{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "

Guinea's deep Muslim heritage arrived via the neighboring Almoravid Empire in the 11th century. Following Almoravid decline, Guinea existed on the fringe of several African kingdoms all competing for regional dominance. In the 13th century, the Mali Empire took control of Guinea, encouraging its already growing Muslim faith. After the fall of the West African empires, various smaller kingdoms controlled Guinea. In the 18th century, Fulani Muslims established an Islamic state in central Guinea that represents one of the earliest examples of a written constitution and alternating leadership. While European traders first arrived in the 16th century, it was the French who secured colonial rule in the 19th century.

In 1958, Guinea became independent from France, and Sekou TOURE established an authoritarian regime. TOURE ruled until his death in 1984. After TOURE’s death, General Lansana CONTE staged a coup and seized the government. CONTE organized and won presidential elections in 1993, 1998, and 2003. Upon CONTE's death in December 2008, Captain Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seized power, and suspended the constitution. In September 2009, presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally, killing more than 150 people. In early December 2009, CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and exiled to Burkina Faso. In 2010 and 2013 respectively, the country held its first free and fair presidential and legislative elections. Alpha CONDE won the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections. CONDE's first cabinet was the first all-civilian government in Guinean history. In March 2020, Guinea passed a constitutional referendum that extended presidential terms and reset CONDE’s term count, and later that year, Alpha CONDE won a controversial third presidential term. CONDE’s current term will end in 2026.

" } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "11 00 N, 10 00 W" }, "Map references": { "text": "Africa" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "245,857 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "245,717 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "140 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "slightly smaller than Oregon; slightly larger than twice the size of Pennsylvania" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "4,046 km" }, "border countries": { "text": "Cote d'Ivoire 816 km, Guinea-Bissau 421 km, Liberia 590 km, Mali 1062 km, Senegal 363 km, Sierra Leone 794 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "320 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" } }, "Climate": { "text": "generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds" }, "Terrain": { "text": "generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Mont Nimba 1,752 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean 0 m" }, "mean elevation": { "text": "472 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "58.1% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 11.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 2.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 43.5% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "26.5% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "15.4% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "950 sq km (2012)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "12,877,894 (July 2021 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Guinean(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Guinean" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Fulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign 0.4% (2018 est.)" }, "Languages": { "text": "French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages

note: about 40 languages are spoken; each ethnic group has its own language", "note": "note: about 40 languages are spoken; each ethnic group has its own language" }, "Religions": { "text": "Muslim 89.1%, Christian 6.8%, animist 1.6%, other 0.1%, none 2.4% (2014 est.)" }, "Demographic profile": { "text": "

Guinea’s strong population growth is a result of declining mortality rates and sustained elevated fertility. The population growth rate was somewhat tempered in the 2000s because of a period of net outmigration. Although life expectancy and mortality rates have improved over the last two decades, the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continues to contribute to high infant and maternal mortality rates. Guinea’s total fertility remains high at about 5 children per woman because of the ongoing preference for larger families, low contraceptive usage and availability, a lack of educational attainment and empowerment among women, and poverty. A lack of literacy and vocational training programs limit job prospects for youths, but even those with university degrees often have no option but to work in the informal sector. About 60% of the country’s large youth population is unemployed.

Tensions and refugees have spilled over Guinea’s borders with Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. During the 1990s Guinea harbored as many as half a million refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia, more refugees than any other African country for much of that decade. About half sought refuge in the volatile \"Parrot’s Beak\" region of southwest Guinea, a wedge of land jutting into Sierra Leone near the Liberian border. Many were relocated within Guinea in the early 2000s because the area suffered repeated cross-border attacks from various government and rebel forces, as well as anti-refugee violence.

" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "41.2% (male 2,601,221/female 2,559,918)" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "19.32% (male 1,215,654/female 1,204,366)" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "30.85% (male 1,933,141/female 1,930,977)" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "4.73% (male 287,448/female 305,420)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "3.91% (male 218,803/female 270,492) (2020 est.)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "85.2" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "79.7" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "5.5" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "18.3 (2020 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "19.1 years" }, "male": { "text": "18.9 years" }, "female": { "text": "19.4 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "2.76% (2021 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "35.86 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "37.3% of total population (2021)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "1.991 million CONAKRY (capital) (2021)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.03 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.02 male(s)/female" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "1.01 male(s)/female" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "1 male(s)/female" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "0.94 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.81 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)" } }, "Mother's mean age at first birth": { "text": "19.5 years (2018 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-29", "note": "note: median age at first birth among women 25-29" }, "Maternal mortality ratio": { "text": "576 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)" }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "50.99 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "55.83 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "46 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "63.53 years" }, "male": { "text": "61.7 years" }, "female": { "text": "65.42 years (2021 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "4.89 children born/woman (2021 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "10.9% (2018)" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 97.9% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 69.8% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 79.9% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 2.1% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 27.6% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 20.1% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "Current Health Expenditure": { "text": "3.9% (2018)" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2016)" }, "Hospital bed density": { "text": "0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 85.6% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 34.8% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 53% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 14.4% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 65.2% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 47% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "1.4% (2020 est.)" }, "HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS": { "text": "110,000 (2020 est.)" }, "HIV/AIDS - deaths": { "text": "3,300 (2020 est.)" }, "Major infectious diseases": { "degree of risk": { "text": "very high (2020)" }, "food or waterborne diseases": { "text": "bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever" }, "vectorborne diseases": { "text": "malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever" }, "water contact diseases": { "text": "schistosomiasis" }, "animal contact diseases": { "text": "rabies" }, "aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases": { "text": "Lassa fever (2016)" }, "note": "note: on 14 February 2021, the Guinea government declared an outbreak of Ebola in N'Zerekore; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Travel Advisory recommending travelers avoid non-essential travel to Guinea; travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come into contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids; travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel" }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "7.7% (2016)" }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "16.3% (2018)" }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "2.3% of GDP (2018)" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "age 15 and over can read and write" }, "total population": { "text": "30.4%" }, "male": { "text": "38.1%" }, "female": { "text": "22.8% (2015)" } }, "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": { "total": { "text": "9 years" }, "male": { "text": "10 years" }, "female": { "text": "8 years (2014)" } }, "Unemployment, youth ages 15-24": { "total": { "text": "1%" }, "male": { "text": "1.5%" }, "female": { "text": "0.6% (2012 est.)" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "deforestation; inadequate potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices lead to environmental damage; water pollution; improper waste disposal" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling" }, "signed, but not ratified": { "text": "none of the selected agreements" } }, "Air pollutants": { "particulate matter emissions": { "text": "22.43 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)" }, "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "3 megatons (2016 est.)" }, "methane emissions": { "text": "11.13 megatons (2020 est.)" } }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { "text": "224.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)" }, "industrial": { "text": "56.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)" }, "agricultural": { "text": "292.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "226 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)" }, "Climate": { "text": "generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "58.1% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 11.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 2.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 43.5% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "26.5% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "15.4% (2018 est.)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "forest revenues": { "text": "4.81% of GDP (2018 est.)" } }, "Revenue from coal": { "coal revenues": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "37.3% of total population (2021)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major infectious diseases": { "degree of risk": { "text": "very high (2020)" }, "food or waterborne diseases": { "text": "bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever" }, "vectorborne diseases": { "text": "malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever" }, "water contact diseases": { "text": "schistosomiasis" }, "animal contact diseases": { "text": "rabies" }, "aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases": { "text": "Lassa fever (2016)" }, "note": "note: on 14 February 2021, the Guinea government declared an outbreak of Ebola in N'Zerekore; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Travel Advisory recommending travelers avoid non-essential travel to Guinea; travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come into contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids; travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel" }, "Food insecurity": { "severe localized food insecurity": { "text": "due to localized shortfalls of cereal production - despite overall favorable food security conditions, the most vulnerable households still need external food assistance; the aggregate number of severely food insecure people was estimated at 267,000 during the lean season between June and August 2020;  it is very likely that the number of food insecure population increased with the impact of COVID‑19 (2021)" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "596,911 tons (1996 est.)" }, "municipal solid waste recycled annually": { "text": "29,846 tons (2005 est.)" }, "percent of municipal solid waste recycled": { "text": "5% (2005 est.)" } } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Republic of Guinea" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Guinea" }, "local long form": { "text": "Republique de Guinee" }, "local short form": { "text": "Guinee" }, "former": { "text": "French Guinea" }, "etymology": { "text": "the country is named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel" } }, "Government type": { "text": "presidential republic" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Conakry" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "9 30 N, 13 42 W" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "note": "etymology: according to tradition, the name derives from the fusion of the name \"Cona,\" a Baga wine and cheese producer who lived on Tombo Island (the original site of the present-day capital), and the word \"nakiri,\" which in Susu means \"the other bank\" or \"the other side\"; supposedly, Baga's palm grove produced the best wine on the island and people traveling to sample his vintage, would say: \"I am going to Cona, on the other bank (Cona-nakiri),\" which over time became Conakry" }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "7 regions administrative and 1 gouvenorat*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore" }, "Independence": { "text": "2 October 1958 (from France)" }, "National holiday": { "text": "Independence Day, 2 October (1958)" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010" }, "amendments": { "text": "proposed by the National Assembly or by the president of the republic; consideration of proposals requires approval by simple majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires approval in referendum; the president can opt to submit amendments directly to the Assembly, in which case approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote; revised in 2020" } }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system based on the French model" }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction" }, "Citizenship": { "citizenship by birth": { "text": "no" }, "citizenship by descent only": { "text": "at least one parent must be a citizen of Guinea" }, "dual citizenship recognized": { "text": "no" }, "residency requirement for naturalization": { "text": "na" } }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010)" }, "head of government": { "text": "Prime Minister Ibrahima FOFANA (since 22 May 2018)" }, "cabinet": { "text": " Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 18 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "Alpha CONDE reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 59.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 33.5%, other 7%" } }, "Legislative branch": { "description": { "text": "unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; 76 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 38 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)" }, "elections": { "text": "last held on 28 September 2013 (next to be held 1 March 2020)" }, "election results": { "text": "percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPG 53, UFDG 37, UFR 10, PEDN 2, UPG 2, other 10; composition - men 89, women 25, percent of women 21.9%" } }, "Judicial branch": { "highest courts": { "text": "Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Administrative Chamber and Civil, Penal, and Social Chamber; court consists of the first president, 2 chamber presidents, 10 councilors, the solicitor general, and NA deputies); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)" }, "judge selection and term of office": { "text": "Supreme Court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; members serve until age 65; Constitutional Court member appointments - 2 by the National Assembly and the president of the republic, 3 experienced judges designated by their peers, 1 experienced lawyer, 1 university professor with expertise in public law designated by peers, and 2 experienced representatives of the Independent National Institution of Human Rights; members serve single 9-year terms" }, "subordinate courts": { "text": "Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; High Court of Justice or Cour d'Assises; Court of Account (Court of Auditors); Courts of First Instance (Tribunal de Premiere Instance); labor court; military tribunal; justices of the peace; specialized courts" } }, "Political parties and leaders": { "text": "Bloc Liberal or BL [Faya MILLIMONO]
National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE]
Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]
Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG
Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]
Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]

