CapitalGeorgetown
Population794,099
Area214,969 km²
GDP per capita$70,300
LanguagesThe official language is English, accompanied by Guyanese Creole, various Amerindian languages , several Indian languages , and Chinese .
CurrencyGuyanese dollars
Life Expectancy72.4 yr
Governmentparliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Area
land
196,849 sq km
water
18,120 sq km
total
214,969 sq km
Climate
tropical climate; characterized by heat and humidity, influenced by northeast trade winds; experiences two rainy periods (from May to August and November to January)
Terrain
predominantly rolling highlands; a low coastal plain; savanna located in the southern region
Land use
other
9.5% (2023 est.)
forest
87.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
3.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.8% (2023 est.)
Location
Situated in Northern South America, adjacent to the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Coastline
459 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m
mean elevation
207 m
Irrigated land
1,430 sq km (2012)
Map references
South America
Land boundaries
total
2,933 km
border countries
Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
risk of flash floods during the rainy periods
Geography - note
the third smallest nation in South America, following Suriname and Uruguay; home to some of the continent's largest untouched rainforests
Natural resources
resources include bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, and fish
Area - comparative
slightly less extensive than Idaho; nearly double the area of Tennessee
Geographic coordinates
5 00 N, 59 00 W
Population distribution
the population is primarily concentrated in the northeast, particularly in and around Georgetown, with significant clusters along the Berbice River to the east; the rest of the country has a sparse population
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
People & Society
Literacy
male
84.2% (2020 est.)
female
86.9% (2020 est.)
total population
85.6% (2020 est.)
Languages
The official language is English, accompanied by Guyanese Creole, various Amerindian languages (which include Caribbean and Arawak tongues), several Indian languages (notably Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), and Chinese (estimated in 2014).
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.)
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
total population
1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.78 male(s)/female
Birth rate
16.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.05 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
28.2 years
total
28.7 years (2025 est.)
female
28.4 years
Population
male
405,244
total
794,099 (2024 est.)
female
388,855
Nationality
noun
Guyanese (singular and plural)
adjective
Guyanese
Tobacco use
male
16.9% (2025 est.)
total
9.2% (2025 est.)
female
1.9% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
27.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
Ethnic groups
The demographic composition consists of East Indian 39.8%, individuals of African descent 29.3%, mixed heritage 19.9%, Indigenous peoples 10.5%, and others 0.5% (which includes Portuguese, Chinese, and White populations) (estimation from 2012).
Child marriage
men married by age 18
11.9% (2020)
women married by age 15
6.3% (2020)
women married by age 18
32.3% (2020)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
46.3 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
34.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
8.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
11.9 (2024 est.)
Physician density
1.39 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
4.9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
10.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-6.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.04 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 95.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 95.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 96% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 4.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 4.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 4% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
7.2% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
23.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total
20.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
18.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.35% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The majority of the population is densely settled in the northeastern region, particularly in and around Georgetown, with significant populations also found along the eastern Berbice River; the rest of the nation remains sparsely inhabited.
Life expectancy at birth
male
70.6 years
female
74.3 years
total population
72.4 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
75 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
5.11 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.)
Major urban areas - population
110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.2% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.8 years (2009 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
9.4% (2019 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical climate; characterized by heat and humidity, influenced by northeast trade winds; experiences two rainy periods (from May to August and November to January)
Land use
other
9.5% (2023 est.)
forest
87.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
3.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.8% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
27.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
2.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
7.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
103 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
51.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
179,300 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
23% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
contamination of water due to sewage and chemicals from agriculture and industry; loss of forest cover
Total water withdrawal
municipal
61.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
20.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
1.363 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
2.639 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
4,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
2.635 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
11.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
271 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
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
Government
Flag
description: a green field featuring a red isosceles triangle (anchored on the left) positioned above a long yellow arrowhead shape that stretches to the right edge of the flag; a slender black border is placed between the red and yellow sections, while a thin white border separates the yellow from the green
meaning: green symbolizes forests and vegetation, yellow represents mineral wealth and a promising future, white denotes the rivers, red signifies passion and the sacrifices of the populace, and black stands for resilience
Capital
name
Georgetown
etymology
the British founded the town in 1781 and named it in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)
time difference
UTC-4 (one hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
6 48 N, 58 09 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
na
Constitution
history
multiple prior versions; most recent was enacted on 6 October 1980
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; any amendments impacting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, governmental structure and powers, and procedures for constitutional changes, must gain approval from the Assembly, a referendum, and the president's consent; other amendments need only Assembly ratification
Country name
former
British Guiana
etymology
the term is derived from Guiana, the original designation for the area encompassing British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; the name Guiana may originate from a local term meaning "Land of Water" (alluding to the region's extensive rivers and streams)
conventional long form
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form
Guyana
Independence
26 May 1966 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law framework, influenced by the English system, with elements of Roman-Dutch civil law
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Judicature (comprises the Court of Appeal, which includes a chief justice and three justices, along with the High Court, which has a chief justice and ten justices organized into panels of three or five); the Caribbean Court of Justice serves as the ultimate appellate court for civil and criminal matters
subordinate courts
Land Court; magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
chief justices of the Court of Appeal and High Court are appointed by the president; other judges for both courts are selected by the Judicial Service Commission, a body designated by the president; judges are appointed for life, with a mandatory retirement age of 65
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president and is accountable to the National Assembly
chief of state
President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)
election results
2025: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) reelected president by the majority party in the National Assembly
