2013 Edition

Background

Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003, though all the polls were marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008 when following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution. His unwillingness to yield to domestic and international pressure to step down led to heightened political tensions that culminated in September 2009 when presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally killing more than 150 people, and in early December 2009 when CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and evacuated to Morocco and subsequently to Burkina Faso. A transitional government led by Gen. Sekouba KONATE held democratic elections in 2010 and Alpha CONDE was elected president in the country's first free and fair elections since independence. CONDE in July 2011 survived an attack on his residence allegedly perpetrated by the military. In October 2012, he announced a cabinet reshuffle that removed three members of the military from their positions, making the current administration Guinea's first all-civilian government.

Area

245,857 sq km 245,717 sq km 140 sq km

total

245,857 sq km

water

140 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate

generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Coastline

320 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mont Nimba 1,752 m

highest point

Mont Nimba 1,752 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.55 cu km/yr (39%/10%/51%) 64.3 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

64.3 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.55 cu km/yr (39%/10%/51%)

Geographic coordinates

11 00 N, 10 00 W

Geography - note

the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands

Irrigated land

949.2 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

3,399 km Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

border countries

Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

total

3,399 km

Land use

11.59% 2.81% 85.6% (2011)

arable land

11.59%

other

85.6% (2011)

permanent crops

2.81%

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season

Natural resources

bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt

Terrain

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Total renewable water resources

226 cu km (2011)

Age structure

42.2% (male 2,383,432/female 2,333,960) 19.4% (male 1,096,664/female 1,075,842) 30.4% (male 1,700,026/female 1,691,910) 4.4% (male 235,705/female 259,752) 3.6% (male 175,896/female 222,839) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

42.2% (male 2,383,432/female 2,333,960)

15-24 years

19.4% (male 1,096,664/female 1,075,842)

25-54 years

30.4% (male 1,700,026/female 1,691,910)

55-64 years

4.4% (male 235,705/female 259,752)

65 years and over

3.6% (male 175,896/female 222,839) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

36.3 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

571,774 25 % (2003 est.)

percentage

25 % (2003 est.)

total number

571,774

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

20.8% (2008)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

5.6% (2012)

Death rate

9.94 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

83.2 % 77.5 % 5.7 % 17.5 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

5.7 %

potential support ratio

17.5 (2013)

total dependency ratio

83.2 %

youth dependency ratio

77.5 %

Drinking water source

urban: 90% of population rural: 65% of population total: 74% of population urban: 10% of population rural: 35% of population total: 26% of population (2010 est.)

rural

35% of population

total

26% of population (2010 est.)

urban

10% of population

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%

Health expenditures

6% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,700 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

79,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

57.11 deaths/1,000 live births 60.14 deaths/1,000 live births 53.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

53.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

57.11 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official) each ethnic group has its own language

Life expectancy at birth

59.11 years 57.6 years 60.66 years (2013 est.)

female

60.66 years (2013 est.)

total population

59.11 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 41% 52% 30% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

30% (2010 est.)

male

52%

total population

41%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever schistosomiasis Lassa fever rabies (2013)

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease

Lassa fever

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

CONAKRY (capital) 1.597 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

610 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

18.6 years 18.4 years 18.8 years (2013 est.)

female

18.8 years (2013 est.)

male

18.4 years

total

18.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.8 (2005 est.)

Nationality

Guinean(s) Guinean

adjective

Guinean

noun

Guinean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.4% (2008)

Physicians density

0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

11,176,026 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

2.64% (2013 est.)

