Country Profile: Guinea

Guinea is a West African nation with a rich history influenced by a deep Muslim heritage and colonial rule. It covers an area of approximately 245,857 square kilometers, characterized by a generally hot and humid climate with a mix of flat coastal plains and hilly interiors. Home to nearly 14 million people, Guinea's economy is primarily agrarian, although it also has a significant mining sector. The country has experienced a series of political changes, shifting from a colonial past to a presidential republic with recent military governance.

Geography

Guinea is located in Western Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, with land boundaries shared with several countries including Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. The country features a diverse terrain consisting of coastal plains and mountainous regions, with Mont Nimba being the highest point. Guinea's climate varies between a rainy monsoonal season and a dry season, which affect its agricultural practices.

Area: 245,857 sq km
Natural resources: Bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold
Climate: Hot and humid with a rainy season from June to November
Major Rivers: Niger River (4,200 km), Gambia River (1,094 km)
Coastline: 320 km
Population Density: Higher in the western and southern regions

People and Society

Guinea has a population of approximately 13.9 million, predominantly comprising ethnic groups such as the Fulani, Malinke, and Susu. The official language is French, but many native languages are prevalent. Islam is the dominant religion, with a substantial segment of the population adhering to it.

Population (2024 est.): 13,986,179
Median age: 19.4 years
Urban population: 38.1% (2023)
Life expectancy: 64.6 years (2024)
Literacy rate: 40% (2018)
Birth rate: 35.3 births per 1,000 population (2024)

Economy

Guinea's economy is primarily agrarian, supported by a burgeoning mining sector. As of 2024, Guinea's GDP in purchasing power parity is estimated at approximately $59.4 billion with a growth rate of 5.7%. However, the economy faces challenges from climate change and socio-economic disparities.

GDP (PPP, 2024 est.): $59.439 billion
Real GDP per capita (2024 est.): $4,000
Unemployment rate: 5.3% (2024)
Agriculture's contribution to GDP: 29.6% (2024)
Primary exports: Gold, aluminum ore, cocoa beans

Government

Guinea operates as a presidential republic, currently under a transitional military government established after a coup in 2021. The political landscape has seen various changes, including multiple coups since independence from France in 1958. The current legislative body is the Transitional National Council, which consists of appointed members.

Capital: Conakry
Independence: 2 October 1958
Current President: Interim President Col. Mamady Doumbouya (since October 2021)
Vote suffrage age: 18 years
Political structure: Unicameral legislature with 81 appointed seats

Military and Security

The Guinean Armed Forces consist of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, alongside the National Police. Military expenditures are around 2.1% of GDP as of 2024. The military plays a dual role of territorial defense and domestic security, often involved in suppressing civil unrest.

Military strength: Estimated 10-12,000 active personnel (2025)
Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2024)
Service age: 18 years for voluntary and selective conscription
Military equipment: Predominantly Soviet-era

Energy

Electricity access in Guinea remains limited, with 47.7% of the total population having access as of 2022. The energy sector is largely reliant on hydroelectric power, accounting for the majority of the country's electricity generation.

Installed electricity capacity: 1.06 million kW (2023)
Electricity consumption: 3.624 billion kWh (2023)
Electrification rate: 47.7% total population (2022)

Environment

Guinea faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, inadequate potable water, and soil erosion. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Environmental issues: Deforestation, soil contamination, overfishing
Total renewable water resources: 226 billion cubic meters (2020)
Urban population (2023): 38.1%

Transportation

Guinea's transportation infrastructure includes roads, railways, and airports. The country has a total of 16 airports and an established railway network, though much of the infrastructure requires significant improvement.

Total railways: 1,086 km (2017)
Airports: 16 (2025)
Merchant marine: 2 vessels (2023)

Communications

The communications sector in Guinea is evolving, with mobile subscriptions surpassing fixed-line services. However, internet access remains limited to a small percentage of the population.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 13.8 million (2021)
Internet users: 27% of the population (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	13,986,179 (2024 est.)
Area	245,857 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$59.439 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita	$4,000 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.3% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	35.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	64.6 years (2024 est.)
Electric access	47.7% (2022 est.)
Military expenditures	2.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Urban population	38.1% (2023)