World Happiness Report for Equatorial Guinea 2024
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Equatorial Guinea. GQ.
Equatorial Guinea is a small country located on the west coast of Central Africa. It is known for its political structure as a presidential republic with a dominant party system. The country has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from its indigenous population as well as Spanish colonialism. Equatorial Guinea is one of the largest oil producers in sub-Saharan Africa, making it economically significant in the region.
- Equatorial Guinea is the only African country where Spanish is the official language.
- The country is composed of a mainland portion, Río Muni, and several islands, including Bioko where the capital, Malabo, is located.
- Equatorial Guinea has a diverse mix of ethnic groups, with Fang being the largest.
Equatorial Guinea – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History: The territory of modern-day Equatorial Guinea was inhabited by various Bantu tribes, including the Bubi, Fang, and Ndowe, for centuries before European colonization. The island of Bioko (formerly Fernando Po) was first explored by the Portuguese in the late 15th century, while the mainland region of Rio Muni was settled by the Ndowe people.
Colonial Period: Portugal initially claimed the island of Bioko, but it was later ceded to Spain in 1778. Spain also gained control over Rio Muni in 1900, and the two territories were unified as the colony of Spanish Guinea in 1926. The country experienced a long period of Spanish colonial rule, marked by exploitation of natural resources and the suppression of indigenous cultures.
Independence and Modern Era: Equatorial Guinea gained independence from Spain on October 12, 1968, after years of struggle led by various nationalist movements. The country’s first president, Francisco Macías Nguema, established a brutal dictatorship and oversaw extensive human rights abuses. He was overthrown in a coup d’état in 1979, led by his nephew, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the country ever since, making him one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state.
Current Political Situation: Equatorial Guinea is a unitary presidential republic, with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo serving as the President since 1979. The country has been criticized for its lack of democracy, human rights violations, and widespread corruption. However, its economy has benefited from the discovery of significant oil and gas reserves.
International Relations: Equatorial Guinea is a member of various international organizations, including the United Nations, African Union, and OPEC. It has maintained close ties with countries like France, Spain, and the United States due to its strategic location and natural resources.
Human Development and Economy: Despite its oil and gas wealth, Equatorial Guinea has struggled with income inequality and human development challenges. The economy is heavily dependent on the hydrocarbon industry, and efforts are underway to diversify into sectors like agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
Cultural Highlights: Equatorial Guinea is a culturally diverse nation, with influences from its indigenous Bantu tribes and Spanish colonial heritage. The majority of the population adheres to Christianity, with a significant presence of Protestantism and Catholicism. Spanish and French are the official languages, while various Bantu languages are also spoken.
Conclusion: Equatorial Guinea faces significant challenges, including addressing human rights concerns, reducing corruption, and promoting sustainable development. However, with its strategic location, natural resources, and potential for economic diversification, the country has opportunities to improve its human development indicators and establish itself as a stable and prosperous nation in the region.
Main facts
Location
Equatorial Guinea is a small country located in West Central Africa. It is bordered by Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the east and south. Its insular region of Bioko Island lies in the Gulf of Guinea, while its mainland region of Río Muni shares a short coastline with the Atlantic Ocean.
Map References
Equatorial Guinea is situated in the Central Africa region of the African continent.
Area – Comparative
The total area of Equatorial Guinea is approximately 28,051 square kilometers, which is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maryland.
Land Boundaries and Border Countries
The total land boundary length of Equatorial Guinea is 539 kilometers. It shares borders with the following countries:
Coastline
Equatorial Guinea has a coastline of 296 kilometers along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Maritime Claims
Equatorial Guinea claims the following maritime zones:
- Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
- Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
Climate
Equatorial Guinea has a tropical climate with distinct dry and wet seasons. The climate is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 33°C throughout the year.
Terrain
Equatorial Guinea has a diverse terrain, including coastal plains, valleys, and plateaus. The mainland region of Río Muni is dominated by the Niefang Massif, while the island of Bioko features volcanic peaks and steep slopes.
Elevation Extremes
The lowest point in Equatorial Guinea is the Atlantic Ocean at 0 meters, while the highest point is Pico Basile, a volcanic peak on Bioko Island, reaching 3,008 meters above sea level.
Natural Resources
Equatorial Guinea’s major natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand, and gravel.
Major Bodies of Water
The significant bodies of water in Equatorial Guinea include:
- Atlantic Ocean
- Gulf of Guinea
- Wele River (shared with Gabon)
- Ntem River (shared with Cameroon and Gabon)
Natural Hazards
The main natural hazards in Equatorial Guinea include:
- Violent winds and flash floods
- Droughts
- Volcanic activity on Bioko Island
Geography – Notes
Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest countries in continental Africa, with a population concentrated on the mainland and the island of Bioko. Despite its small size, it has significant oil and natural gas reserves, which have contributed to its economic growth in recent years.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 55.50%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 5,655. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 10.10%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 1.65080110.267895.
