Updated
Overview
Guinea has 6.7 times the population of Guinea-Bissau: 15.10 million people against 2.25 million (2025).
Guinea's economy is 11 times the size of Guinea-Bissau's, at $28.35B versus $2.53B.
Per person, Guinea is the wealthier of the two: $1,877 against $1,124 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $28.35B | $2.53B | 2025 | $25.33B / $2.12B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,877 | $1,124 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.4% | 5.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 8.1% / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | 5.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 34 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $192 | $141 | 2019 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $46 | $31 | 2020 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 15.10 million | 2.25 million | 2025 | 14.37 million / 2.13 million |
| Population growth | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.3 yrs | 19.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.04 | 3.68 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 60.9 yrs | Higher: 64.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 47% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 33% | 30% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 245,857 km² | 36,125 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 61.4/km² | 62.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4.03 Mt | Lower: 0.34 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.3 t | Lower: 0.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $562.46M | $25.29M | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 1.2% | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 13,000 | 4,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Guinea is growing faster: 7.4% annual GDP growth versus 5.8%.
Guinea runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 0.9%.
Average monthly earnings favour Guinea: $192 against $141 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 18.3 (Guinea) and 19.4 (Guinea-Bissau).
Life expectancy is 3.4 years longer in Guinea-Bissau (64.3 vs 60.9).
Geography
By land area, Guinea is 6.8 times the size of Guinea-Bissau: 245,857 km² versus 36,125 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Guinea spends 22 times as much on defence as Guinea-Bissau: $562.46M versus $25.29M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Guinea carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 1.2%.
Guinea fields the larger armed forces: 13,000 personnel against 4,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Guinea bigger than Guinea-Bissau?
- Guinea is larger by land area. Guinea covers 245,857 km² while Guinea-Bissau covers 36,125 km², so Guinea is 6.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Guinea or Guinea-Bissau?
- Guinea has the larger population: 15.10 million versus 2.25 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Guinea richer than Guinea-Bissau?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Guinea is richer: $1,877 against $1,124. Total GDP tells the same story: $28.35B for Guinea versus $2.53B for Guinea-Bissau.
- Who spends more on their military, Guinea or Guinea-Bissau?
- Guinea spends more: $562.46M versus $25.29M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).