Guinea

Country Flad Details:                                                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

Background                                                       Before the Europeans arrived in the 16th
century, multiple kingdoms controlled the
area that is modern-day Guinea, and Islam
was introduced in the 11th century. Guinea is at a turning point after decades of
authoritarian rule since gaining its
independence from France in 1958.

Geography

Area
total : 245,857 sq km
land: 245,717 sq km
water: 140 sq km
Climate
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type
rainy season (June to November) with
southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Natural resources
bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium,
hydropower, fish, salt

People and Society

Population
total: 13,986,179
Ethnic groups
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 French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages
Religions                                                             Muslim 85.2%, Christian 13.4%, animist
0.2%, none 1.2% (2018 est.)
Population growth rate
2.74% (2024 est.)

Government
Government type:
presidential republic
Capital name: Conakry
Executive branch
chief of state: President Col. Mamady
DOUMBOUYA (since 1 October 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister
Mamadou Oury BAH (since 27 February
2024)

Economy

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$56.892 billion (2023 est.)
$53.297 billion (2022 est.)
$51.261 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$3,900 (2023 est.)
$3,800 (2022 est.)
$3,700 (2021 est.)

Exports                                                                  $12.008 billion (2023 est.)
$8.898 billion (2022 est.)
$10.266 billion (2021 est.)
Exports – partners
UAE 50%, China 36%, India 8%, Switzerland 1%, Spain 1% (2023)
Exports – commodities
gold, aluminum ore, cocoa beans, crude
petroleum, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews
(2023)
Imports
$8.365 billion (2023 est.)
$5.749 billion (2022 est.)
$5.353 billion (2021 est.)
Imports – partners
China 39%, India 9%, Netherlands 7%,
Belgium 6%, UAE 4% (2023)
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, rice, garments,
construction vehicles, cars (2023)

Export structure by products group in 2023 (% of total export)(UNCTAD)

The export structure of a country reflects the diversity, composition, and value of the goods and services it trades globally, providing vital insights into the nation’s economic health, competitiveness, and developmental stage. In Guinea, this structure is largely defined by its rich mineral resources, with mining accounting for nearly  89% of exports. The country’s export economy is heavily dependent on its mining industry, especially in gold and bauxite. However, initiatives are in progress to broaden the export base and enhance the value of natural resources, with the goal of achieving more sustainable economic growth.

Poverty and vulnerable employment in Guinea (World Bank)
In 2023, a staggering 79 percent of total employment in Guinea was deemed vulnerable, reflecting a critical reality for many individuals and families. Vulnerable employment encompasses work that often lacks job security, offers low wages, and provides minimal protections such as health insurance or retirement benefits. This situation frequently involves self-employed people without employees, such as street vendors or small-scale farmers, as well as family members who contribute to family businesses or farms without receiving formal compensation. These jobs are typically informal and precarious, placing workers in a position of heightened risk for financial struggles, exploitation, and poverty, underscoring the urgent need for support and viable opportunities in the community.
Understanding poverty level at $2.15

In 2018, 14 percent of the population in Guinea lived in poverty at $2.15 per day.The poverty level at $2.15 per day (measured in 2017 purchasing power parity, or PPP) is a key global benchmark used by the World Bank to define extreme poverty in low-income countries. It indicates:
1. Basic Survival Threshold
• People living below $2.15 per day struggle to afford essential needs such as food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and education.
2. Economic Underdevelopment
• A high percentage of a country’s population living below this threshold suggests low economic productivity, high unemployment, and weak social safety nets.
3. Inequality and Social Vulnerability
• It reflects deep income inequality and a lack of access to opportunities for upward mobility.
• People in this category are more vulnerable to shocks like food price increases, climate disasters, or health crises.
4. Policy Challenges
• Governments need targeted interventions such as social welfare programs, job creation, and improved access to education and healthcare to reduce poverty.

A country's export structure is a reflection of its level of development and its productive capacities

The export structure of a country refers to the composition, diversity, and value of the goods and services it sells to other countries. It provides key insights into the country’s economic health, competitiveness, and level of development. Productive capacities of a country refer to its ability to produce goods and services efficiently and sustainably over time. These capacities are shaped by various factors, including human capital, natural resources, infrastructure, private sector, development, technology & innovation,  institutions & governance, financial systems trade & market access.

Here’s  what the export structure and productive capacities of a country  typically indicate:

  1. Level of Economic Development
  • Developed economies usually export high-value manufactured goods, technology, and services.
  • Developing economies often rely on raw materials, agricultural products, or low-value manufactured goods.
  1. Industrial and Sectoral Strengths
  • A strong presence of high-tech or industrial goods (e.g., machinery, electronics) suggests a well-developed manufacturing sector.
  • A dominance of commodities (e.g., oil, minerals, agricultural products) indicates reliance on natural resources.
  1. Export Diversification
  • A diverse export base (multiple industries) makes a country’s economy more stable and resilient to global price shocks.
  • A concentrated export base (few key products) makes it vulnerable to market fluctuations.
  1. Trade Partnerships and Dependence
  • If exports are heavily dependent on a single country or region, the economy is more exposed to geopolitical and trade risks.
  • A wide range of trading partners indicates stronger global integration.
  1. Competitiveness and Value Addition
  • Exporting mainly raw materials (e.g., crude oil instead of refined petroleum) suggests limited industrial processing capacity.
  • A high share of finished and high-tech goods suggests strong value addition and competitiveness.

