2022 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 elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by current President David GRANGER. After a December 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, national elections were constitutionally required to take place within three months. After over a year of extra-constitutional rule by the GRANGER administration, elections were held, though voting irregularities led to a nationwide recount. The current Irfaan ALI administration was sworn in to office in August 2020. The discovery of oil in 2015 has been the primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the significant reserves will transform one of the poorest countries in the region.

Area

land

196,849 sq km

total

214,969 sq km

water

18,120 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee

Climate

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

Coastline

459 km

Elevation

highest point

Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation

207 m

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; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent

Irrigated land

1,430 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

border countries

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

total

2,933 km

Land use

agricultural land

8.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)

forest

77.4% (2018 est.)

other

14.2% (2018 est.)

Location

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

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)

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

Population distribution

population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated

Terrain

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Age structure

0-14 years

23.91% (male 91,317/female 88,025)

15-24 years

21.23% (male 81,294/female 77,987)

25-54 years

39.48% (male 154,825/female 141,385)

55-64 years

8.37% (male 29,385/female 33,386)

65 years and over

7.01% (male 21,325/female 31,275) (2020 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

2.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

2.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

16.72 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

8.2% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

29.9% (2019/20)

Current health expenditure

4.9% of GDP (2019)

Death rate

6.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 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

9.5

potential support ratio

10.6 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

53.6

youth dependency ratio

44.1

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 95.6% of population

improved: total

total: 96.8% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 4.4% of population

unimproved: total

total: 3.2% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.4% (2021 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2016)

Infant mortality rate

female

19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

male

25.05 deaths/1,000 live births

total

22.15 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

73.8 years (2022 est.)

male

70.03 years

total population

71.87 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

89.8% (2015)

male

87.2%

total population

88.5%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

667 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

female

27.9 years (2020 est.)

male

27.2 years

total

27.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.8 years (2009 est.)

note

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

adjective

Guyanese

noun

Guyanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-7.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.2% (2016)

Physicians density

1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population

789,683 (2022 est.)

Population distribution

population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated

Population growth rate

0.24% (2022 est.)

Religions

Protestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 95.4% of population

improved: total

total: 96% of population

improved: urban

urban: 97.8% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 4.6% of population

unimproved: total

total: 4% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 2.2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

12 years (2012)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.11 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.69 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

Tobacco use

female

2.4% (2020 est.)

male

21.7% (2020 est.)

total

12.1% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.06 children born/woman (2022 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

27.2% of total population (2023)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

33.4% (2019 est.)

male

23%

total

27.4%

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

etymology

when the British took possession of the town from the Dutch in 1812, they renamed it Georgetown in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)

geographic coordinates

6 48 N, 58 09 W

name

Georgetown

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent only

yes

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

na

Constitution

amendments

proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval; amended many times, last in 2016

history

several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980

Country name

conventional long form

Cooperative Republic of Guyana

conventional short form

Guyana

etymology

the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means "Land of Many Waters" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)

former

British Guiana

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Sarah-Ann LYNCH (since 13 March 2019)

email address and website

acsgeorge@state.govhttps://gy.usembassy.gov/

embassy

100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown

FAX

[592] 225-8497

mailing address

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 Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021)

consulate(s) general

New York

email address and website

guyanaembassydc@verizon.nethttp://www.guyanaembassyusa.org/

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 Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020); Prime Minister Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly

elections/appointments

the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020)

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; also referred to by its nickname The Golden Arrowhead

Government type

parliamentary 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, PROSUR, 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 acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

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 (70 seats; 40 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituencies, 25 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - all by closed-list proportional representation vote, 2 non-elected ministers, 2 non-elected parliamentary secretaries, and the speaker; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PPP/C 50.69%, APNU-AFC 47.34%, LJP 0.58%, ANUG 0.5%, TNM 0.05%, other 0.84%; seats by party - PPP/C 33, APNU-AFC 31, LJP-ANUG-TNM 1; composition (elected and non-elected) - men 45, women 25, percent of women 35.7%; note - the initial results were declared invalid and a partial recount was conducted from 6 May to 8 June 2020, in which PPP/C was declared the winner

elections

last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER

name

"Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"

note

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 New and United Guyana or ANUG [Ralph RAMKARRAN]A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [Joseph HARMON]Alliance for Change or AFC [Khemraj RAMJATTAN]Justice for All Party [Chandra Narine SHARMA]Liberty and Justice Party or LJP [Lenox SHUMAN]National Independent Party or NIP [Saphier Husain SUBEDAR]People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Dr. Bharrat JAGDEO]The New Movement or TNM [Dr. Asha KISSOON]The United Force or TUF [Marissa NADIR]United Republican Party or URP [Vishnu BANDHU]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

rice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry

Budget

expenditures

1.164 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

1.002 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

$13 million (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

-$237 million (2017 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 31 December 2016

$1.542 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Debt - external 31 December 2017

$1.69 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Economic 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 closed or consolidated several sugar estates in 2017, reducing production of sugar to a forecasted 147,000 tons in 2018, less than half of 2017 production. Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production. With a record-breaking 700,000 ounces of gold produced in 2016, Gold production in Guyana has offset the economic effects of declining sugar production. In January 2018, estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil were found offshore and Guyana is scheduled to become a petroleum producer by March 2020.   Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 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. Despite these 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 debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 52% in 2017. Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure.

