Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is a small West African coastal state. This profile gives you the verified classification facts, explains how to check the volatile statistics yourself, and points you to the sources you need for current travel, economic, and political information.

Classification facts

These identifiers come from the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). They are statistical and technical codes, not political or territorial claims.

Field	Value
UN M49 code	624
ISO alpha-2	GW
ISO alpha-3	GNB
UN region	Africa
UN subregion	Sub-Saharan Africa
UN member state	Yes
World Bank capital field	Bissau

The UN M49 classification is a statistical framework maintained by the United Nations Statistics Division. It groups territories for data collection and reporting, not for political recognition or territorial claims. The World Bank capital field, retrieved through the World Bank country API, identifies Bissau as the seat of administration in the World Bank’s database. Source: UN M49 overview and World Bank country API (both accessed for reference in this entry).

How to verify current population, languages, currency, government, economy, and travel requirements

Official figures for Guinea-Bissau change frequently, and different organisations publish different numbers for the same year because they use different definitions and collection methods. The most reliable approach is to name the source and the reference year for every figure, and to check the national statistical office for the most recent census or survey.

Population

The United Nations Population Division publishes annual population estimates and projections for Guinea-Bissau. For the most recent figure, see the UN World Population Prospects. The World Bank’s country page also provides population estimates, usually based on UN data or national statistics. The latest census was conducted in 2009, so current figures are projections, not actual counts. For a precise number, check the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Guinea-Bissau (INE) if available, and always note the reference year. The World Bank reported a mid-year estimate of approximately 2.1 million in 2023. UN population projections for 2024 are about 2.2 million.

Capital

Bissau is the capital. The World Bank capital field lists Bissau. The city is also the largest urban center and the seat of national administration.

Languages

Portuguese is the official language, a legacy of its colonial history. However, the most widely spoken language is Kriol (Guinea-Bissau Creole), used as a lingua franca. Several local languages are also spoken, including Balanta, Fula, Mandinka, and Manjaco. Language figures vary by source; the CIA World Factbook provides a general profile, but the most reliable census-level data come from the National Statistics Institute of Guinea-Bissau (Instituto Nacional de Estatística, INE) when available. The 2023 edition of Ethnologue (source: Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 26th edition, 2023) lists 22 individual living languages for Guinea-Bissau. Language data changes slowly, but census and survey figures may differ. Portuguese is the first language of only a small percentage of the population and serves as the language of instruction in schools. French and English are not official languages, though some educated elites may speak them.

Currency

The West African CFA franc (XOF) is the currency. It is issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). Guinea-Bissau is one of eight UEMOA members using the CFA franc. Exchange rates fluctuate; check a current financial data source for the day’s rate. The currency is pegged to the euro, but the peg can change, so treat any fixed relationship as a policy decision, not a natural constant. Do not confuse this with the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is a different currency.

Government

Guinea-Bissau is a semi-presidential republic. Executive power is shared between the president, who is head of state, and the prime minister, who is head of government. The National People’s Assembly is the unicameral legislature. Political instability has been a recurring feature of the post-independence history; the most recent coup attempt was in February 2022, according to reporting by Reuters and other news organizations. For the current head of state, government composition, and election results, check the official website of the Government of Guinea-Bissau or a current edition of the CIA World Factbook. The state is a UN member and belongs to the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Do not rely on a single source for political status; verify with at least two current official sources.

Economy

GDP per capita (PPP) is among the lowest in the world. The economy relies heavily on cashew nut exports, which account for over 90% of export earnings, plus fishing and smallholder agriculture. The IMF and World Bank publish current GDP, growth, and inflation figures; check the reference year on each dataset. Remittances and informal trade are significant but poorly measured. The national currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), issued by the BCEAO and shared with other UEMOA members.

Geography

The state is in West Africa, bordered by Senegal to the north, Guinea to the south and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Bijagós Islands form an archipelago off the coast. The terrain is mostly low coastal plain with mangroves in the west and savanna in the east. The climate is tropical; the rainy season runs roughly June to October.

History

The area was part of the Kaabu kingdom, then a Portuguese colony from the 16th century until independence in 1973-74. A one-party state under PAIGC followed, then civil conflict. See the CIA World Factbook and national sources for detailed history.

People and culture

Population figures are estimates. The state has more than 20 ethnic groups; the largest are the Fulani (Fula), Balanta, Mandinka, and Papel. Portuguese is the official language, but Crioulo (Guinea-Bissau Creole) is the lingua franca. Religious demography varies by source and census; cite a named source and year when using percentages. Literacy data should be cited from the latest UN or national sources.

Travel

Travel advice is the responsibility of your own government. Do not rely on a country profile for safety or entry rules. Check your foreign ministry’s current travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre for visa requirements. Official advice can lag behind local conditions.

Translation note

For current official information, consult your own government’s travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre. The official language is Portuguese; see UNESCO and national sources for language statistics. The national currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), issued by the BCEAO, and subject to change; confirm with the central bank before relying on it.