Ruling party

\r\n\r\n

Opposition parties

\r\n", "note": "

Ruling party

\r\n\r\n

Opposition parties

\r\n" }, "International organization participation": { "text": "ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Kerfalla YANSANE (since 24 January 2018)" }, "chancery": { "text": "2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (202) 986-4300" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] (202) 986-3800" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Simon HENSHAW (since 4 March 2019)" }, "telephone": { "text": "[224] 655-10-40-00" }, "embassy": { "text": "Transversale #2, Center Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry" }, "mailing address": { "text": "P.O. Box 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry" }, "FAX": { "text": "[224] 655-10-42-97" } }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal", "note": "note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "elephant; national colors: red, yellow, green" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "\"Liberte\" (Liberty)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "unknown/Fodeba KEITA" }, "note": "note: adopted 1958" } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "

Guinea is a poor country of approximately 12.9 million people in 2016 that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves, as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea’s main exports. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth.

Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a 3-year Extended Credit Facility arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government’s ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In 2014, Guinea complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts. Guinea completed its program with the IMF in October 2016 even though some targeted reforms have been delayed. Currently Guinea is negotiating a new IMF program which will be based on Guinea’s new five-year economic plan, focusing on the development of higher value-added products, including from the agro-business sector and development of the rural economy.

Political instability, a reintroduction of the Ebola virus epidemic, low international commodity prices, and an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency are factors that could impact Guinea’s future growth. Economic recovery will be a long process while the government adjusts to lower inflows of international donor aid following the surge of Ebola-related emergency support. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in the 2014-15 period and impeded several projects, such as offshore oil exploration and the Simandou iron ore project. The economy, however, grew by 6.6% in 2016 and 6.7% in 2017, mainly due to growth from bauxite mining and thermal energy generation as well as the resiliency of the agricultural sector. The 240-megawatt Kaleta Dam, inaugurated in September 2015, has expanded access to electricity for residents of Conakry. An combined with fears of Ebola virus, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability.

