Social, demographic and cultural aspects of Equatorial Guinea
Fernández Moreno, Nuria . (1996) Social, demographic and cultural aspects of Equatorial Guinea. Research and Reviews ill Parasitology, (vol. 56 nº 2-3), 1996, p. 85-89. ISSN 1133-8466
Ficheros
(Some files may be inaccessible until you login with your e-spacio credentials)
In Equatorial Guinea, the total population was 350000 in 1991. The population pyramid presents a broad base (due to the large proportion of children: 43% of the total population is under the age of 15 years) that tapers off to a narrow vertex (due to the low life expectancy: only 6,4% of the population is over 80). The estimated life expectancy in 1996 was 45 years in males and 51 years in females. The mean population density is 10 inhabitants per km' though the distribution is by no means homogeneous. The highest population density corresponds to the province of Kie- Ntem, with 17 inhabitants per km'; however, the island territories present the highest densities of the whole country, with 60 and 120 inhabitants per km' on North Bioko and Annob6n, respectively. The two main urban centers are the capital, Malabo, on the island of Bioko, with an estimated population of 58000 (60% of the total population on Bioko), and Bata, on the continent (population: approx. 45000). Seventy percent of the population of Equatorial Guinea lives in rural areas. Social indicators include: annual population growth rate (1991): 2,4%; global fertility rate (1988): 5,64 offspring per female; gross birth rate (J 989): 4,3%; gross mortality rate (1989): 1,9%; gross infant mortality rate (1989): 21,4%; illiteracy rate: 45%, of which over half are women; 23% of the population has completed primary schooling, 0,5% secondary education, and 0.2% university studies; of the latter, a full 88% are males; just under half of the population (48%) is employed, though only 38% are women. In economical terms, Equatorial Guinea possesses a free market economy, in which the private sector predominates. Expansion is hampered, however, by the precarious condition of the infrastructure, among other factors. The economy is basically fundamented upon two sectors: the exploitation of forest resources and agriculture, which involves 80% of the active population. Equatorial Guinea is included among the least developed countries, with severe deficiencies in terms of basic needs in nutrition, health, education and housing. The Fang are the predominant ethnic group in Equatorial Guinea, representing 82% of the global population. They are in turn divided into the Ntumu Fang to the North of the Uolo river, and the Okak Fang to the South. Four main ethnic groups collectively known as «Playeros- (or «Beach Peoples») inhabit Rfo Muni, the coast and the islands of Corisco and the Elobey group: the Ndowe (representing 3,7% of the population), the Bissio (1,4%) (previously known by the Spaniards as Bujebas), the Basseke, and the Balengue. The Bubi are second most numerous ethnic group, and are native to the island of Bioko. This group represents only 9% of the population. According to the 1983 census, of the total of 57740 inhabitants on Bioko, the Bubis accounted for 42%, while the remaining population was mainly Fang. The Fernandinos on Bioko island and the Annob6n on Bioko and Annob6n islands are minority groups. All these ethnic groups are of Bantu linguistic origin. Most of the population is Christian; however, religious beliefs are a syncretism combining monotheist Christian faith and traditional animist beliefs. The cult of ancestors is common in traditional belief among the different ethnic groups, as is communication with the supernatural world and with the spirits. Luck or ill fortune is always due to the intervention of spirits. These spirits are equally capable of protecting or causing bad luck, illnesses and death. Disease is seen as the confluence of physical and spiritual evil. Poor health is often attributed to a lack of adequate attention or homage to ancestors; it represents punishment by the ancestors for having transgressed certain norms or rules.
