2015 Edition

Background

Guinea is at a turning point after decades of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Guinea held its first free and competitive democratic presidential and legislative elections in 2010 and 2013 respectively. Alpha CONDE was elected to a five-year term as president in 2010, and the National Assembly was seated in January 2014. CONDE's cabinet is the first all-civilian government in Guinea. Previously, Sekou TOURE ruled the country as president from independence to his death in 1984. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after TOURE's death. Gen. CONTE organized and won presidential elections in 1993, 1998, and 2003, though all the polls were rigged. Upon CONTE's death in December 2008, 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 exiled to Burkina Faso. A transitional government led by Gen. Sekouba KONATE paved the way for Guinea's transition to a fledgling democracy.

Area

land

245,717 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

highest point

Mont Nimba 1,752 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international 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)

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 River have their sources in the Guinean highlands

Irrigated land

949.2 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries (6)

Cote d'Ivoire 816 km, Guinea-Bissau 421 km, Liberia 590 km, Mali 1,062 km, Senegal 363 km, Sierra Leone 794 km

total

4,046 km

Land use

arable land 11.8%; permanent crops 2.8%; permanent pasture 43.5%

agricultural land

58.1%

forest

26.5%

other

15.4% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

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

0-14 years

41.87% (male 2,491,593/female 2,440,933)

15-24 years

19.6% (male 1,165,462/female 1,143,022)

25-54 years

30.46% (male 1,799,050/female 1,789,062)

55-64 years

4.45% (male 250,531/female 273,756)

65 years and over

3.62% (male 188,469/female 238,284) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

35.74 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

percentage

25% (2003 est.)

total number

571,774

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18.7% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

5.6% (2012)

Death rate

9.46 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

5.6%

potential support ratio

17.8% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

83.8%

youth dependency ratio

78.2%

Drinking water source

urban: 92.7% of population

rural: 67.4% of population

total: 76.8% of population

urban: 7.3% of population

rural: 32.6% of population

total: 23.2% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.55% (2014)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,800 (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

118,000 (2014 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

50.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

56.26 deaths/1,000 live births

total

53.43 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official)

note

each ethnic group has its own language

Life expectancy at birth

female

61.66 years (2015 est.)

male

58.55 years

total population

60.08 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

22.8% (2015 est.)

male

38.1%

total population

30.4%

Major infectious diseases

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) 1.936 million (2015)

Median age

female

19 years (2015 est.)

male

18.5 years

total

18.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Guinean

noun

Guinean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.9% (2014)

Physicians density

0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

11,780,162 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.63% (2015 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 34.1% of population

rural: 11.8% of population

total: 20.1% of population

urban: 65.9% of population

rural: 88.2% of population

total: 79.9% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

7 years (2011)

male

10 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.92 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 (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.88 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3.82% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

37.2% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

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

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Alexander Mark LASKARIS (since 28 September 2012)

embassy

Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle

FAX

[224] 655-10-42-97

mailing address

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

telephone

[224] 655-10-40-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mamady CONDE (since 14 July 2014)

FAX

[1] (202) 986-3800

telephone

[1] (202) 986-4300

Executive branch

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 runoff; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 47.5%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 June 2010 with a runoff on 7 November 2010 (next scheduled for 11 October 2015); prime minister appointed by the president

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

note

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Administrative Chamber and Civil, Penal, and Social Chamber; court consists of the first president, 2 chamber presidents, at least 4 councillors, the solicitor general and NA deputies); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; member tenure NA; Constitutional Court member appointments - 2 by the National Assembly and the president of the republic, 3 experienced judges designated by their peers, 1 experienced lawyer, 1 university professor with expertise in public law designated by peers, and 2 experienced representatives of the Independent National Institution of Human Rights; members serve single 9-year terms

subordinate courts

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

Legal system

civil law system based on the French model

Legislative branch

description

unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; 76 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 38 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

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

elections

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

National anthem

lyrics/music

unknown/Fodeba KEITA

name

"Liberte" (Liberty)

note

adopted 1958

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

National symbol(s)

national colors: red, yellow, green

Political parties and leaders

National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE]

Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE] (ruling party)

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]

note

listed are the five most popular parties as of January 2014; overall, there are more than 140 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, 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, mangoes, palm kernels, cocoa, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber

Budget

expenditures

$1.812 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$1.52 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2010)

22.25% (31 December 2005)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

23% (31 December 2014 est.)

26% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.205 billion (2014 est.)

-$974.7 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$843.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$724.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.4 (2007)

40.3 (1994)

Economy - overview

Guinea is a poor country of approximately 11.7 million people that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves (Simandou), as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea’s main mineral exports. Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a new 3-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government’s ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In September 2013, legislative elections were held and the National Assembly was seated in January 2014. In 2014, Guinea also complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts and was found to be compliant. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth.

Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure, which is needed for economic development. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water continue to plague economic development. Presidential elections are scheduled for October 2015 and investors are cautiously awaiting the outcome. Guinea is a new democracy and past election violence as well as Ebola may keep investors on the sideline until 2016. The Guinean government, led by President CONDE, is working to create an economy to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries/firms in Guinea's economic development.

The biggest threats to Guinea’s economy are political instability, the continuation of the Ebola epidemic, and low international commodity prices. Rising international donor support and reduced government investment spending will lessen fiscal strains created by the Ebola epidemic, but economic recovery will be a long process while the government continues to fight the disease. As of March 2015, Guinea had approximately 3,200 confirmed and suspected cases of Ebola with over 2,100 deaths (65.6% mortality rate). The economic toll of Ebola on the Guinean economy is considerable. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in 2014 and unless the epidemic ends in 2015, the economy will continue to stagnate. Normal economic growth has not returned and several projects have stalled, such as offshore oil exploration and the giant Simandou iron ore project. Promising reductions in Ebola cases in the first half of 2015 could see Guinea turn the corner on the disease and have Ebola eradicated later in the year. The 240 Megawatt Kaleta Dam is expected to be commissioned in late June or early July 2015 and President Alpha CONDE’s administration has stated that Conakry will have full time electricity once Kaleta comes online. Currently the capital only receives six to eight hours of electricity per day. Although the recent political stability has brought renewed interest in Guinea from the private sector, an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency, combined with fears of Ebola, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability.

Exchange rates

Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar -

7,025 (2014 est.)

7,003.5 (2013 est.)

6,986 (2012 est.)

6,658 (2011 est.)

5,726.1 (2010 est.)

Exports

$1.754 billion (2014 est.)

$1.784 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

South Korea 27%, India 20.9%, Spain 6.6%, Ireland 5.1%, Germany 4.4% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

26%

government consumption

12.4%

household consumption

101.3%

imports of goods and services

-54.1%

investment in fixed capital

14.5%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

20.2%

industry

44.5%

services

35.3% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,300 (2014 est.)

$1,300 (2013 est.)

$1,300 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.4% (2014 est.)

2.3% (2013 est.)

3.8% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.529 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$14.97 billion (2014 est.)

$14.91 billion (2013 est.)

$14.58 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

-8.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

-0.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

-4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

30.3% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$2.155 billion (2014 est.)

$2.128 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 18.4%, Netherlands 6.6%, India 4.3% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

4.4% (2014 est.)

Industries

bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore; light manufacturing, agricultural processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.7% (2014 est.)

11.9% (2013 est.)

Labor force

5.045 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

$185.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$165.7 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.199 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$2.02 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$148 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$148 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.251 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$2.022 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.916 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.856 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.388 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

883.5 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

67.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

32.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

398,000 kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

950 million kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

8,810 bbl/day (2013 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 users

percent of population

1.7% (2014 est.)

total

195,100

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006)

Telephone system

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 - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

0

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

76 (2014 est.)

total

8.7 million

Television broadcast stations

6 (2001)

Airports

16 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

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

major seaport(s)

Conakry, Kamsar

Railways

narrow gauge

662 km 1.000-m gauge (20014)

total

662 km

Roadways

paved

4,342 km

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 River system) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

2,329,784 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,359,203

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

1,535,418 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,493,991

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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)

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

refugees (country of origin)

6,580 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2014)

Trafficking in persons

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 or to work as street vendors, 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, Western Europe, the US, and the Middle East, while Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese women are 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; the government conducted six trafficking investigations in 2013 and prosecuted and convicted only one trafficking offender, which was an increase over the previous year; the government failed to provide victims with protective services and did not support NGOs that assisted victims but continued to refer child victims to NGOs on an ad hoc basis; Guinean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, excluding, for example, debt bondage (2014)