“This makes inflation and cost-of-living management one of the sharpest sources of public dissatisfaction,” the report states.
The dissatisfaction cuts across the country, though some regions report stronger reactions than others. In Brikama, 67% say prices are being handled very badly, with another 16% saying fairly badly, bringing total negative sentiment to 83%. Banjul records 84% negative responses, while Kerewan stands at 77%. Kanifing and Mansakonko also show strong dissatisfaction, while Basse and Kuntaur appear slightly less critical, though still largely negative.
The report notes that price increases are felt directly in daily life, making them more powerful than abstract economic indicators. “Because price increases are encountered directly in daily transactions, they tend to shape broader perceptions of hardship and governance,” it explains.
When asked about the most important economic problem facing the country, respondents again pointed clearly to rising prices. A total of 42% identified it as the top issue, far ahead of unemployment at 14% and poor agriculture at 21%.
“Rising prices emerged clearly as the most frequently cited issue,” the findings reveal.
This concern is shared across gender, age and education levels. Among men, 41% named rising prices as the main problem, while among women the figure stands at 42%. Younger and older respondents alike ranked it above all other concerns.
Regional data shows a similar pattern, with Banjul recording the highest concern at 70%, followed by Kanifing at 47% and Brikama at 41%. Other regions also place rising prices at the top, though secondary concerns vary.
Overall, the poll paints a clear picture: the cost of living now dominates public opinion. “Public evaluation of the economy is likely to continue to revolve around affordability,” the report concludes.
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