77% of Gambians say the country is heading in the wrong direction, survey finds

A new survey by Afrobarometer has found that 77% of Gambians believe the country is heading in the “wrong direction,” marking a sharp increase from 29% in 2018. The findings highlight growing public dissatisfaction with the state of the nation.

Afrobarometer, a Pan-African, non-partisan research network, conducted the survey in April and May 2024 through its local partner, the Center for Research and Policy Development. The survey interviewed 1,200 adult Gambians and explored citizens’ views on governance, democracy, and quality of life.

The report shows a significant decline in the public’s perception of the country’s economic condition. Only 19% of respondents rated the economy as “fairly good” or “very good,” a sharp drop from 58% in 2018. Economic challenges remain a key concern, with rising costs of living, health, and crime and security being the top issues citizens want the government to address.

“More than three-fourths (77%) of Gambians say the country is heading in the wrong direction. This represents a 48-point increase since 2018. Approval ratings for the government’s economic performance have plummeted since 2018 and 2021,” the report stated.

Despite the negative trends, the survey noted areas of progress under President Barrow’s leadership. These include greater freedom of speech (80%), increased youth (69%) and women’s (67%) participation in politics, improved respect for human rights (65%), and better preservation of law and order (55%).

However, peace and security remain a pressing issue, with 68% of respondents believing the situation has worsened. The report also revealed that a majority of Gambians disapprove of the performance of President Barrow (62%), members of Parliament (65%), and local government councillors (60%) over the past year.

Afrobarometer’s earlier survey, released last week, highlighted that 68% of Gambians have considered leaving the country, up from 56% in 2018. Economic hardships and the pursuit of better job opportunities were cited as the main reasons behind this trend.

The findings underscore the need for urgent government intervention to address citizens’ concerns and improve living conditions in the country.