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
head of government
President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)
most recent election date
1 September 2025
election/appointment process
the designated candidate of the victorious party in the most recent National Assembly election assumes the presidency for a term of 5 years (with no term limits); the prime minister is appointed by the president
expected date of next election
August 2030
National holiday
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
National color(s)
red, yellow, green, black, white
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
Legislative branch
chamber name
National Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
72 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
9/1/2025
expected date of next election
August 2030
percentage of women in chamber
36.1%
parties elected and seats per party
People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) (36); We Invest in Nationhood (W.I.N.) (16); A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) (12); Other (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"
history
adopted 1966
lyrics/music
Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER
National symbol(s)
Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily
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
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-1297
chancery
2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 265-6900
chief of mission
Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
[email protected]
http://www.guyanaembassydc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[592] 225-8497
embassy
100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
telephone
[592] 225-4900 through 4909
mailing address
3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170
chief of mission
Ambassador Nicole THERIOT (since 14 October 2023)
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
International law organization participation
has not made an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; recognizes ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.333 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures
$1.467 billion (2019 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$4.594 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$11.517 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$13.739 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$6.588 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$7.033 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$10.956 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
Labor force
292,200 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
50.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
6.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
3.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
208.5 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
208.5 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
208.5 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
208.5 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
208.5 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$1.805 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a small, hydrocarbon-based export economy located in South America; significant forest area utilized for carbon credit offsets to promote conservation; a developing financial sector; abundant reserves of bauxite and gold
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
12.1% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
12.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
10.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 20%, Trinidad & Tobago 11%, Netherlands 10%, Singapore 10%, Germany 7% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 28%, China 13%, Trinidad & Tobago 11%, Brazil 5%, Bahamas, The 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$37,100 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$49,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$70,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
63.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
33.8% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
43.4% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
rice, sugarcane, plantains, cassava, papayas, pumpkins/squash, chicken, milk, ginger, eggplants (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, railway cargo containers, gold, ships, rice (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, construction vehicles, excavation machinery, cars (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$1.36 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
$4.242 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$2.352 billion (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$24.836 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
6.1% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.8% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.9% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
53.3% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$30.457 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$40.749 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$58.423 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
17.4% (2024 est.)
total
22.3% (2024 est.)
female
28.1% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$917.877 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$895.275 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$1.01 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
74.3% (2024 est.)
services
15.3% (2024 est.)
agriculture
8% (2024 est.)
Energy
Petroleum
total petroleum production
391,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
1.07 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
259,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
268.803 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
91.6%
electrification - urban areas
98%
electrification - total population
93% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
46.045 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
92.9% 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.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
82% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
broadcast media under government control; the National Communications Network (NCN) television channel is owned by the state; a limited number of private television stations transmit satellite services; the government possesses and manages two radio stations that operate on several frequencies; restrictions imposed by the government on licensing new private radio stations have hindered competition
Internet country code
.gy
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
125,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
15 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
856,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
106 (2021 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
106,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
13 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
1
key ports
Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam
very small
2
total ports
3 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
3
Airports
55 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
80 (2023)
by type
general cargo 45, oil tanker 10, other 25
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
8R
Military & Security
Military - note
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was founded in 1965, with its main responsibilities encompassing territorial defense, maritime security, search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, aviation and engineering support, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, peace support missions, and community involvement. Significant concerns for the GDF include illegal fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, insecure borders, and threats from Venezuela regarding territorial disputes. The GDF is engaged in both bilateral and multinational training exercises and maintains partnerships with Brazil, China, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In 2022, Guyana became a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS). The RSS member states, which include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, have committed to developing contingency plans and providing mutual assistance in times of national emergencies, smuggling prevention, search and rescue operations, immigration enforcement, fishery protection, customs and excise management, maritime law enforcement, safeguarding offshore installations, pollution management, and responding to national disasters and security threats (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) operates as a unified entity that includes ground, air, and coast guard divisions, in addition to the Guyana National Reserve (2026).
Military service age and obligation
Individuals 18 years or older may voluntarily enlist in the military; there is no conscription (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military possesses a limited array of equipment, primarily consisting of older or second-hand systems sourced from various international suppliers, including Brazil, China, India, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active-duty strength of the Guyana Defense Force is approximately 3,500 personnel (2025).
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
79 (2024 est.)
