Guinea-Bissau: public finances

How much debt does Guinea-Bissau have?

Guinea-Bissau's central government debt was 1,202,431.77 million CFA francs at the end of June 2026, equal to 76.34% of GDP, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance's public debt statistical bulletin for the first half of 2026. The ministry notes that this exceeds the WAEMU limit of 70%.

Including the debt of the state electricity and water company (EAGB), public debt was 1,256,295.36 million CFA francs (US$2,182 million). Domestic debt made up 744,040 million and external debt 458,392 million. 71.77% of the debt is in CFA francs. Debt service in the half-year was 219,679 million CFA francs. The ministry lists its bulletins on its debt publications page.

Official sources: Ministry of Economy and Finance: Public debt bulletin, first half of 2026 (PDF, Portuguese) · Ministry of Economy and Finance: Public debt bulletins

What is Guinea-Bissau's budget deficit?

Guinea-Bissau's general government deficit was 6.7% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook database, after 7.3% in 2024 and 8.2% in 2023. The IMF projects 4.0% for 2026.

The figure is net lending or borrowing: revenue, including grants, minus spending. The IMF figures are estimates and projections that are revised with each edition of its database. The Ministry of Economy and Finance publishes budget execution reports and the table of state financial operations (TOFE) on its website.

Official sources: IMF: General government net lending/borrowing, Guinea-Bissau · Ministry of Economy and Finance

What is Guinea-Bissau's government debt?

In 2025, general government gross debt in Guinea-Bissau was 75.1% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 203.7% of GDP; its low point was 2011, at 45.6% of GDP. It is 11th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 53.0% of GDP. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 48th highest.

What is Guinea-Bissau's budget deficit?

-6.7% of GDP: that is general government net lending or borrowing in Guinea-Bissau for 2025, according to the IMF, a deficit. The peak was 2.7% of GDP in 2009 and the low -9.6% of GDP in 2020. It is 44th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -3.0% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 168th of 188.

How much revenue does Guinea-Bissau's government raise?

In 2025, general government revenue in Guinea-Bissau was 12.8% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 23.3% of GDP; its low point was 2013, at 10.7% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 18.4% of GDP; Guinea-Bissau is 39th highest of 47. Worldwide: 175th of 187.

What is Guinea-Bissau's government spending?

According to the IMF, general government spending in Guinea-Bissau was 19.4% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 25.0% of GDP in 2020 and the low 12.4% of GDP in 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 20.8% of GDP; Guinea-Bissau is 29th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 154th of 186.

What is Guinea-Bissau's tax to GDP ratio?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2024, is 8.3% of GDP. Its high point since 2017 was 2017, at 9.5% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at 6.9% of GDP. It is 13th highest of 16 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 14.1% of GDP. Of 92 countries with 2024 data, 85th highest.

What is Guinea-Bissau's defence spending?

In 2025, military spending in Guinea-Bissau was 0.9% of GDP, according to SIPRI. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 2.3% of GDP; its low point was 2018, at 0.7% of GDP. It is 33rd highest of 44 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 1.3% of GDP. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 116th highest.