Guam

Broadcast media

about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations (2009)

Internet country code

.gu

Internet users

total: 118,000 | percent of population: 73.1% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers | domestic: digital system, including mobile-cellular service and local access to the Internet | international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 68,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 181,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitatnts: 113 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Agriculture - products

fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef

Budget

revenues: $1.147 billion | expenditures: $1.188 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.9% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed by tourism and other services. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.973 billion in 2014, or 40.4% of GDP. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists while on Guam, amounted to $651 million in 2013, or 13.3% of GDP. In 2013, Guam’s economy grew 0.6%. Despite slow growth, Guam’s economy has been stable over the last decade. National defense spending cushions the island’s economy against fluctuations in tourism. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Federal grants amounted to $373.3 million in 2013, or 32.6% of Guam’s total revenues for the fiscal year.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$828 million (2013 est.) | $795 million (2012) | country comparison to the world: 162

Exports - commodities

transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.6 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.882 billion (2013 est.) | $4.756 billion (2012 est.) | $4.562 billion (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 63.7% | government consumption: 64.9% | investment in fixed assets: 5.8% | investment in inventories: NA | exports of goods and services: 17% | imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2013)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: NA% | industry: NA% | services: NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$30,500 (2013 est.) | $29,800 (2012 est.) | $28,600 (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

GDP - real growth rate

0.6% (2013 est.) | 1.8% (2012) | -0.3% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 183

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$2.501 billion (2013 est.) | $2.438 billion (2012) | country comparison to the world: 155

Imports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.8% (2014 est.) | 4% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116

Labor force

70,490 | note: this number is for the civilian labor force only (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 185

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 0.3% | industry: 21.6% | services: 78.1% (2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2001 est.)

Public debt

32.1% of GDP (2013) | 35.8% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 137

Taxes and other revenues

24.9% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Unemployment rate

8.4% (2013 est.) | 8.2% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.8 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - consumption

1.5 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - installed generating capacity

600,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - production

1.6 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Electricity access

population without electricity: 66,724 | electrification - total population: 59% | electrification - urban areas: 60% | electrification - rural areas: 45% (2012)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 146

Refined petroleum products - consumption

12,510 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Refined petroleum products - imports

13,470 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Area

total: 544 sq km | land: 544 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 195

Area - comparative

three times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

125.5 km

Elevation

mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

Environment - current issues

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Geography - note

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land

2 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 33.4% | arable land 1.9%; permanent crops 16.7%; permanent pasture 14.8% | forest: 47.9% | other: 18.7% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources

aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Terrain

volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US)

Capital

name: Hagatna (Agana) | geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E | time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United States

Constitution

effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution); amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: Territory of Guam | conventional short form: Guam | local long form: Guahan | local short form: Guahan | etymology: the native Chamorro name for the island "Guahan" (meaning "we have" or "ours") was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris whereby Spain relinquished Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US

Dependency status

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) | head of government: Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature | elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018) | election results: Eddie CALVO reelected governor; percent of vote - Eddie CALVO (Republican Party) 64%, Carl GUTIERREZ (Democratic Party) 36%; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor

Flag description

territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, a proa or outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Punta Dos Amantes, near the capital, in the background; the shape of the central emblem is that of a Chamorro sling stone, used as a weapon for defense or hunting; blue represents the sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression | note: the US flag is the national flag

Government type

presidential democracy; a self-governing unincorporated territory of the US

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court | judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life subject to retention election every 10 years | subordinate courts: Superior Court of Guam - includes several divisions; US Federal District Court for the District of Guam (a US territorial court; appeals beyond this court are heard before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit)

Legal system

common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Legislature of Guam or Liheslaturan Guahan (15 seats; members elected in a single countrywide constituency by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms) | elections: last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6 | note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 8 November 2014)

National anthem

name: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians) | lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN | note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States)

National holiday

Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521)

National symbol(s)

coconut tree; national colors: deep blue, red

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party [Carlo BRANCH] | Republican Party [Mike BENITO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Guam Commission on Decolonization | Guam Federation of Teachers' Union | Guam Waterworks Authority Workers | We Are Guahan

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Background

Spain ceded Guam to the US in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installations on the island are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.95% (male 20,881/female 19,723) | 15-24 years: 17.09% (male 14,445/female 13,375) | 25-54 years: 39.09% (male 32,335/female 31,277) | 55-64 years: 9.62% (male 7,912/female 7,742) | 65 years and over: 9.25% (male 6,847/female 8,205) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

16.7 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110

Death rate

5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 52% | youth dependency ratio: 38.7% | elderly dependency ratio: 13.3% | potential support ratio: 7.5% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99.5% of population | rural: 99.5% of population | total: 99.5% of population | urban: 0.5% of population | rural: 0.5% of population | total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Chamorro 37.3%, Filipino 26.3%, white 7.1%, Chuukese 7%, Korean 2.2%, other Pacific Islander 2%, other Asian 2%, Chinese 1.6%, Palauan 1.6%, Japanese 1.5%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, mixed 9.4%, other 0.6% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Languages

English 43.6%, Filipino 21.2%, Chamorro 17.8%, other Pacific island languages 10%, Asian languages 6.3%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.1 years | male: 76.1 years | female: 82.4 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Major urban areas - population

HAGATNA (capital) 143,000 (2014)

Median age

total: 30.4 years | male: 29.8 years | female: 30.9 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111

Nationality

noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) | adjective: Guamanian

Net migration rate

-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Population

162,742 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188

Population growth rate

0.64% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Religions

Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 89.8% of population | rural: 89.8% of population | total: 89.8% of population | urban: 10.2% of population | rural: 10.2% of population | total: 10.2% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female | total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.31 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 29.4% | male: 29.7% | female: 28.9% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Urbanization

urban population: 94.5% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

5 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 179

Airports - with paved runways

total: 4 | over 3,047 m: 2 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Apra Harbor

Roadways

total: 1,045 km (2008) | country comparison to the world: 186