Guinea’s iron ore industry took a hit in 2016 when investors in the Simandou iron ore project announced plans to divest from the project. In 2017, agriculture output and public investment boosted economic growth, while the mining sector continued to play a prominent role in economic performance.

Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water - all of which continue to plague economic development. The present government, led by President Alpha CONDE, is working to create an environment to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries and firms in Guinea's economic development.

" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2017": { "text": "8.2% (2017 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2016": { "text": "10.5% (2016 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2015": { "text": "3.8% (2015 est.)" } }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019": { "text": "9.4% (2019 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018": { "text": "9.8% (2018 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017": { "text": "8.9% (2017 est.)" } }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019": { "text": "$32.72 billion (2019 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018": { "text": "$30.985 billion (2018 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017": { "text": "$29.176 billion (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2010 dollars" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$13.55 billion (2019 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2019": { "text": "$2,562 (2019 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2018": { "text": "$2,496 (2018 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2017": { "text": "$2,418 (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2010 dollars" }, "Gross national saving": { "Gross national saving 2019": { "text": "4.3% of GDP (2019 est.)" }, "Gross national saving 2018": { "text": "2.7% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Gross national saving 2017": { "text": "11.4% of GDP (2017 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "19.8% (2017 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "32.1% (2017 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "48.1% (2017 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "80.8% (2017 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "6.6% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "9.1% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "18.5% (2017 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "21.9% (2017 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-36.9% (2017 est.)" } }, "Ease of Doing Business Index scores": { "Overall score": { "text": "49.4 (2020)" }, "Starting a Business score": { "text": "84.5 (2020)" }, "Trading score": { "text": "47.8 (2020)" }, "Enforcement score": { "text": "53.9 (2020)" } }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "rice, cassava, groundnuts, maize, oil palm fruit, fonio, plantains, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, vegetables" }, "Industries": { "text": "bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore; light manufacturing, agricultural processing" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "11% (2017 est.)" }, "Labor force": { "text": "5.558 million (2017 est.)" }, "Labor force - by occupation": { "agriculture": { "text": "76%" }, "industry": { "text": "24% (2006 est.)" } }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2017": { "text": "2.7% (2017 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2016": { "text": "2.8% (2016 est.)" } }, "Population below poverty line": { "text": "43.7% (2018 est.)" }, "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": { "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2012": { "text": "33.7 (2012 est.)" }, "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 1994": { "text": "40.3 (1994)" } }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "2.7%" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "30.3% (2007)" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "1.7 billion (2017 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "1.748 billion (2017 est.)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)" }, "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": { "text": "-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2017": { "text": "37.9% of GDP (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt 2016": { "text": "41.8% of GDP (2016 est.)" } }, "Fiscal year": { "text": "calendar year" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2017": { "text": "-$705 million (2017 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2016": { "text": "-$2.705 billion (2016 est.)" } }, "Exports": { "Exports 2019": { "text": "$5.041 billion (2019 est.)" }, "Exports 2018": { "text": "$5.073 billion (2018 est.)" }, "Exports 2017": { "text": "$4.733 billion (2017 est.)" } }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "United Arab Emirates 39%, China 36%, India 6% (2019)" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "aluminum, gold, bauxite, diamonds, fish, cashews (2019)" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2019": { "text": "$7.924 billion (2019 est.)" }, "Imports 2018": { "text": "$8.76 billion (2018 est.)" }, "Imports 2017": { "text": "$7.317 billion (2017 est.)" } }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "China 39%, India 8%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "rice, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, cars (2019)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017": { "text": "$331.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016": { "text": "$383.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)" } }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 31 December 2017": { "text": "$1.458 billion (31 December 2017 est.)" }, "Debt - external 31 December 2016": { "text": "$1.462 billion (31 December 2016 est.)" } }, "Exchange rates": { "currency": { "text": "Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "9,953 (2020 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2019": { "text": "9,542.5 (2019 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2018": { "text": "9,092 (2018 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2014": { "text": "7,485.5 (2014 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2013": { "text": "7,014.1 (2013 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "46% (2019)" }, "electrification - urban areas": { "text": "84% (2019)" }, "electrification - rural areas": { "text": "24% (2019)" } }, "Electricity - production": { "text": "598 million kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - consumption": { "text": "556.1 million kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - exports": { "text": "0 kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - imports": { "text": "0 kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - installed generating capacity": { "text": "550,000 kW (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - from fossil fuels": { "text": "33% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - from nuclear fuels": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Electricity - from hydroelectric plants": { "text": "67% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Electricity - from other renewable sources": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Crude oil - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2018 est.)" }, "Crude oil - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Crude oil - imports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Crude oil - proved reserves": { "text": "0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2017 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - consumption": { "text": "19,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - imports": { "text": "18,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Natural gas - production": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - consumption": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - exports": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - imports": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - proved reserves": { "text": "0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)" } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "0" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "less than 1 (2018 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "12.873 million" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "105.63 (2019 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "

Guinea’s mobile subscribership growing through investment of South African telecom operators and Chinese Huawei management; m-transactions supported commerce; broadband still limited and expensive though submarine cable and IXP improved reliability of infrastructure; 4G Wi-Fi in the capital; National Backbone Network will connect regional administrative centers; ECOWAS countries to launch free roaming; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021)

(2020)" }, "domestic": { "text": "there is national coverage and Conakry is reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate but is improving; fixed-line teledensity is less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding rapidly and now 101 per 100 persons (2019)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 224; ACE submarine cable connecting Guinea with 20 landing points in Western and South Africa and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean (2019)" }, "note": "note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments" }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "

government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a dozen private television stations; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services 

(2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".gn" }, "Internet users": { "total": { "text": "2,133,974" }, "percent of population": { "text": "18% (July 2018 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "1,250" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "less than 1 (2018 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "3X" }, "Airports": { "total": { "text": "16 (2013)" } }, "Airports - with paved runways": { "total": { "text": "4 (2019)" }, "over 3,047 m": { "text": "1" }, "1,524 to 2,437 m": { "text": "3" } }, "Airports - with unpaved runways": { "total": { "text": "12 (2013)" }, "1,524 to 2,437 m": { "text": "7 (2013)" }, "914 to 1,523 m": { "text": "3 (2013)" }, "under 914 m": { "text": "2 (2013)" } }, "Railways": { "total": { "text": "1,086 km (2017)" }, "standard gauge": { "text": "279 km 1.435-m gauge (2017)" }, "narrow gauge": { "text": "807 km 1.000-m gauge (2017)" } }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "44,301 km (2018)" }, "paved": { "text": "3,346 km (2018)" }, "unpaved": { "text": "40,955 km (2018)" } }, "Waterways": { "text": "1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger River system) (2011)" }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "2" }, "by type": { "text": "other 2 (2020)" } }, "Ports and terminals": { "major seaport(s)": { "text": "Conakry, Kamsar" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee), Presidential Security Battalion (Battailon Autonome de la Sécurité Presidentielle, BASP), Gendarmerie (2020)" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2019": { "text": "2% of GDP (2019)" }, "Military Expenditures 2018": { "text": "2.3% of GDP (2018)" }, "Military Expenditures 2017": { "text": "2.5% of GDP (2017)" }, "Military Expenditures 2016": { "text": "2.5% of GDP (2016)" }, "Military Expenditures 2015": { "text": "3.3% of GDP (2015)" } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { "text": "Guinean National Armed Forces are comprised of approximately 12,000 active personnel
(9,000 Army; 400 Navy; 800 Air Force; 300 BASP; 1,500 Gendarmerie) (2020)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the inventory of the Guinean military consists largely of ageing and outdated (mostly Soviet-era) equipment; since 2010, it has received small amounts of equipment from France, Russia, and South Africa (2020)" }, "Military deployments": { "text": "660 Mali (MINUSMA) (Jan 2021)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { "text": "no compulsory military service (2021)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Disputes - international": { "text": "

Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa Rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998

" }, "Trafficking in persons": { "current situation": { "text": "Guinea is a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking victims are Guinean children; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg, work as street vendors, shoe shiners, or miners; some Guinean children are forced to mine in Senegal, Mali, and possibly other West African countries; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Greece, and Spain, while Chinese and Vietnamese women are reportedly forced into prostitution in Guinea" }, "tier rating": { "text": "Tier 2 Watch List — Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however it is making significant efforts to do so; the government  drafted a new anti-trafficking action plan, provided support to eight victims exploited in the Middle East, and incorporated anti-trafficking training into the law enforcement curriculum; however, the government did not overall increase efforts compared to the last rating period; investigations and prosecutions of trafficking crimes decreased, victim identification was inadequate, and NGO’s providing victim services did not receive government support; for the fourth year, resources for the anti-trafficking committee or the Office for the Protection of Gender, Children and Morals were inadequate; a Quranic teacher was not prosecuted for allegedly forcing child begging; Guinea was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020)" } } } }