Guyana - Country Profile

The Health in the Americas+¹ country profiles are based on the interagency indicators available as of the dates referenced. The sources are referenced in this table. In some cases, the values of the indicators may differ from the most recent data available in the country.

Environmental and social determinants of health

In 2000 the total population of Guyana was 764 832 inhabitants; by 2024 this figure had risen to 831 087, representing a 8.7% increase. Regarding the country’s demographic profile, in 2024 people over 65 years of age accounted for 6.7% of the total population, an increase of 2.9 percentage points compared to the year 2000. In 2024, there were 105.4 women per 100 men and 23.1 older people (65 years or older) per 100 children under 15 years of age, as can be seen in the country’s population pyramids, distributed by age group and sex (Figure 1). Considering the population between 15 and 64 years of age to be potentially active (i.e., potential participants in the labor force), this group represented 64.1% of the total population of the country in 2024 ( 532 764 people). When we add these figures to the potentially passive population ( 242 350 under 15 years of age and 55 973 over 65 years of age), the result is a dependency ratio of 56.0 potentially passive people per 100 potentially active people. This ratio was 67.9 in 2000.

Life expectancy at birth in 2024 was 70.3 years, lower than the average for the Region of the Americas and 6.2 years higher that in 2000 (64.1).

Figure 1. Population pyramids, years 2000 and 2024

Between 2002 and 2019, the average number of years of schooling in Guyana increased by 39.8%, reaching an average of 8.6 years in the latest year for which information is available. The unemployment rate in 2023 was 10.3%. Disaggregated by sex, the rate was 12.0% for women and 9.2% for men. The literacy rate was 97.9% in 2022. In men, this figure was 98.2%; in women, 97.6%. In addition, 11.8% of the population was below the national poverty line in 2019, above the regional average of 3%. 

During the period 2000-2022, the country improved its score on the Human Development Index, with an increase of 30.2% (from a score of 0.57 to a score of 0.742); during the same period, the index rose 14.6% internationally and 11.2% in Latin America (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Human Development Index in the Region of the Americas, 2022

In 2021, public expenditure on health accounted for 3.34% of gross domestic product (GDP) (Figure 3) and 12.85% of total public expenditure, while out-of-pocket spending on health accounted for 28.72% of total health expenditure.

Figure 3. Domestic general government health expenditure as percentage of gross domestic product, 2021

Digital coverage

In 2021, 84.8% of the population had an internet connection, representing a considerable increase from 2000, when 0.6% of the population had an internet connection.

Health situation

Maternal and child health

Between 2000 and 2019, infant mortality in Guyana increased from 21.9 to 23 deaths per 1000 live births, a decrease of 5.0% (Figure 4). The percentage of low-weight births (less than 2500 g) decreased from 13.4% to 7.8% between 2000 and 2018, while exclusive breastfeeding in the child population up to 6 months of age was 21.4% in 2014, compared with 10.6% in 2000.

Regarding the immunization strategy, measles vaccination coverage was 100.0% in 2022, an increase of 14 percentage points from 2000.

Figure 4. Infant mortality per 1000 live births, 1997–2019

The maternal mortality ratio in 2020 was estimated at 111.9 deaths per 100 000 live births, representing a 41.1% reduction compared to the estimated value in 2000 (Figure 5). In relation to fertility, it is estimated that in 2024 women had an average of 2.4 children throughout their reproductive lives. In the specific case of adolescent fertility, there was a 35.3% decrease, from 105.8 live births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years in 2000 to 68.5 in 2024. In 2022, 97.0% of births were attended by skilled birth personnel. Between 2009 and 2018, the percentage of pregnant people who received antenatal care remained similar: 95.7% in 2009 and 96% in 2018.

Figure 5. Maternal mortality per 100 000 live births, 2000–2020

Communicable diseases

In 2022, there were 48 new cases of tuberculosis per 100 000 population in Guyana. In 2019, the overall tuberculosis mortality rate (age-adjusted and per 100 000 population) was 18.8 (8.9 in women and 29.3 in men).

In 2022, the estimated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection incidence rate (new diagnoses) was 35.1 per 100 000 population. The age-adjusted mortality rate for HIV was 34.9 per 100 000 population in 2019. It should be noted that during the 2000-2019 period this indicator decreased by 20.8%.

