Country Profile: Guinea

Guinea, located in Western Africa, boasts a diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage influenced by its deep-rooted Islamic traditions. The country has a population of approximately 14.4 million and an economy primarily based on agriculture, with significant contributions from mining. Governance in Guinea has seen a tumultuous history, transitioning from colonial rule to a series of military coups and shifts between authoritarianism and democratic elections.

Geography

Guinea is located in Western Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, with an area of 245,857 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Oregon. The country's terrain is characterized by a generally flat coastal plain and mountainous interior, with Mont Nimba being the highest point at 1,752 m. Guinea experiences a monsoonal climate with a humid rainy season and a dry season dominated by the harmattan winds.

Coastline: 320 km
Major rivers: Includes the Niger River and the Gambia River.
Natural resources: Bauxite, diamonds, iron ore, gold, uranium.
Population density: Highest in the western and southern regions.

People and Society

Guinea has an estimated population of 14,374,590 as of 2025, with a youthful median age of 19.5 years. The society is diverse, with major ethnic groups including Fulani (33.4%), Malinke (29.4%), and Susu (21.2%). The predominant religion is Islam, practiced by 85.2% of the population, while French serves as the official language.

Urban population: 38.1% (2023)
Literacy rate: 39.6% (2018)
Birth rate: 35.04 births/1,000 people (2025)
Life expectancy: 64.6 years (2024)

Economy

Guinea's economy is primarily agrarian, with agriculture contributing 29.6% to the GDP. The mining sector, especially bauxite and gold, plays a crucial role in economic growth. In 2024, the real GDP (PPP) is projected at $59.439 billion, with a growth rate of 5.7%. However, the country faces challenges like slow infrastructure improvements and vulnerabilities to climate change.

GDP per capita: $4,000 (2024)
Unemployment rate: 5.3% (2024)
Poverty rate: 43.7% below the national poverty line (2018)
Inflation rate: 8.1% (2024)

Government

Guinea operates as a presidential republic. The current transitional government was formed after a military coup in 2021. The President, Col. Mamady Doumbouya, has been in power since January 2026, following significant political changes. Voting rights are granted at 18 years of age, and the government structure includes a unicameral Transitional National Council.

Independence: Achieved from France on 2 October 1958.
Administrative divisions: Comprised of 7 regions and 1 governorate.
Legislative structure: Currently has 81 appointed seats.

Military and Security

The Guinean Armed Forces are responsible for national defense and internal security, estimated to include 10-12,000 active personnel. Military expenditures account for 2.1% of GDP. The military has played a significant role in Guinea's political landscape, particularly during periods of unrest and coups.

Service age: Voluntary and conscripted service begins at 18 years.
Military equipment: Mainly consists of aging Soviet-era weapons.

Energy

Energy access remains a challenge, with only 47.7% of the population having electricity as of 2022. The majority of electricity generation is from hydroelectric sources, accounting for 74.1% of total capacity. The country is increasingly focusing on improving its energy infrastructure.

Installed capacity: 1.06 million kW (2023).
Electricity consumption: 3.624 billion kWh (2023).

Environment

Guinea faces several environmental issues including deforestation, inadequate potable water, and soil erosion. The country is a signatory to various international environmental agreements, including the Climate Change Paris Agreement. Urban areas account for 38.1% of the total population with a growing rate of urbanization.

Total renewable water resources: 226 billion cubic meters (2022).
Municipal solid waste: 596,900 tons generated annually (2024).

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 16 airports and a railway system spanning 1,086 km. Guinea maintains a small merchant marine fleet and has several ports for trade, including Conakry.

Railways: 1,086 km total as of 2017.
Civil aircraft registration code: 3X.

Communications

Guinea has seen gradual improvements in telecommunication, with 15.3 million mobile cellular subscriptions noted in 2022. However, fixed-line subscriptions remain nearly non-existent. Internet accessibility continues to expand, with 27% of the population using the internet as of 2023.

Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109 (2022).
Broadcast media: Primarily state-controlled, with limited private options.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	14,374,590 (2025 est.)
Area	245,857 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$59.439 billion (2024)
Unemployment rate	5.3% (2024)
Birth rate	35.04 births/1,000 (2025)
Life expectancy at birth	64.6 years (2024)
Urban population	38.1% (2023)
Electricity access	47.7% (2022)
Total energy consumption per capita	5.235 million Btu/person (2023)
Military expenditures	2.1% of GDP (2024)