Population and Demographics

Almost all Gabonese are of Bantu origin. However, Gabon has at least 40 ethnic groups with separate languages and cultures. The Fang are generally thought to be the largest, although recent census data seem to favour the Bandjabi (or Nzebi). Other groups include the Myene, Bakota, Eshira, Bapounou and Okande. However, ethnic group boundaries are less sharply drawn in Gabon than elsewhere in Africa.

More than 10,000 French people live in Gabon, and France dominates foreign cultural and commercial influences. Most inhabitants (55-75 %) are Christians (mostly members of the Roman Catholic Church), whilst minority religious groups include animists, Muslims and practitioners of indigenous African religions.