The rank of Gabon from the poorest is 117 and from the richest is 86 measured in atlas method in 2003. In other measurement IMF,WB, and CIA measured in nominal method in 2007,2007, and 2008
IMF......................................WB..........................................CIA
rank/measure....................rank/measure...............................rank/measure
59/8,085............................50/8,011...................................60/7,759
Gabon’s economic freedom score is 57.8, making its economy the 99th freest in
the 2013 Index. Its overall score is 1.4 points higher than last year,
reflecting notable improvements in investment freedom, labor freedom, and
freedom from corruption. Gabon is ranked 14th out of 46 countries in the
Sub-Saharan Africa region, and its overall score is lower than the world
average.
The Gabonese economy has moved toward greater economic freedom over the past
five years, but progress has been sluggish and uneven. Underperforming in many
critical areas, the economy continues to suffer from the legacy of the previous
state-led development approach. Open-market policies have not been advanced
strongly. Tariff and non-tariff barriers constrain the flow of goods and
services and undermine integration into the global market. The lack of access to
financing, coupled with the bureaucratic investment regime, precludes
entrepreneurial growth and perpetuates overreliance on oil.
The absence of an independent and fair judiciary weakens the rule of law and
further undercuts prospects for long-term sustainable economic development.
Corruption is pervasive, and the efficiency of government services is poor.
In 1968, President Omar Bongo declared Gabon a one-party state. He ruled until
his death in 2009 when his son, Ali Ben Bongo, replaced him. The 1991
constitution ushered in reforms, including multi-party democracy with freedom of
assembly and the press, but the democratic process remains deeply flawed. In
December 2011, Bongo’s Gabonese Democratic Party won elections that were
boycotted by opposition parties. In February 2012, Raymond Ndong Sima became
prime minister. Gabon is Africa’s third-largest oil producer. In 2006, oil
accounted for over 50 percent of GDP, over 60 percent of government revenues,
and over 80 percent of exports, but oil revenue is controlled by the state, and
most of the population remains poor. Oil production is declining, and investment
is low. Forestry and mineral production are also economically important.
The rule of law is uneven across the country. The judicial system is
inefficient, and protections for property rights are not strongly enforced. The
judiciary lacks transparency and is subject to political interference from the
executive. Enforcement of contracts can be lax. Pervasive corruption remains a
serious concern, severely undermining the foundations for growth.