Noncommunicable diseases and risk factors

In Guyana in 2023, the prevalence of tobacco use among people aged 15 and older was 10.5%. In the same age group, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 56.4% in 2022.

Also in 2016, 15.8% of the population reported insufficient physical activity.  

In 2015, the reported prevalence of arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) among people aged 18 years or older was 23.1%, like 2000 (23%). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, which stood at 7.3% in 2000, increased to 10.9% in 2014.

Mortality

In 2019, the adjusted rate of potentially avoidable premature mortality in Guyana was 614.6 deaths per 100 000 population, a decrease of 13.2% from a rate of 708 in 2000. Among potentially avoidable premature mortality, the rate for preventable causes was 326.9 per 100 000 population in 2019, which is 138.4% higher than the regional average rate; and the rate for treatable causes was 287.7 per 100 000 population, below the regional average of 89.6.

The overall age-adjusted mortality rate was 11.3 per 1000 population in 2019, a decrease of 12.7% compared to 2000 (12.9 deaths per 1000 population).

When deaths are categorized into three main groups, it is observed that, in 2019, the age-adjusted mortality rate from communicable diseases was 190 per 100 000 population (224.3 per 100 000 in men and 156.2 per 100 000 in women), while the age-adjusted mortality rate from noncommunicable diseases was 797.8 per 100 000 population (896.9 per 100 000 in men and 710.5 per 100 000 in women). The rate of age-adjusted mortality from external causes was 136 per 100 000 population (218.8 per 100 000 in men and 53.3 per 100 000 in women), including road traffic accidents (22.4 per 100 000 population), homicides (25.5 per 100 000 population), and suicides (40.8 per 100 000 population). In 2000, the percentage distribution of causes was 60.3% for noncommunicable diseases, 27.1% for communicable diseases, and 12.7% for external causes; in 2019, the percentages were 69.6%, 17.4%, and 12.9%, respectively (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Proportional mortality in Guyana, 2000 and 2019

Cancer mortality

Regarding cancer mortality from tumors, in 2019, the adjusted mortality rate from prostate cancer was 41.1 per 100 000 men; lung cancer, 6.4 per 100 000; and colorectal cancer, 7.8 per 100 000. In women, these values were 25.6 deaths per 100 000 for breast cancer, 3.3 per 100 000 for lung cancer, and 8.7 per 100 000 for colorectal cancer.

Health in the Americas: On the Road to Disease Elimination in Guyana

The Ministry of Health of Guyana, following the guidance of PAHO/WHO, launched a national disease elimination and control initiative in March 2024. The same was developed based on the national context and priorities, with an emphasis to maintain or achieve disease elimination and control for selected diseases.