Guinea-Sanitation

Guinea – Proportion of population served with at least basic sanitation

In 2022, proportion of population served with at least basic sanitation for Guinea was 31.3 %. Proportion of population served with at least basic sanitation of Guinea increased from 9.2% in 2000 to 31.3 % in 2022 , an absolute change of 22.1 percentage points (pp) between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea – Proportion of urban population served with at least basic sanitation

In 2022, proportion of urban population served with at least basic sanitation for Guinea was 47 %. Proportion of urban population served with at least basic sanitation of Guinea increased from 22 % in 2000 to 47 % in 2022, an absolute change of 25 pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea – Proportion of rural population served with at least basic sanitation

In 2022, proportion of rural population served with at least basic sanitation for Guinea was 21.7 %. Proportion of rural population served with at least basic sanitation of Guinea increased from 3.6 % in 2000 to 21.7 % in 2022 an absolute change of 18.1pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea-Population using at least basic sanitation services (% of total population): A Global Perspective

The severe consequences of inadequate sanitation continue to pose a significant challenge, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of countless lives each year and perpetuating a cycle of poverty and illness. Access to safe sanitation is not merely a basic human necessity; it is a fundamental human right that upholds our dignity and health. In 2022, nearly 9 million people in Guinea, representing a staggering 69% of the population were deprived of this essential service, highlighting a glaring disparity when compared to just 8% in Vietnam and a mere 1% in Thailand facing similar challenges. This troubling inequality underscores the urgent need for empathy, awareness, and collective efforts to improve living conditions for all individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the demand for safe sanitation is not just pressing but critically urgent, demanding our immediate attention and action to foster a healthier, more equitable society for all.

Guinea- Rural population using at least basic sanitation services (% of rural population): A Global Perspective

In 2022, an alarming 78 percent of the rural population in Guinea lacked access to adequate sanitation facilities, affecting roughly 8 million individuals and highlighting a severe public health crisis that goes beyond statistics, impacting real lives in profound ways. This staggering figure starkly contrasts with the 12.1 percent in Vietnam, 5 percent in Sri Lanka, and an astonishingly low 2 percent in Thailand, which vividly illustrates the significant global inequalities that persist in sanitation access and the disparities in quality of life that arise from them. These troubling inequalities not only emphasize the pressing need for immediate and sustained attention to this critical issue but also call for a concerted and unified effort to ensure that sanitation is recognized and upheld as a fundamental human right, essential for human dignity and well-being. This sense of urgency extends far beyond the borders of Guinea, resonating across rural areas throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, where countless individuals face similar hardships, underscoring the necessity for collective action and commitment to improving sanitation for vulnerable populations across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Guinea-Water Supply

Guinea – Proportion of total population served with at least basic drinking water

In 2022, proportion of population served with at least basic water for Guinea was 71.5 %. The proportion of population served with at least basic water of Guinea grew substantially from 50% in 2000 to 71.5 % an absolute change of 21.5 pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea- Proportion of urban population served with at least basic water

In 2022, proportion of urban population served with at least basic water for Guinea was 92 %. Between 2000 and 2022, proportion of urban population served with at least basic water of Guinea grew substantially from 75.1 to 92 %, an absolute change of 16.9 pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea – Proportion of rural population with at least basic water

In 2022, proportion of rural population served with at least basic water for Guinea was 59 %. Between 2000 and 2022, proportion of rural population served with at least basic water of Guinea increased from 38.8% to 59 % an absolute change 20.2 pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea – Proportion of total population not served with at least basic water: A Global Perspective

Access to safe drinking water is not merely a basic human necessity but a fundamental human right that must be upheld for everyone across the globe. Alarmingly, in 2022, nearly 4 million people in Guinea were without this essential resource, amounting to about 28 percent of the country’s population who lacked reliable access to safe drinking water. This disturbing statistic starkly contrasts with the situation in other nations where populations in Thailand and Vietnam enjoyed nearly universal access to safe drinking water during the same year, with 100 percent and 98 percent access to safe drinking water, respectively .Such stark disparities in access to this vital resource highlight the urgent and pressing need for comprehensive global initiatives aimed at ensuring that every individual, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status, has the undeniable right to clean and safe drinking water, which is not only fundamental for health and well-being but also crucial for sustainable development and the overall progress of societies worldwide.

Guinea – Proportion of rural population without at least basic water: A Global Perspective

In 2022, it was reported that around 3.6 million individuals residing in rural areas of Guinea, which constitutes a troubling 41 percent of the rural population, were deprived of access to safe drinking water, a fundamental necessity that many often take for granted in their daily lives. This alarming reality starkly contrasts with countries such as Vietnam, where every rural resident has access to safe drinking water, and neighboring Bangladesh and Vietnam enjoy access rates of 98 percent and 97 percent, respectively. These significant disparities emphasize the critical need for immediate intervention to ensure that the rural communities in Guinea can secure safe drinking water. By addressing this pressing issue, we not only improve the lives of those affected but also foster a sense of shared humanity, reinforcing the idea that access to safe drinking water is not just a privilege but a fundamental human right that should be available to all, regardless of their geographic location.

