World · permanent entity record · GY
Guyana
Thirty-second orientation
Guyana at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Guyanese (singular and plural); adjective: Guyanese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Guyana through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Guyana became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 835,986World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 794,099 (2024 est.) male: 405,244 female: 388,855CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-06 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $27.1 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $32,414
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 70.3 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 26.5%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 93.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 83.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Georgetown
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 214,969 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 835,986
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Guyanese dollars (GYD)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Guyanese (singular and plural); adjective: Guyanese
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- South America
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South America.”
- Coastline
- 459 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Protestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, other Christian 20.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- green, red, yellow, black, white
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima · 9,104 ft (2,775 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to former slaves settling urban areas and indentured servants being imported 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 primarily socialist-oriented governments have ruled the country. 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. Donald RAMOTAR won in 2011, but early elections held in 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party, and David GRANGER took office. After a 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, the administration ignored a constitutional requirement to hold elections and remained in place until the 2020 elections, when Irfaan ALI became president. The discovery of massive offshore oil reserves in 2015 has been Guyana's primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the reserves will transform one of the poorest countries in the region. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography18 fields
- Location
- Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 214,969 sq km land: 196,849 sq km water: 18,120 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 2,933 km border countries (3): Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 207 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 3.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.8% (2023 est.) forest: 87.1% (2023 est.) other: 9.5% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with notable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- flash flood threat during rainy seasons
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society35 fields
- Population
- total: 794,099 (2024 est.) male: 405,244 female: 388,855
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Indigenous 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Protestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, other Christian 20.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 23.5% (male 95,223/female 91,272) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 281,669/female 261,261) 65 years and over: 8.1% (2024 est.) (male 28,352/female 36,322)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 46.3 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 34.3 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 11.9 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 8.4 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 28.7 years (2025 est.) male: 28.2 years female: 28.4 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 16.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 7.05 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -6.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with notable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 20.8 years (2009 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 75 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 20.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.3 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 72.4 years (2024 est.) male: 70.6 years female: 74.3 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 2.04 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 96% of population (2022 est.) rural: 95.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 95.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 4.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 4.1% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 4.9% of GDP (2021) 10.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 1.39 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 2.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 9.2% (2025 est.) male: 16.9% (2025 est.) female: 1.9% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 9.4% (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 59% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 6.3% (2020) women married by age 18: 32.3% (2020) men married by age 18: 11.9% (2020)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 7.2% national budget (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 85.6% (2020 est.) male: 84.2% (2020 est.) female: 86.9% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
- Environmental issues
- water pollution from sewage and agricultural/industrial chemicals; deforestation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 3.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.8% (2023 est.) forest: 87.1% (2023 est.) other: 9.5% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 2.639 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.635 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 4,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 11.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Methane emissions
- energy: 103 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 51.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 7.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 2.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 179,300 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 23% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 61.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 20.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1.363 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 271 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana etymology: the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; the name Guiana may be derived from a local term meaning "Land of Water" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the British founded the town in 1781 and named it in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980 amendment process: 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: na
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020) head of government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly election/appointment process: the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister appointed by the president most recent election date: 1 September 2025 election results: 2025: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) reelected president by the majority party in the National Assembly 2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly 2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly expected date of next election: August 2030 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana legislative structure: unicameral chamber name: National Assembly number of seats: 72 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 9/1/2025 parties elected and seats per party: People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) (36); We Invest in Nationhood (W.I.N.) (16); A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) (12); Other (1) percentage of women in chamber: 36.1% expected date of next election: August 2030
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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); Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- A New and United Guyana or ANUG A Partnership for National Unity or APNU Alliance for Change or AFC Justice for All Party Liberty and Justice Party or LJP National Independent Party or NIP People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C The New Movement or TNM The United Force or TUF United Republican Party or URP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 email address and website: guyanaembassydc@verizon.net http://www.guyanaembassydc.org/ consulate(s) general: New York
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Nicole THERIOT (since 14 October 2023) embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 email address and website: acsgeorge@state.gov https://gy.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ACP, ACS, 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the left side) on top of a long yellow arrowhead shape that extends to the opposite side of the flag; a narrow black border sits between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and green meaning: green stands for forest and foliage, yellow for mineral resources and a bright future, white for the rivers, red for zeal and the people's sacrifice, and black for perseverance
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National symbol(s)
- Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National color(s)
- red, yellow, green, black, white
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National coat of arms
- Guyana’s coat of arms was adopted in 1966, the year of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom; the jaguars signify strength and resilience, with one holding a pickaxe that stands for labor and the other holding stalks of rice and sugarcane for agriculture; two national symbols, the Canje pheasant and the Victorian lily, are on the shield, with the national motto underneath; three wavy blue lines stand for the Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice rivers, the headdress for the country’s ethnic groups, and the diamonds for the mining industry; the helmet is a symbol of past UK rule in Guyana
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER history: adopted 1966
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy26 fields
- Economic overview
- small, hydrocarbon-driven South American export economy; major forest coverage being leveraged in carbon credit offsets to encourage preservation; strengthening financial sector; large bauxite and gold resources
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $58.423 billion (2024 est.) $40.749 billion (2023 est.) $30.457 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 43.4% (2024 est.) 33.8% (2023 est.) 63.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $70,300 (2024 est.) $49,300 (2023 est.) $37,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $24.836 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 2.9% (2024 est.) 2.8% (2023 est.) 6.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 8% (2024 est.) industry: 74.3% (2024 est.) services: 15.3% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- rice, sugarcane, plantains, cassava, papayas, pumpkins/squash, chicken, milk, ginger, eggplants (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 53.3% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 292,200 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 10.2% (2024 est.) 12.1% (2023 est.) 12.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 22.3% (2024 est.) male: 17.4% (2024 est.) female: 28.1% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 6.9% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $1.333 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $1.467 billion (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $2.352 billion (2023 est.) $4.242 billion (2022 est.) -$1.36 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $13.739 billion (2023 est.) $11.517 billion (2022 est.) $4.594 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- USA 20%, Trinidad & Tobago 11%, Netherlands 10%, Singapore 10%, Germany 7% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- crude petroleum, railway cargo containers, gold, ships, rice (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $10.956 billion (2023 est.) $7.033 billion (2022 est.) $6.588 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- USA 28%, China 13%, Trinidad & Tobago 11%, Brazil 5%, Bahamas, The 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- refined petroleum, ships, construction vehicles, excavation machinery, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $1.01 billion (2024 est.) $895.275 million (2023 est.) $917.877 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $1.805 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 208.5 (2024 est.) 208.5 (2023 est.) 208.5 (2022 est.) 208.5 (2021 est.) 208.5 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy6 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 93% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 98% electrification - rural areas: 91.6%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 259,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 1.07 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 268.803 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 92.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 391,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- consumption: 1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 1.991 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 46.045 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 125,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 856,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 82% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 106,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation4 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- 8R
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 80 (2023) by type: general cargo 45, oil tanker 10, other 25
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- Military and security forces
- the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as the Guyana National Reserve (2026) note: the Guyana Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for internal security
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 0.9% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 3,500 active-duty Guyana Defense Forces (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military has a limited inventory comprised mostly of older or secondhand platforms imported from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, India, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2026)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was established in 1965; its primary missions are territorial defense, maritime security, search and rescue, medical evacuation, aviation and engineering support, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, peace support operations, and community engagement; key areas of concern include illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, piracy, porous borders, and threats from Venezuela over disputed territory; the GDF participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises and has relationships with Brazil, China, France, the UK, and the US Guyana joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 2022; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 79 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.