South America
Page last updated: July 24, 2024
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.
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
5 00 N, 59 00 W
South America
Total : 214,969 km²
Land: 196,849 km²
Water: 18,120 km²
Slightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee
Area comparison map:
Total: 2,933 km
Border countries (3): Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km
459 km
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Highest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Mean elevation: 207 m
Bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)
Forest: 77.4% (2018 est.)
Other: 14.2% (2018 est.)
1,430 km² (2012)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 km²), Orinoco (953,675 km²)
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
Flash flood threat during rainy seasons
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
Total: 794,099
Male: 405,244
Female: 388,855 (2024 est.)
Comparison rankings: female 166; male 166; total 166
Noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)
Adjective: Guyanese
East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Indigenous 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)
English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)
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.)
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.
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)
2023 population pyramid:
Total dependency ratio: 53.6
Youth dependency ratio: 44.1
Elderly dependency ratio: 9.5
Potential support ratio: 10.6 (2021 est.)
Total: 28.3 years (2024 est.)
Male: 28.2 years
Female: 28.4 years
0.32% (2024 est.)
16.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
-6.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
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
Urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)
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.)
20.8 years (2009 est.)
Note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
112 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Total: 21.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 18.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Total population: 72.4 years (2024 est.)
Male: 70.6 years
Female: 74.3 years
2.05 children born/woman (2024 est.)
1 (2024 est.)
29.9% (2019/20)
Improved: urban: 100% of population
Rural: 95.6% of population
Total: 96.8% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0% of population
Rural: 4.4% of population
Total: 3.2% of population (2020 est.)
5.5% of GDP (2020)
1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Improved: urban: 97.8% of population
Rural: 95.4% of population
Total: 96% of population
Unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population
Rural: 4.6% of population
Total: 4% of population (2020 est.)
Degree of risk: very high (2023)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
20.2% (2016)
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.)
Total: 12.1% (2020 est.)
Male: 21.7% (2020 est.)
Female: 2.4% (2020 est.)
9.4% (2019)
62.6% (2023 est.)
4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)
Definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
Total population: 88.8%
Male: 89.3%
Female: 88.4% (2021)
Total: 11 years
Male: 11 years
Female: 12 years (2012)
Water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
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
Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)
Forest: 77.4% (2018 est.)
Other: 14.2% (2018 est.)
Urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
4.56% of GDP (2018 est.)
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 11.11 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.38 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 1.81 megatons (2020 est.)
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.)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 km²), Orinoco (953,675 km²)
Municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Agricultural: 1.36 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
271 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
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; 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)
Parliamentary republic
Name: Georgetown
Geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 09 W
Time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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)
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
26 May 1966 (from the UK)
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
History: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980
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
Common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence
Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship by birth: yes
Citizenship by descent only: yes
Dual citizenship recognized: no
Residency requirement for naturalization: na
18 years of age; universal
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
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
Election results:
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
Note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Description: unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 40 members directly elected in single-seat, 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)
Elections: ast held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
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 - men 43, women 28, percentage women 39.4%; 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
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
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]
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
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
Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily; national colors: red, yellow, green, black, white
Name: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"
Lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER
Note: adopted 1966
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
$40.539 billion (2023 est.)
$30.476 billion (2022 est.)
$18.647 billion (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
33.02% (2023 est.)
63.44% (2022 est.)
20.01% (2021 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
$49,800 (2023 est.)
$37,700 (2022 est.)
$23,200 (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
$16.786 billion (2023 est.)
Note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
2.82% (2023 est.)
6.12% (2022 est.)
5.03% (2021 est.)
Note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Agriculture: 15.4% (2017 est.)
Industry: 15.3% (2017 est.)
Services: 69.3% (2017 est.)
Comparison rankings: services 74; industry 180; agriculture 64
Household consumption: 71.1% (2017 est.)
Government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2017 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 47.8% (2017 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -63% (2017 est.)
Sugarcane, rice, plantains, papayas, cassava, pumpkins/squash, chicken, milk, eggplants, ginger (2022)
Note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
98.53% (2022 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
295,000 (2023 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
12.43% (2023 est.)
12.42% (2022 est.)
14.93% (2021 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment
Total: 29.9% (2021 est.)
Male: 23.5%
Female: 39.6%
35% (2006 est.)
44.6 (2007 est.)
Lowest 10%: 1.3%
Highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)
3.27% of GDP (2023 est.)
3.57% of GDP (2022 est.)
6.81% of GDP (2021 est.)
Note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Revenues: $1.333 billion (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $1.467 billion (2019 est.)
-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
52.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
50.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
28.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
-$254.121 million (2022 est.)
-$2.503 billion (2021 est.)
-$396.533 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
$11.536 billion (2022 est.)
$4.64 billion (2021 est.)
$2.799 billion (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Panama 32%, Netherlands 15%, US 13%, UAE 6%, Italy 6% (2022)
Note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Crude petroleum, gold, rice, aluminum ore, liquor (2022)
Note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
$7.067 billion (2022 est.)
$6.611 billion (2021 est.)
$3.756 billion (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
US 28%, China 14%, Brazil 7%, Trinidad and Tobago 7%, Suriname 4% (2022)
Note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Refined petroleum, valves, iron pipes, construction vehicles, cars (2022)
Note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
$895.275 million (2023 est.)
$917.877 million (2022 est.)
$790.785 million (2021 est.)
Note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
$1.69 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.542 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
208.5 (2023 est.)
208.5 (2022 est.)
208.5 (2021 est.)
208.5 (2020 est.)
208.5 (2019 est.)
Electrification - total population: 93% (2022 est.)
Electrification - urban areas: 98%
Electrification - rural areas: 91.6%
Installed generating capacity: 385,000 kW (2022 est.)
Consumption: 904.608 million kWh (2022 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 233.463 million kWh (2022 est.)
Comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 67; consumption 161; installed generating capacity 157
Fossil fuels: 98.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Biomass and waste: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Imports: (2022 est.) less than 1 metric ton
Total petroleum production: 391,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
Consumption: 3.981 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Imports: 3.981 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
2.499 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 2.491 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 8,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
42.797 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
Total subscriptions: 125,000 (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2021 est.)
Total subscriptions: 856,000 (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2021 est.)
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)
Domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 16 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 110 per 100 persons (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)
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
.gy
Total: 680,000 (2021 est.)
Percent of population: 85% (2021 est.)
Total: 95,000 (2020 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.)
8R
51 (2024)
Total: 3,995 km
Paved: 799 km
Unpaved: 3,196 km (2019)
330 km (2012) (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively)
Total: 80 (2023)
By type: general cargo 45, oil tanker 10, other 25
Total ports: 3 (2024)
Large: 0
Medium: 1
Small: 0
Very small: 2
Ports with oil terminals: 3
Key ports: Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as the Guyana National Reserve (2024)
Note: the Guyana Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for internal security
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2019 est.)
Approximately 3,500 active-duty military personnel (2024)
The military has a limited inventory comprised mostly of older or second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2023)
18-25 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2024)
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was established in 1965; its primary missions are defense of the country, including border security, assisting civil authorities with law and order as needed, and contributing to Guyana’s economic development; key areas of concern include disaster response, illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, piracy, and porous borders; the GDF participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises and has relationships with Brazil, China, France, the UK, and the US; 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
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 (2024)
Refugees (country of origin): 21,676 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2023)
A transit country for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic marijuana cultivation and consumption