Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]
total: 95,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.)
Broadcast media [time series]
government-dominated broadcast media; the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned; a few private TV stations relay satellite services; the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies capable of reaching the entire country; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition in broadcast media
Internet country code [time series]
.gy
Internet users [time series]
total: 680,000 (2021 est.) percent of population: 85% (2021 est.)
Telecommunication systems [time series]
general assessment: after many years of delays and legal challenges, the 2016 Telecommunications Act was brought into force in October 2020 by the newly elected government of the People s Party Progressive (PPP); the Telecommunications Act sets out a framework for enabling competition across all segments of the telecommunications sector in Guyana; the mobile market has been open to competition since 2001; the Telecommunications Act presents the country with the potential to benefit from a more level playing field that may attract new players, but nevertheless Guyana s relatively small size and low GDP may restrict it from reaching its full potential for some more years to come (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 16 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 110 per 100 persons (2021) international: country code - 592; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable to Suriname, and the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 130,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2021 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total subscriptions: 860,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2021 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products [time series]
rice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry
Budget [time series]
revenues: $1.333 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $1.467 billion (2019 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Current account balance [time series]
-$2.087 billion (2021 est.) -$396.533 million (2020 est.) -$2.717 billion (2019 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
$1.69 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.542 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Economic overview [time series]
small, hydrocarbon-driven South American export economy; major forest coverage being leveraged in carbon credit offsets to encourage preservation; strengthening financial sector; large bauxite and gold resources
Exchange rates [time series]
Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 208.5 (2021 est.) 208.5 (2020 est.) 208.5 (2019 est.) 207.717 (2018 est.) 206.5 (2017 est.)
Exports [time series]
$4.64 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.799 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.805 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
crude petroleum, gold, rice, aluminum ores, railway shipping containers, rums (2021)
Exports - partners [time series]
United States 40%, Singapore 14%, United Arab Emirates 6%, United Kingdom 6%, Barbados 6% (2021)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$3.561 billion (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 71.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 47.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -63% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 15.4% (2017 est.) industry: 15.3% (2017 est.) services: 69.3% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]
44.6 (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)
Imports [time series]
$6.611 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.756 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.025 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
floating drilling platforms, refined petroleum, valves, construction vehicles, cars (2021)
Imports - partners [time series]
Singapore 33%, United States 19%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, China 8%, Brazil 2% (2021)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
33.52% (2021 est.)
Industries [time series]
bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
5.03% (2021 est.) 0.99% (2020 est.) 2.09% (2019 est.)
Labor force [time series]
299,300 (2021 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
35% (2006 est.)
Public debt [time series]
52.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 50.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]
$17.64 billion (2021 est.) $14.693 billion (2020 est.) $10.24 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate [time series]
20.06% (2021 est.) 43.48% (2020 est.) 5.35% (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita [time series]
$21,900 (2021 est.) $18,400 (2020 est.) $12,800 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$790.785 million (31 December 2021 est.) $680.634 million (31 December 2020 est.) $573.446 million (31 December 2019 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
28.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
16.42% (2021 est.) 16.43% (2020 est.) 13.99% (2019 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 29.9% (2021 est.) male: 23.5% female: 39.6%
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]
2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Electricity [time series]
installed generating capacity: 380,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 905.4 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 247 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 92.8% (2021) electrification - urban areas: 97.5% (2021) electrification - rural areas: 91.1% (2021.)
Electricity generation sources [time series]
fossil fuels: 97.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Energy consumption per capita [time series]
48.608 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Natural gas [time series]
production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Petroleum [time series]
total petroleum production: 110,200 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 18,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
13,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants [time series]
particulate matter emissions: 11.11 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 2.38 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 1.81 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate [time series]
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Environment - current issues [time series]
water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 77.4% (2018 est.) other: 14.2% (2018 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
Revenue from coal [time series]
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources [time series]
4.56% of GDP (2018 est.)
Total renewable water resources [time series]
271 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawal [time series]
municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 1.36 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling [time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 179,252 tons (2010 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 968 tons (2010 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2010 est.)
Geography
total: 214,969 sq km land: 196,849 sq km water: 18,120 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee
Climate [time series]
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Coastline [time series]
459 km
Elevation [time series]
highest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 207 m
Geographic coordinates [time series]
5 00 N, 59 00 W
Geography - note [time series]
the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent
Irrigated land [time series]
1,430 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 2,933 km border countries (3): Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 77.4% (2018 est.) other: 14.2% (2018 est.)
