median 65.82 · Operational efficiency score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 40.36 to 87.33; higher is better.
Position 45th of 50 · derived.
Social Protection CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 52.16.552.1No earlier reading
Gambia: 6.5 · world median 52.1 · Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Business Ready: Regulatory FrameworkWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 66.853.3466.8No earlier reading
Gambia: 53.34 · world median 66.8 · Regulatory framework score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 46.21 to 78.34; higher is better.
Position 46th of 50 · derived.
Firms Expecting to Make Informal Payments to Public OfficialsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.40342.326.403No earlier reading
Gambia: 42.32 · world median 6.403 · Firms saying firms like theirs pay officials informally to get things done (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 55.03; lower is better.
Position 5th of 178 · derived, 1st = worst.
Business Ready: Public ServicesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 50.1320.1150.13No earlier reading
Gambia: 20.11 · world median 50.13 · Public services score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 18.35 to 73.31; higher is better.
Position 49th of 50 · derived.
No better end5
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Central Bank Independence IndexAna Carolina Garriga, University of Essex · 2023 · world median 0.6080.5040.608Moved since 2013
Gambia: 0.504 · world median 0.608 · CBI index (0–1, where 1 is the most statutory independence). Ana Carolina Garriga, University of Essex, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 0.974.
Public Sector Wage BillWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 7.9754.7737.975Moved since 2012
Gambia: 4.773 · world median 7.975 · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0.977 to 42.65.
Position 136th of 168 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Senior Management Time Spent on Government RegulationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.7953.1676.795No earlier reading
Gambia: 3.167 · world median 6.795 · Senior management time spent dealing with government regulation (% of a typical week). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 31.33.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2110.2216.21Moved since 2015
Gambia: 10.22 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 113th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.012.6515.01No earlier reading
Gambia: 2.65 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 129th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Gambia
Agriculture Orientation Index (last 2022), Disability Benefit Coverage, Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2015) and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Governance & Institutions among Gambia’s 16 topics
Governance & Institutions is Gambia’s 4th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability4th of 1862/4 keys
- Peace & Security27th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties84th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions86th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality117th of 1593/3 keys
- Gender & Equality141st of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience149th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 159th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge168th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade157th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labour167th of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology183rd of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital184th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 168th of 1763/4 keys
- Energy161st of 1652/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture180th of 1843/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on governance & institutions
The three countries placed highest of 194, and the leaders Gambia can most readily be measured against.
1
DenmarkNorthern Europe
1st of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
New ZealandAustralia and New Zealand
2nd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Karora derivative work: Inkey · Public domain, greyscale
3
SwedenNorthern Europe
3rd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Seychelles38th4/4 keysHighest in Western Africa
Cabo Verde48th4/4 keysThis page
Gambia86th4/4 keys
Positions out of 194 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Gambia and governance & institutions
08Questions
Gambia on governance & institutions: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Gambia rank on governance & institutions?
Gambia is placed 86th of 194 countries on Governance & Institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Government Effectiveness, Statistical Performance Indicators, Corruption Perceptions Index and Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Government Effectiveness figure for Gambia?
-0.432 in 2025 (governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.101.
What is the latest Statistical Performance Indicators figure for Gambia?
67.01 in 2024 (sPI overall score (0–100)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 69.3.
How does Gambia compare with Senegal on governance & institutions?
Senegal is placed 62nd of 194, and Gambia 86th. Government Effectiveness: Senegal 0.251, Gambia -0.432; Statistical Performance Indicators: Senegal 81.41, Gambia 67.01; Corruption Perceptions Index: Senegal 46, Gambia 37; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index: Senegal 0.694, Gambia 0.886.
How have Gambia’s governance & institutions figures changed?
Government Effectiveness rose from -0.627 in 2000 to -0.432 in 2025; Statistical Performance Indicators rose from 46.53 in 2016 to 67.01 in 2024; Corruption Perceptions Index rose from 34 in 2012 to 37 in 2025; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index rose from 0.318 in 2000 to 0.886 in 2025.
Which governance & institutions statistics are missing for Gambia?
No current reading is published for Gambia on Agriculture Orientation Index, Disability Benefit Coverage, Government Funding per Primary Student and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Governance is not democracy. Free elections, civil liberties and press freedom belong to the Democracy & Civil Liberties topic, and a country can place well on one and poorly on the other. How openly official data is published sits here as context, beside the statistical capacity that is a key. Nor does this topic measure the size of government or how much it spends — the share of the economy run by the state is published on this page as context, with no better end.
How the Governance & Institutions standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The governance & institutions method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Government Effectiveness — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Statistical Performance Indicators — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Corruption Perceptions Index — Transparency International, CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
- Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 41 statistics on this page come from 12 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Gambia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Gambia (banner) — Mishimito, CC BY 2.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- New Zealand — Karora derivative work: Inkey, Public domain
- Sweden — User:Pieter Kuiper, Public domain
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Gambia: Governance & Institutions — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/gambia/governance