Country Profile: Guyana

Guyana, located in Northern South America, shares its borders with Suriname to the east, Venezuela to the west, and Brazil to the south. As the only English-speaking nation in South America, it boasts a diverse cultural heritage derived from its colonial past and significant African and Indian influences. The economy is increasingly driven by the discovery of offshore oil reserves, which has sparked hopes of bolstering development in one of the region's poorer nations. The country operates as a parliamentary republic with a history marked by political turbulence and social divides.

Geography

Guyana is characterized by its largely unspoiled landscapes, featuring rolling highlands, a low coastal plain, and some of the largest rainforests in the world. The country has a total area of 214,969 square kilometers, and its populous regions are concentrated mainly around the capital, Georgetown, and along the Berbice River. It faces natural hazards such as flash floods during rainy seasons.

Area: 214,969 sq km
Coastline: 459 km
Elevation Range: 0 m (Atlantic Ocean) to 2,775 m (Mount Roraima)
Natural Resources: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, shrimp, fish
Land Use: 87.1% forest (2023)

People and Society

With a population estimated at 794,099 in 2024, Guyana's demographics reveal a rich tapestry of ethnic diversity, with significant East Indian and African descents. The population is predominantly young, with a median age of 28.7 years. While the capital Georgetown houses about 110,000 residents, urbanization remains low, with only 27.2% of the population living in urban areas.

Population: 794,099 (2024 est.)
Ethnic Breakdown: 39.8% East Indian, 29.3% African descent
Languages: English (official), Guyanese Creole, various Indigenous and Indian languages
Literacy Rate: 85.6% (2020 est.)
Life Expectancy: 72.4 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Guyana's economy is evolving rapidly, driven primarily by its hydrocarbon sector. The country's real GDP is expected to grow substantially, with projections of $58.423 billion by 2024. Agriculture remains vital but is overshadowed by the booming oil industry, which has begun to reshape its economic landscape.

Real GDP (PPP): $58.423 billion (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 43.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 10.2% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 2.9% (2024 est.)
Major Industries: Bauxite, sugar, gold mining

Government

Guyana is a parliamentary republic with a legal system influenced by English common law. The country achieved independence from the UK in 1966 and has since experienced considerable political shifts, with the latest elections held in September 2025. The president serves a five-year term and is both the head of state and government.

Capital: Georgetown
Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Current President: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since August 2020)
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Administrative Divisions: 10 regions

Military and Security

The Guyana Defense Force comprises land, air, and coast guard components, supported by a police force that ensures internal security. The military has approximately 3,500 active-duty personnel and is engaged with various regional security initiatives. Defense expenditures are relatively low, constituting about 0.9% of GDP.

Active Military Personnel: 3,500 (2025 est.)
Military Expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Focus Areas: Territorial defense, maritime security, community engagement
Participating in: Caribbean Regional Security System since 2022

Energy

Guyana is harnessing its energy resources, with a total petroleum production of 391,000 barrels per day as of 2023. The country is working towards improving electricity access, with 93% of the population having access, and is seeing growth in renewable energy initiatives alongside conventional fossil fuels.

Electricity Access: 93% (2022 est.)
Total Petroleum Production: 391,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Installed Electricity Capacity: 259,000 kW (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 46.045 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Guyana faces environmental challenges, including water pollution and deforestation. Its rich biodiversity and forest coverage are significant assets, with ongoing efforts to leverage carbon credits for ecological preservation.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 2.639 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Forest Coverage: 87.1% (2023 est.)
Water Withdrawal for Agriculture: 1.363 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Waste Recycling Rate: 23% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)

Transportation

The country boasts a network of 55 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 80 vessels. Transportation infrastructure is crucial for both domestic connectivity and international trade, with significant ports located in Georgetown and other regions.

Airports: 55 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 80 vessels (2023)
Total Ports: 3 (2024)
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: 8R

Communications

Guyana has made strides in telecommunications, with 82% of the population using the internet. The fixed-line and mobile subscription rates indicate a growing connectivity landscape, although broadcast media remains dominated by government ownership.

Internet Users: 82% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 856,000 (2021 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 125,000 (2021 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 106,000 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	794,099	2024 estimate
Area	214,969 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$58.423 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	10.2%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	16.68 births per 1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	72.4 years	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	46.045 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	0.9% of GDP	2024 estimate
Infant Mortality Rate	20.6 deaths per 1,000 live births	2025 estimate
Literacy Rate	85.6%	2020 estimate