Costs in Gambia

The Gambia has no single national cost-of-living office or universal household budget benefit. A reliable estimate combines Consumer Price Index data from the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS), household and transport statistics, regulated tariffs from the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), education and health policies, and current quotations from local providers, markets, schools and clinics. Formal tariffs and policies provide a reference, but rents, market prices, private services and informal arrangements can differ substantially. The Dalasi, written as GMD, should be the main budget currency; foreign-currency exposure should be shown separately when costs depend on imported goods or exchange rates. GBoS reported a national poverty rate of 53.4% in 2020, compared with 35.4% in urban areas and 64.6% in rural areas. In July 2026, GBoS reported an overall Consumer Price Index of 184.74, a food and non-alcoholic beverages index of 206.23 and annual inflation of 7.0%. These figures show price trends rather than the amount a particular household will pay. Food prices, rent, transport, school charges and clinic fees can change faster than a general index, so estimates should be checked again at the date of a move, enrolment, lease or major purchase. Housing costs include rent, a deposit, furnishing, security, possible shared or compound-room arrangements and the cost of connecting or maintaining utilities. Electricity, water, generator use, fuel, cleaning or other services may be included in a lease or charged separately. The Greater Banjul Area, especially tourism-facing locations, often has higher and more volatile housing costs than rural areas. The Gambia has no national rent list that can replace local checks. Compare at least two local offers and record the rent, deposit, lease term, included services, utility responsibility and any payment schedule in writing. Utility access and charges depend on the network and the property. NAWEC network service is concentrated in the Greater Banjul Area and ten Provincial Growth Centers, while coverage and reliability vary regionally. PURA's 2023 domestic electricity tariff was GMD 13.85 per kilowatt-hour for 0 to 300 kilowatt-hours, GMD 14.06 for 301 to 600, GMD 14.43 for 601 to 1,000 and GMD 15.46 above 1,000. The domestic prepaid tariff was a flat GMD 13.85 per kilowatt-hour. Domestic water was priced at GMD 6.48 per cubic metre for 0 to 10 cubic metres, GMD 14.15 for 11 to 25, GMD 18.86 for 26 to 40 and GMD 23.58 for the balance. Domestic sewage charges from local authorities were listed at GMD 5 per cubic metre. Connection, meter, service, generator, fuel, storage-tank, borehole or solar costs may add to these charges. Check the meter reading, receipt, billing basis and whether backup power or water is included. Food budgets usually cover rice, other cereals, cooking oil, sugar, vegetables, fish or meat, milk and cooking fuel. Prices respond to imports, seasons, market location and foreign-exchange movements. Open markets and formal retailers can have different prices and product ranges. The World Bank has estimated that food accounts for about 65% of spending among poor households, but there is no fixed national food allowance for every household. A useful estimate records prices during several visits to the intended market and adjusts them for household size, diet, storage and cooking equipment. Mobility may involve shared taxis, gele-gele minibuses, taxis or a private vehicle. Availability, travel connections and fares differ between the Greater Banjul Area and rural locations and can change with fuel prices and the season. A private vehicle adds one-off purchase and registration costs plus recurring insurance, maintenance, repairs and fuel. GBoS Transport Statistics 2025 provide transport evidence, but no single national household mobility tariff replaces local fare checks. Health costs depend on whether care comes from a public, private, NGO or traditional provider. A consultation fee may cover only part of the expense; medicines, tests, referrals, transport, emergency treatment and treatment abroad can create much larger costs. Facility and provider fee schedules are not uniform. The Ministry of Health works with the National Health Insurance Scheme and the National Health Insurance Authority, but current eligibility, benefits and participating-provider coverage should be verified when planning a budget. Policy documents aim to reduce direct payments through prepayment and national health insurance, while the implementation position should not be assumed from that policy aim. Keep a separate emergency reserve for health costs. For public basic and secondary education, policy has abolished school fees and levies, but households can still pay for uniforms, stationery, meals, transport and optional tutoring. Private, grant-aided, Madrassa, early-childhood and tertiary education usually have institution- or programme-specific charges. GABECE and WASSCE examination or registration costs, boarding and school materials may add to the total. The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education describes a 3-6-3-3 system. Check the school's current calendar and fee sheet directly rather than relying on a general estimate. Family costs often include childcare, elder care, disability support, school expenses, ceremonies and remittances. These obligations are largely organized by households and communities, so they should appear as separate budget lines instead of being hidden in a general contingency amount. Eligibility for formal support should be checked for the specific programme and should not be assumed from household circumstances alone. Communication costs include mobile voice and data, SIM cards, devices, charging and replacement. The main mobile network operators identified by PURA are GAMCEL, Africell, Comium and QCell. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the average normal-data price for 1 GB was about GMD 106.25. Local on-network calls were approximately GMD 2.50 to 2.70, while off-network calls were approximately GMD 2.60 to 3.70. Bundle validity, network coverage, electricity for charging and device replacement can change the monthly total, so current provider terms should be checked. Leisure spending may include beaches, tourism activities, sport, events and hospitality. Entry fees, transport and food should be counted separately. Prices are often higher in Greater Banjul and coastal or tourism-facing areas and can change with location and season. A monthly baseline can list rent, utilities, food, mobility, health, education, family support, communication, leisure and a contingency amount. A separate one-off setup budget can include the deposit, furnishings, utility connection or meter, devices, school materials and vehicle costs. Stress-test the result for inflation, exchange-rate changes, fuel increases, seasonal prices, power outages and the cost of backup services. Banking, debt and taxes are separate topics; include them only when they directly affect a stated payment or cash-flow calculation.