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Guam

2016 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations (2009)
Internet country code [time series]
.gu
Internet users [time series]
total: 118,000 | percent of population: 73.1% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers | domestic: digital system, including mobile-cellular service and local access to the Internet | international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 68,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 181,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitatnts: 113 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Budget [time series]
revenues: $1.147 billion | expenditures: $1.188 billion (2013 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-0.9% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56
Debt - external [time series]
$NA
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed by tourism and other services. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.973 billion in 2014, or 40.4% of GDP. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists while on Guam, amounted to $651 million in 2013, or 13.3% of GDP. In 2013, Guam’s economy grew 0.6%. Despite slow growth, Guam’s economy has been stable over the last decade. National defense spending cushions the island’s economy against fluctuations in tourism. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Federal grants amounted to $373.3 million in 2013, or 32.6% of Guam’s total revenues for the fiscal year.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$828 million (2013 est.) | $795 million (2012) | country comparison to the world: 162
Exports - commodities [time series]
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages
Fiscal year [time series]
1 October - 30 September
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$4.6 billion (2010 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$4.882 billion (2013 est.) | $4.756 billion (2012 est.) | $4.562 billion (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 63.7% | government consumption: 64.9% | investment in fixed assets: 5.8% | investment in inventories: NA | exports of goods and services: 17% | imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2013)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: NA% | industry: NA% | services: NA%
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$30,500 (2013 est.) | $29,800 (2012 est.) | $28,600 (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
0.6% (2013 est.) | 1.8% (2012) | -0.3% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 183
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$2.501 billion (2013 est.) | $2.438 billion (2012) | country comparison to the world: 155
Imports - commodities [time series]
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Industries [time series]
national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
1.8% (2014 est.) | 4% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116
Labor force [time series]
70,490 | note: this number is for the civilian labor force only (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 185
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 0.3% | industry: 21.6% | services: 78.1% (2013 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
23% (2001 est.)
Public debt [time series]
32.1% of GDP (2013) | 35.8% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 137
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
24.9% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122
Unemployment rate [time series]
8.4% (2013 est.) | 8.2% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
1.8 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - consumption [time series]
1.5 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
600,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - production [time series]
1.6 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity access [time series]
population without electricity: 66,724 | electrification - total population: 59% | electrification - urban areas: 60% | electrification - rural areas: 45% (2012)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 146
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
12,510 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
13,470 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 544 sq km | land: 544 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 195
Area - comparative [time series]
three times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline [time series]
125.5 km
Elevation [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geographic coordinates [time series]
13 28 N, 144 47 E
Geography - note [time series]
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
Irrigated land [time series]
2 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 33.4% | arable land 1.9%; permanent crops 16.7%; permanent pasture 14.8% | forest: 47.9% | other: 18.7% (2011 est.)
Location [time series]
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Map references [time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources [time series]
aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)
Terrain [time series]
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none (territory of the US)
Capital [time series]
name: Hagatna (Agana) | geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E | time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Citizenship [time series]
see United States
Constitution [time series]
effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution); amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Territory of Guam | conventional short form: Guam | local long form: Guahan | local short form: Guahan | etymology: the native Chamorro name for the island "Guahan" (meaning "we have" or "ours") was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris whereby Spain relinquished Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US
Dependency status [time series]
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (territory of the US)
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) | head of government: Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature | elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018) | election results: Eddie CALVO reelected governor; percent of vote - Eddie CALVO (Republican Party) 64%, Carl GUTIERREZ (Democratic Party) 36%; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, a proa or outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Punta Dos Amantes, near the capital, in the background; the shape of the central emblem is that of a Chamorro sling stone, used as a weapon for defense or hunting; blue represents the sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression | note: the US flag is the national flag
Government type [time series]
presidential democracy; a self-governing unincorporated territory of the US
Independence [time series]
none (territory of the US)
International organization participation [time series]
AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court | judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life subject to retention election every 10 years | subordinate courts: Superior Court of Guam - includes several divisions; US Federal District Court for the District of Guam (a US territorial court; appeals beyond this court are heard before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit)
Legal system [time series]
common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral Legislature of Guam or Liheslaturan Guahan (15 seats; members elected in a single countrywide constituency by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms) | elections: last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6 | note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 8 November 2014)
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians) | lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN | note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States)
National holiday [time series]
Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)
National symbol(s) [time series]
coconut tree; national colors: deep blue, red
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Democratic Party [Carlo BRANCH] | Republican Party [Mike BENITO]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
Guam Commission on Decolonization | Guam Federation of Teachers' Union | Guam Waterworks Authority Workers | We Are Guahan
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Introduction
Background [time series]
Spain ceded Guam to the US in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installations on the island are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 24.95% (male 20,881/female 19,723) | 15-24 years: 17.09% (male 14,445/female 13,375) | 25-54 years: 39.09% (male 32,335/female 31,277) | 55-64 years: 9.62% (male 7,912/female 7,742) | 65 years and over: 9.25% (male 6,847/female 8,205) (2016 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
16.7 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110
Death rate [time series]
5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 52% | youth dependency ratio: 38.7% | elderly dependency ratio: 13.3% | potential support ratio: 7.5% (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 99.5% of population | rural: 99.5% of population | total: 99.5% of population | urban: 0.5% of population | rural: 0.5% of population | total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
Chamorro 37.3%, Filipino 26.3%, white 7.1%, Chuukese 7%, Korean 2.2%, other Pacific Islander 2%, other Asian 2%, Chinese 1.6%, Palauan 1.6%, Japanese 1.5%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, mixed 9.4%, other 0.6% (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172
Languages [time series]
English 43.6%, Filipino 21.2%, Chamorro 17.8%, other Pacific island languages 10%, Asian languages 6.3%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 79.1 years | male: 76.1 years | female: 82.4 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50
Major urban areas - population [time series]
HAGATNA (capital) 143,000 (2014)
Median age [time series]
total: 30.4 years | male: 29.8 years | female: 30.9 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111
Nationality [time series]
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) | adjective: Guamanian
Net migration rate [time series]
-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193
Population [time series]
162,742 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188
Population growth rate [time series]
0.64% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 89.8% of population | rural: 89.8% of population | total: 89.8% of population | urban: 10.2% of population | rural: 10.2% of population | total: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female | total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
2.31 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 29.4% | male: 29.7% | female: 28.9% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 94.5% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
5 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 179
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 4 | over 3,047 m: 2 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 1 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Apra Harbor
Roadways [time series]
total: 1,045 km (2008) | country comparison to the world: 186