Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers landed on Bioko Island, and Portugal soon after established control of the island and other areas of modern Equatorial Guinea. In 1778, Portugal ceded its colonial hold over present-day Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. The borders of modern-day Equatorial Guinea would evolve between 1778 and 1968 as the area remained under European colonial rule.
In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain and elected Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA as its first president. MACIAS consolidated power soon after his election and ruled brutally for over a decade. Under his regime, Equatorial Guinea experienced mass suppression, purges, and killings. Some estimates indicate that a third of the population either went into exile or was killed under MACIAS’ rule. In 1979, present-day President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, then a senior military officer, deposed MACIAS in a violent coup. OBIANG has ruled since and has been elected in non-competitive contests several times, most recently in 2022. The president exerts near-total control over the political system.
Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in 2004 and has declined since. The country’s economic windfall from oil production resulted in massive increases in government revenue, a significant portion of which was earmarked for infrastructure development. Systemic corruption, however, has hindered socio-economic development, and the population has seen only limited improvements to living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy, increase foreign investment, and assume a greater role in regional and international affairs.
Geography
Location
Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Geographic coordinates
2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total : 28,051 sq km
land: 28,051 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 145
Area – comparative
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries
total: 528 km
border countries (2): Cameroon 183 km; Gabon 345 km
Coastline
296 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain
coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Elevation
highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 577 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
Land use
agricultural land: 3.7% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.9% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)
forest: 86.7% (2022 est.)
other: 9.6% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
NA
Population distribution
the two large cities are Bata on the mainland and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko; small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands, as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards
violent windstorms; flash floods
volcanism: Santa Isabel (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
Geography – note
insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the equator passes through Equatorial Guinea — the mainland part of the country is located just north of the equator
People and Society
Population
total: 1,795,834 (2024 est.)
male: 962,385
female: 833,449
comparison rankings: total 154; female 153; male 153
Nationality
noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic groups
Fang 78.1%, Bubi 9.4%, Ndowe 2.8%, Nanguedambo 2.7%, Bisio 0.9%, foreigner 5.3%, other 0.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Fa d’Ambo spoken in Annobon) 32.4% (1994 est.)
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Spanish audio sample:
Religions
Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha’i, Jewish) (2015 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 35.6% (male 330,636/female 309,528)
15-64 years: 59.4% (male 585,139/female 481,121)
65 years and over: 5% (2024 est.) (male 46,610/female 42,800)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 68.4 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 60 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 8.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 11.9 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 22.1 years (2024 est.)
male: 22.7 years
female: 21.5 years
comparison ranking: total 186
Population growth rate
3.23% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 5
Birth rate
29 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 28
Death rate
8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 61
Net migration rate
12.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 6
Population distribution
the two large cities are Bata on the mainland and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko; small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
urban population: 74.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.22 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female
total population: 1.16 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
212 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 45
Infant mortality rate
total: 77.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 83.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 71.3 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 4
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 63.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 61.6 years
female: 66.2 years
comparison ranking: total population 210
Total fertility rate
4.12 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 21
Gross reproduction rate
2.03 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 81.7% of population
rural: 32.1% of population
total: 67.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 18.3% of population
rural: 67.9% of population
total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.)
Health expenditure
3.4% of GDP (2021)
4.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 81.2% of population
rural: 63.4% of population
total: 76.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 18.8% of population
rural: 36.6% of population
total: 23.8% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
8% (2016)
comparison ranking: 156
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 6.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 1.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 69
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
60.2% (2023 est.)
Literacy
total population: 95.3%
male: 97.4%
female: 93% (2015)
Environment
Environment – current issues
deforestation (agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution; tap water non-potable; wildlife preservation
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Climate
tropical; always hot, humid
Land use
agricultural land: 3.7% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.9% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)
forest: 86.7% (2022 est.)
other: 9.6% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 74.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 25.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 5.65 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 11.21 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 198,443 tons (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources
26 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea
local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ République de Guinée équatoriale (French)
local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/Guinée équatoriale (French)
former: Spanish Guinea
etymology: the country is named for the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; the “equatorial” refers to the fact that the country lies just north of the Equator
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Malabo; note – Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region.
geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: English settlers who founded the city in 1827 named it Port Clarence after the Duke of CLARENCE; the Spanish renamed it Santa Isabel in 1843, for Queen ISABELLA II of Spain; it was renamed again in 1973 after King MALABO (1837–1937), the last king of the Bubi (local ethnic group)
Administrative divisions
8 provinces (provincias, singular – provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Legal system
mixed system of civil and customary law
Constitution
history: previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979)
head of government: Prime Minister Manuela ROKA Botey (since 1 February 2023)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 November 2022 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president; President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)
election results:
2022: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote – OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 95%, other 6.1%
2016: OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote – OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 93.5%, other 6.5%
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Parlamento)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de los Diputados)
number of seats: 100 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 11/20/2022
parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (100)
percentage of women in chamber: 31%
expected date of next election: November 2027
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: Senate (Senado)
number of seats: 70 (55 directly elected; 15 appointed)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 11/20/2022
parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) and its allies (55)
percentage of women in chamber: 25%
expected date of next election: November 2027
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the President of the Supreme Court and nine judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for five-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president, 2 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies
subordinate courts: Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals
Political parties
Center Right Union or UCD
Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS
Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE
Liberal Democratic Convention or CLD
Liberal Party or PL
National Congress of Equatorial Guinea (CNGE)
National Democratic Party (PNDGE)
National Democratic Union or UDENA
National Union for Democracy PUNDGE
Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE
Popular Union or UP
Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP
Social and Popular Convergence Party or CSDP
Social Democratic Coalition Party (PCSD)
Social Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea or PSDGE
Social Democratic Union or UDS
Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Crisantos OBAMA ONDO (since 27 February 2024)
chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700
FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.egembassydc.com/
consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador David R. GILMOUR (since 24 May 2022)
embassy: Malabo II Highway (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo
mailing address: 2320 Malabo Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone: [240] 333 09-57-41
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://gq.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, Francophonie, 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)
Independence
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
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; below is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green stands for the jungle and natural resources, blue for the sea, white for peace, and red for the fight for independence
National symbol(s)
silk cotton tree
National colors
green, white, red, blue
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
Economic overview
growing CEMAC economy and new OPEC member; large oil and gas reserves; targeting economic diversification and poverty reduction; still recovering from CEMAC crisis; improving public financial management; persistent poverty; hard-hit by COVID-19
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$28.985 billion (2023 est.)
$30.539 billion (2022 est.)
$29.585 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 150
Real GDP growth rate
-5.09% (2023 est.)
3.22% (2022 est.)
0.86% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 213
Real GDP per capita
$15,700 (2023 est.)
$16,900 (2022 est.)
$16,800 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 121
GDP (official exchange rate)
$12.338 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.8% (2022 est.)
-0.1% (2021 est.)
4.8% (2020 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 148
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 3.1% (2023 est.)
industry: 46.5% (2023 est.)
services: 50.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 150; industry 17; agriculture 137
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 52.7% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 26.2% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 9.3% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 36.6% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -24.8% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sweet potatoes, cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, root vegetables, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa beans, chicken (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling
Industrial production growth rate
-12.92% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 213
Labor force
715,000 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 156
Unemployment rate
7.8% (2024 est.)
8.4% (2023 est.)
8.5% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 142
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 14.7% (2024 est.)
male: 13.9% (2024 est.)
female: 15.7% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 88
Remittances
0% of GDP (2023 est.)
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
0% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
revenues: $3.62 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $1.512 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
37.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 139
Taxes and other revenues
6.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 195
Current account balance
-$738 million (2017 est.)
-$1.457 billion (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 132
Exports
$4.516 billion (2023 est.)
$7.25 billion (2022 est.)
$5.513 billion (2021 est.)
note: GDP expenditure basis – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 143
Exports – partners
China 27%, Netherlands 12%, Spain 10%, Italy 7%, Germany 6% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, alcohols, wood, scrap iron (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$3.065 billion (2023 est.)
$3.948 billion (2022 est.)
$3.889 billion (2021 est.)
note: GDP expenditure basis – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 164
Imports – partners
China 20%, Spain 17%, USA 10%, Gabon 5%, UK 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
ships, poultry, plastic products, beer, valves (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$1.538 billion (2023 est.)
$1.458 billion (2022 est.)
$44.271 million (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 137
Exchange rates
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
606.345 (2024 est.)
606.57 (2023 est.)
623.76 (2022 est.)
554.531 (2021 est.)
575.586 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 67% (2022 est.)
electrification – urban areas: 89.8%
electrification – rural areas: 1.4%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 349,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.402 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 170.527 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 61; consumption 157; installed generating capacity 159
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 68.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 31.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 8 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 98,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 6.013 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 2.332 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 3.63 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 139.007 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
5.471 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 1 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 896,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 4.575 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 135
Energy consumption per capita
54.509 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 91
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 11,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.) less than 1
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 184
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 893,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 167
Broadcast media
the state maintains control of broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president’s eldest son, 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 generally accessible (2019)
Internet country code
.gq
Internet users
percent of population: 60% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 2,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
comparison ranking: total 202
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
3C
Airports
7 (2025)
comparison ranking: 171
Merchant marine
total: 53 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 16, oil tanker 7, other 29
comparison ranking: total 118
Ports
total ports: 7 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 6
ports with oil terminals: 6
key ports: Bata, Ceiba Terminal, Cogo, Luba, Malabo, Punta Europa Terminal, Serpentina Terminal
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2025)
note: the National Police report to the Ministry of National Security, while the Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of National Defense; police generally are responsible for maintaining law and order in the cities, while gendarmes are responsible for security outside cities and for special events
Military expenditures
1% of GDP (2024)
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 2,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years, it has sought to modernize its naval inventory with purchases of vessels from several countries, including Bulgaria and Israel; China and Russia have also supplied some equipment to the FAGE (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 24-month service obligation (2023)
Military – note
the Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea (FAGE) are responsible for defending the territory and sovereignty of the country; the FAGE also has some internal security duties, including fulfilling some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas; maritime security, particularly protecting offshore oil installations and combating piracy and crime in the Gulf of Guinea, is a key priority (2024)
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/equatorial-guinea/
