Country Profile: Guinea

Guinea, located in Western Africa along the North Atlantic coast, has a population of approximately 14.4 million people. The country's economy is primarily agrarian, with significant contributions from its mining sector, particularly bauxite, gold, and diamonds. Governance has undergone substantial changes, with a history of military coups and transitions to civilian rule. The most recent coup in 2021 led to the establishment of a transitional government that continues to navigate the complexities of governance and national stability.

Geography

Guinea covers an area of 245,857 square kilometers, characterized by a generally flat coastal plain and a hilly to mountainous interior. The country's diverse climate features a hot, humid environment with distinct wet and dry seasons. Guinea shares borders with several countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and has a coastline of 320 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean.

245,857 sq km - total area.
73.2% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
20.3% of the territory is forested (2023).
1,752 m - highest point is Mont Nimba.
4,046 km - total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
12 nm - territorial sea claims.

People and Society

Guinea has an estimated population of 14,374,590 in 2025, with a youthful demographic characterized by a median age of 19.5 years. The country is home to several ethnic groups, with the largest being Fulani, Malinke, and Susu. Predominantly Muslim (85.2%), Guinea's society exhibits rich cultural diversity and complexity, with French as the official language alongside various indigenous languages.

14.4 million - population (2025 est.).
40.9% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
39.6% literacy rate (2018).
35.04 births per 1,000 population (2025).
64.6 years - life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
2.74% annual population growth rate (2025 est.).

Economy

Guinea's economy, while growing, is primarily agrarian with a strong mining industry. Real GDP (PPP) is estimated at $59.439 billion for 2024, with a real GDP growth rate of 5.7%. Agricultural products such as rice and cassava dominate the sector, while the country is also rich in mineral resources like bauxite and gold. However, Guinea faces challenges including poverty, with about 43.7% of the population living below the poverty line.

$59.439 billion - Real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
5.3% unemployment rate (2024 est.).
29.6% of GDP comes from agriculture (2024 est.).
67.4% of household consumption accounts for GDP (2024 est.).
43.7% of the population is below the poverty line (2018).
2.2% of GDP from remittances (2023 est.).

Government

Guinea is a presidential republic, currently guided by a transitional government established following a military coup in 2021. The capital city is Conakry, governed through a mix of civil law based on the French model. Recent elections were held in December 2025, adding further complexity to the nation's political landscape.

President: Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA (from January 2026).
Transitional National Council: 81 appointed members.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years.
Next election: Expected in December 2025.
Legal system: Civil law system.

Military and Security

Guinea's military, consisting of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, plays a vital role in both defense and internal security. Military expenditures are around 2.1% of GDP. The armed forces are involved in various aspects of governance and have historically been instrumental in maintaining order during periods of political unrest.

10,000-12,000 active personnel (2025).
2.1% of GDP spent on military (2024 est.).
Military primarily equipped with aging Soviet-era equipment.
18 years is the age for military service.
Territorial defense and domestic security responsibilities.

Energy

The energy sector in Guinea is heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, contributing to approximately 74.1% of the installed generating capacity. However, access to electricity remains limited, with only 47.7% of the population having access as of 2022.

47.7% of the total population has access to electricity (2022).
1.06 million kW installed generating capacity (2023).
3.624 billion kWh total electricity consumption (2023).
21.3% electrification rate in rural areas.
25.3% of the energy comes from fossil fuels (2023).

Environment

Guinea faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, inadequate potable water, and soil erosion. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change, biodiversity, and the conservation of natural resources.

73.2% of land used for agriculture (2023).
46% urban population (2023).
226 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022 est.).
596,900 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).
23.9% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022 est.).

Transportation

Guinea's transportation infrastructure is developing but remains limited. The country has a network of roads, railways, and civil air transport options, with significant reliance on its ports for trade and connectivity.

1,086 km of railways (2017).
16 airports (2025).
4 main ports (2024).
2 ships in the merchant marine (2023).
1 heliport (2025).

Communications

In terms of communication, Guinea has experienced growth in mobile subscriptions and internet usage, with 27% of the population estimated to be internet users as of 2023. The state maintains control over most broadcast media.

15.3 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2022).
27% internet penetration rate (2023).
Only 1,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2022).
Government controls broadcast media, including TV and radio.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	14,374,590 (2025 est.)
Area	245,857 sq km
Real GDP (PPP)	$59.439 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	5.3% (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	47.7% (2022 est.)
Birth Rate	35.04 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	64.6 years (2024 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	4.75 children born/woman	(2025 est.)
Urban Population	38.1% (2023)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	4.505 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)