2015 Edition

Background

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006. Donald RAMOTAR was elected president in 2011.

Area

land

196,849 sq km

total

214,969 sq km

water

18,120 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Idaho

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Coastline

459 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mount Roraima 2,835 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation

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, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

2,222 cu m/yr (2010)

total

1.64 cu km/yr (4%/1%/94%)

Geographic coordinates

5 00 N, 59 00 W

Geography - note

the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively

Irrigated land

1,501 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries (3)

Brazil 1,308 km, Suriname 836 km, Venezuela 789 km

total

2,933 km

Land use

arable land 2.1%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 6.2%

agricultural land

8.4%

forest

77.4%

other

14.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

continental shelf

200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flash flood threat during rainy seasons

Natural resources

bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Terrain

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Total renewable water resources

241 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

28.07% (male 105,078/female 101,296)

15-24 years

21.26% (male 80,303/female 76,022)

25-54 years

37.42% (male 143,490/female 131,644)

55-64 years

7.72% (male 25,426/female 31,304)

65 years and over

5.53% (male 16,877/female 23,782) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

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

Child labor - children ages 5-14

percentage

16% (2006 est.)

total number

30,255

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

11.1% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

42.5% (2009)

Death rate

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

Demographic profile

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure.

Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs.

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

7.6%

potential support ratio

13.2% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

51.1%

youth dependency ratio

43.5%

Drinking water source

urban: 98.2% of population

rural: 98.3% of population

total: 98.3% of population

urban: 1.8% of population

rural: 1.7% of population

total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, white) (2002 est.)

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.81% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

100 (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,700 (2014 est.)

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

female

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

male

36.52 deaths/1,000 live births

total

32.56 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

71.24 years (2015 est.)

male

65.1 years

total population

68.09 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

89.8% (2015 est.)

male

87.2%

total population

88.5%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria (2013)

Major urban areas - population

GEORGETOWN (capital) 124,000 (2014)

Median age

female

25.8 years (2015 est.)

male

25 years

total

25.4 years

Nationality

adjective

Guyanese

noun

Guyanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-8.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.9% (2014)

Physicians density

0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

735,222

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.02% (2015 est.)

Religions

Protestant 30.5% (Pentecostal 16.9%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%), Hindu 28.4%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Muslim 7.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, other 1.9%, none 4.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2002 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 87.9% of population

rural: 82% of population

total: 83.7% of population

urban: 12.1% of population

rural: 18% of population

total: 16.3% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

11 years (2012)

male

9 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.09 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.81 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.71 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.08 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

50% (2011 est.)

male

43.59%

total

46.05%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.76% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

28.6% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Capital

geographic coordinates

6 48 N, 58 09 W

name

Georgetown

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980; amended many times, last in 2007 (2013)

Country name

conventional long form

Cooperative Republic of Guyana

conventional short form

Guyana

former

British Guiana

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador D. Brent HARDT (since 19 August 2011)

embassy

US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown

FAX

[592] 225-8497

mailing address

P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170

telephone

[592] 225-4900 through 4909

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Bayney KARRAN (since 4 December 2003)

consulate(s)

Houston, Miami

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 232-1297

telephone

[1] (202) 265-6900

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly

chief of state

President Donald RAMOTAR (since 03 December 2011)

election results

Donald RAMOTAR (PPP/C) elected president by National Assembly; percent of vote - 48.6%

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by the National Assembly from party lists to serve a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 28 November 2011 (next to be held by December 2016); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997)

Flag description

green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green; green represents forest and foliage; yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future; white symbolizes Guyana's rivers; red signifies zeal and the sacrifice of the people; black indicates perseverance

Government type

republic

Independence

26 May 1966 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); note - in 2009, Guyana ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65

subordinate courts

Land Court; magistrates' courts

Legal system

common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence

Legislative branch

description

unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies and a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - APNU 50.3%, PPP/C 49.19%, other 0.51%; seats by party - APNU 33, PPP/C 32

elections

last held on 11 May 2015 (next to be held by May 2020)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER

name

"Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"

note

adopted 1966

National holiday

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

National symbol(s)

Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily; national colors: red, yellow, green, black, white

Political parties and leaders

A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [David A. GRANGER]

Alliance for Change or AFC [Khemraj RAMJATTAN]

Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]

People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Donald RAMOTAR]

Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]

The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]

The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]

Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Amerindian People's Association

Guyana Bar Association

Guyana Citizens Initiative

Guyana Human Rights Association

Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU

Private Sector Commission

Trades Union Congress

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, rice, edible oils; beef, pork, poultry; shrimp, fish

Budget

expenditures

$874.3 million (2014 est.)

revenues

$732.2 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.5% (31 December 2011)

4.25% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.2% (31 December 2014 est.)

