Quick facts
Guinea-Bissau population overview
Guinea-Bissau is the 46th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 2,274,526 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 131 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 65,279 births (28.7 per 1,000 people) and 15,694 deaths (6.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,820 people. The infant mortality rate is 46.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 577,633 in 1960 to 2,249,515 in 2025 — a change of +289.4%, or +2.1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 19.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 64.6 years; women have on average 3.8 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 38.3% of residents are under 15 and 3.2% are 65 or older (2025); 46.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bissau. Guinea-Bissau covers 36,130 km², giving a population density of about 64 people per km². GDP was $2.53B in 2025 — about $1,124 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Guinea-Bissau population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,312,617 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,274,526 |
| World rank | #148 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #46 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.028% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.1% |
| Births per year est. | 65,279 |
| Deaths per year est. | 15,694 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,820 |
| Birth rate | 28.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 46.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.9 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 19.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 64.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 46.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 36,130 km² |
| Population density | 64 per km² |
| Capital | Bissau |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $2.53B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,124 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Guinea-Bissau population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,312,617 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,249,515 | +48,163 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | 2,201,352 | +48,013 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 2,153,339 | +47,810 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 2,105,529 | +46,688 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 2,058,841 | +45,586 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 2,013,255 | +226,798 | +2.4% |
| 2015 | 1,786,457 | +220,110 | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 1,566,347 | +184,762 | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 1,381,585 | +146,844 | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 1,234,741 | +114,792 | +2% |
| 1995 | 1,119,949 | +146,280 | +2.8% |
| 1990 | 973,669 | +75,972 | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 897,697 | +68,394 | +1.6% |
| 1980 | 829,303 | +178,337 | +5% |
| 1975 | 650,966 | +66,563 | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 584,403 | +9,398 | +0.3% |
| 1965 | 575,005 | -2,628 | -0.1% |
| 1960 | 577,633 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Guinea Bissau
Population over time
- From 577,633 in 1960 to 2,312,617 today — up 300.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 64.3 years (2024), up 26.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.8 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 29.6 births vs 7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 22.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 38.3% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 4% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.34 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.38 Mt in 2016 — down 9.7% since.
- Per person: 0.16 t in 2024, vs 0.08 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 65.47 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), down 14.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 87.4% of final energy in 2022 (-1.2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 69.5% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 79.4% to 69.5% since 1990 — roughly 3,580 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 46.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 13.5% in 1960 (+33.2 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 7,599 m³ in 2022, down 72.3% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $2.53B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 119.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,124 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 29.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 147.2 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Guinea Bissau in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Guinea-Bissau in 2026?
As of October 2026, Guinea-Bissau has an estimated population of 2,312,617. The United Nations estimated 2,274,526 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Guinea-Bissau growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.1% per year — roughly 131 more people every day. Each year there are about 65,279 births and 15,694 deaths, with net migration of -1,820.
What is the population density of Guinea-Bissau?
About 64 people per square kilometre: 2,312,617 people living on 36,130 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Guinea-Bissau?
The median age is 19.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 64.6 years. 38.3% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Guinea-Bissau rank by population?
Guinea-Bissau is the 148th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 46th in Africa, with 0.028% of the global population.
How has the population of Guinea-Bissau changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 577,633; by 2025 it had grown to 2,249,515 (+289.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Equatorial GuineaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.