Introduction
Background
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by current President David GRANGER. After a December 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, national elections were constitutionally required to take place within three months. After over a year of extra-constitutional rule by the GRANGER administration, elections were held, though voting irregularities led to a nationwide recount. The current Irfaan ALI administration was sworn in to office in August 2020. The discovery of oil in 2015 has been the primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the significant reserves will transform one of the poorest countries in the region. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean.
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Geography
Location
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Geographic coordinates
5 00 N, 59 00 W
Map references
South America
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee
Land boundaries
total: 2,933 km
border countries (3): Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km
Coastline
459 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Terrain
mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Elevation
highest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 207 m
Natural resources
bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Land use
agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)
forest: 77.4% (2018 est.)
other: 14.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
1,430 sq km (2012)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
Population distribution
population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
Natural hazards
flash flood threat during rainy seasons
Geography - note
the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Guyanese
Ethnic groups
East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)
Languages
English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)
Religions
Protestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, other Christian 20.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.)
Demographic profile
Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure.
Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs.
Age structure
0-14 years: 23.65% (male 95,605/female 91,654)
15-64 years: 68.49% (male 281,157/female 261,113)
65 years and over: 7.86% (2023 est.) (male 27,269/female 34,941)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 53.6
youth dependency ratio: 44.1
elderly dependency ratio: 9.5
potential support ratio: 10.6 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 27.9 years (2023 est.)
male: 27.8 years
female: 28 years
comparison ranking: total 149
Population distribution
population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated
Urbanization
urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.8 years (2009 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
Infant mortality rate
total: 21.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
male: 24.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 75
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 72.2 years (2023 est.)
male: 70.3 years
female: 74.1 years
comparison ranking: total population 159
Gross reproduction rate
1 (2023 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
29.9% (2019/20)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 95.6% of population
total: 96.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 4.4% of population
total: 3.2% of population (2020 est.)
Current health expenditure
5.5% of GDP (2020)
Physicians density
1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 97.8% of population
rural: 95.4% of population
total: 96% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population
rural: 4.6% of population
total: 4% of population (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: very high (2023)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 2.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.3 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 83
Tobacco use
total: 12.1% (2020 est.)
male: 21.7% (2020 est.)
female: 2.4% (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 121
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
62.6% (2023 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 88.8%
male: 89.3%
female: 88.4% (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2012)
Environment
Environment - current issues
water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Land use
agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)
forest: 77.4% (2018 est.)
other: 14.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 27.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 11.11 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 2.38 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 1.81 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 179,252 tons (2010 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 968 tons (2010 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2010 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 1.36 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
271 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form: Guyana
former: British Guiana
etymology: the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means "Land of Many Waters" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams)
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Georgetown
geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 09 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: when the British took possession of the town from the Dutch in 1812, they renamed it Georgetown in honor of King GEORGE III (1738-1820)
Administrative divisions
10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Independence
26 May 1966 (from the UK)
National holiday
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Constitution
history: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980
amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval; amended many times, last in 2016
Legal system
common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: na
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020); Prime Minister Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly
elections/appointments: the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president
election results:
2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly
2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly
Legislative branch
description: unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 40 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituencies, 25 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - all by closed-list proportional representation vote, 2 non-elected ministers, 2 non-elected parliamentary secretaries, and the speaker; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 50.69%, APNU-AFC 47.34%, LJP 0.58%, ANUG 0.5%, TNM 0.05%, other 0.84%; seats by party - PPP/C 33, APNU-AFC 31, LJP-ANUG-TNM 1; composition (elected and non-elected) - men 45, women 25, percent of women 35.7%; note - the initial results were declared invalid and a partial recount was conducted from 6 May to 8 June 2020, in which PPP/C was declared the winner
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); note - in 2009, Guyana acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: Land Court; magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders
A New and United Guyana or ANUG [Ralph RAMKARRAN]
A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [Joseph HARMON]
Alliance for Change or AFC [Khemraj RAMJATTAN]
Justice for All Party [Chandra Narine SHARMA]
Liberty and Justice Party or LJP [Lenox SHUMAN]
National Independent Party or NIP [Saphier Husain SUBEDAR]
People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Dr. Bharrat JAGDEO]
The New Movement or TNM [Dr. Asha KISSOON]
The United Force or TUF [Marissa NADIR]
United Republican Party or URP [Vishnu BANDHU]
International organization participation
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021)
chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900
FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297
email address and website:
guyanaembassydc@verizon.net
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Sarah-Ann LYNCH (since 13 March 2019)
embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
mailing address: 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170
telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909
FAX: [592] 225-8497
email address and website:
acsgeorge@state.gov
https://gy.usembassy.gov/
Flag description
green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green; green represents forest and foliage; yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future; white symbolizes Guyana's rivers; red signifies zeal and the sacrifice of the people; black indicates perseverance; also referred to by its nickname The Golden Arrowhead
National symbol(s)
Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily; national colors: red, yellow, green, black, white
National anthem
name: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"
lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER
note: adopted 1966
Economy
Economic overview
small, hydrocarbon-driven South American export economy; major forest coverage being leveraged in carbon credit offsets to encourage preservation; strengthening financial sector; large bauxite and gold resources
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$17.64 billion (2021 est.)