Religions

Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 32% of population rural: 11% of population total: 18% of population urban: 68% of population rural: 89% of population total: 82% of population (2010 est.)

rural

89% of population

total

82% of population (2010 est.)

urban

68% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 8 years (2011)

female

8 years (2011)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.99 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

35.4% of total population (2011) 3.86% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.86% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

35.4% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

7 regions and 1 governate*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore

Capital

Conakry 9 30 N, 13 42 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

9 30 N, 13 42 W

name

Conakry

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010 (2010)

Country name

Republic of Guinea Guinea Republique de Guinee Guinee French Guinea

conventional long form

Republic of Guinea

conventional short form

Guinea

former

French Guinea

local long form

Republique de Guinee

local short form

Guinee

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Alexander Mark LASKARIS (since 10 September 2012) Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry [224] 65-10-40-00 [224] 65-10-42-97

chief of mission

Ambassador Alexander Mark LASKARIS (since 10 September 2012)

embassy

Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle

FAX

[224] 65-10-42-97

mailing address

B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry

telephone

[224] 65-10-40-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Blaise CHERIF (since 2 September 2011) 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 986-4300 [1] (202) 478-3010

chancery

2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Blaise CHERIF (since 2 September 2011)

FAX

[1] (202) 478-3010

telephone

[1] (202) 986-4300

Executive branch

President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010) Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24 December 2010) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held on 27 June 2010 with a runoff election held on 7 November 2010 Alpha CONDE elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote Alpha CONDE 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO 47.5%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010)

election results

Alpha CONDE elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote Alpha CONDE 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO 47.5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held on 27 June 2010 with a runoff election held on 7 November 2010

head of government

Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24 December 2010)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal

Government type

republic

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Constitutional, Civil, Penal, Commercial, and Administrative Chambers, and Chamber of Accounts; court consists of the first president, chamber presidents, and NA members) court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; member tenure NA Courts of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; courts of first instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; labor court; military tribunal; High Court of Justice; justices of the peace

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Constitutional, Civil, Penal, Commercial, and Administrative Chambers, and Chamber of Accounts; court consists of the first president, chamber presidents, and NA members)

judge selection and term of office

court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; member tenure NA

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; courts of first instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; labor court; military tribunal; High Court of Justice; justices of the peace

Legal system

civil law system based on the French model

Legislative branch

unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists) the legislature was dissolved by junta leader Moussa Dadis CAMARA in December 2008 and in February 2010, the Transition Government appointed a 155 member National Transition Council (CNT) that has since acted in the legislature's place pending elections finally held on 28 September 2013 last held on 28 September 2013 (next election scheduled for 2018) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPG 53, UFDG 37, UFR 10, others 14

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPG 53, UFDG 37, UFR 10, others 14

elections

last held on 28 September 2013 (next election scheduled for 2018)

National anthem

"Liberte" (Liberty) unknown/Fodeba KEITA adopted 1958

lyrics/music

unknown/Fodeba KEITA

name

"Liberte" (Liberty)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Political parties and leaders

National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE] Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE] Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean Marie DORE] Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO] Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] listed are the five most popular parties as of December 2012; overall, there are more than 130 registered parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG); Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (manioc), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber

Budget

$1.296 billion $1.483 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$1.483 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$1.296 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2010 est.) 22.25% (31 December 2005)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

27% (31 December 2012 est.) 28% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.754 billion (2012 est.) $-1.215 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$2.584 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.139 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.4 (2007) 40.3 (1994)

Economy - overview

Guinea is a poor country that possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and significant iron ore, gold, and diamond reserves. However, Guinea has been unable to profit from this potential, as rampant corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, and political uncertainty have drained investor confidence. In the time since a 2008 coup following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, have significantly curtailed their development programs. Throughout 2009, policies of the ruling military junta severely weakened the economy. The junta leaders spent and printed money at an accelerating rate, driving inflation and debt to perilously high levels. In early 2010, the junta collapsed and was replaced by a transition government, which ceded power in December 2010 to the country's first-ever democratically elected president, Alpha CONDE. International assistance and investment are expected to return to Guinea, but the levels will depend upon the ability of the new government to combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. IMF and World Bank programs will be especially critical as Guinea attempts to gain debt relief. International investors have expressed keen interest in Guinea's vast iron ore reserves, which could further propel the country's growth. The government put forward a new mining code in September 2011 that includes provisions to combat corruption, protect the environment, and review all existing mining contracts. Longer range plans to deploy broadband Internet throughout the country could spur economic growth as well.

