Country Profile: Guyana

Situated in Northern South America, Guyana is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, with extensive natural resources and a diverse population. The country, which gained independence from the UK in 1966, has a history marked by ethnic diversity and political turbulence. Guyana's economy has recently shifted focus towards the lucrative oil sector following significant offshore discoveries in 2015, aiming to transform its status as one of the poorest countries in the region.

Geography

Guyana spans an area of 214,969 sq km, making it the third smallest country in South America. The landscape is characterized by rolling highlands and a low coastal plain. Tropical in climate, Guyana experiences two rainy seasons, and its northern coastline along the Atlantic Ocean extends for 459 km.

Area: 214,969 sq km
Land boundaries: 2,933 km total, bordering Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela
Natural resources: Includes bauxite, gold, diamonds, and hardwood timber
Climate: Hot and humid with northeast trade winds
Population distribution: Heavily concentrated in and around Georgetown

People and Society

Guyana's estimated population is 794,099 as of 2024, with a diverse mix of ethnic groups, primarily East Indian (39.8%) and African descent (29.3%). The official language is English, and the country has a rich cultural tapestry influenced by its various ethnic populations. Urbanization remains low, with 27.2% of the population living in urban areas.

Median age: 28.7 years (2025 est.)
Literacy rate: 85.6% (2020 est.)
Life expectancy: 72.4 years (2024 est.)
Birth rate: 16.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.35% (2025 est.)

Economy

Guyana's economy is primarily driven by its burgeoning oil sector, with a real GDP growth rate projected at 43.4% in 2024, significantly boosted by oil revenues. The economy is also supported by agriculture and mining, with exports reaching $13.739 billion in 2023.

GDP (PPP): $58.423 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $70,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10.2% (2024 est.)
Major industries: Include bauxite, gold mining, and sugar production
Current account balance: $2.352 billion (2023 est.)

Government

Guyana operates as a parliamentary republic, with a President serving as both the chief of state and head of government. The current President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, has been in office since August 2020. The political landscape is shaped by a mix of ethnic parties, and the constitution has been amended several times since its promulgation in 1980.

Capital: Georgetown
Administrative divisions: 10 regions
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age
National holiday: Republic Day, celebrated on 23 February
Independence: Achieved on 26 May 1966

Military and Security

The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) is the unified military responsible for national defense with an active duty strength of approximately 3,500 personnel. Military expenditures are projected at 0.9% of GDP for 2024. The GDF faces challenges including illegal fishing and narcotics trafficking.

Military service age: 18 years or older, voluntary service
Military equipment: Primarily older platforms from various suppliers
Participation: Engaged in the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS)

Energy

Around 93% of the population has access to electricity, with a significant portion generated from fossil fuels. The country is harnessing its energy potential as oil production ramps up, reaching 391,000 barrels/day in 2023.

Electricity consumption: 1.07 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Total energy consumption per capita: 46.045 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Petroleum consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Guyana is rich in biodiversity but faces environmental challenges such as water pollution and deforestation. The country is committed to various international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Forest coverage: 87.1% of land area (2023 est.)
Annual municipal solid waste generated: 179,300 tons (2024 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.639 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Transportation

Guyana has a developing transportation infrastructure, featuring a mix of air, sea, and land transport channels. The country has 55 airports and a merchant marine fleet comprising 80 vessels.

Ports: 3 major ports with oil terminals
Civil aircraft registration code: 8R
Telephones - mobile cellular: 856,000 subscriptions (2021 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	794,099	2024 est.
Area	214,969 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$58.423 billion	2024 est.
Energy consumption per capita	46.045 million Btu/person	2023 est.
Birth rate	16.68 births/1,000 population	2025 est.
Unemployment rate	10.2%	2024 est.
Life expectancy	72.4 years	2024 est.