Guinea

Broadcast media

government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services (2011)

Internet country code

.gn

Internet users

total: 554,000 | percent of population: 4.7% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Telephone system

general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system | domestic: Conakry reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate but is improving; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding rapidly and exceeds 90 per 100 persons | international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 18,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (July 2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 219

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 10.764 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 91 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93

Agriculture - products

rice, coffee, pineapples, mangoes, palm kernels, cocoa, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber

Budget

revenues: $1.302 billion | expenditures: $1.908 billion (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 200

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2010) | 22.25% (31 December 2005)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

23% (31 December 2015 est.) | 23% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 11

Current account balance

-$1.503 billion (2015 est.) | -$1.718 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Debt - external

$1.329 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.407 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.4 (2007) | 40.3 (1994) | country comparison to the world: 67

Economy - overview

Guinea is a poor country of approximately 11.7 million people that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves (Simandou), as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea’s main mineral exports. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth. | Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a new 3-year Extended Credit Facility arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government’s ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In 2014, Guinea also complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts and was found to be compliant. | The biggest threats to Guinea’s economy are political instability, a reintroduction on of the Ebola virus epidemic, and low international commodity prices. Rising international donor support and reduced government investment spending will lessen fiscal strains created by the Ebola virus epidemic, but economic recovery will be a long process while the government continues efforts to prevent an outbreak of the disease. The economic toll of Ebola virus epidemic on the Guinean economy is considerable. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in 2014-15, and the economy will continue to stagnate in 2016. Several projects have stalled, such as offshore oil exploration and the giant Simandou iron ore project. The 240 megawatt Kaleta Dam, which was inaugurated in September 2015, has expanded access to electricity for residents of Conakry. Although the recent political stability has brought renewed interest in Guinea from the private sector, an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency, combined with fears of Ebola virus, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability. | Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure, which is needed for economic development. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water - all of which continue to plague economic development. The present government, led by President Alpha CONDE, is working to create an economy to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries and firms in Guinea's economic development.

Exchange rates

Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - | 7,485.5 (2015 est.) | 7,014.1 (2014 est.) | 7,014.1 (2013 est.) | 6,986 (2012 est.) | 6,658 (2011 est.)

Exports

$1.611 billion (2015 est.) | $1.643 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 142

Exports - commodities

bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products

Exports - partners

India 22.5%, Spain 8.2%, Ireland 7.3%, Germany 6.2%, Belgium 5.5%, Ukraine 5.3%, France 4.1% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.696 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$14.98 billion (2015 est.) | $14.96 billion (2014 est.) | $14.8 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 153

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 96.1% | government consumption: 9.1% | investment in fixed capital: 13.2% | investment in inventories: -0.1% | exports of goods and services: 23.8% | imports of goods and services: -42.1% (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 19.5% | industry: 36.8% | services: 43.8% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,200 (2015 est.) | $1,200 (2014 est.) | $1,300 (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 221

GDP - real growth rate

0.1% (2015 est.) | 1.1% (2014 est.) | 2.3% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Gross national saving

-5.6% of GDP (2015 est.) | -5.9% of GDP (2014 est.) | -4.4% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.7% | highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)

Imports

$2.173 billion (2015 est.) | $2.225 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 20.4%, Netherlands 5.4%, India 4.4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

-2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Industries

bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore; light manufacturing, agricultural processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.1% (2015 est.) | 9.7% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201

Labor force

5.199 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 76% | industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

47% (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$233.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $302.4 million (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158

Stock of broad money

$2.093 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $2.175 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$67.3 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $67.3 million (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Stock of domestic credit

$1.863 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $2.226 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Stock of narrow money

$1.658 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.84 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Taxes and other revenues

19.5% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 165

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.4 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 162

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - consumption

900 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Electricity - from fossil fuels

67.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

32.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - installed generating capacity

500,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Electricity - production

1 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Electricity access

population without electricity: 8,700,000 | electrification - total population: 26% | electrification - urban areas: 53% | electrification - rural areas: 11% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 147

Refined petroleum products - consumption

16,000 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,130 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Area

total: 245,857 sq km | land: 245,717 sq km | water: 140 sq km | country comparison to the world: 79

