Country Profile: Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is a small West African nation located between Guinea and Senegal, with a tropical climate characterized by a monsoonal rainy season. The population is approximately 2.1 million, with a diverse ethnic makeup and a significant youth demographic, as nearly half of the population is under the age of 15. Economically, the country remains fragile with a heavy reliance on agriculture, particularly cashews, but faces challenges including systemic corruption and vulnerabilities to global market fluctuations. The governance structure is a semi-presidential republic, though it has been marked by political instability since independence in 1974, with several coups and transitional governments.

Geography

Guinea-Bissau is situated in Western Africa, bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and neighboring Guinea and Senegal. The country covers an area of 36,125 square kilometers, with a landscape consisting mostly of low-lying coastal plains and numerous offshore islands, including the Bijagos Archipelago. Seasonal variations include a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from December to May.

350 km of coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean.
762 km of land boundaries with Guinea and Senegal.
29.9% of land used for agriculture as of 2023.
75% of land is forested in 2023.
8,005 sq km of water area, providing rich fishing grounds.

People and Society

As of 2024, Guinea-Bissau's population stands at approximately 2,132,325, with a gender distribution of 1,042,910 males and 1,089,415 females. The population is predominantly young, with a median age of just 18.5 years. Portuguese is the official language, although a variety of local languages and creole are widely spoken. The society is ethnically diverse, with major groups including the Balanta and Fulani.

30% of the population identifies as Balanta, and 30% as Fulani (2015 est.).
42.3% of the population is aged between 0-14 years (2024 est.).
35.82 births/1,000 population as of 2025.
64.5 years is the average life expectancy in 2024.
2.55% projected population growth rate for 2025.

Economy

Guinea-Bissau's economy is classified as extremely poor, heavily dependent on agriculture, and particularly on cashew exports. The country has been adversely impacted by systemic corruption, inflation, and external economic shocks, with public debt and poverty levels remaining high.

GDP (PPP) estimated at $5.912 billion for 2024.
Real GDP growth rate projected at 4.8% for 2024.
Unemployment rate remains low at 2.7% (2024).
50.5% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2021).
36.8% of the GDP derived from agriculture (2024).

Government

Guinea-Bissau operates as a semi-presidential republic, with a history marred by political upheaval and military coups. The most recent election was held in November 2025, resulting in ongoing instability. The government structure includes an executive branch led by the president, a unicameral legislature, and a mixed legal system influenced by Portuguese law and local customs.

Capital city: Bissau, coordinates 11 51 N, 15 35 W.
The National People's Assembly has 102 members.
Suffrage is universal for citizens aged 18 and above.
The last amendment to the constitution was promulgated on 16 May 1984.
The Independence Day is celebrated on 24 September.

Military and Security

The People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP) of Guinea-Bissau consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, supported by various internal security branches. Military expenditure is a small fraction of the GDP, and the forces have historically played a significant role in the country's political landscape.

4,000 active military personnel estimated as of 2025.
1.2% of GDP allocated for military expenditures in 2024.
Selective compulsory military service for ages 18-25.
Soviet-era weaponry primarily used by the FARP.
Military has intervened in politics multiple times since independence.

Energy

Guinea-Bissau’s energy infrastructure is underdeveloped, with low electrification rates. The majority of electricity generation is reliant on fossil fuels, presenting challenges in access and efficiency.

37.4% of the population has access to electricity as of 2022.
Electricity consumption recorded at 79.8 million kWh (2023).
96.5% of electricity generation relies on fossil fuels.
Installed generating capacity is 29,000 kW (2023).
Per capita energy consumption is 2.351 million Btu (2023).

Environment

Guinea-Bissau faces significant environmental challenges linked to deforestation, soil erosion, and overfishing. It is party to several international environmental agreements aimed at combating these issues.

75% of the land is forest (2023).
10.1% of municipal solid waste was recycled in 2022.
366,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions estimated for 2023.
31.4 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022).
Active participation in agreements concerning biodiversity and climate change.

Transportation

The country’s transportation infrastructure includes a limited number of airports and a small merchant marine fleet, facilitating basic connectivity and trade.

7 airports operational as of 2025.
20 vessels in the merchant marine, including 3 bulk carriers and 12 general cargo ships (2023).
2 ports, primarily Bissau and Rio Cacheu, handle maritime trade.
Civil aircraft registration code is J5.
A small network of roads primarily serves rural areas.

Communications

Telecommunications infrastructure in Guinea-Bissau is limited, with a significant portion of the population lacking access to fixed line services while mobile subscriptions are more prevalent.

2.76 million mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2023.
Internet users make up 33% of the population (2023).
0 fixed-line telephone subscriptions reported (2022).
Broadcast media includes one state-owned TV station and multiple radio stations.
7,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,132,325	2024 estimate
Area	36,125 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$5.912 billion	2024 estimate
Electricity access	37.4%	2022 estimate
Unemployment rate	2.7%	2024 estimate
Birth rate	35.82 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life expectancy at birth	64.5 years	2024 estimate
Military expenditure	1.2% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban population	45.5%	2023 estimate
Total fertility rate	4.59 children born/woman	2025 estimate