
Guinea Bissau
- Capital:
- Bissau
- Continent:
- Africa
- Region(s):
- Western Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Largest Cities:
- Bissau
- Abbreviation:
- GNB
Guinea-Bissau's population structure shows a slightly lower male to female ratio of 0.98 to 1, with a median male age of 19.60 years old and a median female age of 20.74 years old. The highest concentration of adults under 75 years old is in the 18 and 19 year-old age groups, while the lowest concentration is in the 74 and 73 year-old age groups.
Data after 2022 is projected based on recent change
* As of 2/12/2025
1 birth
Every 8.0 minutes
1 death
Every 33.5 minutes
1 emigrant
Every 6.0 hours
1 person
Every 10.8 minutes
Guinea Bissau, officially the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, is a country in West Africa bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Senegal, and Guinea. The population density of Guinea Bissau is 44 people per square kilometer (154th in the world). The only city with a population of more than 30,000 is Bissau, the capital, with an estimated population of 388,000 in 2005. The next-largest city is Bafata, with about 23,000 people.
Guinea Bissau is an ethnically diverse country. The Fula (30%) and Mandinka-speaking people (13%) make up the largest percentage of the population and live mostly in the north and northeast. The Balanta (30%) and Papel (7%) people live in the southern coastal area. The Manjaco (14%) and Mancanha people live in the central and northern coastal regions of the country. The rest of the population is mostly Mesticos of mixed African and Portuguese descent with a small Cape Verdean population.
Guinea Bissau did have a high Portuguese population until it gained independence, at which point most Portuguese people left.
While Portuguese is the official language of Guinea Bissau, only 14% of the population speaks the language. 44% speak Kriol, a Portuguese-based creole language, while the rest speak several native African languages. Because Guinea Bissau is surrounded by French-speaking countries, French is taught in schools as well.
About 50% of the population practices Islam, while 10% practice Christianity. An estimated 40% continue to practice indigenous religions, although many residents combine Islamic and Christian faiths with traditional beliefs.