People and Society of Guinea-Bissau

Nationality

Guinean(s)

Ethnic Groups

African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Population

2,068,290

Population in Major Urban Areas

BISSAU (capital) 423,000

Modern medical facilities are virtually nonexistent in Guinea-Bissau, and travelers should not rely on them. More acceptable levels of medical care are available in Dakar, Senegal; however, as of this writing, there are extremely limited air travel options available between Dakar and Bissau. In addition, malaria, a serious and sometimes fatal disease, is a risk for travelers to Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau has a high HIV/AIDS infection rate.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Guinea-Bissau remains among the lowest in the world, reflecting the country's deep-rooted challenges in healthcare infrastructure, nutrition, and disease burden. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth is approximately 60 to 61 years, with modest but steady improvements recorded over recent decades. Women in Guinea-Bissau generally outlive men, with female life expectancy estimated at around 62 years compared to roughly 59 years for males. This gender gap is consistent with global trends but is shaped in Guinea-Bissau by specific factors including persistently high rates of maternal mortality, which continue to place women at considerable risk during reproductive years, alongside occupational and health risks that disproportionately affect men. Several interconnected factors contribute to the country's low life expectancy. Malaria remains the leading cause of death and a major driver of child mortality, particularly for children under five. Guinea-Bissau also carries a significant burden of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and waterborne diseases linked to limited access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. Malnutrition, especially chronic undernutrition among children, compounds vulnerability to infectious disease and reduces survival rates across age groups. The healthcare system is severely underfunded, with a shortage of trained medical personnel, medicines, and functioning facilities, particularly in rural areas. A large portion of the population lives far from the nearest hospital or clinic, making timely medical care difficult to access. Political instability over the decades has repeatedly disrupted public health programs and foreign aid delivery, slowing progress that might otherwise have raised life expectancy more significantly. Despite these challenges, Guinea-Bissau has made measurable gains. Life expectancy has risen from roughly 43 years in the 1960s to its current level, a reflection of incremental improvements in vaccination coverage, oral rehydration therapy, and targeted international health interventions. Continued progress will depend on stable governance, increased investment in primary healthcare, and sustained efforts to address the social determinants of health including poverty, education, and access to clean water.

Infant Mortality Rate

Guinea-Bissau has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the profound public health challenges facing this small West African nation. The infant mortality rate stands at approximately 52 to 55 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that more than one in every twenty children born in Guinea-Bissau does not survive to their first birthday. This figure places the country among the worst-performing nations globally in terms of infant survival. Several interconnected factors drive this persistently high rate. Malaria remains the leading cause of infant death, thriving in the country's tropical climate and affecting both pregnant mothers and newborns. Diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, and neonatal complications — including infections, birth asphyxia, and preterm birth complications — also account for a significant share of infant deaths. Access to healthcare is a major obstacle. Guinea-Bissau has a severely limited number of trained health workers, hospitals, and clinics relative to its population. Rural areas, which are home to the majority of the population, are particularly underserved, with many communities lacking reliable access to maternal and child health services. This means that a large proportion of births occur outside of formal medical settings without skilled attendance. Malnutrition compounds the problem considerably. Stunting and wasting rates among young children remain high, weakening immune systems and leaving infants far more vulnerable to otherwise preventable or treatable illnesses. Poor access to clean water and adequate sanitation further increases exposure to infectious disease in the critical first months of life. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have been working alongside Guinea-Bissau's government to expand immunization coverage, improve maternal care, and promote breastfeeding practices, all of which have contributed to gradual improvements over recent decades. The infant mortality rate has declined significantly from levels exceeding 130 deaths per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1990s. However, despite this progress, Guinea-Bissau's infant mortality rate remains far above the global average of approximately 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, highlighting the scale of work still needed.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• indigenous beliefs50.0%
• Muslim45.0%
• Christian5.0%

Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

• Portuguese

Crime Information

Guinea-Bissau is rated high for crime due to the frequency of crimes committed and lack of law enforcement resources and capabilities. Foreigners are primarily the targets of crimes of opportunity to include, petty-theft, pick-pocketing, theft of valuables from vehicles, and minor assaults. In particular, low-level criminal activity occurs in crowded areas such as the Bandim Market and port in central Bissau. Criminals take advantage of foreigners attempting to navigate through the crowded markets. Exercise good personal security practices to reduce the risk of being victimized. Keep a low profile, remain vigilant, and avoid potential conflict situations. Do not wear flashy clothing or jewelry, and be cautious about displaying any amount of currency in public. To avoid theft do not walk alone in isolated areas, particularly at night, and lock all doors and close all windows when driving. Do not walk on dark streets at night, even in groups. To minimize inconvenience in the event of theft, carry copies, rather than originals, of your passport and other identification documents. While some of the larger hotels may accept credit cards, Bissau is largely a cash based economy and it is therefore recommended that travelers plan for and bring appropriate amounts of currency. Valuables should be stored in hotel safes. In conjunction with the high crime rate, the poor infrastructure and lack of lighting at night also present a more opportune environment for criminals to exploit. It is recommended to arrange for transportation and limit walking around Bissau at night to reduce the risk of being a victim of a crime. In addition, banditry also occurs with some regularity on the main highways throughout the country after dark. The U.S. Embassy recommends that travel be completed during daylight hours only and, if possible, in convoy. The unstable security environment and high rates of unemployment strongly influence criminals to go to extreme measures to achieve their goals. While most criminals in Guinea-Bissau seek crimes of opportunity with low risk of confrontation, they are not afraid to exert violence. In many cases, criminal elements in Bissau operate in small, loosely affiliated groups to perpetrate a crime. Criminals use one or two individuals to cause a distraction or remain on lookout, while the others commit the crime. While violent crime towards foreigners are not common in Guinea-Bissau, the increase in narcotics trafficking has contributed to an increase in criminal activity and aggressive assaults among the local population in more rural areas of Guinea-Bissau. The Bandim market and other vendors in Bissau offer a wide variety of illicit and counterfeit goods. While the items are widely available, all travelers are urged to not purchase any illicit items to prevent breaking local laws and U.S. laws if brought back to the United States.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Guinea-Bissau, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Guinea-Bissau, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. Persons violating Bissau-Guinean laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Guinea-Bissau are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Drug trafficking is endemic in Guinea-Bissau. The United States does not have an agreement with Guinea-Bissau requiring notification of the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. If you are arrested in Guinea-Bissau, you should use whatever means of communication available to alert the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.