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Guyana Population (2026 Overview)
Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country located on the northern mainland of South America. It is bordered by Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south and southwest, Suriname to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Guyana is the third-smallest sovereign state by land area in mainland South America, after Uruguay and Suriname, and the second-least populous country on the continent after Suriname.
According to the UN World Population Prospects, the estimated population of Guyana in 2026 is 830,213, or approximately 8.3 lakh.
Source: UN World Population Prospects
Quick Facts — Guyana (2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 830,213 (2026 estimate) |
| Land Area | 214,969 sq. km (83,000 sq. mi) |
| Population Density | ~4 people per sq. km |
| Urban Population | ~28% |
| Capital City | Georgetown |
| Fertility Rate | ~2.4 births per woman |
| Median Age | ~26 years |
| Life Expectancy | ~69 years |
| Official Language | English |
| Religion | Christianity 57%, Hinduism 25%, Islam 7%, Others/None 11% |
| Ethnic Composition | Indo-Guyanese 39.8%, Afro-Guyanese 29.3%, Mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, Other 0.5% |
Historical Population of Guyana
Guyana’s population increased steadily from 98,000 in 1831 to 296,041 by 1911, driven by colonial-era settlement and migration. Rapid growth followed between 1946 and 1970, when the population nearly doubled due to high fertility and improved living conditions. Growth slowed and briefly declined from the 1980s to early 2000s, largely because of emigration. The 2022 census, however, shows renewed population growth, with Guyana reaching 878,674 residents.
| Census Year | Population | Avg. Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1831 | 98,000 | — |
| 1911 | 296,041 | +1.39% |
| 1931 | 310,933 | +0.25% |
| 1946 | 375,701 | +1.27% |
| 1960 | 560,330 | +2.90% |
| 1970 | 701,718 | +2.28% |
| 1980 | 759,567 | +0.80% |
| 1991 | 723,673 | −0.44% |
| 2002 | 751,223 | +0.34% |
| 2012 | 746,955 | −0.06% |
| 2022 | 878,674 | +1.64% |
Source: National Census Data
Religion in Guyana
Guyana has a highly diverse and pluralistic religious landscape shaped by its multi-ethnic population. Christianity is the dominant faith, followed by 57% of the population, with Pentecostalism being the largest Christian group. Hinduism accounts for 25%, reflecting the strong influence of Indo-Guyanese heritage. Islam and Roman Catholicism each represent 7%, while Anglican and Seventh-day Adventist communities each make up 5%. Smaller groups such as Methodists, other religions, and the irreligious together highlight Guyana’s long-standing tradition of religious coexistence and tolerance.
Religious Composition of Guyana
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christianity (Total) | 57% |
| └ Pentecostalism | 23% |
| └ Other Christian denominations | 21% |
| └ Roman Catholicism | 7% |
| └ Anglicanism | 5% |
| └ Seventh-day Adventism | 5% |
| └ Methodism | 1% |
| Hinduism | 25% |
| Islam | 7% |
| Other Religious Groups | 3% |
| Irreligious | 3% |
Ethnic Composition of Guyana
Guyana has a racially and ethnically diverse population shaped by migration from India, Africa, Europe, and China, along with its indigenous Amerindian communities. According to the 2012 Census, the largest ethnic group is the Indo-Guyanese, descendants of indentured labourers from India, accounting for 39.8% of the population. They are followed by Afro-Guyanese (29.3%), descended from enslaved Africans.
People of mixed ethnic heritage make up 19.9%, while Amerindian communities account for 10.5%, representing several indigenous groups such as the Arawak, Carib, Macushi, Wapixana, and Warao. Smaller groups of European and Chinese descent together form less than 1% of the population.
Ethnic Groups of Guyana (2012 Census)
| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Indian (Indo-Guyanese) | 39.83% |
| Black (Afro-Guyanese) | 29.25% |
| Mixed | 19.88% |
| Amerindian | 10.51% |
| Other (Chinese, European) | 0.50% |
Largest Cities in Guyana by Population
Guyana’s urban population is relatively small and concentrated, with Georgetown—the capital and economic hub—being by far the largest city. Other major towns such as Linden and New Amsterdam serve as important regional and administrative centres, while the remaining cities have populations below 15,000.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown | 118,363 |
| 2 | Linden | 27,277 |
| 3 | New Amsterdam | 17,329 |
| 4 | Corriverton | 11,386 |
| 5 | Bartica | 8,004 |
| 6 | Mahaica | 4,867 |
| 7 | Rose Hall | 4,413 |
| 8 | Parika | 4,385 |
| 9 | Triumph | 3,788 |
| 10 | Uitvlugt | 2,980 |
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