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Guam

2020 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
Internet country code [time series]
.gu
Internet users [time series]
total: 135,073 | percent of population: 80.51% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systems [time series]
general assessment: integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers (2020) | domestic: three major companies provide both fixed-line and mobile services, as well as access to the Internet; fixed-line 42 per 100 and 113 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019) | international: country code - 1-671; major landing points for Atisa, HANTRU1, HK-G, JGA-N, JGA-S, PIPE-1, SEA-US, SxS, Tata TGN-Pacific, AJC, GOKI, AAG, AJC and Mariana-Guam Cable submarine cables between Asia, Australia, and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019) | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 70,639 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42.01 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total subscriptions: 181,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (July 2016 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Budget [time series]
revenues: 1.24 billion (2016 est.) | expenditures: 1.299 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
NA
Economic overview [time series]
US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed closely by tourism and other services. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.988 billion in 2016, or 34.2 of Guam’s GDP. Of that total, federal grants and cover-over payments amounted to $3444.1 million in 2016, or 35.8% of Guam’s total revenues for the fiscal year. In 2016, Guam’s economy grew 0.3%. 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. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists in Guam, amounted to over $1 billion for the first time in 2016, or 17.8% of GDP.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$1.124 billion (2016 est.) | $1.046 billion (2015 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages
Exports - partners [time series]
Palau 13.6% (2017)
Fiscal year [time series]
1 October - 30 September
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$5.793 billion (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity) - real) [time series]
$5.793 billion (2016 est.) | $5.697 billion (2015 est.) | $5.531 billion (2014 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 56.2% (2016 est.) | government consumption: 55% (2016 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.) | investment in inventories: NA (2016 est.) | exports of goods and services: 19.4% (2016 est.) | imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: NA | industry: NA | services: 58.4% NA (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$35,600 (2016 est.) | $35,200 (2015 est.) | $34,400 (2014 est.)
Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]
0.4% (2016 est.) | 0.5% (2015 est.) | 1.6% (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA
Imports [time series]
$2.964 billion (2016 est.) | $3.054 billion (2015 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Imports - partners [time series]
Singapore 41.7%, Japan 30.6%, Hong Kong 10.6% (2017)
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% (2017 est.) | 0% (2016 est.)
Labor force [time series]
73,210 (2016 est.) | note: includes only the civilian labor force
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]
22.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | 32.1% of GDP (2013)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
4.5% (2017 est.) | 3.9% (2016 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
2.214 million Mt (2017 est.)
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Electricity - consumption [time series]
1.601 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
560,000 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - production [time series]
1.722 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
14,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
13,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 544 sq km | land: 544 sq km | water: 0 sq km
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]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
fresh water scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; extermination of native bird populations 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 and the largest island in Micronesia; 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% (2011 est.) | arable land: 1.9% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 16.7% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 14.8% (2011 est.) | forest: 47.9% (2011 est.) | 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)
Population distribution [time series]
no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo
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) | etymology: the name is derived from the Chamoru word "haga," meaning "blood", and may refer to the bloodlines of the various families that established the original settlement
Citizenship [time series]
see United States
Constitution [time series]
history: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution) | amendments: amended many times, last in 2015
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Guam | local long form: none | local short form: Guahan | abbreviation: GU | 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]
unincorporated organized territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the federal government 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 Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017) | head of government: Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019); Lieutenant Governor Josh TENORIO (since 7 January 2019) | 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 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022) | election results: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO elected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 50.7%, Ray TENORIO (Republican Party) 26.4%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) 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]
republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government
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 courts: 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 6 November 2018 (next to be held on 3 November 2020) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5; composition - men 5, women 10, percent of women 66.7% | 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 2018 (next to be held on 3 November 2020); election results - seat by party - Democratic Party 1; composition 1 man
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 [Joaquin "Kin" PEREZ] Republican Party [Jerry CRISOSTOMO]
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; they also constitute the island’s most important source of income and economic stability.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 27.22% (male 23,748/female 22,122) | 15-24 years: 16.08% (male 14,522/female 12,572) | 25-54 years: 36.65% (male 31,880/female 29,871) | 55-64 years: 10.5% (male 9,079/female 8,610) | 65 years and over: 9.54% (male 7,504/female 8,577) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Australia - Oceania :: Guam Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Guam. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
Birth rate [time series]
18.9 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Death rate [time series]
6 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 52.4 | youth dependency ratio: 36.4 | elderly dependency ratio: 16.1 | potential support ratio: 6.2 (2020 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: total: 100% of population | unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
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: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)
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: 77 years | male: 74.6 years | female: 79.6 years (2020 est.)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018)
Median age [time series]
total: 29.4 years | male: 28.7 years | female: 30.2 years (2020 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) | adjective: Guamanian
Net migration rate [time series]
-11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Population [time series]
168,485 (July 2020 est.)
Population distribution [time series]
no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo
Population growth rate [time series]
0.2% (2020 est.)
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
improved: urban: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) | total: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) | total: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.16 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female | total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
2.84 children born/woman (2020 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 29.4% | male: 29.7% | female: 28.9% (2011 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 94.9% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
5 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 4 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 2 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 1 (2013) | under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 3 | by type: other 3 (2019)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Apra Harbor
Roadways [time series]
total: 1,045 km (2008)