Regions of Guinea-Bissau: population and official figures
Guinea-Bissau is divided into 9 regions. The largest by population is Sector Autónomo de Bissau with 476,154 people (25.2% of the total); the smallest is Bolama/Bijagós with 42,342. Region populations are Instituto Nacional de Estatística projections for 2026, published in 2022 from the 2009 census; they are the latest regional figures the INE has published. Each page adds health, schooling, literacy, water, electricity, sanitation and living standards from the 2018-2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS6), and jobs and adult literacy from the INE's 2017/2018 employment and informal sector survey (ERI-ESI).
Who governs Guinea-Bissau's regions?
Regions (8) plus the Autonomous Sector of Bissau: Regional governors appointed and dismissed by the government on the minister's proposal. Represent central government.
How local power works in Guinea-Bissau · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 9 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sector Autónomo de Bissau | 476,154 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 2 | Oio | 280,702 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 3 | Gabú | 268,227 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 4 | Bafatá | 261,989 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 5 | Cacheu | 241,385 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 6 | Biombo | 121,354 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 7 | Tombali | 118,897 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 8 | Quinara | 79,202 | 2026 | +2.0% |
| 9 | Bolama/Bijagós | 42,342 | 2026 | +2.0% |
More on Guinea-Bissau: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Guinea-Bissau: Relatório de apresentação das projeções da população da Guiné-Bissau de 2014 a 2063 (November 2022), Tabela 14: projected population by region, 2014-2040, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fca32d201d06…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Guinea-Bissau and Ministério da Economia e Finanças, with UNICEF: Inquérito aos Indicadores Múltiplos (MICS6) 2018-2019, final report: regional tables, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bfaad4e22778…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Guinea-Bissau, with AFRISTAT: Inquérito Regional Integrado sobre Emprego e Setor Informal (ERI-ESI) 2017/2018, general report (July 2019): tables 19 and 23, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 79c387bd2247…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.