Country Summary: Guyana (Co-Operative Republic of Guyana)

Country Name: Guyana (Co-Operative Republic of Guyana)

Capital: Georgetown

Government Type: parliamentary republic

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.

Continent: Africa

Population: 791,739 (2023 est.)

Ethnic Groups: East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Indigenous 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.)

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

Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $917.877 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $28.819 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: 63.37% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $35,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports: 

• $11.536 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 107

Export Commodities: crude petroleum, gold, rice, aluminum ores, railway shipping containers, rums   (2021)

Export Partners: United States 40%, Singapore 14%, United Arab Emirates 6%, United Kingdom 6%, Barbados 6% (2021)

Imports: 

• $7.067 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 133

Import Commodities: floating drilling platforms, refined petroleum, valves, construction vehicles, cars (2021)

Import Partners: Singapore 33%, United States 19%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, China 8%, Brazil 2% (2021)

Natural Resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Agricultural Products: rice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry

Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Industrial Production Growth Rate: 

• 98.53% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

• Comparison Ranking: 1

Labor Force: 288,000 (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 12.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: flash flood threat during rainy seasons

Geography:

• Total: 214,969 sq km

• Land: 196,849 sq km

• Water: 18,120 sq km

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

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