Country Summary: Guinea-Bissau (Republic of Guinea-Bissau)

Country Name: Guinea-Bissau (Republic of Guinea-Bissau)

Capital: Bissau

Government Type: semi-presidential republic

Background: For much of its history, Guinea-Bissau was under the control of the Mali Empire and the Kaabu Kingdom. In the 16th century, Portugal began establishing trading posts along Guinea-Bissau’s shoreline. Initially, the Portuguese were restricted to the coastline and islands. However, the slave and gold trades were lucrative to local African leaders, and the Portuguese were slowly able to expand their power and influence inland. Starting in the 18th century, the Mali Empire and Kingdom of Kaabu slowly disintegrated into smaller local entities. By the 19th century, Portugal had fully incorporated Guinea-Bissau into its empire.

Since gaining independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established General Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. VIEIRA's regime suppressed political opposition and purged political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In May 1999, a military mutiny and civil war led to VIEIRA's ouster. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA. In September 2003, a bloodless military coup overthrew YALA and installed businessman Henrique ROSA as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was reelected, pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation; he was assassinated in March 2009. In June 2009, Malam Bacai SANHA was elected president, but he passed away in January 2012 from a long-term illness. In April 2012, a military coup prevented the second-round of the presidential election from taking place. Following mediation from the Economic Community of Western African States, a civilian transitional government assumed power. In 2014, Jose Mario VAZ was elected president after a free and fair election. In June 2019, VAZ became the first president in Guinea-Bissau’s history to complete a full presidential term. Umaro Sissoco EMBALO was elected president in December 2019, but he did not take office until February 2020 because of a prolonged challenge to the election results.

Continent: Africa

Population: 2,078,820 (2023 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Balanta 30%, Fulani 30%, Manjaco 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%, unspecified smaller ethnic groups 6% (2015 est.)

Languages: Portuguese-based Creole, Portuguese (official; largely used as a second or third language), Pular (a Fula language), Mandingo

Religions: Muslim 46.1%, folk religions 30.6%, Christian 18.9%, other or unaffiliated 4.4% (2020 est.)

Economic Overview: extremely poor West African economy; ethnically diverse labor force; increasing government expenditures; slight inflation due to food supply disruptions; major cashew exporter; systemic banking instabilities and corruption; vulnerable to oil price shocks

Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $356.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $3.906 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: 3.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $1,900 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports: 

• $334.904 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 196

Export Commodities: cashews, natural gas, mackerel, fish, scrap vessels (2021)

Export Partners: India 50%, Belgium 28%, Cote d'Ivoire 8% (2019)

Imports: 

• $518.162 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 201

Import Commodities: refined petroleum, rice, wheat products, soups/broths, malt extract (2019)

Import Partners: Portugal 31%, Senegal 20%, China 10%, Netherlands 7%, Pakistan 7% (2019)

Natural Resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum

Agricultural Products: rice, cashew nuts, roots/tubers nes, oil palm fruit, plantains, cassava, groundnuts, vegetables, coconuts, fruit

Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks

Industrial Production Growth Rate: 

• -0.7% (2020 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

• Comparison Ranking: 177

Labor Force: 705,000 (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 3.24% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires

Geography:

• Total: 36,125 sq km

• Land: 28,120 sq km

• Water: 8,005 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

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