People and Society of Guyana

Nationality

Guyanese (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7%

Population

790,026

Population in Major Urban Areas

GEORGETOWN (capital) 127,000

Medical care in Guyana does not meet U.S. standards. Care is available for minor medical conditions, although quality is very inconsistent. Emergency care and hospitalization for major medical illnesses or surgery are very limited, due to a lack of appropriately trained specialists, below standard in-hospital care, and poor sanitation. There are very few ambulances in Guyana. Ambulance service is limited to transportation without any medical care and is frequently not available for emergencies. An MRI (linked to the United States for interpretation) has been installed and is operational, but results may take up to 4 days. It is located on the compound of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, immediately behind the Embassy on Parade Street. In the event of an emergency, the number for an ambulance is 913, but this number is not always operational and an ambulance may not be available. You are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for your length of stay and should be aware that Guyana's humid climate may affect some medicines. Some prescription medicines (mainly generic rather than name-brand) are available. Special attention should be paid to HIV/AIDS in Guyana. In addition to elevated infection rates among high-risk populations, such as commercial sex workers, and mobile populations such as miners or loggers, data from the World Health Organization estimate that Guyana has among the highest prevalence rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. Insect borne illnesses are common and include malaria, dengue, Leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Guyana stands at approximately 67 to 68 years overall, reflecting a modest but gradually improving trend over recent decades. This figure places Guyana below the regional average for Latin America and the Caribbean, where life expectancy typically hovers around 75 years, highlighting ongoing health and development challenges within the country. Broken down by sex, women in Guyana live notably longer than men, with female life expectancy reaching roughly 70 to 71 years compared to approximately 64 to 65 years for males. This gender gap mirrors global patterns and is influenced by factors including higher rates of preventable injury and lifestyle-related illness among men. Several interrelated factors shape life expectancy outcomes in Guyana. Access to healthcare remains uneven, with residents in urban centers like Georgetown generally having better access to medical facilities and services than those in interior and hinterland communities, where indigenous Amerindian populations often face significant geographic barriers to care. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension are leading contributors to mortality, while infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS continue to affect public health outcomes, particularly in certain population groups. Guyana has one of the higher HIV prevalence rates in the Caribbean region, and the burden of this disease has historically weighed on overall life expectancy figures. Government and international health initiatives have worked to expand antiretroviral treatment access and strengthen prevention programs in recent years, yielding measurable progress in reducing HIV-related mortality. On a positive note, improvements in maternal and child health, increased immunization coverage, and expanded access to clean water and sanitation have contributed to incremental gains in life expectancy since the early 2000s. The country's substantial oil revenues, which began flowing significantly following major offshore discoveries brought into production in 2019 and ramping up through the early 2020s, are expected to fund further investments in healthcare infrastructure, potentially accelerating improvements in population health outcomes. Overall, while Guyana's life expectancy figures reflect real challenges in healthcare equity and disease burden, the trajectory points toward gradual improvement as economic development and health sector investments continue to expand.

Infant Mortality Rate

Guyana's infant mortality rate has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, reflecting gradual advances in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and access to medical services. As of the most recent available data, Guyana's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 22 to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that, while representing progress from earlier highs, remains elevated compared to regional neighbors such as Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, as well as the broader Latin American and Caribbean average. Infant mortality in Guyana is influenced by a combination of geographic, socioeconomic, and systemic health factors. The country's vast interior hinterland regions, where Indigenous and Amerindian communities are concentrated, face particularly acute challenges. Remoteness from health facilities, limited access to skilled birth attendants, and inadequate transportation infrastructure all contribute to higher rates of preventable infant deaths in these areas compared to the more urbanized coastal strip around Georgetown. Common causes of infant mortality include neonatal complications such as premature birth and low birth weight, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and vaccine-preventable illnesses. Malnutrition among mothers and young children also plays a contributing role. In response, the Guyanese government, working alongside international partners including UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has undertaken initiatives to expand prenatal care access, improve skilled attendance at births, and strengthen immunization coverage across the country. Progress has been documented over the past two decades. Guyana's infant mortality rate was significantly higher in the early 2000s, and the downward trend reflects investment in healthcare delivery, though the pace of improvement has been uneven across different regions and population groups. Closing the gap between rural hinterland communities and coastal urban centers remains one of the most pressing public health priorities for the country. By comparison, the global average infant mortality rate is approximately 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing Guyana near that threshold, though continued investment and targeted intervention are considered essential for further reduction.

Major Infectious Diseases

Very high

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over has ever attended school

• Christian50.0%
• Hindu35.0%
• Muslim10.0%
• other5.0%

English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu

• Creole
• Hindi
• Urdu

Crime Information

Serious crime, including murder and armed robbery, continues to be a major problem. The murder rate in Guyana is three times higher than the murder rate in the United States. Armed robberies continue to occur intermittently, especially in major business and shopping districts. Hotel room strong-arm break-ins also occur; you should use caution when opening your hotel room doors and should safeguard any valuables left in hotel rooms. Criminals may act brazenly, and police officers themselves have been the victims of assaults and shootings. When traveling in a vehicle you should keep the doors locked and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Pick pocketing, purse snatching, assault, and robbery can occur in all areas of Georgetown. The sea wall, from east of the Pegasus Hotel extending to Sheriff Street and adjacent areas, has been the site of several crimes; you should avoid these areas after dark. As cars parked in Georgetown have been subject to theft, you are urged to avoid leaving any valuables in vehicles left unattended and are encouraged to lock your vehicles at all times (when in or out of the vehicle). The National Park in Georgetown and the seawall from Sheriff Road to UG Road are frequented by joggers, dog walkers, and families and are generally considered safe during daylight hours but are not recommended at all after dusk. Petty crimes also occur in the general area of Stabroek Market and to a lesser extent in the area behind Bourda Market. Care should be taken to safeguard personal property when shopping in these markets. The area around St. George's cathedral is known for having pickpockets and should be avoided after dark. Guyana's commercial downtown between Main Street and Water Street from Lamaha Road to Stabroek Market, including "Tiger Bay," is largely deserted outside of business hours and should be avoided after dark. U.S. passports and permanent residency cards are prized by thieves, as they may be used for smuggling and identity theft. You should avoid walking around Georgetown alone, even in the main areas and especially after dark. Although bandits have been known to attack taxis, they are generally safe and remain the safest means of getting around town and to and from the airport. Only use taxis that are connected to major hotels or are painted yellow. All yellow taxies are registered with the Government of Guyana's licensing office. Exercise constant vigilance, and prior to entering any taxi, make note of the vehicle's license plate. This can be used to track down the driver in the event of being overcharged or if luggage is lost. Do not dress ostentatiously, as there have also been reports of gold chains or other jewelry being snatched off of pedestrians. Local law-enforcement authorities are generally cooperative but lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Nevertheless, if you are a victim of crime you are encouraged to contact the police as well as the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section. Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Guyana, 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 Guyana you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings, especially government buildings. Repercussions for driving under the influence result in a fine for the initial offense, a suspension of your license for the second offence and a jail term for succeeding offenses. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not where you are going. 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. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Guyana, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. Persons violating Guyanese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Guyana are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Incarceration time prior to conviction and sentencing does not count toward time served. If you are arrested in Guyana, Guyanese authorities are required by the Vienna Convention on Consular Notification to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request that police or prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.