- Capital: The capital of Equatorial Guinea is Malabo
- Major Cities:
- Bata – Population: 250,770
- Malabo – Population: 297,000
- Ebebiyin – Population: 24,831
- Aconibe – Population: 11,149
- Population: 1,355,986
- Area(Km2): 28051
- Population Density( P/Km²):50. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:240
- Official Language(s):The primary language spoken in Equatorial Guinea is Spanish, with approximately 67% of the population speaking it.
- Currency: XAF
Main Economic Indicators
Equatorial Guinea has a small, wealthy economy driven primarily by the production of oil and gas. Despite its status as a middle-income country, it faces significant economic challenges, including an over-reliance on the energy sector, limited economic diversification, and high levels of poverty and inequality. The government has prioritized infrastructure development and economic diversification efforts.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 3.8% (Source: International Monetary Fund)
2020: 4.8% (Source: International Monetary Fund)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: Not Rated
Moody’s: Not Rated
Standard & Poor’s: Not Rated
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 2.1%
Industry: 39.1% (includes petroleum)
Services: 58.8%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava, bananas, palm oil nuts, livestock
Industrial Products: Petroleum, natural gas, sawmill products, cement
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 390,000 (2022 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: Not available
Current Account Balance
2021: $-1.34 billion (Source: International Monetary Fund)
2020: $-1.45 billion (Source: International Monetary Fund)
Comparative Ranking: Not available
Exports and Imports
Exports: $4.31 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Export Partners: Spain, France, Netherlands, China, Italy
Main Exports: Petroleum, timber
Imports: $2.84 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Import Partners: Spain, China, United States, France, Italy
Main Imports: Machinery, vehicles, minerals, chemicals
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $528 million (2021 estimate)
Gold Reserves: Not available
- GDP (Current US$):$11,026,774,945. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 6.10%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 79.40%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. . It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $1.05. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 6.43%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality: noun – Equatorial Guinean(s), adjective – Equatorial Guinean
2. Ethnic Groups
– Fang 85.7%
– Bubi 6.5%
– Mdowe 3.6%
– Annobon 1.6%
– Bujeba 1.1%
– Other 1.4%
3. Religions
– Roman Catholic 57.1%
– Protestant 26.6% (Evangelical Christian 5.1%, other Protestant 21.5%)
– Muslim 4.2%
– Folk religion 5.6%
– Other 0.4%
– None 6.1%
4. Age Structure
– 0-14 years: 38.38%
– 15-64 years: 58.6%
– 65 years and over: 3.02%
5. Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 70.7
Youth dependency ratio: 65.5
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.2
6. Median Age
Total: 21.3 years
Male: 20.9 years
Female: 21.8 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity rate: 14.6% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita: 8.8 liters (2010)
Tobacco use: Data not available
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 58.4. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 95.3%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:33.24. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:9. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 4.51. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 20.4%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 984,812. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):72.00%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Equatorial Guinea’s military consists of the following main branches:
- Army – Includes Presidential Guard and infantry battalions
- Navy – Primarily focused on coastal defense and maritime security
- National Police – Responsible for maintaining internal security and law enforcement
There are no known special units or foreign legions within the military.
Military Expenditures
Military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 0.9%
- 2021: 1.0%
- 2020: 0.8%
- 2019: 0.7%
- 2018: 0.6%
Globally, Equatorial Guinea’s military spending ranks among the lower end of countries.
Personnel Strengths
Total active-duty military personnel: 2,500
- Army: 1,200
- Navy: 600
- Air Force: 200
- Paramilitary Forces: 500 (National Police)
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Equatorial Guinea’s military equipment is largely imported and consists of:
- Armored vehicles, artillery pieces, and light infantry weapons
- A small number of patrol craft for coastal defense
- No significant future acquisitions or development programs are known
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service is voluntary, with the following age requirements:
- Army: 16-35 years old
- Navy: 16-35 years old
- Air Force: 16-35 years old
There are no known special enlistment programs or recent changes to service policies.
Military Deployments
Equatorial Guinea has no known overseas military deployments or significant involvement in international peacekeeping missions.
Strategic Military Notes
Equatorial Guinea’s defense strategy is primarily focused on:
- Protecting territorial integrity and natural resources, particularly offshore oil and gas reserves
- Maintaining internal security and stability
The military plays a limited role in international security and does not have notable military alliances or partnerships beyond regional cooperation frameworks.
- Armed Forces Size: 1500. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.4
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 62.00%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.