Guinea-Bissau
Region
🌍 Africa
Population
👥 1
Currency
💱 West African CFA franc
Languages
🗣️ Portuguese, Upper Guinea Crioulo
This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 35 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.
Official NameSource: REST Countries
Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Continent
Africa
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Guinea-Bissauan
Independence
September 24, 1973 (from Portugal)
Top-Level Domain
.gw
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+245
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Bissau
ISO Alpha-2
GW
ISO Alpha-3
GNB
UN Code
624
Geographic Coordinates
12,-15
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
36,125#139 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
1,890,252#148 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
76.58
Highest Point (m)
193
Lowest Point (m)
Sea level
Land Use
Agricultural land: 64.9%; forest: 37.8%
Irrigated Land
Approximately 50 square kilometers
Coastline Length
350 km
Climate
Tropical; hot and humid; rainy season (June to November)
Natural Resources
Fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, unexploited petroleum
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Guinea, Senegal
Major Rivers
Geba River, Corubal River
Major Lakes
This country has no major lakes.
Government Type
Republic
Administrative Divisions
8 regions and 1 autonomous sector
Legal System
Based on Portuguese civil law and customary law
Chief of State
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló
Head of Government
Prime Minister Rui Duarte de Barros
Cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister.
Elections
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term; Prime Minister appointed by the President.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court; lower courts.
Legislative Branch
Unicameral National People's Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular).
Major Political Parties
African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), Party for Social Renewal (PRS), Movement for Democratic Alternation (MADEM-G15)
CurrencySource: REST Countries
West African CFA franc
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2.53#185 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
7.41#166 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
1,123.77#191 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
40.63
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
15.74
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
39.07
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.87#155 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
899,220
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2.67#158 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Public debt is approximately 40% of GDP.
Budget
The government budget is approximately $200 million USD.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.35#180 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.68#180 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Foreign reserves are approximately $0.15 billion USD.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates fluctuate; check with a financial institution for current rates.
GDP by Sector
Agriculture accounts for the largest share of GDP, followed by services and industry.
Major Industries
Major industries include cashew processing, fishing, and agriculture.
Major Export Partners
Major export partners include India, Vietnam, and other African nations.
Major Import Partners
Major import partners include Portugal, Senegal, and China.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2022)Checked September 29, 2026
63.93#147 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
29.6
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
7
Net Migration Rate
The net migration rate is slightly negative.
Median Age
The median age is approximately 19 years.
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
46.65#155 of 214
Urbanization Rate
The urbanization rate is approximately 3% annually.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
64.3#189 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
HIV/AIDS prevalence is approximately 2.9% of the adult population.
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
8.82
Ethnic Groups
The main ethnic groups are Balanta, Fula, Mandinga, Manjaco, and Papel.
Religions
Islam is the predominant religion, followed by Christianity and indigenous beliefs.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
Portuguese, Upper Guinea Crioulo
Education
Education System
Education is compulsory from ages 7 to 14. System faces challenges including funding, infrastructure, and teacher training.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2006)Checked September 29, 2026
9.2
Government Education Spending
Relatively low government spending on education.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
ISEG (Instituto Superior de Educação da Guiné-Bissau) and Universidade Amílcar Cabral.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Mix of African traditions, influenced by Portuguese colonization. Strong emphasis on family and community.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- National Heroes' Day (2026-01-20)
- International Women's Day (2026-03-08)
- Good Friday (2026-04-03)
- Easter Sunday (2026-04-05)
- International Workers' Day (2026-05-01)
- Independence Day (2026-09-24)
- All Souls' Day (2026-11-02)
- Christmas Eve (2026-12-24)
- Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
- New Year's Eve (2026-12-31)
Popular Music
Influenced by Portuguese and other African genres. Gumbe is a popular music genre.
Traditional Food
Rice is a staple. Seafood, stews, and local produce are common.
Sports
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport.
Major Festivals
Carnival, various cultural festivals, and religious celebrations.
Famous People
Amine Efraim (footballer).
Cultural Heritage Sites
Limited information available.
UNESCO Sites
None listed.
Annual Tourist Visits
—
Tourism Overview
—
Top Tourist Attractions
—
Famous Cities
—
National Parks
—
Protected Areas
—
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
—
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
—
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
The healthcare quality index is relatively low.
Medical Cost
Medical costs are relatively low compared to developed countries.
Number of Hospitals
There are a limited number of hospitals; the precise count varies.
Universal Healthcare
Limited access, public and private healthcare exist. Challenges include funding, infrastructure, and trained personnel.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are limited; facilities are concentrated in urban areas.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical access is limited, and ambulance services are not widely available.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
—
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
—
Emergency Number (Fire)
—
Crime Rate
—
Safety Index
—
Military Expenditure
—
Emergency Services Overview
—
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
—
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
—
Water Access
—
Sanitation Access
—
Railways
No railways.
Roadways
—
Transportation System
Road network is underdeveloped. Reliance on bush taxis and boats for transport. Limited public transport.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB)
Ports
—
Public Transit
—
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
29.78#183 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
—
Tech Startups
—
Innovation Index
—
ICT Development Index
—
TV Broadcast Stations
—
Radio Broadcast Stations
—
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
0.16#183 of 202
Air Quality Index
Data on air quality is limited; likely poor in urban areas due to vehicle emissions and industrial activity.
Water Pollution Level
High; untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste contribute to pollution.
Renewable Energy Usage
Limited; primarily solar with potential for expansion.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation, soil erosion, overfishing, water pollution, and coastal degradation.
Natural Hazards
Droughts, floods, and coastal erosion.
Waste Management
Poor; inadequate collection and disposal systems, leading to open dumping and environmental contamination.
Environmental Agreements
Party to international agreements on biodiversity, climate change, desertification, and others.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Has diplomatic missions in several countries including, Portugal, China, Cuba, Senegal, and others; and hosts missions in Bissau.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
African Union
Major Treaties
Information is limited, but it is party to various international treaties.
Visa-Free Countries
Guinea-Bissau citizens can travel visa-free to a limited number of countries, primarily within the ECOWAS region.