Location [time series]
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
Map references [time series]
South America
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
Natural hazards [time series]
flash flood threat during rainy seasons
Natural resources [time series]
bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Population distribution [time series]
population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
Terrain [time series]
mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Capital [time series]
name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: when the British took possession of the town from the Dutch in 1812, they renamed it Georgetown in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: na
Constitution [time series]
history: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval; amended many times, last in 2016
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana etymology: the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means "Land of Many Waters" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Sarah-Ann LYNCH (since 13 March 2019) embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 email address and website: acsgeorge@state.gov https://gy.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 email address and website: guyanaembassydc@verizon.net consulate(s) general: New York
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020); Prime Minister Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020) ; note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly elections/appointments: the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: 2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly 2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green; green represents forest and foliage; yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future; white symbolizes Guyana's rivers; red signifies zeal and the sacrifice of the people; black indicates perseverance; also referred to by its nickname The Golden Arrowhead
Government type [time series]
parliamentary republic
Independence [time series]
26 May 1966 (from the UK)
International law organization participation [time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation [time series]
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch [time series]
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); note - in 2009, Guyana acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Land Court; magistrates' courts
Legal system [time series]
common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 40 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituencies, 25 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - all by closed-list proportional representation vote, 2 non-elected ministers, 2 non-elected parliamentary secretaries, and the speaker; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 50.69%, APNU-AFC 47.34%, LJP 0.58%, ANUG 0.5%, TNM 0.05%, other 0.84%; seats by party - PPP/C 33, APNU-AFC 31, LJP-ANUG-TNM 1; composition (elected and non-elected) - men 45, women 25, percent of women 35.7%; note - the initial results were declared invalid and a partial recount was conducted from 6 May to 8 June 2020, in which PPP/C was declared the winner
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER note: adopted 1966
National holiday [time series]
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
National symbol(s) [time series]
Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily; national colors: red, yellow, green, black, white
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
A New and United Guyana or ANUG [Ralph RAMKARRAN] A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [Joseph HARMON] Alliance for Change or AFC [Khemraj RAMJATTAN] Justice for All Party [Chandra Narine SHARMA] Liberty and Justice Party or LJP [Lenox SHUMAN] National Independent Party or NIP [Saphier Husain SUBEDAR] People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Dr. Bharrat JAGDEO] The New Movement or TNM [Dr. Asha KISSOON] The United Force or TUF [Marissa NADIR] United Republican Party or URP [Vishnu BANDHU]
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by current President David GRANGER. After a December 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, national elections were constitutionally required to take place within three months. After over a year of extra-constitutional rule by the GRANGER administration, elections were held, though voting irregularities led to a nationwide recount. The current Irfaan ALI administration was sworn in to office in August 2020. The discovery of oil in 2015 has been the primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the significant reserves will transform one of the poorest countries in the region. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was established in 1965; its primary missions are defense of the country, including border security, assisting civil authorities with law and order as needed, and contributing to the Guyana s economic development; key areas of concern include disaster response, illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, piracy, and porous borders; the GDF trains regularly and participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises; it has relationships with Brazil, China, France, the UK, and the US; the GDF s ground force officers are trained at the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, while coast guard officers receive training at the British Royal Naval College the GDF s ground combat forces include 3 infantry battalions (1 reserve), a special forces squadron, and an artillery company; the coast guard has an offshore patrol craft and a few patrol boats, as well as a small amphibious raider force; the air corps does not have any combat aircraft but instead provides tactical observation, transport, casualty evacuation, and other forms of support to the ground forces (2023)
Military and security forces [time series]
the Guyana Defense Force is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as the Guyana National Reserve (2023)
Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]
approximately 3,000 active-duty military personnel (2023)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]
the military has a limited inventory comprised mostly of second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2023)
Military expenditures [time series]
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2019 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2018 est.)
Military service age and obligation [time series]
18-25 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2023)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 23.65% (male 95,605/female 91,654) 15-64 years: 68.49% (male 281,157/female 261,113) 65 years and over: 7.86% (2023 est.) (male 27,269/female 34,941)
Alcohol consumption per capita [time series]
total: 5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
16.7 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
9.4% (2019)
Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]
29.9% (2019/20)
Current health expenditure [time series]
5.5% of GDP (2020)
Currently married women (ages 15-49) [time series]
62.6% (2023 est.)
Death rate [time series]
7 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Demographic profile [time series]
Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure. Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs.
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 53.6 youth dependency ratio: 44.1 elderly dependency ratio: 9.5 potential support ratio: 10.6 (2021 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 95.6% of population total: 96.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 4.4% of population total: 3.2% of population (2020 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)
Gross reproduction rate [time series]
1 (2023 est.)
Hospital bed density [time series]
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 21.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.) male: 24.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages [time series]
English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 72.2 years (2023 est.) male: 70.3 years female: 74.1 years
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 88.8% male: 89.3% female: 88.4% (2021)
Major infectious diseases [time series]
degree of risk: very high (2023) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Major urban areas - population [time series]
110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)
Maternal mortality ratio [time series]
112 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 27.9 years (2023 est.) male: 27.8 years female: 28 years
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
20.8 years (2009 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
Nationality [time series]
noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese
Net migration rate [time series]
-7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
20.2% (2016)
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Population [time series]
791,739 (2023 est.)
Population distribution [time series]
population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
Population growth rate [time series]
0.28% (2023 est.)
Religions [time series]
Protestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, other Christian 20.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
improved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 95.4% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 4.6% of population total: 4% of population (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2012)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Tobacco use [time series]
total: 12.1% (2020 est.) male: 21.7% (2020 est.) female: 2.4% (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
2.06 children born/woman (2023 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
Guyana-Venezuela: Venezuela claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River and maintains that Guyana does not have jurisdiction to grant concessions in maritime areas off the Essequibo, waters which are potentially rich in hydrocarbon resources; Guyana submitted the dispute to the International Court of Justice in 2018; the ICJ ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear the case in December 2020; in September 2021, Venezuelan officials issued a statement reasserting dominion over three-quarters of Guyana, which Guyana stated was a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity; in December 2023, the Venezuelan Government conducted a public referendum asking its citizens to support establishing a state in the disputed territory, granting citizenship to current and future area residents, and rejecting the jurisdiction of the ICJ Guyana-Suriname: Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari Rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne River
Illicit drugs [time series]
a transit country for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic marijuana cultivation and consumption
Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]
refugees (country of origin): 19,600 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2022)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
117 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
11 note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the typical length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
106 note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
8R
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 89 (2022) by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 45, oil tanker 12, other 31
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Georgetown
Roadways [time series]
total: 3,995 km (2019) paved: 799 km (2019) unpaved: 3,196 km (2019)
Waterways [time series]
330 km (2012) (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively)