Republic of Guinea
Estimated population 10.5 million
Population density (people per square mile) 106
Population doubling time 26 years
GDP per capita US$ 523
Benchmark approximations
Population doubling time in years:
USA 79. Canada 81. Germany declining. UK 248. Russia declining. China 110. Philippines 41.
Population density (people per square mile)
USA 85. Canada 9. Germany 593. UK 660. Russia 21. China 368. Philippines 795.
GDP per capita in US$:
USA 53,000. Canada 52,000. Germany 46,200. UK 41,800. Russia 14,600. China 6,800. Philippines 2,770
RECENT HISTORY
Formerly a French colony until independence in 1958
Since independence the country has been plagued with political intrigues and turmoil, the effects of neighbouring conflicts, poor economic decisions, a military coup, army mutiny, bankruptcy, and political assassinations.
The country has an underdeveloped economy based on subsistence farming.
EDUCATION
Educational facilities at all levels declined in the last decade of the one party state Touré government. Private schools, previously banned, were allowed to reopen after Touré's death in 1984. Today primary education is compulsory for six years beginning at age seven. Secondary education is also offered as a six-year program however in 2002-2003 only 24% of eligible secondary school children were enrolled. Instruction is offered in French and in local languages. State-controlled institutions of higher education include the University of Conakry (1962) and the University of Kankan (1963). Slightly less than one-third of the population age 15 and older is literate, which is below average for western Africa.