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French Guiana Population (2026 Overview)
French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France, is located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America in the Guianas. It is the second-largest region of France and the largest outermost region within the European Union. As per the UN World Population Prospects report, the estimated population of French Guiana in 2026 is 335,203 (3.35 lakh), reflecting steady growth from previous years.
Quick Facts — French Guiana (2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 335,203 (2026 estimate) |
| Land Area | 83,534 sq. km (32,258 sq. mi) |
| Population Density | 4 people/sq. km |
| Urban Population | 90% |
| Capital City | Cayenne |
| Fertility Rate | 2.4 |
| Median Age | 28 years |
| Life Expectancy | 75 years |
| Major Languages | French, Guianese Creole, Indigenous languages, Portuguese |
Historical Population of French Guiana
French Guiana’s population has grown steadily over the past century, from just 37,005 in 1936 to 268,700 in 2017. Early growth was slow, even declining in the 1940s, but accelerated significantly from the 1960s onward due to migration, improved healthcare, and natural population increase.
| Year | Population | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | 37,005 | — |
| 1946 | 25,499 | −3.66% |
| 1954 | 27,863 | +1.11% |
| 1961 | 33,505 | +2.67% |
| 1967 | 44,392 | +4.80% |
| 1974 | 55,125 | +3.14% |
| 1982 | 73,022 | +3.58% |
| 1990 | 114,678 | +5.80% |
| 1999 | 156,790 | +3.54% |
| 2007 | 213,031 | +3.91% |
| 2012 | 239,648 | +2.38% |
| 2017 | 268,700 | +2.31% |
Religion in French Guiana
Christianity is the dominant religion in French Guiana, with most of the population adhering to Roman Catholicism. Protestant communities are smaller but gradually increasing. Folk religions are practiced by around 9% of the population, while other faiths—including Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism—together account for about 2%. Around 3.4% of the population is unaffiliated or follows no religion.
Religion Percentage (2026 est.)
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christians | 84.4% |
| Folk religions | 9.1% |
| Hindus | 1.6% |
| Buddhists | <1% |
| Jews | <1% |
| Muslims | <1% |
| None/Unaffiliated | 3.4% |
Ethnic Composition of French Guiana
French Guiana is ethnically diverse, with Creoles (mixed African and French ancestry) forming the largest group, roughly 60–70% including Haitians. Europeans of mainly French descent make up about 14%, while Asians (primarily Chinese and Hmong) account for 4–5%. The interior is home to Maroons (descendants of escaped African slaves), around one-third of the population, and Amerindians, approximately 10,000 people from groups like the Aparai, Kalina, Lokono, Palikur, Teko, Wayampi, and Wayana.
| Ethnic Group | Percentage / Estimate |
|---|---|
| Creoles / Mulattoes | 60–70% |
| Europeans (mainly French) | 14% |
| Asians (Chinese, Hmong, East Indian, Lebanese, Vietnamese) | 4–5% |
| Maroons | ~33% |
| Amerindians | ~10,000 people |
| Other / Mixed | Small minorities |
Top Cities in French Guiana by Population
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cayenne | 63,652 |
| 2 | Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni | 45,576 |
| 3 | Matoury | 32,942 |
| 4 | Remire-Montjoly | 26,143 |
| 5 | Kourou | 24,959 |
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