Demographics of Equatorial Guinea

Native ethnic groups

The majority of the people of Equatorial Guinea are of Niger-Congo origin. The largest ethnic group, the Fang, are indigenous to the mainland, but substantial migration to Bioko Island has resulted in Fang dominance over the earlier Bubi inhabitants. The Fang constitute 80% of the population and are themselves divided into 67 clans. Those in the northern part of Rio Muni speak Fang-Ntumu, while those in the south speak Fang-Okah; the two dialects are mutually unintelligible. The Bubi, who constitute 15% of the population, are indigenous to Bioko Island.^{[citation needed]}

In addition, there are coastal ethnic groups, collectively referred to as Ndowe or Playeros ("Beach People" in Spanish): Combes, Bujebas, Balengues and Bengas on the mainland and small islands and a Fernandino community of Krio descended people on Bioko. Together, these groups compose 5% of the population.^{[citation needed]}

Two small groups of Pygmies also inhabit the country, the Beyele and the Bokuign, the former being located in the Altos de Nsork region. Their population is dwindling, them being subjected to heavy pressure from their neighbours, who don't even consider them as human.

Recently immigrated peoples

Some Europeans (largely of Spanish or Portuguese descent) – among them mixed with African ethnicity – also live in the nation. Most Spaniards left after independence. There is a growing number of foreigners from neighboring Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon. Equatorial Guinea received Asians and black Africans from other countries as workers on cocoa and coffee plantations. There are some hundreds of Latin Americans in the country since the late 20th century. 17,000 Spanish people and 5,000 Chinese people also live in Equatorial Guinea. The non-Africans living in Equatorial Guinea represent almost 10% of the nation's total population. Other black Africans came from Liberia, Angola, and Mozambique, and Asians are mostly Chinese with small numbers of Indians. Equatorial Guinea also allowed many fortune-seeking European settlers of other nationalities, including British, French and Germans. After independence, thousands of Equatorial Guineans went to Spain. Another 100,000 Equatorial Guineans went to Cameroon, Gabon, and Nigeria because of dictatorship of Francisco Macías Nguema. Some of its communities also live in Brazil, United States, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Portugal, and France.

Languages of traditional names

Equatoguineans tend to have both a Spanish first name and an African first and last name. When written, the Spanish and African first names are followed by the father's first name (which becomes the principal surname) and the mother's first name. Thus people may have up to four names, with a different surname for each generation.

Population

1,679,173 (2022 est.)

836,178 (July 2020 est.)

note: 2002 census results claim 1,015,000 residents, although this was most likely inflated in anticipation for the December election.

Languages

Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Portuguese-based Creoles spoken in Ano Bom) 32.4% (1994 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.)

Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2010 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 38.73% (male 164,417 /female 159,400)

15-24 years: 19.94% (male 84,820 /female 81,880)

25-54 years: 32.72% (male 137,632 /female 135,973)

55-64 years: 4.69% (male 17,252 /female 22,006)

65 years and over: 3.92% (male 13,464 /female 19,334) (2020 est.)

Population growth rate

3.5% (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 5th

2.35% (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 29th

Birth rate

29.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 30th

30.7 births/1,000 population (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 31st

Death rate

8.95 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 62nd

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 112th

Total fertility rate

4.19 children born/woman (2023 est.) Country comparison to the world: 20th

4.26 children born/woman (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 24th

4.11 children born/woman (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 29th

Median age

total: 20.3 years. Country comparison to the world: 192nd

male: 19.9 years

female: 20.7 years (2020 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

12.6% (2011)

Net migration rate

13.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 3rd

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 81st

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 72.16 (2022 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 60.5 (2020 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 3.9 (2020 est.)

potential support ratio: 25.5 (2020 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 74% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population: 73.1% of total population (2020)

rate of urbanization: 4.28% annual rate of change (2015–20 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15–64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 63.7 years. Country comparison to the world: 206th

male: 61.44 years

female: 66.03 years (2022 est.)

total population: 65.7 years (2020 est.) Country comparison to the world: 192nd

male: 64.4 years (2020 est.)

female: 66.9 years (2020 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

total population: 95.3% (2015 est.)

male: 97.4% (2015 est.)

female: 93% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

animal contact diseases: rabies