Guyana

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to former slaves settling urban areas and indentured servants being imported 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 primarily socialist-oriented governments have ruled the country.

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. Donald RAMOTAR won in 2011, but early elections held in 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party, and David GRANGER took office. After a 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, the administration ignored a constitutional requirement to hold elections and remained in place until the 2020 elections, when Irfaan ALI became president.

The discovery of massive offshore oil reserves in 2015 has been Guyana’s primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the 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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Geographic coordinates

5 00 N, 59 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

total : 214,969 sq km

land: 196,849 sq km

water: 18,120 sq km

comparison ranking: total 85

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 2,933 km

border countries (3): Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km

Coastline

459 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Terrain

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Elevation

highest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 207 m

Natural resources

bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Land use

agricultural land: 5.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 2.1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 3% (2022 est.)

forest: 93.5% (2022 est.)

other: 1.2% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

1,430 sq km (2012)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)

Population distribution

population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with notable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated

Natural hazards

flash flood threat during rainy seasons

Geography – note

the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent

People and Society

Population

total: 794,099 (2024 est.)

male: 405,244

female: 388,855

comparison rankings: total 166; female 166; male 166

Nationality

noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Guyanese

Ethnic groups

East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Indigenous 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)

Languages

English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)

Religions

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.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.5% (male 95,223/female 91,272)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 281,669/female 261,261)

65 years and over: 8.1% (2024 est.) (male 28,352/female 36,322)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 46.3 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 34.3 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 11.9 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 8.4 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 28.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 28.2 years

female: 28.4 years

comparison ranking: total 150

Population growth rate

0.32% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 164

Birth rate

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

comparison ranking: 95

Death rate

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

comparison ranking: 122

Net migration rate

-6.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 214

Population distribution

population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with notable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated

Urbanization

urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

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 (2024 est.)

Mother’s mean age at first birth

20.8 years (2009 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Maternal mortality ratio

75 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 76

Infant mortality rate

total: 21.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.3 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 75

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.4 years (2024 est.)

male: 70.6 years

female: 74.3 years

comparison ranking: total population 163

Total fertility rate

2.05 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 99

Gross reproduction rate

1 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 96% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 95.8% of population (2022 est.)

total: 95.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 4% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 4.2% of population (2022 est.)

total: 4.1% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

4.9% of GDP (2021)

10.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

1.39 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)

total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)

total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

20.2% (2016)

comparison ranking: 102

Alcohol consumption per capita

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.)

comparison ranking: total 83

Tobacco use

total: 9.2% (2025 est.)

male: 16.9% (2025 est.)

female: 1.9% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 133

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.4% (2019)

comparison ranking: 54

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

62.6% (2023 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 6.3% (2020)

women married by age 18: 32.3% (2020)

men married by age 18: 11.9% (2020)

Education expenditure

4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

16.2% national budget (2018 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 84

Literacy

total population: 85.6% (2020 est.)

male: 84.2% (2020 est.)

female: 86.9% (2020 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

water pollution from sewage and agricultural/industrial chemicals; deforestation

International environmental agreements

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

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

2.639 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 2.635 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 4,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 155

Particulate matter emissions

11.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

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.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 1.36 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

271 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

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; the name Guiana may be derived from a local term meaning “Land of Water” (referring to the area’s multitude of rivers and streams)

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

name: Georgetown

geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 09 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the British founded the town in 1781 and named it in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)

Administrative divisions

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

Legal system

common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence

Constitution

history: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980

amendment process: 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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: na

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)

head of government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly

election/appointment process: the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister appointed by the president

most recent election date: 2 March 2020

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

expected date of next election: 1 September 2025

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

legislative structure: unicameral

chamber name: National Assembly

number of seats: 69 (all directly elected)

electoral system: mixed system

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 3/2/2020

parties elected and seats per party: People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) (33); A Partnership for National Unity – Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC) (31); Other (1)

percentage of women in chamber: 39.4%

expected date of next election: September 2025

Judicial branch

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); Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases

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

Political parties

A New and United Guyana or ANUG
A Partnership for National Unity or APNU
Alliance for Change or AFC
Justice for All Party
Liberty and Justice Party or LJP
National Independent Party or NIP
People’s Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C
The New Movement or TNM
The United Force or TUF
United Republican Party or URP

Diplomatic representation in the US

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:
[email protected]

http://www.guyanaembassydc.org/

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Nicole THERIOT (since 14 October 2023)

