2014 Edition

Background

Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. Despite setting a path to a market economy and multiparty system, VIEIRA's regime was characterized by the suppression of political opposition and the purging of political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In 1994 VIEIRA was elected president in the country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting civil war in 1998 eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in May 1999. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA after he was elected president in transparent polling. In September 2003, after only three years in office, YALA was overthrown in a bloodless military coup, and businessman Henrique ROSA was sworn in as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was re-elected president pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation; he was assassinated in March 2009. Malam Bacai SANHA was elected in an emergency election held in June 2009, but he passed away in January 2012 from an existing illness. A military coup in April 2012 prevented Guinea-Bissau's second-round presidential election - to determine SANHA's successor - from taking place.

Area

36,125 sq km 28,120 sq km 8,005 sq km

total

36,125 sq km

water

8,005 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut

Climate

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

Coastline

350 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m unnamed elevation in the eastern part of the country 300 m

highest point

unnamed elevation in the eastern part of the country 300 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing

Environment - international agreements

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

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.18 cu km/yr (18%/6%/76%) 135.7 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

135.7 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.18 cu km/yr (18%/6%/76%)

Geographic coordinates

12 00 N, 15 00 W

Geography - note

this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland

Irrigated land

225.6 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

724 km Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

border countries

Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

total

724 km

Land use

8.3% 6.92% 84.78% (2011)

arable land

8.3%

other

84.78% (2011)

permanent crops

6.92%

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal

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; brush fires

Natural resources

fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum

Terrain

mostly low-lying coastal plain with a deeply indented estuarine coastline rising to savanna in east; numerous off-shore islands including the Arquipelago Dos Bijagos consisting of 18 main islands and many small islets

Total renewable water resources

31 cu km (2011)

Age structure

39.8% (male 336,053/female 337,270) 20.2% (male 169,574/female 172,221) 32.1% (male 270,432/female 273,053) 4.7% (male 29,112/female 50,083) 3.2% (male 21,236/female 34,364) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

39.8% (male 336,053/female 337,270)

15-24 years

20.2% (male 169,574/female 172,221)

25-54 years

32.1% (male 270,432/female 273,053)

55-64 years

4.7% (male 29,112/female 50,083)

65 years and over

3.2% (male 21,236/female 34,364) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

33.83 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

226,316 57 % (2010 est.)

percentage

57 % (2010 est.)

total number

226,316

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.6% (2008)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

14% (2010)

Death rate

14.54 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

79.1 % 73.9 % 5.2 % 19.3 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.2 %

potential support ratio

19.3 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

79.1 %

youth dependency ratio

73.9 %

Drinking water source

urban: 96.1% of population rural: 55.5% of population total: 73.6% of population urban: 3.9% of population rural: 44.5% of population total: 26.4% of population (2012 est.)

rural

44.5% of population

total

26.4% of population (2012 est.)

urban

3.9% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

African 99% (includes Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Health expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.9% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,300 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

41,300 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

90.92 deaths/1,000 live births 100.59 deaths/1,000 live births 80.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

80.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

90.92 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

Life expectancy at birth

49.87 years 47.87 years 51.93 years (2014 est.)

female

51.93 years (2014 est.)

total population

49.87 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 55.3% 68.9% 42.1% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

42.1% (2011 est.)

male

68.9%

total population

55.3%

Major infectious diseases

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

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

BISSAU (capital) 423,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

790 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

19.8 years 19.3 years 20.3 years (2014 est.)

female

20.3 years (2014 est.)

male

19.3 years

total

19.8 years

Nationality

Bissau-Guinean(s) Bissau-Guinean

adjective

Bissau-Guinean

noun

Bissau-Guinean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.9% (2008)

Physicians density

0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

1,693,398 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.93% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 33.5% of population rural: 8.5% of population total: 19.7% of population urban: 66.5% of population rural: 91.5% of population total: 80.3% of population (2012 est.)

rural

91.5% of population

total

80.3% of population (2012 est.)

urban

66.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years (2006)

total

9 years (2006)

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.64 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.3 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

43.9% of total population (2011) 3.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

43.9% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have been renamed Bolama-Bijagos

Capital

Bissau 11 51 N, 15 35 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

11 51 N, 15 35 W

name

Bissau

time difference

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

Constitution

promulgated 16 May 1984; amended several times, last in 1996; note - constitution suspended following military coup in April 2012 (2013)

