Guam profile

Demography and Health

Guam is a small U.S. territory in the Western Pacific, with a population of about 167,777 residents in 2024, placing it among the smaller population centers globally (rank ~184). The territory exhibits a positive natural increase, with a crude birth rate of 17.7 births per 1,000 people in 2023 and a crude death rate of 6.87 per 1,000, implying ongoing demographic growth through births despite a relatively high death rate for its size. Life expectancy at birth stands at 77.2 years (2023), signaling comparatively solid health outcomes and access to basic health services. However, net migration is negative, at -504 people in 2024, suggesting more residents leaving than arriving and pointing to potential challenges in sustaining population growth or filling labor needs over time. Taken together, these indicators describe a compact population that grows primarily through natural increase but faces outward migration pressures that could influence the island’s long-term demographic and labor dynamics. The small total population means health and social services must be scaled efficiently, yet the health indicators suggest a reasonable standard of care for a territory of Guam’s income level.

Economy

Guam’s economy features a high per capita income, with GDP per capita at about $41,833 (current US$, 2022), indicating relatively high living standards on a per-person basis for a small territory. The structure of the economy shows a very small export base, as exports of goods and services account for only 7.89% of GDP in 2022 (rank ~175, among many economies with minimal export activity). In contrast, imports are substantial, at 64.0% of GDP (2022, rank ~54), reflecting heavy reliance on foreign goods and services to meet domestic demand. This combination points to an economy oriented toward service provision, government activity, and external supply chains, with a limited local production base for export. The governance indicators surrounding the economy are broadly favorable: political stability (0.893, rank 38), rule of law (0.948, rank 35), and strong control of corruption (1.25, rank 27) accompany a decent government effectiveness score (0.654, rank 52) and regulatory quality of 0.512 (rank 59). These factors together suggest a relatively stable and predictable environment for business and households, albeit with room to push regulatory efficiency higher and to diversify the export base to reduce import dependence and exposure to external shocks. The combination of high GDP per capita with limited export activity and high import reliance hints at an economy anchored by federal funding, government services, and service-oriented sectors closely linked to the broader U.S. economy.

Trade and Investment

Guam’s trade profile reflects a pronounced dependence on imports and a minimal export footprint. Imports of goods and services account for about 64% of GDP (2022), indicating that most consumer and capital goods are sourced from outside the territory. Exports of goods and services are only around 7.89% of GDP (2022), underscoring a small domestic base for production intended for external markets. This imbalance means Guam is highly exposed to external price movements and supply chain disruptions, even as it benefits from access to larger markets and financial resources linked to its status as a U.S. territory. The governance indicators—strong rule of law and political stability, alongside relatively low corruption—support a stable environment for trade and investment, even as regulatory quality remains moderate. The combination of a robust fiscal and institutional framework with a narrow export base suggests a policy emphasis on maintaining reliable trade logistics, inviting targeted investment to diversify production, and strengthening the resilience of import-dependent supply chains. Foreign investment decisions, while not explicitly captured in these data, would likely weigh Guam’s stable institutions and high GDP per capita against the need to broaden export capabilities and ensure diversified, secure access to essential goods.

Governance and Institutions

Guam’s governance indicators paint a picture of a relatively stable and well-functioning political system. Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism score 0.893 (rank 38), and Rule of Law is notably high at 0.948 (rank 35), indicating a strong legal framework and adherence to law. Control of Corruption stands at 1.25 (rank 27), suggesting relatively effective anti-corruption controls, while Government Effectiveness is 0.654 (rank 52) and Regulatory Quality 0.512 (rank 59) reflect competent public administration with room for policy and process improvements. Taken together, these metrics imply a governance environment that generally supports predictable policymaking, contract enforcement, and public service delivery. The favorable governance profile underpins investor confidence and the reliability of public institutions, though the moderate regulatory quality signals opportunities to streamline regulations and improve ease of doing business. For Guam, a stable institutional backdrop is particularly important given its semi-autonomous status and reliance on federal funding, which benefits from strong governance and policy continuity.

Infrastructure and Technology

In infrastructure and technology terms, Guam shows a modest share of energy derived from renewables—renewable energy consumption accounts for 6.7% of total final energy consumption (2022). This relatively low share indicates substantial reliance on non-renewable energy sources and points to potential opportunities for energy diversification and resilience improvements through accelerated renewable deployment. Average per capita greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF are 0.0925 t CO2e (2023), a very low level by global standards, reflecting the territory’s small population and energy footprint. While the low per-capita emissions are positive from a climate perspective, the limited renewable share suggests room to advance clean energy transitions, which could also enhance energy security and reduce import dependence for fuel. The combination of high imports (64% of GDP) and a modest renewables share highlights the critical role of efficient logistics, port infrastructure, and energy policy in supporting a resilient economy. Overall, Guam’s governance strength and adequate GDP per capita provide a favorable foundation for investments in infrastructure upgrades and technology adoption, particularly in energy, digital connectivity, and logistics to reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

Environment and Sustainability

From an environmental standpoint, Guam exhibits very low per-capita greenhouse gas emissions (0.0925 t CO2e) in 2023, aided by its small population and energy use profile. The renewable energy share is 6.7% of total final energy consumption as of 2022, indicating that most energy still comes from conventional sources, with clear scope for expanding clean energy to improve environmental performance and energy resilience. The environmental benefits of increasing renewables would be complemented by continued governance strength—strong rule of law and low corruption—supporting policy implementation, permitting, and project oversight, while political stability reduces policy uncertainty for long-term green investments. Given Guam’s island context, climate resilience and sustainability planning are particularly pertinent, as diversification of energy sources, improvements in energy efficiency, and investment in climate-adaptive infrastructure can reduce exposure to external energy markets and enhance disaster preparedness. In this light, the data suggest a pathway: maintain and strengthen governance, accelerate renewable energy deployment, and pursue resilience-oriented infrastructure to safeguard both the environment and the economy.