Exchange rates

Currency

Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

206.45 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

206.5 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2015

206.5 (2015 est.)

Exchange rates 2016

206.5 (2016 est.)

Exchange rates 2017

207 (2017 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$1.58 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports 2019

$1.8 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports - commodities

ships, gold, shipping containers, excavation machinery, aluminum ores, rice (2019)

Exports - partners

Trinidad and Tobago 31%, Canada 11%, Portugal 11%, Ghana 8%, Norway 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

47.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption

18.2% (2017 est.)

household consumption

71.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-63% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

25.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

15.4% (2017 est.)

industry

15.3% (2017 est.)

services

69.3% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.561 billion (2017 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 1999

43.2 (1999)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2007

44.6 (2007)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

33.8% (1999)

lowest 10%

1.3%

Imports

Imports 2018

$3.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports 2019

$4 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, excavation machinery, shipping containers, aircraft (2019)

Imports - partners

United States 26%, Singapore 18%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Liberia 11%, China 5%, Norway 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

-5% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

0.8% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

2% (2017 est.)

Labor force

313,800 (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

NA

industry

NA

services

NA

Population below poverty line

35% (2006 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

50.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

52.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$9.72 billion (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$10.24 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$14.69 billion (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2015

3.1% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

3.4% (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2017

2.1% (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$12,500 (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$13,100 (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$18,700 (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$581 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$565.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2012

11.3% (2012)

Unemployment rate 2013

11.1% (2013)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

33.4% (2019 est.)

male

23%

total

27.4%

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

total emissions

2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal

consumption

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

production

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves

0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity

consumption

905.4 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports

0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports

0 kWh (2019 est.)

installed generating capacity

380,000 kW (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

247 million kWh (2019 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

90% (2018)

electrification - total population

91.8% (2018)

electrification - urban areas

96.9% (2018)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

fossil fuels

97.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar

1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2019

48.608 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

production

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil and lease condensate exports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

0 barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

18,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)

total petroleum production

110,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

13,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

12 (2020 est.)

total

95,000 (2020 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 has constrained competition in broadcast media

Internet country code

.gy

Internet users

percent of population

37% (2019 est.)

total

289,627 (2019 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is about 16 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 83 per 109 persons (2020)

general assessment

after many years of delays and legal challenges, the 2016 Telecommunications Act was brought into force in October 2020 by the newly elected government of the People’s Party Progressive (PPP); the Telecommunications Act sets out a framework for enabling competition across all segments of the telecommunications sector in Guyana; the mobile market has been open to competition since 2001; the Telecommunications Act presents the country with the potential to benefit from a more level playing field that may attract new players, but nevertheless Guyana’s relatively small size and low GDP may restrict it from reaching its full potential for some more years to come (2021)

international

country code - 592; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable to Suriname, and the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

125,000 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

109 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

856,000 (2020 est.)

Airports

total

117 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

11

under 914 m

8 (2021)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

16

total

106

under 914 m

89 (2021)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

8R

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 26, oil tanker 7, other 23 (2021)

total

56

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Georgetown

Roadways

paved

799 km (2019)

total

3,995 km (2019)

unpaved

3,196 km (2019)

Waterways

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

Military - note

the Guyana Defense Force was established in 1965; its primary missions are defense of the country, assisting civil authorities with law and order as needed, and contributing to the economic development of the country; the GDF’s ground force officers are trained at the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, while coast guard officers receive training at the British Royal Naval College (2022)

Military and security forces

the Guyana Defense Force is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as a militia (Guyana People's Militia) (2022)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 4,000 active duty military personnel (2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Guyana Defense Force's limited inventory is mostly comprised of second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2022)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2017

1.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $80 million)

Military Expenditures 2018

1.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $85 million)

Military Expenditures 2019

1.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $95 million)

Military Expenditures 2020

1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2022)

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

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic drug consumption problem

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

24,500 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

2.38 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

1.81 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

20.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

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

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, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Land use

agricultural land

8.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)

forest

77.4% (2018 est.)

other

14.2% (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

4.56% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

271 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

1.363 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

20.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

61.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

27.2% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

179,252 tons (2010 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

968 tons (2010 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

0.5% (2010 est.)