Society in Guyana
An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.
Explore Social Domains
Demographics
Public Health
Education & Human Capital
Living Standards & Connectivity
Current Snapshot Overview
A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Guyana
- Guyana has an estimated population of 826K2023, with a modest annual growth rate of 0.6%2023, suggesting a mature demographic transition with stable, but limitated, population increase. The fertility rate of 2.4 births per woman2023is above replacement level, ensuring sustainable long-term population stability without significant external migration. Substantial net emigration of approximately 5K individuals annually (or 6.5 per 1,000 inhabitants)2024exacerbates demographic challenges, potentially leading to 'brain drain' and diminished economic capacity.
- Regarding public health, Healthcare outcomes show foundational progress with a life expectancy of 70.2 years2023, yet significant disparities or developmental gaps may still exist. Concurrently, maternal and child health indicators show solid progress, with child mortality (under 5 years) at 25.7 per 1,000 live births2023and maternal mortality at 75 per 100,000 live births2023, indicating improving but still developing services. These outcomes are supported by limited healthcare spending, at 3.0% of GDP2022, which may constrain comprehensive health system improvements and the attainment of higher health outcomes.
- Strong educational foundations are evident in the high adult literacy rate of 90%2022, which significantly contributes to human capital development. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 93% primary enrollment2012and 85% secondary participation rates2023. This educational framework is supported by moderate public support, with 4.5% of GDP allocated to public educational expenditure2018, reflecting a balanced approach to funding.
- In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, the primarily rural population distribution (73% rural population2023) presents distinct challenges for universal infrastructure provision, service access, and economic modernization. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 99% electricity access2023and 82% internet penetration2023, supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.
Key Development Insights
Population Dynamics
Managing demographic trends is crucial for long-term economic planning and workforce stability.
Public Health System
Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.
Human Capital Formation
Educational attainment is a direct driver of economic innovation and global competitiveness. Investment in education is key to unlocking human potential.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.
Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.