Guinea-Access to electricity

Guinea-Access to electricity (% of population)

In 2022, proportion of population with access to electricity for Guinea was 47.7 %. The proportion of population with access to electricity of Guinea increased from 15.2% in 2000 to 47.7% in 2022, an absolute change of 32.5pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea-Access to electricity (% urban population)

In 2022, proportion of urban population with access to electricity for Guinea was 91 %. The proportion of urban population with access to electricity of Guinea increased from 56% % in 2000 to 91% in 2022, an absolute change of 35 pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea-Access to electricity (% rural population)

In 2022, proportion of rural population with access to electricity for Guinea was 21.3 %. The proportion of rural population with access to electricity of Guinea increased from 5.9 % % in 2010 to 21.3% in 2022, an absolute change of 15.4 pp between 2000 and 2022.

Guinea-Access to electricity (% of population ): A Global Perspective

In 2022, only 47.7 percent of Guinea’s population had access to electricity, highlighting a critical situation in which almost half of the population is deprived of this essential resource that is vital for well-being. In contrast, access to electricity in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia is 100 percent. Such a profound disparity not only emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions but also calls for collaborative efforts aimed at improving the quality of life many communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the lack of electricity severely hinders economic development, curtails educational opportunities, and adversely affects overall health and well-being, thereby perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting prospects for progress.

Guinea-Access to electricity (% rural population): A Global Perspective

The data compellingly highlights the significant challenge faced by the rural population in Guinea regarding access to electricity, with only 21.3% access in 2022. This troubling statistic sharply contrasts with the universal access experienced by rural communities in nations such as Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, which enjoy consistent electricity supply, underscoring the entrenched challenges that persist in Sub-Saharan Africa. These disparities reflect a critical lack of infrastructure and a failure to meet basic human needs, a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for essential services in the region. This situation calls for immediate action and emphasizes the urgent need for targeted initiatives to bridge this critical divide to improve the quality of life for those most impacted by these inequities and ensure that access to electricity becomes a reality for all.

Guinea: Health outcomes

Guinea- Life expectancy: A Global perspective

Over the past seven decades, the trends in life expectancy have unveiled extraordinary advancements, showcasing that people around the globe are living longer and healthier lives than ever before. In 1950, the global average life expectancy for newborns was a mere 47 years; however, by 2021, this figure had dramatically risen to 71 years, reflecting significant improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions worldwide. Yet, amid this progress, many nations in Sub-Saharan Africa have experienced only modest gains. For instance, in Guinea, life expectancy rose from 37 years in 1960 to just 59 years by 2021. In stark contrast, South Korea witnessed an astonishing increase in life expectancy, soaring from 21 years in 1950 to a remarkable 83 years in 2022, while the Maldives experienced a similar transformation, climbing from 39 years in 1980 to 81 years in 2022. These contrasting statistics vividly illustrate the considerable disparities that persist between countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and their counterparts in other regions of the developing world, highlighting the ongoing challenges that still need to be addressed to ensure equitable health outcomes for all.

Guinea-Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1000 live births): A Global Perspective

Since 1950, the significant decline in global child mortality rates has served as a powerful testament to our progress in improving living conditions, enhancing healthcare, advancing nutrition, and ensuring access to clean drinking water for communities around the world. In wealthier regions of Europe and America, this rate has impressively fallen to below four percent, demonstrating the efficacy of collaborative efforts and public health initiatives. Over the past seven decades, many developing countries in South America, Asia, and Africa have experienced substantial gains; however, it is crucial to acknowledge that these improvements have not been uniform, particularly across much of Sub-Saharan Africa. For instance, in Guinea, the under-five mortality rate saw a dramatic reduction from 281 per 1000 live births in 1980 to 96 in 2022. This progress sharply contrasts with the extraordinary reductions observed in Bangladesh and India during the same timeframe, where rates plummeted from 206 to 29 and from 169 to 29 respectively, underscoring the diverse challenges and achievements encountered by various regions around the globe.

Guinea-Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births): A Global Perspective

The chart below illustrates the annual occurrences of pregnancy-related deaths categorized by region and country, revealing a troubling concentration of these fatalities in Sub-Saharan Africa. This alarming trend is significantly influenced by the region’s remarkably high birth rates coupled with extraordinarily elevated maternal mortality rates. For instance, in Guinea, maternal deaths saw a noteworthy decline from 971 in 2000 to 553 in 2020, while Bangladesh experienced a substantial decrease from 441 to 123 and India reduced its maternal deaths from 384 to 103. These statistics not only highlight the ongoing healthcare challenges that many nations in Sub-Saharan Africa face as they work diligently to provide adequate medical care and support to their populations but also emphasize the pressing need for sustained and concerted efforts to enhance maternal health outcomes in the region, a critical step towards achieving broader public health goals.