Guinea

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Before the Europeans arrived in the 16th century, multiple kingdoms controlled the area that is modern-day Guinea, and Islam was introduced in the 11th century. Guinea is at a turning point after decades of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958.

Geography

Area
total : 245,857 sq km
land: 245,717 sq km
water: 140 sq km

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

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

People and Society

Population
total: 13,986,179 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Fulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign 0.4% (2018 est.)

Languages
French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages

Religions
Muslim 85.2%, Christian 13.4%, animist 0.2%, none 1.2% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
2.74% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Conakry

Executive branch
chief of state: Interim President Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA (since 1 October 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Amadou Oury BAH (since 27 February 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Fatoumata KABA (since 19 April 2023)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Mary E. DASCHBACH (since 15 July 2025)

Economy

Economic overview
growing but primarily agrarian West African economy; major mining sector; improving fiscal and debt balances prior to COVID-19; economy increasingly vulnerable to climate change; slow infrastructure improvements; gender wealth and human capital gaps

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$59.439 billion (2024 est.)
$56.251 billion (2023 est.)
$53.297 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$4,000 (2024 est.)
$3,900 (2023 est.)
$3,800 (2022 est.)

Exports
$12.008 billion (2023 est.)
$8.898 billion (2022 est.)
$10.266 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
UAE 50%, China 36%, India 8%, Switzerland 1%, Spain 1% (2023)

Exports - commodities
gold, aluminum ore, cocoa beans, crude petroleum, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews (2023)

Imports
$8.365 billion (2023 est.)
$5.749 billion (2022 est.)
$5.353 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 39%, India 9%, Netherlands 7%, Belgium 6%, UAE 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, rice, garments, construction vehicles, cars (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.500, ranking it 179th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 112th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 4.873. (more information)