1. Legislation / Policy – The Ministry of Health is committed to reviewing and updating legislation, normative instruments and policy documents that will provide the necessary legal framework to enhance the public health functions of the agency as the primary agency responsible for public healthcare for the entire country. Currently, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with PAHO/WHO is drafting a new Public Health Act which will replace the existing Public Health Ordinance of 1934, which will feature modern practices for disease detection, reporting, notification, diagnostics, confirmation and response.
2. Multi-Department / Multi-Program Approach – The Ministry of Health has engaged all the relevant departments, units and programs within the ministry and healthcare administrators from all levels of healthcare to assess existing capacities, develop new collaborative models and transition away from a siloed approach and implement coordinated actions that combine expertise and capacities at the level of healthcare professionals to promote a multifaceted approach to disease prevention, detection, diagnosis and management.
3. Multi-Sectorial / Multi-Disciplinary Approach – The Ministry of Health has continued to revitalize the existing collaboration with non-traditional sectors to ensure the achievement of the disease elimination and control initiative. This includes but is not limited to, the training of mining and logging camp personnel in the forested/interior locations of Guyana to conduct the testing and preliminary management of VBDs (Malaria, Dengue, etc.) in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources, The Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Similarly, there continues to be engagements with other ministries and agencies in an effort to leverage their expertise and resources to target key populations and devise methodologies to expand the disease elimination and control initiative.
4. One Health Approach – The Disease Elimination and Control initiative is developed on the platform of a One Health Approach, reaching across sectors and agencies to collaboratively develop surveillance and diagnostic capacities that can be implemented in the human, animal and environmental health sectors. Collaborations include the joint surveillance for yellow fever by identifying sick primates in the jungles of Guyana and the joint development of a National AMR strategy and action plan to improve the use of antimicrobial agents in the human, animal and environmental health sectors. Efficacious use of antimicrobial agents may further improve efforts to eliminate and/or control Pulmonary TB and sexually transmitted infections.
5. Capacity building and training – The Ministry of Health is expanding its training initiatives for healthcare personnel, allied stakeholders and the general public on the importance of preventing and managing diseases, including those earmarked for elimination and/or control. These interventions include stakeholder seminars, workshops, discussions at public meetings and the exploration of the opportunity to develop a targeted (disease-specific and sector-specific training module for healthcare personnel based on the One Health approach.
6. Enhanced and coordinated investment in disease specific programs – National Budgetary allocations for the Disease Control Program, responsible for Infectious Diseases and the NCD Program, responsible for Cervical Cancer, has increased over the last 3 years to facilitate increase training, procurement, diagnostics, management, administration, surveillance, etc.
7. Use of national and international assessments to inform actions – The Ministry of Health is utilizing national assessments to determine the strengths and gaps that exist within the healthcare system, so as to improve interventions and facilitate targeted investment to address the gaps. These include, disease specific assessments (gap analysis), IHR SPAR 2023, IHR JEE/VEE 2023, etc.
8. External Partnerships – Over the last 4 years there has been an increase in the number of partnerships between the Ministry of Health and external universities, agencies and organizations from the USA, UK and Canada, to aid in the development of the national disease elimination and control initiative. The Ministry of Health is also partnering with international organizations such as PAHO/WHO, the World Bank, FAO, IICA, etc. to seek out development opportunities, access to funding, consultancy, etc.
9. Digitization and expansion of surveillance systems - Considering that the health surveillance system is fundamentally paper-based, the Ministry has embarked on a national effort to digitize healthcare surveillance and systems, commencing with the development of pertinent legislation, the development of a new digital health program in the Ministry of Health, the ongoing process of implementing a national EMR platform, the development and use of surveillance platforms such as DHIS2, SAGES, etc. All of these efforts are aimed to improve the timeliness and reliability of data which is crucial to developing a sustainable and efficient disease elimination and control initiative.
10. Modernization of laboratory capacities - Over the last 4 years, there has been significant increase in capacities at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory and within the national network of public sector laboratories, inclusive the development of capacities to conduct RT-PCR, ELISA, Genomic Sequencing, rapid testing and the expansion of testing modalities for diseases not previously available. Efforts are also directed at connecting the human health laboratory network via a national LMIS and integrating data from animal and environmental health laboratories in other sectors, to strengthen the animal health and environmental health aspects of the initiative. These capacities will not only support the expansion of diagnostic services for disease elimination and control but will also permit new activities such as multi-disease serosurveillance.
11. Cross Border Immunization Initiatives - The national immunization program is one of the strongest programs in the Ministry of Health due to the many decades of important investment, training and interventions, resulting in immunization rates for over 20 diseases above 90%. This has been achieved by joint projects that facilitate public immunization at bordering regions, fundamentally between Guyana and Brazil. These activities have yielded improved immunization rates and allowed for improved protection of citizens from both countries that freely move between borders.

B) Local Insights: Provide detailed information on how the Elimination Initiative diseases are being addressed locally. This includes specific interventions, success stories, and challenges faced by the country. Include examples of programs and initiatives that have had significant impact, highlighting innovative approaches and local adaptations.

Local Perspectives: Offer prospective statements on the country's health priorities, focusing on the Elimination Initiative. This should include:

1. Achievements in Disease Elimination:

What are the country's achievements in disease elimination?

Provide detailed cases and local success stories of national efforts for the elimination initiative.