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:
[email protected]

https://gy.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, 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

Independence

26 May 1966 (from the UK)

National holiday

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Flag description

green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) on top of a long, yellow arrowhead; a narrow black border sits between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and green; green stands for forest and foliage, yellow for mineral resources and a bright future, white for the rivers, red for zeal and the people’s sacrifice, and black for perseverance

National symbol(s)

Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily

National color(s)

red, yellow, green, black, white

National coat of arms

Guyana’s coat of arms was adopted in 1966, the year of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom; the jaguars signify strength and resilience, with one holding a pickaxe that stands for labor and the other holding stalks of rice and sugarcane for agriculture; two national symbols, the Canje pheasant and the Victorian lily, are on the shield, with the national motto underneath; three wavy blue lines stand for the Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice rivers, the headdress for the country’s ethnic groups, and the diamonds for the mining industry; the helmet is a symbol of past UK rule in Guyana

National anthem(s)

title: “Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains”

lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER

history: adopted 1966

Economy

Economic overview

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$58.423 billion (2024 est.)
$40.749 billion (2023 est.)
$30.457 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 119

Real GDP growth rate

43.4% (2024 est.)
33.8% (2023 est.)
63.3% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 1

Real GDP per capita

$70,300 (2024 est.)
$49,300 (2023 est.)
$37,100 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 20

GDP (official exchange rate)

$24.836 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.9% (2024 est.)
2.8% (2023 est.)
6.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 85

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 8% (2024 est.)

industry: 74.3% (2024 est.)

services: 15.3% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 207; industry 1; agriculture 86

Agricultural products

rice, sugarcane, plantains, cassava, papayas, pumpkins/squash, chicken, milk, ginger, eggplants (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Industrial production growth rate

53.3% (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 1

Labor force

292,200 (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 167

Unemployment rate

10.2% (2024 est.)
12.1% (2023 est.)
12.1% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 148

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 22.3% (2024 est.)

male: 17.4% (2024 est.)

female: 28.1% (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: total 46

Remittances

3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
3.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
6.9% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $1.333 billion (2019 est.)

expenditures: $1.467 billion (2019 est.)

Current account balance

$2.352 billion (2023 est.)
$4.242 billion (2022 est.)
-$1.36 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 42

Exports

$13.739 billion (2023 est.)
$11.517 billion (2022 est.)
$4.594 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 102

Exports – partners

USA 20%, Trinidad & Tobago 11%, Netherlands 10%, Singapore 10%, Germany 7% (2023)

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

Exports – commodities

crude petroleum, railway cargo containers, gold, ships, rice (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$10.956 billion (2023 est.)
$7.033 billion (2022 est.)
$6.588 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 116

Imports – partners

USA 28%, China 13%, Trinidad & Tobago 11%, Brazil 5%, Bahamas, The 4% (2023)

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

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, ships, construction vehicles, excavation machinery, cars (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.01 billion (2024 est.)
$895.275 million (2023 est.)
$917.877 million (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 143

Debt – external

$1.805 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

comparison ranking: 97

Exchange rates

Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
208.5 (2024 est.)
208.5 (2023 est.)
208.5 (2022 est.)
208.5 (2021 est.)
208.5 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 93% (2022 est.)

electrification – urban areas: 98%

electrification – rural areas: 91.6%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 259,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 1.07 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 268.803 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 70; consumption 159; installed generating capacity 168

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 92.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 391,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas

consumption: 1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

46.045 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 97

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 125,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 130

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 856,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 168

Broadcast media

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; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition

Internet country code

.gy

Internet users

percent of population: 82% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 106,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total 132

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

55 (2025)

comparison ranking: 82

Merchant marine

total: 80 (2023)

by type: general cargo 45, oil tanker 10, other 25

comparison ranking: total 99

Ports

total ports: 3 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 1

small: 0

very small: 2

ports with oil terminals: 3

key ports: Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam

Military and Security

Military and security forces

the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as the Guyana National Reserve (2025)

note: the Guyana Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for internal security

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 3,500 active-duty Guyana Defense Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military has a limited inventory comprised mostly of older or second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2024)

Military – note

the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was established in 1965; its primary missions are territorial defense, maritime security, search and rescue, medical evacuation, aviation and engineering support, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, peace support operations, and community engagement; key areas of concern include illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, piracy, porous borders, and threats from Venezuela over disputed territory; the GDF participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises and has relationships with Brazil, China, France, the UK, and the US

Guyana joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 2022; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2025)