Guinea-Bissau
Africa · Western Africa
Repeated coups and a cashew economy; a tropical archipelago, very underdeveloped.
At a Glance
📈Guinea-Bissau's Human Development Index
0.483
Low human development#177 of 191 countries worldwide, #42 of 54 in Africa.
Higher than 7% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country with a mainland of rivers, forests, and rice paddies and an offshore archipelago, the Bijagós Islands, that is one of Africa's most important wetland ecosystems. The culture is a remarkable blend of animist, Muslim, and Portuguese-influenced traditions, and the pace of life is slow and unhurried. It is an exceptional destination for birdwatchers and those seeking an Africa entirely free of tourist infrastructure.
- One of the world's poorest countries and a major cocaine transit hub for Europe.
- Has experienced more coups than national elections since independence in 1974.
Quick Facts
Capital
Bissau
Languages
Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole
Currency
Fr XOF
Area
28,120 km²
Nomad Hub
GDP / Capita
$1K
PPP / Capita
$3K
Inflation
0.9%
Unemployment
2.7%
GNI / Capita
$1K
Tax Revenue
8.3%
FDI Inflows
1.2%
Price Level Index
75th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 2005
0.402 → 0.483 (+0.081)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 18 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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💬Quick answers
What is Guinea-Bissau's Human Development Index?
Guinea-Bissau's Human Development Index is 0.483 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #177 of 191 countries.
Is Guinea-Bissau safe?
Guinea-Bissau scores 2.01 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #84 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in Guinea-Bissau?
Life expectancy at birth in Guinea-Bissau is 64.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #171 of 195 countries.