Guinea: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Guinea 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Guinea: 97
  • Happiness Score Guinea:5.023

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Guinea. GN.

    Guinea is a country located in West Africa with a presidential republic political structure. Its notable cultural aspects include traditional music and dance, and it is economically significant for its mineral resources.

  • Guinea is home to the largest reserves of bauxite in the world.
  • The country is known for its vibrant and diverse cultural heritage, with over 24 ethnic groups.
  • Guinea gained independence from France in 1958, and has struggled with political instability and poverty in recent years.
  • Guinea – A Comprehensive Overview

    History

    Guinea’s history can be traced back to ancient civilizations that flourished along the Niger River, such as the Ghana Empire and the Mali Empire. These powerful kingdoms controlled trade routes and harnessed the region’s rich mineral resources.

    In the 15th century, European explorers arrived, and Guinea became a part of the Portuguese Empire. Later on, control shifted to the French colonial rule until Guinea gained independence in 1958.

    After independence, Guinea experienced periods of political instability, including a military coup in 1984 and a transition to civilian rule in 2010. The country has faced challenges such as ethnic tensions and economic struggles.

    Current Political Situation

    Guinea is a unitary semi-presidential republic. The current president is Alpha Condé, who was elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2015 amid allegations of electoral irregularities. Recent years have seen political protests and calls for democratic reforms.

    International Relations

    Guinea maintains diplomatic relations with various countries and is a member of organizations such as the United Nations, African Union, and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The country has faced international criticism over human rights issues and political unrest.

    Economy and Development

    Guinea’s economy is largely dependent on mining, particularly bauxite and gold. Agriculture and fishing are also important sectors. The country has significant natural resources but faces challenges with poverty, income inequality, and limited infrastructure.

    Cultural Highlights

    Guinea is a culturally diverse nation, with indigenous ethnic groups such as the Peul, Malinké, and Soussou. Islam is the predominant religion, but traditional beliefs are also widely practiced. The country is known for its rich musical traditions, including the Djembe drum and the Kora harp.

    Challenges and Opportunities

    Guinea faces pressing challenges, including political instability, corruption, and environmental degradation. However, with its vast natural resources and strategic location, the country has opportunities for economic growth and development if it can address governance issues and invest in infrastructure.

    Travel Tips for Guinea

    Best Times to Visit: The dry season from November to April is generally the most favorable time for travel, with cooler temperatures and less rainfall.

    Cultural Etiquette: Respect local customs and dress modestly, especially in religious settings. Greet elders with respect, and avoid public displays of affection.

    Safety Precautions: Exercise caution in crowded areas and avoid traveling alone at night. Monitor travel advisories and avoid areas with political unrest or instability.

    Must-See Landmarks: Visit the Grand Mosque in Conakry, explore the historic Fouta Djallon region, and witness the iconic Mount Nimba.

    Culinary Experiences: Try traditional dishes like Maffe (peanut stew), Jollof rice, and Akara (bean fritters).

    Living in Guinea

    Cost of Living: The cost of living in Guinea is generally lower than in Western countries, but it can vary significantly depending on the location and lifestyle.

    Housing: Expatriates often opt for gated communities or serviced apartments, while locals live in a mix of urban apartments and rural dwellings.

    Healthcare: The healthcare system in Guinea is underdeveloped, and many expatriates and wealthy locals seek medical treatment abroad.

    Education: International schools are available in major cities, but the public education system faces challenges with funding and resources.

Main facts

Location

Guinea is a coastal country located in West Africa. It borders the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. The country is situated in the region known as the Guinean Forests of West Africa, with a small portion of its territory extending into the Sahel region.

Map References

Guinea is located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean.

Area – Comparative

With a total area of 245,857 square kilometers, Guinea is slightly smaller than the state of Oregon.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Guinea shares land borders with the following countries:

Coastline

Guinea has a coastline of 320 kilometers along the North Atlantic Ocean, with a number of bays and peninsulas.

Maritime Claims

Guinea claims the following maritime zones:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
  • Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Guinea has a generally hot and humid tropical climate. The coastal regions experience a monsoonal-type rainy season from April to November, while the interior regions have a more continental climate with a dry season from November to March.

Terrain

Guinea’s terrain is varied, consisting of coastal plains, the Fouta Djallon plateau, and the Niger Basin. The country is dominated by the Guinean Highlands, which stretch across the northern and central regions.

Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Guinea is Mont Nimba, at an elevation of 1,752 meters, located on the border with Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. The lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean, at sea level.

Natural Resources

Guinea’s major natural resources include bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, and salt.

Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in Guinea include the Gambia River, the Niger River (shared with Mali and Niger), the Sassandra River (shared with Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire), and several large coastal estuaries.

Natural Hazards

The primary natural hazards in Guinea are hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze, which can reduce visibility, as well as recurring droughts and occasional brush fires.