Guyana’s national initiative for disease elimination and control is relatively new, launched in early 2024. Therefore, efforts are underway to assess, develop and coordinate disease-specific programs in the ministry of health and other sectors to achieve the required results.  However, some of the following achievements are noted:

• Political directive and approval to commence the national initiative.
• The formation of national (multisectoral and multidisciplinary) coordinating committee led by the Ministry of Health to develop, implement and administer the initiative.
• Increase domestic budgetary allocations for disease control.
• Development of a National Laboratory Strategy 2024 – 2030. 
• Launch of a national HPV voucher program which covers the cost of HPV tests for all women between 21 - 65 years of age.
• Launch of a national HPV vaccination program for males and females from 9 - 45 years of age, using the HPV quadrivalent vaccine.
• Discussions with the private partners/ stakeholders in regard to the Memorandum of
• Cooperation to advance the objectives of the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Labour MOL), the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Guyana
• Women’s Miners Organization (GWMO), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to reduce the malaria burden in affected populations in the country towards elimination of local transmission and integration of occupational safety and Health (OSH) practices where applicable in the malaria response.
• The National Malaria Programme in collaboration with the Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health under the ongoing Bill and Melinda Gates Grant had a week workshop planned under the theme, “Malaria Molecular Data Production and Bioinformatics.” This workshop had the general aim of ensuring that capacity at the NPHRL and the VCS for Malaria Molecular analysis is maintained according to established SOPs.
• Implementation of the Long- Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets Post Distribution survey with Regions 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
• 1000 inmates screened for TB with Mantoux testing in the correctional facilities
• Programme staff attended international trainings/meetings in MDR-TB, TB surveillance, TB/HIV management, TB Laboratory coordinator’s meeting and Regional TB manager’s meeting.
• Training of healthcare workers from all regions was conducted on the newly recommended WHO BPaLM regimen consisting of Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid and Moxifloxacin. This regimen is fully oral and the duration is 6 months which will remarkably improve treatment success rate and the quality of life of all MDR-TB patients. The current MDR-TB treatment takes as long as two years.
• LASHBAG- a PrEP for Sex ziplock bag that has – Condoms, lubricants HIV Self Testing
• kits, Brochures, and Linkage to sites.
• HIV integration into Primary healthcare services for prevention in regions 1, 3,4, and 10
• Testing of Men at Construction sites and road construction areas
• Mobile Unit- ARV for HIV testing and case management.
• Launch of Webiste-www.napsgy.org
• New Testing Algorithm for HIV
• Launch and expansion of HIV self-testing.
• Revision of HIV workplace policy
• Development of HIV self-testing policy
• Updating the HIV workplace policy
• Leprosy - Initiation of GPS mapping of leprosy patients and contacts
• Leprosy - Acquisition of electronic and medical equipment for smooth running of Minor surgical unit and Situation room respectively
• Chemoprophylaxis with Single Dose Rifampicin for household contacts of leprosy patients
• All new leprosy patients compliant with their treatment
• Cases of leprosy reactions significantly reduced with wise use of anti-inflammatories and close follow up of patients which is preventing visible disabilities
• All index cases agreeing to divulge disease to their contacts in order for Program to freely give SDR to suitable candidates
• Regular contact exams to capture almost 100% of all contacts of an index case

2. Current Efforts and Roadmap to 2030:

What current efforts is the country making to accelerate the Elimination Initiative and for which diseases?

If the country has a strategic plan with goals for the considered diseases, include information about the country's roadmap from now until 2030 (or the end year of the national plan).

Overview of the National Disease Elimination & Control Initiative 2024 - 2030

• Maintain Elimination: Poliomyelitis, Measles, Rubella, Congenital Rubella, Neonatal Tetanus
• Eliminate by 2028: Rabies transmitted by dogs, Yaws and Lymphatic Filariasis
• Eliminate by 2030: Malaria, Cervical Cancer, EMCTC+, HIV, Hepatitis B, Chagas Disease, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis C, STIs, Hansen’s Disease, Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis
• Link Disease Elimination with Universal Healthcare
• Multisectoral engagement
• Strong Sub-national actions and interventions
• Prioritize Disease Surveillance and rapid transfer of information
• Involve community and people
• Strengthening of health service system via a One Health Approach
• Improvement of legislative and policy environment
• Reorganization of the health response (national and sub-national)
• Improving access to prevention, diagnostics and care
• Improve human resource capacity and training

3. Challenges and Gaps:

What are the challenges and gaps in relation to the four strategic lines of action of the Elimination Initiative?