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate

generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Coastline

320 km

Elevation

mean elevation: 472 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m | highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; inadequate potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

11 00 N, 10 00 W

Geography - note

the Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands

Irrigated land

950 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 4,046 km | border countries (6): Cote d'Ivoire 816 km, Guinea-Bissau 421 km, Liberia 590 km, Mali 1,062 km, Senegal 363 km, Sierra Leone 794 km

Land use

agricultural land: 58.1% | arable land 11.8%; permanent crops 2.8%; permanent pasture 43.5% | forest: 26.5% | other: 15.4% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season

Natural resources

bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt

Terrain

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Administrative divisions

7 regions administrative and 1 gouvenorat*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore

Capital

name: Conakry | geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 13 42 W | time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Guinea | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: na

Constitution

previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Guinea | conventional short form: Guinea | local long form: Republique de Guinee | local short form: Guinee | former: French Guinea | note: the country is named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis B. HANKINS (since December 2015) | embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle | mailing address: P.O. Box 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry | telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00 | FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mamady CONDE (since 14 July 2014) | chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 | FAX: [1] (202) 986-3800

Executive branch

chief of state: President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010) | head of government: Prime Minister Mamady YOULA (since 26 December 2015); Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24 December 2010) resigned 12/23/15 | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 October 2015 (next scheduled for 2020); prime minister appointed by the president | election results: Alpha CONDE reelected president; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 57.8%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 31.4%, other 10.8%

Flag description

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

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Administrative Chamber and Civil, Penal, and Social Chamber; court consists of the first president, 2 chamber presidents, at least 4 councillors, the solicitor general and NA deputies); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) | judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; members serve until age 65; Constitutional Court member appointments - 2 by the National Assembly and the president of the republic, 3 experienced judges designated by their peers, 1 experienced lawyer, 1 university professor with expertise in public law designated by peers, and 2 experienced representatives of the Independent National Institution of Human Rights; members serve single 9-year terms | subordinate courts: includes Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; courts of first instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; High Court of Justice or Cour d'Assises; labor court; military tribunal; justices of the peace; specialized courts

Legal system

civil law system based on the French model

Legislative branch

description: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; 76 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 38 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 28 September 2013 (next scheduled for 2018) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPG 53, UFDG 37, UFR 10, PEDN 2, UPG 2, other parties 10

National anthem

name: "Liberte" (Liberty) | lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA | note: adopted 1958

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

National symbol(s)

national colors: red, yellow, green

Political parties and leaders

National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE] | Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE] | Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean Marie DORE] | Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO] | Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] | note: listed are the five most popular parties as of December 2015

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG, Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG) | Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Guinea is at a turning point after decades of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Guinea held its first free and competitive democratic presidential and legislative elections in 2010 and 2013 respectively, and in October 2015 held a second consecutive presidential election. Alpha CONDE was reelected to a second five-year term as president in 2015, and the National Assembly was seated in January 2014. CONDE's first cabinet is the first all-civilian government in Guinea. Previously, Sekou TOURE ruled the country as president from independence to his death in 1984. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after TOURE's death. Gen. CONTE organized and won presidential elections in 1993, 1998, and 2003, though all the polls were rigged. Upon CONTE's death in December 2008, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution. His unwillingness to yield to domestic and international pressure to step down led to heightened political tensions that culminated in September 2009 when presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally killing more than 150 people, and in early December 2009 when CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and exiled to Burkina Faso. A transitional government led by Gen. Sekouba KONATE paved the way for Guinea's transition to a fledgling democracy.

