180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Recommend CautionLGBT+ visiting: Not Recommended
The Gambia is basically a river with a country attached, and it makes for the gentlest introduction to West Africa going: easy Atlantic beaches, lazy boat trips upstream, and birdlife that has serious twitchers weeping into their binoculars. Petty crime is about the extent of the everyday worry. The law is another matter — homosexuality carries a life sentence, so LGBT+ travellers should steer clear.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
The Gambia: 8.0
Ranked 47th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
An estimated 7.95 homicides per 100,000 people — an elevated rate by world standards. The 2021 estimate is the freshest figure that exists.
Higher than 72% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
The Gambia: 1.9
Ranked 71st most peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 66% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 1.855.
Climbed 16 places since 2024 — one of the year's bigger rises.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
The Gambia: 6.8
Ranked 89th freest country in the world.
Less free than 52% of the 165 countries measured — 6.83 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 6.77; doing business and owning property, 6.93.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
The Gambia: Life
Ranked 19th least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Homosexuality is criminalised here, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
No public-opinion data is available for this country.