Gabon’s Human Development Takes a Steep Decline Since 2021

The Gabonese economy has been experiencing a worrying decline in human development since 2021, according to the latest report on national development (RNDH 2026).

The country’s Human Development Index (IDH) plummeted from 0.704 in 2020 to 0.693 in 2021, pushing Gabon out of the category of high-human-development countries and relegating it to a medium-human-development status.

The report highlights several structural weaknesses that hinder progress. Despite an improvement in life expectancy, it remains lower than that of other high-human-development countries due to regional disparities in access to specialized healthcare and the rise of chronic diseases. The education system is also plagued by inefficiencies, including a low rate of secondary school completion, inadequate training programs, and high dropout rates.

The report attributes these challenges to a combination of factors, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare systems, the persistent dependence on oil revenues, volatility in global oil prices, reduced public investment, and political uncertainties surrounding the 2023 institutional transition.

Structural Weaknesses That Limit Human Progress

The report also identifies several structural weaknesses that need to be addressed. Despite improvements in life expectancy, the country’s healthcare system still lags behind its peers due to regional disparities in access to specialized care and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.

The education sector is also marred by inefficiencies, including a low rate of secondary school completion, inadequate training programs, and high dropout rates. Furthermore, the country’s economy remains heavily reliant on oil exports, leaving it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices and making it difficult to achieve sustainable growth.

In light of these challenges, the RNDH 2026 report calls for a fundamental transformation of Gabon’s development model. It recommends reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues by accelerating economic diversification, strengthening investment in healthcare and education, developing vocational training programs that align with market demands, and promoting entrepreneurship and youth employment as key drivers of sustainable human development.

Only a policy focused on human capital, innovation, and inclusive growth can help Gabon reverse this worrying trend and achieve durable improvements in its Human Development Index.