Guyana’s population reaches near 900,000, census shows significant growth

Preliminary results from the Guyana National Population and Housing Census 2022 show the country’s population at 878,674, representing a 17.6 percent increase since the 2012 census. The findings were presented on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre by Chief Statistician Errol La Creuz and Deputy Chief Statistician Vanessa Profit, who handed the report to Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

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The data provides insights into population size and distribution, household composition, population density, sex ratios, local and foreign-born populations, and building stock. The Bureau of Statistics said these findings will be refined in a final report to be released later.

On Census Day, September 15, 2022, Guyana had 878,674 residents. Accounting for natural growth and net migration, the population is estimated to have risen to 956,044 by the end of 2024, approaching the one-million mark.

All regions recorded population growth since 2012. Region Four (Demerara–Mahaica) remains the most populated, with 347,759 people (39.58%), while Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara) overtook Region Six as the second most populated at 143,884 (16.38%). The least populated region continues to be Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni) with 13,598 residents (1.55%).

Region Seven (Cuyuni–Mazaruni) saw the highest annual growth rate at 5.14%, followed by Region One (Barima–Waini) at 3.49%, and Region Three at 2.93%. Coastal areas accounted for 87.16% of the population, while hinterland regions made up 12.84%.

Locals—those born in Guyana or to Guyanese parents—comprised 96.93% of residents, while foreign-born residents accounted for 3.07%, up from 1.1% in 2012. The Bureau noted some foreign-born residents may remain unaccounted for due to undocumented status.

The census counted 271,946 households, up from 204,625 in 2012. The average household size fell to 3.23 persons, down from 3.65 a decade earlier. Region Four had the highest number of households at 112,876.

Population density rose nationally from 3.47 to 4.09 persons per square kilometre, with Region Four the most densely populated at 155.81 persons/km² and Region Nine the least at 0.52 persons/km².

Of the total population, 440,882 were male (50.18%) and 437,792 female (49.82%), reversing the 2012 ratio of 99 males per 100 females. Hinterland regions recorded a higher male-to-female ratio of 113:100, compared with 99:100 in coastal areas.

National building stock grew 42%, from 219,509 in 2012 to 311,742 in 2022. Coastal regions hold 88.58% of buildings, with hinterlands at 11.42%. About 81% of buildings were occupied, 4.47% under construction, 1.41% dilapidated, and 13.13% vacant or unclassified. Region Seven recorded the largest growth in building stock at 105%, while Region Six had the lowest at 22.89%.

More than 2,000 temporary staff were engaged for the exercise, supported by regional and international partners including the CARICOM Statistical Unit and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America. The 2022 census was the first in Guyana to use Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technology via tablets, representing a significant advancement in data collection.

Minister Singh said preparations are ongoing for the final report, emphasizing the importance of accurate data for policy-making, resource allocation, and demographic analysis.