Guyana
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +0.88%
Situated in South America, Guyana has a population of approximately 773k—a modestly sized nation in population terms. The country extends across 214,969 km², translating to a density of 4.0 people per km². Its capital is Georgetown, and English is the official language, while the Guyanese dollar serves as the national currency.
Population
772,975
Area
214,969 km²
Density
4/km²
World Rank
#166
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 20.3 per thousand against deaths at 7.3 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 29.2% of residents under 15 and 6.7% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Georgetown
- Region
- Americas
- Subregion
- South America
- Continent
- South America
- Languages
- English
- Currencies
- Guyanese dollar ($)
- Calling Code
- +592
- Top-Level Domain
- .gy
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC-04:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 772,975
- Land Area
- 214,969 km²
- Population Density
- 4 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +0.88%
- Annual Growth
- +6,802 people
- Daily Growth
- +19 people
- World Population Share
- 0.01%
- Coordinates
- 5.00°, -59.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
With a GDP per capita of roughly $29.7k, Guyana sits comfortably in the high-income bracket by World Bank standards. Unemployment sits at 12%, well above the global average of 5.8%. A Gini index of 45.1 signals substantial income inequality, suggesting that economic gains are concentrated among a smaller share of the population.
Life Expectancy
70.2 years
GDP per Capita
$29,675
Birth Rate
20.3 per 1,000
Death Rate
7.3 per 1,000
Urban Population
26.5%
Fertility Rate
2.41 births/woman
Infant Mortality
23.8 per 1,000
Unemployment
12.0%
Literacy Rate
85.6%
Internet Users
81.7%
Under 15
29.2%
Over 65
6.7%
Health Spending
2.5% GDP
Gini Index
45.1
Age Distribution
0-14 years
225K
15-64 years
496K
65+ years
52K
Urbanization
Only 26.5% of the population lives in urban areas, reflecting a predominantly rural way of life that shapes access to services and markets. Georgetown serves as the administrative heart of the country and concentrates much of its commercial and civic life. Extremely low population density means that settlements are widely dispersed, raising logistical hurdles for infrastructure and public service delivery.
204,684
26.5%
568,291
73.5%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 70.2 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 23.8 per thousand live births, roughly in line with the global average. The literacy rate of 85.6% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Guyana
Guyana has 1 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Guyana is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Guyana participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 772,975 |
| 2030 | 800,360 |
| 2035 | 835,567 |
| 2040 | 871,928 |
| 2045 | 909,517 |
| 2050 | 948,410 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Guyana.
Largest Cities in Guyana
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Guyana by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Guyana?
The population of Guyana is approximately 772,975 as of 2026, making it #166 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Guyana?
The capital of Guyana is Georgetown.
What languages are spoken in Guyana?
The main languages spoken in Guyana are English.
How big is Guyana?
Guyana covers an area of 214,969 km² with a population density of 4 people per km².
Is Guyana growing or shrinking?
Guyana is growing at a rate of 0.88% per year, adding approximately 6,802 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Guyana?
The average life expectancy in Guyana is 70.2 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Guyana?
The GDP per capita of Guyana is $29,675.