Guinea is a country in West Africa known for its rich culture and diverse natural heritage. It also attracts the attention of scientists and researchers for its population, which consists of various ethnic groups and has an interesting demographic structure.
According to the latest official statistics, Guinea’s population is over 12 million. This makes it one of the most populated countries in the region. The bulk of the population lives in rural areas, farming and fishing.
A significant portion of Guinea’s population is made up of young people: about 60% of the population is under 25 years of age. This creates both opportunities for development and economic growth, and also causes some challenges in the field of education and health care, since it is necessary to provide young people not only with work, but also with quality services in these areas.
Guinea population statistics
According to the latest data, the average age of the Guinean population is about 20 years. This indicates the country’s young and fast-growing demographic structure.
The majority of Guinea’s population lives in rural areas, where they are engaged in agriculture and fishing. The rural population makes up about 80% of the total population.
The ethnic composition of Guinea’s population is diverse. The main ethnic groups are Fula, Malinke, Susu and Kissi. Each of these groups has its own culture, language and traditions.
Guinea’s literacy rate remains low. About half of the country’s population cannot read or write. At the same time, the country’s government is making efforts to improve education and literacy levels.
Guinea’s population statistics also include information on migration. Some Guineans emigrate to other countries in search of better living conditions and economic opportunities.
Population of Guinea
The demographic situation in the country is characterized by high population growth. Every year the number of Guineans increases by about 2.5%. Most of Guinea’s population lives in rural areas — about 72%. However, urbanization in the country is also picking up pace as many residents move to cities in search of better living and working conditions.
The average population density in Guinea is approximately 51 people per square kilometer. However, the distribution of the population within the country is uneven. Communities near the coast and major cities often have higher population densities, while rural areas are less populated.
The average age of the Guinean population is about 19 years. The majority of the population are young people under 25 years of age. Due to the high birth rate and low mortality rate, the share of children and youth in the country’s population is significant. However, in recent years there has been a slight increase in life expectancy, especially for women.
Guinea’s population is an important factor for the country’s economic and social development. A stable increase in population requires further development of infrastructure, education, medicine and other areas to ensure a decent life for the entire population of the country.
Population growth trends
Guinea’s population has been growing steadily over the past decades. This growth is due to various factors, such as high fertility, declining child and maternal mortality, and migration.
One of the main factors contributing to population growth is the high birth rate. The country maintains the traditional attitude towards large families, which leads to an increase in the number of children per family. On average, a woman in Guinea gives birth to about five children during her lifetime.
Population growth is also influenced by a decrease in infant and maternal mortality. Thanks to the development of the medical system and social support programs, the mortality rate among children and mothers is decreasing. This helps increase life expectancy and preserve more children.
Additionally, there are migration flows in the country that contribute to population growth. Many Guinean citizens move to neighboring countries or abroad in search of work or a better life. However, at the same time, a large number of migrants from neighboring countries come to the country, which also affects the increase in population.
Overall, the population growth trend in Guinea is positive, but is accompanied by the need to create appropriate infrastructure and develop a social security system to ensure the well-being of the growing population.
Cities with the largest population
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Conakry | about 2 million |
| Nzerekore | about 367,000 |
| Cancan | about 339,000 |
| Gueckedou | about 250,000 |
| Kiskedou | about 234,000 |
Conakry, the capital of Guinea, is the country’s most populated city. With a population of two million, Conakry is the main political, administrative and economic center of Guinea. It is home to government offices, leading banks, and cultural and historical attractions.
Nzerekore, Guinea’s second most populous city, is located in the southern part of the country and is an important commercial and industrial center. Kankan, Guekedou and Quiskedou are also significant cities in Guinea, having their own culture and economic activity.
The urban distribution of Guinea reflects its socio-economic and demographic development. The majority of the urban population in Guinea is employed in sectors related to agriculture, mineral resource extraction and processing, and services.
Demographic indicators of Guinea
| Index | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Total population | 12,414,293 people |
| Population density | 51.5 people/km² |
| Urbanization | 35.9% |
| Life expectancy | 59.2 years |
| Average age of the population | 18.7 years |
| Fertility | 31.7 per 1000 people |
| Mortality | 9.9 per 1000 people |
| Natural population growth | 21.8 per 1000 people |
| Share of young people (under 25 years old) | 62.1% |
| Proportion of elderly people (over 65 years old) | 3.1% |
These indicators reflect the state of demographics in Guinea and help to understand the characteristics of its population. For example, high fertility and low life expectancy indicate difficulties in health care and access to education. The development of relevant economic sectors can help improve these indicators and the overall well-being of the Guinean population.
Lifespan
Despite improvements in recent years, Guinea remains one of the countries with the lowest life expectancy in Africa. This is due to several factors, including an underdeveloped health system, low access to clean water and sanitation, low literacy rates and limited access to basic health services.
Factors affecting life expectancy in Guinea also include high infant and maternal mortality rates, inequalities in access to healthcare and poor living conditions in some regions of the country. Such problems require further efforts from the government and the international community to solve them and improve medical services and living conditions in the country.
Fertility and mortality in Guinea
According to the latest data, Guinea’s fertility rate is approximately 35.3 births per 1,000 people. This is a relatively high figure, which indicates that many children are being born in the country. The high birth rate is partly due to low contraceptive use and limited access to reproductive health care.
At the same time, Guinea’s mortality rate is high, at approximately 7.3 deaths per 1,000 people. This is due to poor living conditions, lack of access to quality medical care and low levels of education of the population.
High birth and death rates have a significant impact on the structure of Guinea’s population. The country has a high level of child and youth mortality, which leads to a young age composition of the population. This means that the share of children and young people in the total population exceeds the share of older people.
To improve the demographic situation in Guinea, it is necessary to develop the medical infrastructure, increase the level of education of the population and expand access to contraception. This will reduce the mortality and birth rates, as well as improve the quality of life of Guineans.