Country name

Republic of Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau Republica da Guine-Bissau Guine-Bissau Portuguese Guinea

conventional long form

Republic of Guinea-Bissau

conventional short form

Guinea-Bissau

former

Portuguese Guinea

local long form

Republica da Guine-Bissau

local short form

Guine-Bissau

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and military-led junta; the US Ambassador to Senegal, currently Ambassador Lewis LUKENS, is accredited to Guinea-Bissau

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC

chief of mission

none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC

Executive branch

President Josse Mario VAZ (since 17 June 2014) transitional Prime Minister Rui Duarte BARROS (since 16 May 2012) NA president elected by absolute majority vote in two rounds for a 5-year term (no term limits); election - first round held on 13 April 2014; prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the National People's Assembly 13 April 2014 first round results - Jose Mario VAZ 41%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM 25.1%, other 33.9%; Jose Mario VAZ elected in second round on 18 May 2014 with 61.9%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM 38.1%

cabinet

NA

chief of state

President Josse Mario VAZ (since 17 June 2014)

election results

13 April 2014 first round results - Jose Mario VAZ 41%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM 25.1%, other 33.9%; Jose Mario VAZ elected in second round on 18 May 2014 with 61.9%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM 38.1%

elections

president elected by absolute majority vote in two rounds for a 5-year term (no term limits); election - first round held on 13 April 2014; prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the National People's Assembly

head of government

transitional Prime Minister Rui Duarte BARROS (since 16 May 2012)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; yellow symbolizes the sun; green denotes hope; red represents blood shed during the struggle for independence; the black star stands for African unity uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the flag design was heavily influenced by the Ghanaian flag

Government type

republic

Independence

24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU (suspended), CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 9 judges and organized into Civil, Criminal, and Social and Administrative Disputes Chambers) note - the Supreme Court has both appellate and constitutional jurisdiction judges nominated by the Higher Council of the Magistrate, a major government organ responsible for judge appointments, dismissals, and discipline of the judiciary; judges appointed by the president with tenure for life Appeal Court; regional (first instance) courts; military court

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 9 judges and organized into Civil, Criminal, and Social and Administrative Disputes Chambers)

judge selection and term of office

judges nominated by the Higher Council of the Magistrate, a major government organ responsible for judge appointments, dismissals, and discipline of the judiciary; judges appointed by the president with tenure for life

subordinate courts

Appeal Court; regional (first instance) courts; military court

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law (influenced by the early French Civil Code) and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (102 seats including 2 seats reserved for diaspora; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 13 April 2014 (next to be held in 2018) percent of vote by party - PAIGC 47.3%, PRS 31.1%, other 21.6%; seats by party - PAIGC 57, PRS 41, other 4

election results

percent of vote by party - PAIGC 47.3%, PRS 31.1%, other 21.6%; seats by party - PAIGC 57, PRS 41, other 4

elections

last held on 13 April 2014 (next to be held in 2018)

National anthem

"Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country) Amilcar Lopes CABRAL/XIAO He adopted 1974; a delegation from Portuguese Guinea visited China in 1963 and heard music by XIAO He; Amilcar Lopes CABRA, the leader of Guinea-Bissau's independence movement, asked the composer to create a piece that would inspire his people to struggle for independence

lyrics/music

Amilcar Lopes CABRAL/XIAO He

name

"Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country)

National holiday

Independence Day, 24 September (1973)

Political parties and leaders

African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde or PAIGC [Domingos Simoes PEREIRA] Democratic Convergence Party or PCD [Victor MANDINGA] New Democracy Party or PND [Iaia DJALO] Party for Social Renewal or PRS [vacant] Republican Party for Independence and Development or PRID [Aristides GOMES] Union for Change or UM [Agnelo REGALA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, corn, beans, cassava (manioc, tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish

Budget

$142 million $157.7 million (2013 est.)

expenditures

$157.7 million (2013 est.)

revenues

$142 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15% (31 December 2013 est.) 15% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$47.3 million (2013 est.) -$47.4 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$1.095 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $941.5 million (31 December 2000 est.)

Economy - overview

Guinea-Bissau's legal economy is based on farming and fishing, but trafficking in narcotics is probably the most lucrative economic activity. The combination of limited economic prospects, a weak and faction-ridden government, and favorable geography have made this West African country a way station for drugs bound for Europe. Cashew nuts are the main source of income for rural communities and the country's main export crop. Cashew sector performance helps to determine the overall macroeconomic situation of the country and food security status of rural areas. In 2013 cashew production and exports were disrupted as a result of the March 2012 coup. Guinea-Bissau is heavily reliant on foreign aid, which has not recovered to pre-coup levels.