$14.693 billion (2020 est.)
$10.24 billion (2019 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 157
Real GDP per capita
$21,900 (2021 est.)
$18,400 (2020 est.)
$12,800 (2019 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 85
GDP (official exchange rate)
$3.561 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5.03% (2021 est.)
0.99% (2020 est.)
2.09% (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 68
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 15.4% (2017 est.)
industry: 15.3% (2017 est.)
services: 69.3% (2017 est.)
comparison rankings: services 74; industry 180; agriculture 64
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 71.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 47.8% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -63% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
rice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry
Industries
bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 29.9% (2021 est.)
male: 23.5%
female: 39.6%
comparison ranking: total 40
Population below poverty line
35% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)
Budget
revenues: $1.333 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures: $1.467 billion (2019 est.)
Fiscal year
calendar year
Current account balance
-$2.087 billion (2021 est.)
-$396.533 million (2020 est.)
-$2.717 billion (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 158
Exports
$4.64 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$2.799 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$1.805 billion (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 133
Exports - partners
United States 40%, Singapore 14%, United Arab Emirates 6%, United Kingdom 6%, Barbados 6% (2021)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, rice, aluminum ores, railway shipping containers, rums (2021)
Imports
$6.611 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$3.756 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$5.025 billion (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 129
Imports - partners
Singapore 33%, United States 19%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, China 8%, Brazil 2% (2021)
Imports - commodities
floating drilling platforms, refined petroleum, valves, construction vehicles, cars (2021)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$790.785 million (31 December 2021 est.)
$680.634 million (31 December 2020 est.)
$573.446 million (31 December 2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 155
Debt - external
$1.69 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.542 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 157
Exchange rates
Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
208.5 (2021 est.)
208.5 (2020 est.)
208.5 (2019 est.)
207.717 (2018 est.)
206.5 (2017 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 92.8% (2021)
electrification - urban areas: 97.5% (2021)
electrification - rural areas: 91.1% (2021.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 380,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 905.4 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 247 million kWh (2019 est.)
comparison rankings: installed generating capacity 156; transmission/distribution losses 144; imports 177; exports 169; consumption 164
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 97.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal
production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 110,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 18,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 150
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 130,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 128
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 860,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 166
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: after many years of delays and legal challenges, the 2016 Telecommunications Act was brought into force in October 2020 by the newly elected government of the People’s Party Progressive (PPP); the Telecommunications Act sets out a framework for enabling competition across all segments of the telecommunications sector in Guyana; the mobile market has been open to competition since 2001; the Telecommunications Act presents the country with the potential to benefit from a more level playing field that may attract new players, but nevertheless Guyana’s relatively small size and low GDP may restrict it from reaching its full potential for some more years to come (2021)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 16 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 110 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 592; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable to Suriname, and the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
Broadcast media
government-dominated broadcast media; the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned; a few private TV stations relay satellite services; the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies capable of reaching the entire country; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition in broadcast media
Internet users
total: 680,000 (2021 est.)
percent of population: 85% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 161
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 95,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 128
Transportation
Airports - with paved runways
11
note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
106
note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control
Roadways
total: 3,995 km (2019)
paved: 799 km (2019)
unpaved: 3,196 km (2019)
comparison ranking: total 155
Waterways
330 km (2012) (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively)
comparison ranking: 100
Merchant marine
total: 89 (2022)
by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 45, oil tanker 12, other 31
comparison ranking: total 98
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Georgetown
Military and Security
Military and security forces
the Guyana Defense Force is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as the Guyana National Reserve (2023)
Military expenditures
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2019 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 152
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 3,000 active-duty military personnel (2023)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military has a limited inventory comprised mostly of second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2023)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2023)
Military - note
the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) was established in 1965; its primary missions are defense of the country, including border security, assisting civil authorities with law and order as needed, and contributing to the Guyana’s economic development; key areas of concern include disaster response, illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking, piracy, and porous borders; the GDF trains regularly and participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises; it has relationships with Brazil, China, France, the UK, and the US; the GDF’s ground force officers are trained at the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, while coast guard officers receive training at the British Royal Naval College
the GDF’s ground combat forces include 3 infantry battalions (1 reserve), a special forces squadron, and an artillery company; the coast guard has an offshore patrol craft and a few patrol boats, as well as a small amphibious “raider” force; the air corps does not have any combat aircraft but instead provides tactical observation, transport, casualty evacuation, and other forms of support to the ground forces (2023)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
Guyana-Venezuela: Venezuela claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River and maintains that Guyana does not have jurisdiction to grant concessions in maritime areas off the Essequibo, waters which are potentially rich in hydrocarbon resources; Guyana submitted the dispute to the International Court of Justice in 2018; the ICJ ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear the case in December 2020; in September 2021, Venezuelan officials issued a statement reasserting dominion over three-quarters of Guyana, which Guyana stated was a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity; in December 2023, the Venezuelan Government conducted a public referendum asking its citizens to support establishing a state in the disputed territory, granting citizenship to current and future area residents, and rejecting the jurisdiction of the ICJ
Guyana-Suriname: Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari Rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne River
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 24,500 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021)
Illicit drugs
a transit country for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic marijuana cultivation and consumption