Guyana

Economic Overview

Flag of Guyana The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have fallen sharply, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy prices. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 is expected to broaden the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector.

GDP Growth rate: 4.5% (2006 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

  • agriculture: 35.5%
  • industry: 19.3%
  • services: 45.2% (2006 est.)

Trade per capita (US$, 2003-2005): 2 007

Trade to GDP ratio (2003-2005):  195.5


Exports: $621.6 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports: $706.9 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities:

sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber

Imports - commodities:

manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food

Exports - partners:

US 18.7%, Canada 16.3%, UK 8.6%, Portugal 6.5%, Jamaica 6.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.9%, Netherlands 4.3%, Belgium 4.3% (2006)

Imports - partners:

Trinidad and Tobago 23%, US 21.3%, China 9.7%, Cuba 6.3%, UK 4.5% (2006)

Share in world total merchandise exports: 0.01             
Share in world total merchandise imports: 0.01         
Share in world total commercial services exports: 0.01   
Share in world total commercial services imports:  0.01

Indicators

HEALTH | EDUCATIONAL | ECONOMIC | POLITICAL

GENERAL INDICATORS
   
HDI Rank 103
GDP (US $ Bill.)2004
0.8
GDP (PPP US $ Bill.) 20043.3
GDP Per Capita (PPP US $) 20044439
   
GDI Rank ..
GDI Value ..
GEM Rank ..
GEM Value ..
   
Total Population (Mill.) 19750.7
  20040.8
  2015a0.7
Total Female Population2006387
Population living below $ 1 a day in Percentage 1990-20042
Population living below the national poverty line in Percentage  1990-2003..
   
HEALTH INDICATORS
   
Total Fertility Rate (Births per Woman) 1970-754.9
  2000-052.3
Maternal Mortality Ratio (Adjusted per 100000 live births) 2000170
Probability of Female Survival at birth to 65 yrs  2000-0565.7
Probability of Male Survival at birth to 65 yrs 2000-0554.2
Life Expectancy at Birth (years) 2004a63.6
Female Life Expectancy at Birth (Yrs) 66.7
Male Life Expectancy at Birth  (Yrs) 60.6
Population without sustainable access to safe water in Percentage 200417
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EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS
   
Combined Gross Enrolment Ratio* in Percentage 200476
Combined Gross Enrolment Ratio* (F) in Percentage 78
Combined Gross Enrolment Ratio* (M) in Percentage 78
Female Legislators, Officials & Managers (% of Total) ..
Female Professionals & Technical Workers (% of Total) ..
Adult Literacy Rate (% ages 15 and older) 200496.5
Female Adult Literacy Rate ( % ages 15 and older) ..
Female Adult Literacy Rate (as % of Male Rate) ..
Female Youth Literacy Rate (% ages 15-24) ..
Female Youth Literacy Rate (as % of Male Rate) ..
Net Primary Enrolment Female Ratio (in %) ..
Net Primary Enrolment Ratio of Female to Male  ..
Net Secondary Enrolement Female Ratio (in %) ..
Net Secondary Enrolment Ratio of Female to Male ..
Gross Tertiary Enrolment Female Ratio (in %) 12
Gross Tertiary Enrolment Ratio Female to Male  1.94
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ECONOMIC INDICATORS
   
Estimated Female Earned Income( PPP US$) 2615
Estimated Male Earned Income (PPP US $) 6375
Ratio of Female to Male Estimated Earned Income 0.41
Female Economic Activity Rate (% ages 15 and older) 43.3
Female Economic Activity ( index, 1990=100, ages 15 and older) 119
Female Economic Activity ( as % of male rates, ages 15 and older)  53
Female Employment Agriculture (%) ..
Male Employment Agriculture (%) ..
Female Employment Industry (%) ..
Male Employment Industry (%) ..
Female Employment Services (%) ..
Male Employment in Services (%) ..
Women Contributing Family Workers (%) ..
Men Contributing Family Workers (%) ..
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POLITICAL INDICATORS
   
Seats in Parliament  (Women as % of Total) 30.8
 Female Suffrage Granted (Year) 1953
Elections Contesting Rights (Year) 1945
Year of First Woman Elected 1953 E
Women Ministers (as  % of total) 22.2
Seats held in Lower/Single House by Women (as % of Total) 30.8
Seats held in Upper House/Senate by Women (as % of Total)  
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Source : UNDP HDR 2006

Notes:

.. Data Not Available

a.Data refer to medium-variant projections.

* For Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Schools