Geography – Notes

Guinea’s diverse geography, with its coastal regions, plateaus, and highlands, provides a range of microclimates and habitats, contributing to its rich biodiversity. However, deforestation and soil erosion remain significant environmental challenges for the country.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 25.80%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 2,996. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 59.00%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  9.945587-9.696645.
  • Capital: The capital of Guinea is  Conakry
  • Major Cities:
    • Conakry – 1.6 million
    • Nzérékoré – 203,958
    • Kankan – 193,830
    • Kissidougou – 100,218
  • Population: 12,771,246
  • Area(Km2): 245857
  • Population Density( P/Km²):53. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:224
  • Official Language(s):Guinea is 85% French, 11% indigenous languages, 2% Susu, 2% Peul.
  • Currency: GNF

Main Economic Indicators

Guinea is a resource-rich but poverty-stricken country in West Africa with an economy that has underperformed for decades. The economy relies heavily on mining, particularly of bauxite and gold, and agriculture. Key economic challenges include widespread corruption, political instability, inadequate infrastructure, and a high poverty rate. Notable economic policies have aimed at diversifying the economy, attracting foreign investment, and developing the agricultural and mining sectors.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2020: 10.6% (Source: World Bank)
2019: 9.5% (Source: World Bank)

Credit Ratings

Moody’s: N/A
Fitch: N/A
Standard & Poor’s: N/A

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 19.7%
Industry: 37.8%
Services: 42.5%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Rice, coffee, pineapples, mangoes, palm kernels, cocoa, cassava, cashew nuts, cattle, and sheep.
Industrial Products: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore, cement, small-scale manufacturing, and light industrial products.

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 6.2 million (2020 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: 76th in the world

Current Account Balance

2021: -$1.39 billion (Source: World Bank)
2020: -$1.28 billion (Source: World Bank)
Comparative Ranking: 142nd in the world (2021)

Exports and Imports

Exports: $6.1 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: China, India, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Spain
Main Commodities: Bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish
Imports: $5.9 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: China, Netherlands, India, United Arab Emirates, Belgium
Main Commodities: Machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, textiles

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $1.3 billion (December 2021)
Gold Reserves: 5.85 metric tons (December 2021)

  • GDP (Current US$):$13,590,281,809. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 10.80%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 69.30%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.90. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. . It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 4.30%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

National Identity

Noun: Guinean(s)

Adjective: Guinean

Ethnic Groups

Fulani (Peul) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 22.8%, Guerze 8.2%, Kissi 6.1%, other 0.1% (2018 est.)

Religions

Muslim 89.1%, Christian 6.8%, animist/folk religion 0.7%, other/none 3.4% (2014 est.)

Age Structure

0-14 years: 41.75% (male 4,163,603/female 4,096,855)
15-64 years: 55.14% (male 5,478,134/female 5,443,443)
65 years and over: 3.11% (male 285,255/female 328,144) (2022 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 81.1
Youth dependency ratio: 75.8
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.3
(2022 est.)

Median Age

Total: 19.5 years
Male: 19.1 years
Female: 19.9 years (2022 est.)

Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 7.7% (2016)
Alcohol consumption: 0.1 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year (2019)
Tobacco use: 25.4% of adults aged 15 and over smoke tobacco (2015)

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 61.2. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 61.0%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:36.36. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:10. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 4.4. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 10.7%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 4,661,505. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):54.50%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

Guinea’s military consists of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army comprises the Republican Guard and three regional commands. The Navy is relatively small, with coastal patrol boats and auxiliary craft. The Air Force operates light transport and training aircraft. Additionally, there is the Gendarmerie, a paramilitary force responsible for internal security.

Military Expenditures

Military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2022: 2.1%
  • 2021: 2.2%
  • 2020: 2.3%
  • 2019: 2.4%
  • 2018: 2.5%

Guinea’s military expenditure ranks 105th globally.

Personnel Strengths

Total active-duty military personnel: 10,500

  • Army: 9,000
  • Navy: 700
  • Air Force: 800

The Gendarmerie has an additional strength of approximately 8,000 personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Guinea’s military equipment includes:

  • Armored vehicles and light tanks
  • Artillery and rocket systems
  • Transport and utility helicopters
  • Light transport aircraft

Most equipment is acquired through imports, primarily from Russia and China. There are no major ongoing acquisitions or development programs.

Military Service Age and Obligation

The legal age for voluntary military service is 18. There is no conscription in Guinea.

Military Deployments

Guinea contributes troops to the following UN peacekeeping missions:

Strategic Military Notes

Guinea’s defense strategy focuses on maintaining internal security and territorial integrity. The military plays a limited role in international security efforts, primarily through participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Guinea is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has a mutual defense pact among member states.

  • Armed Forces Size: 9700. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.08
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 61.50%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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