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 500.7 (2013 est.) 510.53 (2012 est.) 495.28 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$147.6 million (2013 est.) $127.9 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, shrimp; cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber

Exports - partners

India 56.5%, Nigeria 27.1%, Togo 5.9% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

81.3% 13% 12.9% 0% 25.5% -32.7% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

25.5%

government consumption

13%

household consumption

81.3%

imports of goods and services

-32.7%

investment in fixed capital

12.9%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

58% 13.5% 28.5% (2013 est.)

agriculture

58%

industry

13.5%

services

28.5% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,200 (2013 est.) $1,200 (2012 est.) $1,300 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2013 est.) -1.5% (2012 est.) 5.3% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$880 million (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.005 billion (2013 est.) $1.937 billion (2012 est.) $1.965 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.9% 28% (2002)

highest 10%

28% (2002)

lowest 10%

2.9%

Imports

$206.4 million (2013 est.) $189.8 million (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Portugal 28.8%, Senegal 17.5%, US 7.3%, China 5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

1.2% (2013 est.)

Industries

agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2013 est.) 2.1% (2012 est.)

Labor force

632,700 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

82% 18% (2000 est.)

agriculture

82%

industry and services

18% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$338.1 million (31 December 2013 est.) $327.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$173.3 million (31 December 2013 est.) $171.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$242.8 million (31 December 2013 est.) $264.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

459,800 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 est.)

Electricity - consumption

62.31 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% 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

26,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

67 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 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2,922 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,661 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV station and a second station, Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP) Africa, is operated by Portuguese public broadcaster (RTP); 1 state-owned radio station, several private radio stations, and some community radio stations; multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.gw

Internet hosts

90 (2012)

Internet users

37,100 (2009)

Telephone system

small system including a combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and mobile-cellular communications fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 50 per 100 persons country code - 245 (2011)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 50 per 100 persons

general assessment

small system including a combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and mobile-cellular communications

international

country code - 245 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

5,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.1 million (2012)

Airports

8 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

6

Ports and terminals

Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim

major seaport(s)

Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim

Roadways

3,455 km 965 km 2,490 km (2002)

total

3,455 km

unpaved

2,490 km (2002)

Waterways

(rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

370,790 372,171 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

372,171 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

370,790

Manpower fit for military service

205,460 212,277 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

212,277 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

205,460

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

17,639 17,865 (2010 est.)

female

17,865 (2010 est.)

male

17,639

Military branches

People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional); Presidential Guard (2012)

People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP)

Army, Navy, National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional); Presidential Guard (2012)

Military expenditures

1.85% of GDP (2012) 1.81% of GDP (2011) 1.85% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for selective compulsory military service (Air Force service is voluntary); 16 years of age or younger, with parental consent, for voluntary service (2013)

Disputes - international

in 2006, political instability within Senegal's Casamance region resulted in thousands of Senegalese refugees, cross-border raids, and arms smuggling into Guinea-Bissau

Illicit drugs

increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine en route to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug smuggling

Refugees and internally displaced persons

8,445 (Senegal) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

8,445 (Senegal) (2013)

Trafficking in persons

Guinea-Bissau is a country of origin and destination for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the scope of the problem of trafficking women or men for forced labor or forced prostitution is unknown; boys reportedly are transported to southern Senegal for forced manual and agricultural labor; girls may be subjected to forced domestic service and child prostitution in Senegal and Guinea; both boys and girls are forced to work as street vendors in cities in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal Tier 3 - the government of Guinea-Bissau does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; despite enacting an anti-trafficking law and finalizing and adopting a national action plan in 2011, authorities have not conducted any investigations or prosecutions of trafficking offenses; the government has not provided adequate protection to identified trafficking victims, conducted any tangible prevention activities in 2012, or made progress on the implementation of its national action plan (2013)

current situation

Guinea-Bissau is a country of origin and destination for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the scope of the problem of trafficking women or men for forced labor or forced prostitution is unknown; boys reportedly are transported to southern Senegal for forced manual and agricultural labor; girls may be subjected to forced domestic service and child prostitution in Senegal and Guinea; both boys and girls are forced to work as street vendors in cities in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal

tier rating

Tier 3 - the government of Guinea-Bissau does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; despite enacting an anti-trafficking law and finalizing and adopting a national action plan in 2011, authorities have not conducted any investigations or prosecutions of trafficking offenses; the government has not provided adequate protection to identified trafficking victims, conducted any tangible prevention activities in 2012, or made progress on the implementation of its national action plan (2013)