Guinea-Bissau: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Guinea-Bissau?

Life expectancy at birth in Guinea-Bissau was 64.3 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, up from 61.7 years in 2021.

The figure is the average number of years a newborn would live if that year's death rates stayed the same. The World Bank figures come from UN population estimates. The National Statistics Institute has published a vital statistics yearbook covering 2018 to 2022 on its website.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Guinea-Bissau · National Statistics Institute

What is the child mortality rate in Guinea-Bissau?

67.3 children per 1,000 born alive in Guinea-Bissau died before their fifth birthday in 2024, according to the World Bank, down from 74.3 in 2021. The maternal mortality ratio was 505 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, down from 617 in 2021, according to the World Bank.

Both are modelled UN estimates, which combine surveys such as MICS with other data and are revised as new data arrive. The maternal ratio counts deaths from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end.

Official sources: World Bank: Under-5 mortality rate, Guinea-Bissau · World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, Guinea-Bissau

What is the HIV rate in Guinea-Bissau?

2.2% of people aged 15 to 49 in Guinea-Bissau were living with HIV in 2024, according to the World Bank, which publishes UNAIDS estimates. The rate was 2.5% in 2021.

The figure is a modelled estimate of everyone in that age group living with the virus, whether diagnosed or not. It has edged down by about 0.1 percentage points a year since 2021.

Official sources: World Bank: Prevalence of HIV, Guinea-Bissau

How many doctors does Guinea-Bissau have?

Guinea-Bissau had 0.25 doctors per 1,000 people in 2022, according to the World Bank, which publishes World Health Organization data. That is about one doctor for every 4,000 people. The rate was 0.19 in 2020.

The figure counts generalist and specialist physicians reported by national authorities. Nurses and midwives are counted separately. The Ministry of Public Health's website did not respond on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Physicians per 1,000 people, Guinea-Bissau

What is life expectancy in Guinea-Bissau?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Guinea-Bissau was 64.3 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3 years, and Guinea-Bissau placed 25th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 169th highest.

What is Guinea-Bissau's infant mortality rate?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Guinea-Bissau was 42.1 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 37.2 per 1,000; Guinea-Bissau is 22nd highest of 48. Worldwide: 25th of 192.

What is maternal mortality in Guinea-Bissau?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Guinea-Bissau at 505 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 257 per 100,000, and Guinea-Bissau placed 8th highest of 48. Worldwide: 9th of 192.

How much does Guinea-Bissau spend on health?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 8.8% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 10.0% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 4.5% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and Guinea-Bissau placed 8th highest of 48. Worldwide: 47th of 191.

How much do people in Guinea-Bissau pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Guinea-Bissau was 61.6%, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 69.6%; its low point was 2011, at 35.8%. It is 6th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 16th highest.

How many doctors per person does Guinea-Bissau have?

In 2022, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Guinea-Bissau was 0.25 per 1,000, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2008 was 2018, at 0.30 per 1,000; its low point was 2008, at 0.05 per 1,000. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and Guinea-Bissau placed 14th highest of 46. Worldwide: 91st of 125.

How many children in Guinea-Bissau are vaccinated against measles?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Guinea-Bissau was 65.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 83.0%; its low point was 2021, at 63.0%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Guinea-Bissau placed 36th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 174th highest.