World Factbook
Guinea
Introduction
Background
Guinea is at a turning point after decades of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Sekou TOURE ruled the country as president from independence to his death in 1984. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after TOURE's death. Gen. CONTE organized and won presidential elections in 1993, 1998, and 2003, though results were questionable due to a lack in transparency and neutrality in the electoral process. Upon CONTE's death in December 2008, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution. His unwillingness to yield to domestic and international pressure to step down led to heightened political tensions that peaked in September 2009 when 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. A transitional government led by Gen. Sekouba KONATE paved the way for Guinea's transition to a fledgling democracy. The country held its first free and competitive democratic presidential and legislative elections in 2010 and 2013 respectively, and in October 2015 held a second consecutive presidential election. Alpha CONDE was reelected to a second five-year term as president in 2015, and the National Assembly was seated in January 2014. CONDE's first cabinet is the first all-civilian government in Guinea. The country held a successful political dialogue in August and September 2016 that brought together the government and opposition to address long-standing tensions. Local elections were held in February 2018, and disputed results in some of the races resulted in ongoing protests against CONDE's government.
Geography
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates
11 00 N, 10 00 W
Map references
Africa
Area
total: 245,857 sq km
land: 245,717 sq km
water: 140 sq km
country comparison to the world: 80
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Oregon; slightly larger than twice the size of Pennsylvania
Land boundaries
total: 4,046 km
border countries (6): Cote d'Ivoire 816 km, Guinea-Bissau 421 km, Liberia 590 km, Mali 1062 km, Senegal 363 km, Sierra Leone 794 km
Coastline
320 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
Climate
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain
generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Elevation
mean elevation: 472 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources
bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt
Land use
agricultural land: 58.1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 11.8% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 2.8% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 43.5% (2011 est.)
forest: 26.5% (2011 est.)
other: 15.4% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
950 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated
Natural hazards
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
Environment - current issues
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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
the Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands
People and Society
Population
11,855,411 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Nationality
noun: Guinean(s)
adjective: Guinean
Ethnic groups
Fulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign .4% (2018 est.)
Languages
French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages
note: about 40 languages are spoken; each ethnic group has its own language
Religions
Muslim 89.1%, Christian 6.8%, animist 1.6%, other .1%, none 2.4% (2014 est.)
Demographic profile
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: 41.4%(male 2,473,486 /female 2,435,139)
15-24 years: 19.23%(male 1,145,488 /female 1,134,103)
25-54 years: 30.8%(male 1,827,246 /female 1,824,162)
55-64 years: 4.72%(male 269,995 /female 289,164)
65 years and over: 3.85%(male 203,754 /female 252,874) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 84.2 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 78.6 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 5.6 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 17.8 (2015 est.)
Median age
total: 19 years (2018 est.)
male: 18.8 years
female: 19.3 years
country comparison to the world: 204
Population growth rate
2.75% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Birth rate
36.4 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Death rate
8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Population distribution
areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated
Urbanization
urban population: 36.5% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 3.54% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.889 million CONAKRY (capital) (2019)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.5 years (2018 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality rate
576 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Infant mortality rate
total: 55.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 60.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 50.1 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 19
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 62.1 years (2018 est.)
male: 60.4 years
female: 64 years
country comparison to the world: 201
Total fertility rate
4.98 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Contraceptive prevalence rate
8.7% (2016)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 92.7% of population
rural: 67.4% of population
total: 76.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population
rural: 32.6% of population
total: 23.2% of population (2015 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
5.5% (2016)
Physicians density
0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density
0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 34.1% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 11.8% of population (2015 est.)
total: 20.1% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 65.9% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 88.2% of population (2015 est.)
total: 79.9% of population (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
1.4% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
120,000 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
HIV/AIDS - deaths
4,300 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: very high (2016)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever (2016)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis (2016)
animal contact diseases: rabies (2016)
aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
7.7% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 158
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
18.3% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 31
Education expenditures
2.2% of GDP (2017)
country comparison to the world: 165
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 30.4%
male: 38.1%
female: 22.8% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 8 years (2014)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 1%
male: 1.5%
female: 0.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form: Guinea
local long form: Republique de Guinee
local short form: Guinee
former: French Guinea
etymology: 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
presidential republic
Capital
name: Conakry
geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 13 42 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
7 regions administrative and 1 gouvenorat*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore
Independence
2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday
Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
Constitution
history: previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010; note - in late December 2019, President CONDE announced a new draft constitution
amendments: 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 (2017)
Legal system
civil law system based on the French model
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Guinea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: na
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima FOFANA (since 22 May 2018)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: 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 11 October 2015 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Alpha CONDE reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 57.8%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 31.4%, other 10.8%
Legislative branch
description: 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: last held on 28 September 2013 (next was schelduled for January 2019, but postponed indefinitely)
election results: 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: 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: 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: 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
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]
International organization participation
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
Ambassador Kerfalla YANSANE (since 24 January 2018)
chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300
FAX: [1] (202) 986-3800
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Simon HENSHAW (since 4 March 2019)
telephone: [224] 655-10-40-00
embassy: Transversale #2, Center Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry
mailing address: P.O. Box 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry
FAX: [224] 655-10-42-97
Flag description
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
National symbol(s)
elephant; national colors: red, yellow, green
National anthem
name: "Liberte" (Liberty)
lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA
note: adopted 1958
Economy
Economy - overview
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$27.97 billion (2017 est.)
