Guyana Country Profile
General Information
Official Name: Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Capital: Georgetown
Population: Approximately 831,087 (2024 estimate)
Official Language: English
Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
Geographic Location: Northeastern coast of South America, bordered by Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south and southwest, Suriname to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north.
Total Area: 214,970 square kilometers
Political Context Political Context
Government Type: Guyana is a parliamentary republic in which the President of Guyana is both head of state and head of government. Executive authority is exercised by the president, who appoints and supervises the prime minister and other ministers.
The president is not directly elected; each party presenting a slate of candidates for the assembly must designate in advance a leader who will become president if that party receives the largest number of votes.
The Cabinet consists of the President, the Prime Minister, the Vice Presidents (if any are appointed), and the Ministers appointed by the President.
The Cabinet is tasked with aiding and advising the President as it relates to the general control and direction of the government.
Political Stability: In recent years, Guyana has experienced political tensions due to closely contested elections, but it remains stable with ongoing reforms for better governance.
Oil Boom: Since the discovery of significant offshore oil reserves, Guyana has become a key player in the energy sector, leading to rapid economic growth and increased geopolitical attention. Political Parties Guyana's political system is dominated by two major parties:
People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C): A center-left political party, historically rooted in the Indo-Guyanese population. The party currently leads the government.
A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC): A coalition between two political factions, representing centre-right and Afro-Guyanese communities. It served as the opposition after the 2020 elections. There are smaller parties, but they play a minimal role in the legislative process.
Parliamentary Structure
Guyana has a unicameral National Assembly:
National Assembly: Consists of 65 members who are elected through a mixed-member proportional representation system. Members serve five-year terms.
40 members are directly elected from regional constituencies.
25 members are elected from a national party list based on proportional representation.
Hierarchy in the State
President: Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali (People's Progressive Party/Civic, since August 2020)
Role: Head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The President is the most powerful political figure in Guyana.
Prime Minister: Mark Phillips (since 2020)
Role: Assists the President, manages government functions, and stands in as acting President if necessary.
Vice President: Bharrat Jagdeo (since 2020)
Role: Oversees key portfolios, particularly in the oil and energy sector.
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Hugh Todd (since 2020)
Role: Oversees Guyana's foreign relations, particularly focusing on international cooperation in the context of the growing energy industry.
Minister of Home Affairs: Robeson Benn (since 2020)
Role: Responsible for law enforcement, internal security, and public safety.
Table / Timeline of Elections
Election Type Last Held Next Scheduled Details
Presidential Election March 2, 2020 2025 The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the presidency, with Irfaan Ali taking office after a contested and delayed count.
Parliamentary Election March 2, 2020 2025 The PPP/C won a majority in the National Assembly, defeating the APNU-AFC coalition. Way of Voting
Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: Guyana uses a mixed-member proportional representation system.
Voter Eligibility: Citizens aged 18 and older can vote. Voting is not mandatory, but citizens must be registered to participate in elections.
Electoral Process
Presidential Election: The leader of the party or coalition that wins the most seats in the National Assembly automatically becomes the President.
Parliamentary Election: Voters elect 40 members from geographic constituencies and 25 from party lists based on proportional representation. Seats are allocated using the Hare quota. Last Election Results
Presidential and Parliamentary Elections (March 2, 2020):
President: Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali (PPP/C) won the presidency following a prolonged electoral process and legal challenges.
National Assembly: The PPP/C secured 33 out of 65 seats, while the APNU-AFC coalition secured 31 seats, leaving 1 seat to a smaller party.
Key Outcome: The results marked the end of the APNU-AFC's rule and a return to power for the PPP/C after five years in opposition.
Economic Context
GDP: $21.18 billion (2024 estimate)
GDP Per Capita: $26,592 (2024 estimate, one of the highest in the region due to the oil boom)
Main Economic Sectors: Oil and gas, mining (gold, bauxite), agriculture (sugar, rice), and forestry. The discovery of large oil fields off Guyana's coast has significantly boosted the economy.
Challenges: Despite rapid growth, challenges remain in income inequality, poverty reduction, and ensuring that oil wealth is equitably distributed.
International Political Context
Regional Role: Guyana is a member of key regional and international organizations, including:
CARICOM (Caribbean Community) - Headquarters are in Georgetown, Guyana.
UNASUR (Union of South American Nations)
OAS (Organization of American States)
Geopolitical Tensions: Ongoing territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region, which has escalated due to the discovery of oil in the contested waters.
Foreign Policy Focus: Guyana's foreign policy increasingly centres around its oil wealth, balancing relations with regional partners, the United States, China, and multilateral organizations.