13.5% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$477 million (2014 est.)

-$405.4 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$1.846 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.6 (2007)

43.2 (1999)

Economy - overview

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 has broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Guyana has experienced positive growth almost every year over the past decade. Inflation has been kept under control. Recent years have seen the government's stock of debt reduced significantly - with external debt now less than half of what it was in the early 1990s. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. Despite recent improvements, the government is still juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to 21% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 58% in 2014. Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production in response to global prices, although downward trends in gold prices may threaten future growth. In 2014, production of sugar dropped to a 24-year low.

Exchange rates

Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -

206.9 (2014 est.)

205.39 (2013 est.)

204.36 (2012 est.)

204.02 (2011 est.)

203.64 (2010 est.)

Exports

$1.308 billion (2014 est.)

$1.343 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber

Exports - partners

US 31.9%, Canada 21.3%, Venezuela 10.9%, UK 6.4% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

52%

government consumption

11.3%

household consumption

89.2%

imports of goods and services

-64.8%

investment in fixed capital

24.6%

investment in inventories

-12.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

20.3%

industry

39.2%

services

40.5% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,900 (2014 est.)

$6,600 (2013 est.)

$6,300 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2014 est.)

5.2% (2013 est.)

4.8% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.997 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.514 billion (2014 est.)

$5.311 billion (2013 est.)

$5.047 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

3.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

3.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

7.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

33.8% (1999)

lowest 10%

1.3%

Imports

$1.981 billion (2014 est.)

$1.859 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food

Imports - partners

US 21.9%, Trinidad and Tobago 19.9%, Venezuela 12%, China 9.9%, Suriname 8% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

12% (2014 est.)

Industries

bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2014 est.)

1.9% (2013 est.)

Labor force

313,800 (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$610.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$440.4 million (31 December 2011)

$339.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

35% (2006 est.)

Public debt

58% of GDP (2014 est.)

56.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$779.2 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$783.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.59 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.52 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.495 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.406 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$603.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$558.5 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.1% (2013)

11.3% (2012)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.661 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

523 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

96% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

363,500 kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

725 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

10,880 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

10,780 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government-dominated broadcast media; the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned; a few private TV stations relay satellite services; the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies capable of reaching the entire country; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations continue to constrain competition in broadcast media (2007)

Internet country code

.gy

Internet users

percent of population

36.7% (2014 est.)

total

270,200

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is about 20 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 70 per 100 persons in 2011

general assessment

fair system for long-distance service; microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services

international

country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

22 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

160,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

77 (2014 est.)

total

566,900

Television broadcast stations

3 (1 public station; 2 private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997)

Airports

117 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

11

under 914 m

8 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

89 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

16

total

106

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 7, petroleum tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1

registered in other countries

3 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2010)

total

10

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Georgetown

Roadways

paved

590 km

total

7,970 km

unpaved

7,380 km (2000)

Waterways

330 km (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

189,840 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

147,719 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

133,239

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

8,460 (2010 est.)

male

8,849

Military branches

Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Air Corps, Coast Guard) (2012)

Military expenditures

1.09% of GDP (2012)

1.17% of GDP (2011)

1.09% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2014)

Disputes - international

all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UNCLOS to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Guyana is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Guyanese and foreign women and girls are forced into prostitution in Guyana; forced labor, especially of children, is reported in mining, agriculture, forestry, domestic service, and shops; Indonesian workers are victims of forced labor on Guyanese-flagged fishing boats

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Guyana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however,it is making significant efforts to do so; limited efforts were made to protect and provide assistance to victims in 2013, and authorities operated a hotline for trafficking victims; the government failed to increase its efforts to hold trafficking offenders accountable with jail time, creating an enabling environment for human trafficking and further endangering victims (2014)