1. Strengthening and integration of health systems and services

• Multisectoral buy-in and leadership
• Coordination of budgeting and administrative procedures
• Formalization of cooperation and collaboration based on shared priorities
• Transition of siloed operations for disease-specific programs to a coordinated approach for administration, implementation and oversight.

2. Strengthening health surveillance and information systems

• Transition from a predominant paper-based data system to a digital platform
• Development of surveillance capacity at the sub-national and community levels
• Expertise and training for the development and use of digital solutions
• Duration of time to be able to conduct onboarding of digital platforms and resources

3. Addressing environmental and social determinants of health

• Reorganization of the health system and service delivery methods
• Addressing environmental conditions relevant to housing, WASH, etc.
• Public adherence to recommended norms and measures to limit disease proliferation and transmission.
• The significant challenge of undocumented migrants transiting between borders raise a significant challenge to monitor and control from a health perspective.

4. Strengthening governance, stewardship, and finance

• Development of the national high-level one health committee (ministerial)
• Sectoral leadership to implement and execute health related activities 
• Development and implementation of new legislation and normative instruments.
• Access to flexible and meaningful funding opportunities to target disease elimination initiatives in Guyana.

4. Health Equity:

How is health equity addressed or incorporated into the country's efforts for the Elimination Initiative?

The national program is determined by the community and sub-national needs and profiles as developed by local leadership and health authorities at those levels, which is considered at the national level at the moment of program planning and implementation.

This initiative does not exist in a vacuum, therefore all Guyanese are benefitting from improved resources and increased investments through national budgetary allocations that are directed over the last four years to developing housing initiatives, more hospitals, more schools, more training opportunities, increased wages in a dynamic and growing Labor environment for skilled and non-skilled professionals, expansion of potable water and waste management in all regions of Guyana.

5. Community and Civil Society Participation:

What community and civil society participation strategies exist related to disease elimination?

The Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Health has maintained the custom of facilitating the participation and intervention of external partners, internal partners, NGOs, civil society groups, indigenous leadership and local community leadership in all aspects of health service delivery. This approach is particularly beneficial as it permits for the exchange of knowledge and resources that garner improved results. It is the norm and practice that projects and interventions relative to healthcare are discussed with a broad spectrum of stakeholders particularly representatives of service users. 

6. Country Coordination Mechanisms:

What coordination mechanisms does the country use in efforts to eliminate diseases?

The Minister of Health has relied on the use of his office to garner the support of the cabinet of ministers to collaborate and cooperate to develop this national initiative. Similarly, the ministry of health remains in constant contact with regional health authorities, the representatives of the national coordination committee and other heads of agencies/sectors to implement the various aspects of the initiative. E.g. coordination with the Guyana Geology and Mines and Guyana Forestry Commission to target the control and elimination of VBDs in mining and logging settlements deep in the interior forests of Guyana.

C) Conclusion

Summarize the main findings and action points for local authorities. This should include a clear call to action for continuous commitment and collaboration towards disease elimination by 2030. Emphasize the importance of sustained efforts, resource allocation, and multisectoral collaboration to maintain and accelerate progress.

Leadership and implementation of national Disease elimination and control initiatives is a national priority that is aligned to the achievement of the 2030 SDGs and the goal of improving the quality of life and health of citizens. Disease elimination and control initiatives for 2030 must be executed on a One Health platform to strategically and sustainably coordinate multisectoral efforts relevant to human, animal and environmental health for maximum impact and the timely  achievement of goals.

Disease Elimination and control requires the sustained and goal-oriented leadership and partnership of heads of ministries, agencies, private sector, CSOs, NGOs and international organizations. Similarly, the outlined goals can only be achieved with the active participation of the general public at the individual and household levels.

Finally, the success of this initiative is bound to the availability of opportunities to easily access international, bilateral or multilateral support in the areas of funding and consultancy.

The sources of the interagency indicators used in this profile can be found in this table.

For the latest data on health indicators for the Region of the Americas, be sure to visit the PAHO Core Indicators portal.