2020 Edition

Background

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.

Area

land

544 sq km

total

544 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

three times the size of Washington, D.C.

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

Coastline

125.5 km

Elevation

highest point

Mount Lamlam 406 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

2 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

29.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 13% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 14.8% (2023 est.)

forest

52.4% (2023 est.)

other

18% (2023 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Population distribution

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

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

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)

Birth rate

17.9 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

40.4% (2020 est.)

Death rate

6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

17.3 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

5.8 (2024 est.)

total dependency ratio

59.4 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

42.1 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)

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.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.31 (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

10.9 deaths/1,000 live births

male

11 deaths/1,000 live births

total

10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

80.5 years

male

75.6 years

total population

78 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

31.1 years

male

29.6 years

total

30.5 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Guamanian

noun

Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-10.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population

female

82,187

male

87,345

total

169,532 (2024 est.)

Population growth rate

0.08% (2025 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

total: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)

Sex ratio

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

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

95.2% of total population (2022)

Capital

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 

geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 44 E

name

Hagatna (Agana)

time difference

UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United States

Constitution

history

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

Country name

abbreviation

GU

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Guam

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

local long form

none

local short form

Guahan

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature

chief of state

President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)

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

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)

expected date of next election

gubernatorial: 3 November 2026

head of government

Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019)

most recent election date

gubernatorial: 8 November 2022

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 meaning: blue stands for the sea and red for the blood shed in the fight against oppression; the central emblem is shaped like a Chamorro sling stone (a weapon for defense or hunting)

Government type

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

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

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

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)

Legal system

common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply

Legislative branch

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

November 2024

legislative structure

unicameral

legislature name

Legislature of Guam (Liheslaturan Guahan)

most recent election date

11/8/2022

number of seats

15 (directly elected)

parties elected and seats per party

Democratic Party (9); Republican Party (6)

percentage of women in chamber

40%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

2 years

National anthem(s)

history

official anthem, as a US territory; played before "Stand, Ye Guamanians"

lyrics/music

Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH

title

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

National color(s)

deep blue, red

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

coconut tree

Political parties

Democratic Party Republican Party

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

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

Average household expenditures

on alcohol and tobacco

1.3% of household expenditures (2021 est.)

on food

34.6% of household expenditures (2021 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$1.299 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$1.24 billion (2016 est.)

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

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

Exports 2020

$379 million (2020 est.)

Exports 2021

$193 million (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$545 million (2022 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

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

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.91 billion (2022 est.)

Imports

Imports 2020

$3.388 billion (2020 est.)

Imports 2021

$3.662 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$4.421 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

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

Industries

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

Labor force

77,700 (2024 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2013

32.1% of GDP (2013)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2020

-10.5% (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2021

2.1% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

5.1% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2014

$34,400 (2014 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2015

$35,200 (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2016

$35,600 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2022

5.5% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

5.4% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

5.6% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

14.1% (2024 est.)

male

13.3% (2024 est.)

total

13.7% (2024 est.)

Electricity

consumption

1.715 billion kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

525,000 kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

90.023 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

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.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2019

150.555 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

2 (2022 est.)

total

3,000 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

about a dozen TV channels, including digital; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations

Internet country code

.gu

Internet users

percent of population

81% (2017 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

43 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

70,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

62 (2009 est.)

total subscriptions

98,000 (2009 est.)

Airports

3 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

N

Heliports

2 (2025)

Merchant marine

by type

other 3

total

3 (2023)

Ports

key ports

Apra Harbor

large

0

medium

1

ports with oil terminals

1

small

0

total ports

1 (2024)

very small

0

Military - note

the US military maintains thousands of active-duty uniformed personnel and several bases and installations on the island

Military and security forces

Guam Police Department (GPD); Guam (US) National Guard

Carbon dioxide emissions

from petroleum and other liquids

1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

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

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

141,500 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

17.9% (2011 est.)