$25.84 billion (2016 est.)
$23.39 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 138
GDP (official exchange rate)
$10.25 billion (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
8.2% (2017 est.)
10.5% (2016 est.)
3.8% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$2,200 (2017 est.)
$2,000 (2016 est.)
$1,900 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 205
Gross national saving
5.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
-6.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
-5.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 80.8% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 6.6% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 9.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 18.5% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 21.9% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -36.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 19.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 32.1% (2017 est.)
services: 48.1% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - products
rice, coffee, pineapples, mangoes, palm kernels, cocoa, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Industries
bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore; light manufacturing, agricultural processing
Industrial production growth rate
11% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Labor force
5.558 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 76%
industry: 24% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate
2.7% (2017 est.)
2.8% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Population below poverty line
47% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
39.4 (2007)
40.3 (1994)
country comparison to the world: 72
Budget
revenues: 1.7 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 1.748 billion (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Public debt
37.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
41.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Fiscal year
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
8.9% (2017 est.)
8.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Central bank discount rate
22.25% (31 December 2005)
country comparison to the world: 2
Commercial bank prime lending rate
22.2% (31 December 2017 est.)
22.2% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Stock of narrow money
$1.84 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.61 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Stock of broad money
$1.84 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.61 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Stock of domestic credit
$1.762 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.931 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Market value of publicly traded shares
NA
Current account balance
-$705 million (2017 est.)
-$2.705 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Exports
$3.514 billion (2017 est.)
$1.954 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Exports - partners
China 35.8%, Ghana 20.1%, UAE 11.6%, India 4.3% (2017)
Exports - commodities
bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
Imports
$4.799 billion (2017 est.)
$4.43 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Imports - commodities
petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
Imports - partners
Netherlands 17.2%, China 13.2%, India 11.8%, Belgium 10%, France 6.9%, UAE 4.5% (2017)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$331.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$383.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Debt - external
$1.458 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.462 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$3.174 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.391 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$1.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$69.19 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Exchange rates
Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar -
9,230 (2017 est.)
9,085 (2016 est.)
9,085 (2015 est.)
7,485.5 (2014 est.)
7,014.1 (2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
population without electricity: 11 million (2017)
electrification - total population: 33.5% (2016)
electrification - urban areas: 82.2% (2016)
electrification - rural areas: 6.9% (2016)
Electricity - production
598 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - consumption
556.1 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - installed generating capacity
550,000 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - from fossil fuels
33% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
67% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Refined petroleum products - consumption
19,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Refined petroleum products - imports
18,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
2.794 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 0
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 10.8 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 87 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Telephone system
general assessment: huge improvement over the last ten years; in May 2019, 4G wifi was launched in the capital; the capital and the regional administrative centers have 3G access; in 2018 the set up of an IXP (Internet Exchange Point) will reduce cost of Internet bandwidth and improve infrastructure (2018)
domestic: there is national coverage and Conakry is reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate but is improving; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding rapidly and now approaches 90 per 100 persons (2018)
international: 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)
Broadcast media
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
.gn
Internet users
total: 1,185,148
percent of population: 9.8% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 1,100
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Military and Security
Military expenditures
2.47% of GDP (2018)
2.71% of GDP (2017)
2.49% of GDP (2016)
3.31% of GDP (2015)
2.97% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 33
Military and security forces
National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee), Republican Guard, Gendarmerie, People's Militia (Reserves) (2019)
Military service age and obligation
no compulsory military service (2017)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
3X (2016)
Airports
16 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 143
Airports - with paved runways
total: 4 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 12 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013)
under 914 m: 2 (2013)
Railways
total: 1,086 km (2017)
standard gauge: 279 km1.435-m gauge (2017)
narrow gauge: 807 km1.000-m gauge (2017)
country comparison to the world: 88
Roadways
total: 44,301 km (2018)
paved: 3,346 km (2018)
unpaved: 40,955 km (2018)
country comparison to the world: 84
Waterways
1,300 km(navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger River system) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 54
Merchant marine
total: 1
by type: other 1 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 171
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Conakry, Kamsar
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
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: 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, and trafficking is more prevalent among Guineans than foreign national migrants; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg or to work as street vendors, shoe shiners, or miners; Guinea is a source country and transit point for West African children forced to work as miners in the region; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in West Africa, the Middle East, the US, and increasingly Europe, while Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese women are forced into prostitution and some West Africans are forced into domestic servitude in Guinea
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Guinea was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; no new investigations were conducted in 2014, and the one ongoing case led to the prosecution of four offenders for forced child labor, three of whom were convicted but given inadequate sentences for the crime; the government did not identify or provide protective services to victims and did not support NGOs that assisted victims but continued to refer child victims to NGOs on an ad hoc basis; Guinean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, excluding, for example, debt bondage; the 2014 Ebolavirus outbreak negatively affected Guinea’s ability to address human trafficking (2015)
