Gabon, with an estimated population of 1.5 million, 50 per cent of whom are young people, and with a high rate of urbanization (85 per cent), is a country of paradoxes: it has low social indicators, but per capita income in purchasing power parity was estimated to be $12,460 in 2009 (Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)), making it one of richest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This income is unequally distributed: the wealthiest quintile controls 50 per cent of national income while 33 per cent of the population live below the national poverty line.1An analysis of equity and disparities in Gabon shows that the most disadvantaged children come from the poorest groups, followed by those livingin rural areas, with no distinction as to sex. Given the country’s high rate of urbanization, three quarters of those in poverty live in cities.