Exchange rates

Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 6,986 (2012 est.) 6,658 (2011 est.) 5,726.1 (2010 est.) 5,500 (2009) 5,500 (2008)

Exports

$1.348 billion (2012 est.) $1.428 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products

Exports - partners

India 10.6%, Spain 9.6%, Chile 9.4%, US 7.1%, Ireland 6.3%, Germany 6.3%, Ukraine 5.7%, France 5% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

87% 12% 38.1% 0% 28.7% -65.8% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

28.7%

government consumption

12%

household consumption

87%

imports of goods and services

-65.8%

investment in fixed capital

38.1%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

22.8% 46.1% 31.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

22.8%

industry

46.1%

services

31.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2012 est.) $1,100 (2011 est.) $1,100 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.9% (2012 est.) 3.9% (2011 est.) 1.9% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.556 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$12.04 billion (2012 est.) $11.58 billion (2011 est.) $11.15 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

NA% (2012 est.) -6.4% of GDP (2011 est.) 3.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 30.3% (2007)

highest 10%

30.3% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$2.606 billion (2012 est.) $2.097 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 14.2%, Netherlands 7.6% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

5.1% (2012 est.)

Industries

bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

15.2% (2012 est.) 21.4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

5.24 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

76% 24% (2006 est.)

agriculture

76%

industry and services

24% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

47% (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$174.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) $111.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.915 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.731 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$145 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.539 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.533 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.492 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.38 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.419 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

901.2 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

68.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

31.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

395,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

969 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

8,671 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

9,089 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services (2011)

Internet country code

.gn

Internet hosts

15 (2012)

Internet users

95,000 (2009)

Telephone system

inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system Conakry reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and exceeds 40 per 100 persons country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

Conakry reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and exceeds 40 per 100 persons

general assessment

inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system

international

country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

18,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.781 million (2012)

Airports

16 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

12

Ports and terminals

Conakry, Kamsar

major seaport(s)

Conakry, Kamsar

Railways

1,185 km 238 km 1.435-m gauge 947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

1,185 km

Roadways

44,348 km 4,342 km 40,006 km (2003)

total

44,348 km

unpaved

40,006 km (2003)

Waterways

1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger system) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

2,359,203 2,329,784 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,329,784 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,359,203

Manpower fit for military service

1,493,991 1,535,418 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,535,418 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,493,991

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

118,443 115,901 (2010 est.)

female

115,901 (2010 est.)

male

118,443

Military branches

National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee) (2009)

National Armed Forces

Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee) (2009)

Military expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2012)

Disputes - international

conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998

Refugees and internally displaced persons

6,552 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

6,552 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2012)

Trafficking in persons

Guinea is a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking victims are Guinean children; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg, work as street vendors or shoe shiners, or miners; some Guinean children are forced to mine in Senegal, Mali, and possibly other West African countries; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Greece, and Spain, while Chinese and Vietnamese women are reportedly forced into prostitution in Guinea Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; a new police unit has been created to focus on human trafficking and child labor; the government has initiated five new trafficking investigations but has failed to prosecute or convict any trafficking offenders, which represents a decrease in anti-trafficking law enforcement over the previous year; the government fails to provide victims with protective services and has not supported NGOs that assist victims but continues to refer child victims to NGOs on an ad hoc basis; Guinean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, excluding, for example, forced prostitution of adults and debt bondage, which are not criminalized (2013)

current situation

Guinea is a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking victims are Guinean children; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg, work as street vendors or shoe shiners, or miners; some Guinean children are forced to mine in Senegal, Mali, and possibly other West African countries; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Greece, and Spain, while Chinese and Vietnamese women are reportedly forced into prostitution in Guinea

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; a new police unit has been created to focus on human trafficking and child labor; the government has initiated five new trafficking investigations but has failed to prosecute or convict any trafficking offenders, which represents a decrease in anti-trafficking law enforcement over the previous year; the government fails to provide victims with protective services and has not supported NGOs that assist victims but continues to refer child victims to NGOs on an ad hoc basis; Guinean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, excluding, for example, forced prostitution of adults and debt bondage, which are not criminalized (2013)