Demographics of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau's population between 1961 and 2003.

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Guinea-Bissau, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Ethnic groups

The population of Guinea-Bissau is ethnically diverse with distinct languages, customs, and social structures. Most Guineans, 99%, are Blacks mostly Fula and Mandinka-speakers concentrated in the north and northeast, the Balanta and Papel, living in the southern coastal regions, and the Manjaco and Mancanha, occupying the central and northern coastal areas.

Most of the rest are mestiços of mixed Portuguese and black descent, including Cape Verdean minority. Due to the exodus of most Portuguese settlers after independence, less than 1% of Guinea-Bissauans are pure Portuguese. The country also has a Chinese minority, including Macanese people of mixed Portuguese and Chinese blood from Macau.

Most people are farmers. 50% are Muslims - this makes Guinea-Bissau the only Portuguese-speaking nation with a Muslim majority and most Muslims are Sunnis. 40% are pagans, principally the Balanta. Less than 10% are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics.

Population

Guinea-Bissau's population pyramid, 2005. In 2010, 41.3% of Guinea-Bissau's population were aged under 15.[1]

According to the 2010 revision of the UN World Population Prospects, Guinea-Bissau's population was 1,515,000 in 2010, compared to 518,000 in 1950.[1] The proportion of the population below the age of 15 in 2010 was 41.3%, 55.4% were aged between 15 and 65 years of age, while 3.3% were aged 65 years or older.[1]

Total population (x 1000) Population aged 0–14 (%) Population aged 15–64 (%) Population aged 65+ (%)
1950 51838.857.63.6
1955 56641.954.93.2
1960 59341.355.73.0
1965 59841.355.63.1
1970 60337.059.73.3
1975 69441.055.73.3
1980 83542.154.43.5
1985 92245.451.13.5
1990 1 01743.852.83.5
1995 1 12544.152.63.4
2000 1 24143.153.63.3
2005 1 36842.454.43.2
2010 1 51541.355.43.3

Vital statistics

Registration of vital events is in Guinea-Bissau not complete. The Population Departement of the United Nations prepared the following estimates. [1]

Period Live births per year Deaths per year Natural change per year CBR* CDR* NC* TFR* IMR*
1950-1955 30 000 18 000 12 00054.933.521.47.41211
1955-1960 25 000 17 000 7 00042.329.512.85.88201
1960-1965 25 000 16 000 9 00042.327.414.95.88191
1965-1970 21 000 15 000 6 00035.624.810.84.78182
1970-1975 36 000 18 000 18 00055.727.328.47.34174
1975-1980 35 000 19 000 15 00045.525.320.36.11165
1980-1985 42 000 21 000 21 00047.923.524.46.70153
1985-1990 44 000 21 000 23 00045.822.123.76.68145
1990-1995 48 000 23 000 26 00045.221.224.06.54141
1995-2000 51 000 24 000 27 00042.819.922.96.05134
2000-2005 54 000 24 000 29 00041.118.522.55.66126
2005-2010 57 000 25 000 32 00039.317.521.95.27119
* CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births; TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman)

CIA World Factbook demographic statistics

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

Population: 1,596,677 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.988% (2011 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 49.04 years
male: 46.77 years
female: 51.37 years (2000 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Guinean (s)
adjective: Guinean

Ethnic groups: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European (entirely Portuguese) and Mulatto less than 1%

Religions: Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10% (see Religion in Guinea-Bissau)

Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 42.4%
male: 58.1%
female: 27.4% (2003 est.)

References

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