Guyana profile

Demography and Health

Guyana is a small yet dynamic country with a population of about 831,087 in 2024, ranking around 163rd globally by size. The demographic profile features a birth rate of 20.3 per 1,000 people and a crude death rate of 7.32 per 1,000, suggesting a natural population increase even as outmigration reduces headcount in some communities. Life expectancy at birth stands at 70.2 years (2023), while the under-5 mortality rate is 25.7 per 1,000 live births, signaling ongoing child-health challenges that require sustained investment in primary care, maternal health, and pediatric services. Health-system capacity is modest, with 2.59 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021) and current health expenditure at 3.01% of GDP (2022), complemented by domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP of 881 international dollars (2022). The country’s internet penetration is relatively high at 81.7% (2023), highlighting a potential channel for digital health services and health information dissemination. Notably, the suicide mortality rate is 24.8 per 100,000 (2021), a troubling indicator that points to a need for strengthened mental health and social support systems alongside broader public health strategies. Nutrition security appears solid, with 2.5% of the population undernourished (2022). Net migration is negative (-5,407 in 2024), indicating a net outflow of people that can affect labor markets and regional service capacity, especially in rural and interior areas.

Economy

Economically, Guyana presents a high-income profile on a PPP basis and rising nominal income levels. GDP per capita is 29,884 current US$ in 2024, while GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) is 79,906, suggesting substantial purchasing power when adjusted for cost of living and price levels. Inflation is relatively contained at 2.9% in 2024, supporting price stability for households and businesses. The current account balance is a sizable 13.9% of GDP in 2023, indicating a positive external position that can anchor macro stability and contribute to investment capacity. Foreign direct investment, however, stands in negative territory at -6.71% of GDP (2023), signaling limited net inflows and potential reliance on internal or reinvested capital rather than sustained external financing. The economy shows exposure to energy and commodity sectors, with high-technology exports totaling 9.07 million USD (2023) and 40 resident patent applications (2021), pointing to emerging, but still nascent, knowledge-based activity. Renewable energy accounts for 12.1% of total final energy consumption (2022), reflecting ongoing diversification away from fossil fuels but highlighting the need for continued expansion of clean energy capacity. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita exclude LULUCF at 9.91 t CO2e (2023), indicating a moderate carbon footprint that will require ongoing mitigation within a growing economy. Health expenditure remains around 3.01% of GDP (2022), with per-capita health spending in PPP terms at 881 international dollars, illustrating that health financing is improving but still constrained relative to higher-income peers. Net migration and investment patterns together suggest a two-track dynamic: strong income potential in macro statistics, tempered by population outflows and the need to attract and retain private capital to broaden growth beyond resource-driven gains.

Trade and Investment

Guyana’s external profile combines a current-account surplus with mixed investment signals. A current account balance of 13.9% of GDP (2023) points to robust external earnings, which can support macro resilience and public investment, especially during commodity-price cycles. At the same time, net foreign direct investment inflows are negative (-6.71% of GDP in 2023), implying that net private capital inflows are not broad-based or that profits are repatriated rather than reinvested locally. The Logistics Performance Index score of 2.4 (2022) places the country in a mid-range category for trade- and transport-related infrastructure, signaling opportunities to improve ports, roads, customs efficiency, and border procedures to bolster competitiveness and export diversification. High-technology exports amount to 9.07 million USD (2023), with 40 resident patent applications (2021), suggesting a developing base for technology-driven production and innovation, albeit not yet a dominant export pillar. Internet usage at 81.7% (2023) supports digital trade, e-commerce, and fintech services, presenting potential for growth in services and knowledge-intensive sectors alongside traditional commodity exports. Renewable energy at 12.1% of total final energy consumption (2022) highlights a pathway to reduce energy import dependence and reinforce energy security, which can positively affect trade terms and domestic competitiveness. Overall, while external accounts show strength from commodity-related earnings, diversifying the export base, improving logistics, and attracting selective investment will be crucial to sustain growth and resilience in this open economy.

Governance and Institutions

governance indicators paint a picture of constrained but reform-receptive institutions. Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism score -0.0552 (2023), near a neutral position but slightly negative, suggests that political risks can influence policy continuity and social cohesion. Regulatory Quality (-0.563) and Rule of Law (-0.342) are negative, signaling weaknesses in the regulatory framework and the reliability of legal enforcement that can deter investment, complicate contract enforcement, and affect governance outcomes. Control of Corruption (-0.384) and Government Effectiveness (-0.294) further reflect public administration challenges and anti-corruption performance. Coupled with a Logistics Performance Index of 2.4, these governance metrics imply that improving the quality of institutions, the rule of law, and the efficiency of public services would yield tangible gains for business environment, service delivery, and social equity. The data underscore the potential for targeted reforms to strengthen governance, foster transparency, and build trust with citizens and investors as oil revenues and growth pressures evolve. In such a context, sustained emphasis on institutions that deliver predictable regulation, enforce property rights, and reduce leakage becomes essential for inclusive development.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology in Guyana are characterized by both progress and gaps. Hospital beds total 2.59 per 1,000 people (2021), indicating a relatively modest hospital capacity for a population of this size and a potential bottleneck in healthcare access during shocks. Internet penetration is high, with 81.7% of the population using the Internet (2023), signaling strong digital connectivity that can underpin e-government, online financial services, and telemedicine. The Logistics Performance Index stands at 2.4 (2022), suggesting that trade and transport infrastructure is functional but not highly developed, and that further improvements in ports, roads, and customs processing could meaningfully raise competitiveness. High-technology exports reach 9.07 million USD (2023), and resident patent applications are 40 (2021), illustrating a budding but still modest base for innovation-led growth. Public health expenditure is 3.01% of GDP (2022), with per-capita health expenditure (PPP) at 881 international dollars (2022), indicating ongoing investment in health services but room to expand financing and service delivery. Renewable energy accounts for 12.1% of total final energy consumption (2022), pointing to an active but still incomplete transition toward cleaner energy than fossil fuels. Overall, Guyana’s infrastructure and technology landscape shows strong digital adoption and policy interest in modernization, matched by the need for targeted investments in health, logistics, and green energy to sustain long-run development.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmentally, Guyana presents a mix of opportunities and challenges. Renewable energy constitutes 12.1% of total final energy consumption (2022), reflecting a growing orientation toward cleaner energy sources, albeit with substantial room to scale up. Freshwater stress is relatively low, with a water-withdrawal level of 3.3% (2021), implying ample water resources for agriculture and domestic use relative to available supplies. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, excluding LULUCF, are 9.91 t CO2e (2023), indicating a moderate carbon footprint that invites continued mitigation and decarbonization efforts as economic activity expands. Food security appears solid, with undernourishment at 2.5% of the population (2022). The environmental portfolio is intertwined with economic development, as energy revenues and growth pressures pose climate risks; thus, policy priorities include expanding renewable capacity, improving energy efficiency, and maintaining resilient ecosystems to support sustainable, inclusive growth in a resource-rich economy. In sum, Guyana stands at a pivotal point where disciplined environmental policy and investments in clean energy can sustain development while reducing emissions and environmental risk over time.