Military branches

National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee) (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 41.7% (male 2,547,037/female 2,495,495) | 15-24 years: 19.67% (male 1,200,618/female 1,177,633) | 25-54 years: 30.52% (male 1,851,200/female 1,839,952) | 55-64 years: 4.46% (male 258,455/female 281,497) | 65 years and over: 3.65% (male 195,054/female 246,408) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

35.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 20

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 571,774 | percentage: 25% (2003 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18.7% (2012) | country comparison to the world: 33

Contraceptive prevalence rate

5.6% (2012)

Death rate

9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

Demographic profile

Guinea’s strong population growth is a result of declining mortality rates and sustained elevated fertility. The population growth rate was somewhat tempered in the 2000s because of a period of net outmigration. Although life expectancy and mortality rates have improved over the last two decades, the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continues to contribute to high infant and maternal mortality rates. Guinea’s total fertility remains high at about 5 children per woman because of the ongoing preference for larger families, low contraceptive usage and availability, a lack of educational attainment and empowerment among women, and poverty. A lack of literacy and vocational training programs limit job prospects for youths, but even those with university degrees often have no option but to work in the informal sector. About 60% of the country’s large youth population is unemployed. | Tensions and refugees have spilled over Guinea’s borders with Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. During the 1990s Guinea harbored as many as half a million refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia, more refugees than any other African country for much of that decade. About half sought refuge in the volatile “Parrot’s Beak” region of southwest Guinea, a wedge of land jutting into Sierra Leone near the Liberian border. Many were relocated within Guinea in the early 2000s because the area suffered repeated cross-border attacks from various government and rebel forces, as well as anti-refugee violence. As of 2016, Guinea sheltered more than 7,000 Ivoirians.

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 83.8% | youth dependency ratio: 78.2% | elderly dependency ratio: 5.6% | potential support ratio: 17.8% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 92.7% of population | rural: 67.4% of population | total: 76.8% of population | urban: 7.3% of population | rural: 32.6% of population | total: 23.2% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 156

Ethnic groups

Fulani (Peul) 33.9%, Malinke 31.1%, Soussou 19.1%, Guerze 6%, Kissi 4.7%, Toma 2.6%, other/no answer 2.7% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.56% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,600 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

116,800 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Health expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 102

Hospital bed density

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 51.7 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 54.4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 48.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Languages

French (official) | note: each ethnic group has its own language

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 60.6 years | male: 59 years | female: 62.2 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 30.4% | male: 38.1% | female: 22.8% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever | vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever | water contact disease: schistosomiasis | aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever | animal contact disease: rabies (2016)

Major urban areas - population

CONAKRY (capital) 1.936 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

679 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Median age

total: 18.8 years | male: 18.6 years | female: 19.1 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.9 | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Guinean(s) | adjective: Guinean

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.9% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 165

Physicians density

0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

12,093,349 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Population growth rate

2.62% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Religions

Muslim 86.7%, Christian 8.9%, animist/other/none 4.4% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 34.1% of population | rural: 11.8% of population | total: 20.1% of population | urban: 65.9% of population | rural: 88.2% of population | total: 79.9% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years | male: 10 years | female: 8 years (2014)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female | total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.82 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 18

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 1% | male: 1.5% | female: 0.6% (2012 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 37.2% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 3.82% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa Rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 7,354 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2016)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking victims are Guinean children, and trafficking is more prevalent among Guineans than foreign national migrants; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg or to work as street vendors, shoe shiners, or miners; Guinea is a source country and transit point for West African children forced to work as miners in the region; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in West Africa, the Middle East, the US, and increasingly Europe, while Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese women are forced into prostitution and some West Africans are forced into domestic servitude in Guinea | tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Guinea was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; no new investigations were conducted in 2014, and the one ongoing case led to the prosecution of four offenders for forced child labor, three of whom were convicted but given inadequate sentences for the crime; the government did not identify or provide protective services to victims and did not support NGOs that assisted victims but continued to refer child victims to NGOs on an ad hoc basis; Guinean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, excluding, for example, debt bondage; the 2014 Ebolavirus outbreak negatively affected Guinea’s ability to address human trafficking (2015)

Airports

16 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 144

Airports - with paved runways

total: 4 | over 3,047 m: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 12 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 | 914 to 1,523 m: 3 | under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

3X (2016)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Conakry, Kamsar

Railways

total: 662 km | narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (20014) | country comparison to the world: 105

Roadways

total: 44,348 km | paved: 4,342 km | unpaved: 40,006 km (2003) | country comparison to the world: 79

Waterways

1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger River system) (2011) | country comparison to the world: 53