Country Profile: Guam

Guam, a strategic island located in the North Pacific Ocean, covers an area of approximately 544 square kilometers. It has a diverse population of about 169,532, primarily comprising indigenous Chamorro and various Pacific Islander and Asian communities. The economy is predominantly driven by tourism and military presence, with significant contributions from agriculture and construction. As an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, Guam has its own local governance while being under U.S. jurisdiction.

Geography

Guam is the largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago, strategically located about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines. Its tropical marine climate features a warm and humid environment, with a terrain that includes volcanic mountains and coral reefs. The island is characterized by a coastline of 125.5 kilometers and experiences distinct wet and dry seasons.

• 544 sq km: Total area of Guam
• 0 km: Land boundaries, as Guam is an island
• 125.5 km: Coastline length
• 406 m: Highest point (Mount Lamlam)
• 29.6%: Agricultural land use (2023 est.)
• 52.4%: Forest cover (2023 est.)
• 200 nm: Exclusive economic zone

People and Society

The estimated population of Guam is 169,532 as of 2024, with a significant proportion being Guamanian citizens who are U.S. citizens. The population is predominantly of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander descent, with strong influences from Asian communities, especially Filipinos. The society is heavily urbanized, with about 95.2% residing in urban areas.

• 26.4%: Population aged 0-14 years
• 62.7%: Population aged 15-64 years
• 10.9%: Population aged 65 years and over (2024 est.)
• 78 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
• 17.9 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025 est.)
• 95.2%: Urban population (2022)
• 1.06 male(s)/female: Sex ratio (2024 est.)

Economy

Guam's economy is classified as an upper-income, tourism-based economy with significant support from U.S. military installations. It has been affected by COVID-19 but is recovering through measures like vaccination tourism. The GDP for 2022 is estimated at $6.91 billion, with reliance on sectors such as tourism, defense, and construction.

• 5.1%: Real GDP growth rate (2022 est.)
• $6.91 billion: GDP (2022 est.)
• $545 million: Exports (2022 est.)
• $4.421 billion: Imports (2022 est.)
• 5.6%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
• 77,700: Labor force (2024 est.)
• 34.6%: Household expenditures on food (2021 est.)

Government

As an unincorporated organized territory of the U.S., Guam functions under a republican form of territorial government with local self-governance. The capital is Hagatna, and while Guamanians enjoy U.S. citizenship, they do not have the right to vote in presidential elections. The island's governance includes an executive branch, legislative assembly, and judicial system modeled after U.S. law.

• 15: Seats in the Legislature of Guam (unicameral)
• 40%: Percentage of women in the legislature
• Gubernatorial elections: The most recent was on November 8, 2022
• Lourdes Leon Guerrero: Current Governor since January 7, 2019
• Constitution effective: July 1, 1950
• National holiday: Discovery Day, first Monday in March

Military and Security

Guam is home to significant U.S. military installations, hosting thousands of active-duty personnel. The military presence contributes to the security and economic stability of the island. The local law enforcement is provided by the Guam Police Department, alongside the Guam National Guard.

Energy

Guam has achieved full electrification, with a generation capacity of 525,000 kW. The primary source of electricity generation is from fossil fuels, complemented by some solar energy.

• 100%: Total electricity access (2022 est.)
• 1.715 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 est.)
• 92.1%: Share of electricity from fossil fuels (2023 est.)
• 11,000 bbl/day: Refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.)

Environment

Guam faces several environmental challenges, including freshwater scarcity and damage to its coral reefs. The island's land use is predominantly agricultural, but urbanization and invasive species pose threats to its natural resources.

• 99.7%: Access to improved drinking water (2022 est.)
• 141,500 tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
• 17.9%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2011 est.)
• 1.819 million metric tonnes: Carbon dioxide emissions (2023 est.)

Transportation

Guam's transportation infrastructure includes three airports and a port at Apra Harbor, which is vital for access and trade. The island has a small number of civil aircraft and a limited merchant marine fleet.

• 3: Airports (2025)
• 1: Significant port (Apra Harbor)
• 2: Heliports (2025)
• 3: Merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

The island has a well-developed communication network, with a high percentage of the population utilizing internet services. There are multiple television and radio stations available.

• 81%: Percentage of internet users (2017 est.)
• 70,000: Fixed line telephone subscriptions (2021 est.)
• 3,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022 est.)
• 43: Fixed line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	169,532	2024 estimate
Area	544 sq km	Total area
GDP	$6.91 billion	2022 estimate
Unemployment rate	5.6%	2024 estimate
Birth rate	17.9/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Life expectancy	78 years	2024 estimate
Total fertility rate	2.7 children/woman	2025 estimate
Energy consumption	1.715 billion kWh	2023 estimate
Agricultural land	29.6%	Land use (2023 estimate)
Urban population	95.2%	2022 estimate