Guam

Guam was settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including the Micronesians in the first millennium A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Society was stratified, with higher classes living along the coast and lower classes living inland. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see Guam in 1521, and Spain claimed the island in 1565 because it served as a refueling stop for ships between Mexico and the Philippines. Spain formally colonized Guam in 1668. Spain’s brutal repression of the Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population from more than 100,000 to less than 5,000 by the 1700s. Spain tried to repopulate the island by forcing people from nearby islands to settle on Guam and preventing them from escaping.

Guam became a hub for whalers and traders in the western Pacific in the early 1800s. During the 1898 Spanish-American War, the US Navy occupied Guam and set up a military administration. The US Navy opposed local control of government despite repeated petitions from the Chamorro. Japan invaded Guam in 1941 and instituted a repressive regime. During the US recapture of Guam in 1944, the island’s two largest villages were destroyed. After World War II, political pressure from local Chamorro leaders led to Guam being established as an unincorporated organized US territory in 1950, with US citizenship granted to all Chamorro. In a referendum in 1982, more than 75% of voters chose closer relations with the US over independence, although no change in status was made because of disagreements on the future right of Chamorro self-determination. The US military holds about 29% of Guam’s land and stations several thousand troops on the island. The installations 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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map references

Oceania

Area

total : 544 sq km

land: 544 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 194

Area – comparative

three times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

125.5 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Land use

agricultural land: 29.6% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1.9% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 13% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 14.8% (2022 est.)

forest: 51.9% (2022 est.)

other: 18.5% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

2 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

no large cities exist on the island; large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

Natural hazards

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)

Geography – note

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

People and Society

Population

total: 169,532 (2024 est.)

male: 87,345

female: 82,187

comparison rankings: total 185; female 186; male 185

Nationality

noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Guamanian

Ethnic groups

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 46.1% (Chamorro 32.8%, Chuukese 6.7%, Palauan 1.4%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, Yapese 1%, other Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 2.8%), Asian 35.5% (Filipino 29.1%, Korean 2.2%, Japanese 1.4%, Chinese (except Taiwanese) 1.3%, other Asian 1.5%), White 6.8%, African descent or African-American 0.9%, Indigenous 0.1%, other 0.6%, mixed 10% (2020 est.)

Languages

English 43.3%, Filipino 24.9%, Chamorro 16%, other Pacific Island languages 9.4%, Asian languages 6.5% (2020 est.)

Religions

Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 94.2%, folk religions 1.5%, Buddhist 1.1%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 23,139/female 21,632)

15-64 years: 62.7% (male 55,591/female 50,741)

65 years and over: 10.9% (2024 est.) (male 8,615/female 9,814)

2024 population pyramid:

2022 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 59.4 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 42.1 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 17.3 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 5.8 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 30.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 29.6 years

female: 31.1 years

comparison ranking: total 137

Population growth rate

0.11% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 184

Birth rate

18.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 78

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 150

Net migration rate

-10.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 224

Population distribution

no large cities exist on the island; large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

Urbanization

urban population: 95.2% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 124

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78 years (2024 est.)

male: 75.6 years

female: 80.5 years

comparison ranking: total population 83

Total fertility rate

2.73 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 59

Gross reproduction rate

1.32 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 99.7% of population

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

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.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

37% (2023 est.)

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Environment

Environment – current issues

freshwater scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; rapid proliferation of the non-native brown tree snake

Climate

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

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 95.2% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 141,500 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,258 tons (2011 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.9% (2011 est.)

Government

Country name

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”), was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, when Spain relinquished Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US

Government type

unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Dependency status

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

Capital

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 Hagatna is derived from the Chamorro word haga, meaning “life’s blood” and referring to the town’s role as the center of government for the island

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US)

Legal system

common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply

Constitution

history: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution)

Citizenship

see United States

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; note – Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)

head of government: Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature

election/appointment process: 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, but they can 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)

most recent election date: gubernatorial: 8 November 2022

election results:
2022: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO reelected governor; percent of vote – Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 55%, Felix CAMACHO (Republican Party) 44%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor

2018: 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

expected date of next election: gubernatorial: 3 November 2026

Legislative branch

legislature name: Legislature of Guam (Liheslaturan Guahan)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 15 (directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 2 years

most recent election date: 11/8/2022

parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party (9); Republican Party (6)

percentage of women in chamber: 40%

expected date of next election: November 2024

note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as 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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices)

judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life but 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)

note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court

Political parties

Democratic Party
Republican Party

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Independence

none (territory of the US)

National holiday

Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)

Flag description

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 (outrigger canoe with sail), and a palm tree; the word GUAM in red is centered in the ellipse; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Puntan Dos Amantes in the background; the central emblem is shaped like a Chamorro sling stone, a weapon for defense or hunting; blue stands for the sea and red for the blood shed in the fight against oppression

note: the US flag is the national flag

National symbol(s)

coconut tree

National color(s)

deep blue, red

National anthem

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)

Economy

Economic overview

small Pacific island US territorial economy; upper income, tourism-based economy; hard-hit by COVID-19 disruptions; relaunched many industries via vaccination tourism; domestic economy relies on multiple military bases; environmentally fragile economy

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.793 billion (2016 est.)
$5.697 billion (2015 est.)
$5.531 billion (2014 est.)

comparison ranking: 178

Real GDP growth rate

5.1% (2022 est.)
2.06% (2021 est.)
-10.52% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 48

Real GDP per capita

$35,600 (2016 est.)
$35,200 (2015 est.)
$34,400 (2014 est.)

comparison ranking: 68

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.91 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2017 est.)
0% (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 26

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 59.9% (2022 est.)

government consumption: 55% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services: 7.9% (2022 est.)

imports of goods and services: -64% (2022 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef

Industries

national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2014 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 70

Labor force

77,700 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 186

Unemployment rate

5.6% (2024 est.)
5.4% (2023 est.)
5.5% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 114

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 13.7% (2024 est.)

male: 13.3% (2024 est.)

female: 14.1% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 101

Average household expenditures

on food: 34.6% of household expenditures (2021 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 1.3% of household expenditures (2021 est.)

Budget

revenues: $1.24 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures: $1.299 billion (2016 est.)

Public debt

22.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 180

Taxes and other revenues

21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 75

Exports

$545 million (2022 est.)
$193 million (2021 est.)
$379 million (2020 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 193

Exports – partners

Taiwan 42%, Hong Kong 12%, Philippines 11%, Italy 8%, Australia 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

scrap iron, scrap copper, trunks and cases (2023)

note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

Imports

$4.421 billion (2022 est.)
$3.662 billion (2021 est.)
$3.388 billion (2020 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 157

Imports – partners

Singapore 52%, Japan 15%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4%, Greece 4% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, cars, trunks and cases, gas turbines, flavored water (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 525,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 1.715 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 90.023 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 44; consumption 152; installed generating capacity 150

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 92.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 7.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)