⚠️ Colonial-era figures are historical records only. These counts use inconsistent geography and methods across census years, often exclude parts of the population, and are NOT directly comparable with post-independence GBOS censuses. Quality flags indicate relative reliability.
Population Growth 1881–1963
188140,000
First British colonial census — Bathurst (Banjul) only. Tax register + headman count.
189145,000
Expanded to include Kombo region. Door-to-door in Bathurst only.
190190,000
Protectorate areas included. Headman submission + tax rolls. Significant undercounting likely.
1911101,000
More comprehensive enumeration via District Commissioner returns.
1921201,520
House-to-house in major settlements. Major scope expansion — reflects improved methodology.
1931199,520
Slight apparent decline reflects enumeration gaps, not population decline.
1941214,000
Wartime estimate only — no field enumeration during WWII. Extrapolated from 1931.
1951274,000
Most systematic colonial census. Used for post-independence planning. First to classify by ethnicity.
1963315,486
First post-independence national census. Sets modern demographic baseline.
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
OFFICIAL
Sources: British National Archives · GBOS · Curtin (1975) · FORTIS OS™ — © FORTIS INVICTA LTD