Guyana: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Guyana?

Guyana's unemployment rate was 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025, down from 6.8% a year earlier, according to the Guyana Labour Force Survey bulletin from the Bureau of Statistics. The rate was 8.7% for women and 4.5% for men, and 6.6% in rural areas against 5.1% in urban areas. There were 421,334 people in work.

The survey counts people as unemployed if they have no job, are available to work soon and are actively looking. Labour force participation rose to 59.2% from 56.5%. Quarterly results can move with seasonal work, so compare the same quarter across years.

Official sources: Bureau of Statistics: GLFS 2025 Q4 bulletin (PDF)

What is the youth unemployment rate in Guyana?

Youth unemployment in Guyana, for people aged 15 to 24, was 12.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 12.1% a year earlier, according to the Guyana Labour Force Survey bulletin from the Bureau of Statistics. That is about twice the overall rate of 6.2%.

The youth rate only counts young people who are in the labour force; students who are not looking for work are left out. For a wider view, the bulletin also reports the share of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), which is the UN's Sustainable Development Goal indicator 8.6.1.

Official sources: Bureau of Statistics: GLFS 2025 Q4 bulletin (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Guyana?

The public sector monthly minimum wage in Guyana was G$102,346 in 2025, up 7.9% from G$94,765 in 2024, according to the indicator table in the Budget Speech 2026 from the Ministry of Finance. It was G$74,900 in 2021.

This is the minimum paid to central government employees. Minimum wages for private sector workers are a separate matter administered by the Ministry of Labour. The Bureau of Statistics also keeps a public sector minimum wage series from 2013, sourced from budget speeches.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech 2026 (PDF) · Ministry of Labour

How much is the old age pension in Guyana?

Guyana's old age pension rose from G$41,000 to G$46,000 a month from 1 January 2026, according to the Budget Speech 2026. The Ministry of Finance says about 95,000 pensioners benefit and that total old age pension payments will exceed G$52 billion in 2026. The pension was G$20,500 a month in 2020.

The old age pension is a non-contributory state payment for older residents. It is separate from the contributory pension paid by the National Insurance Scheme, which depends on a person's contributions record. The budget also announced an annual transportation support grant for old age pensioners.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech 2026 (PDF) · National Insurance Scheme

What is the minimum wage in Guyana?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 60,147 GYD a month (about $288). No year since 2013 has been higher.

What is the average wage in Guyana?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Guyana at $655 a month in 2024. Latin America & Caribbean median: $532 a month; Guyana is 6th highest of 18. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 40th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in Guyana?

12.0%: that is the unemployment rate in Guyana for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 15.3% in 2020 and the low 10.7% in 2006. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and Guyana placed 3rd highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 24th highest.

What is youth unemployment in Guyana?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Guyana was 24.9% in 2025. The peak was 31.0% in 2020 and the low 21.4% in 2006. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.0%, and Guyana placed 5th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 27th highest.

What share of people in Guyana are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 55.0%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 50.7% (2020) to 56.5% (2007). It is 26th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 63.4%. Worldwide: 134th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Guyana?

47.4%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Guyana for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2024, at 47.4%; its low point was 2005, at 36.2%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 52.5%; Guyana is 22nd highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 123rd of 174.

What share of adults in Guyana have a job?

48.4%: that is the employment to population ratio in Guyana for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 50.5%; its low point was 2020, at 43.0%. It is 29th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 59.4%. World rank, highest first: 143rd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Guyana?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Guyana at 25.3% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.8%, and Guyana placed 17th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 99th of 174.

What share of jobs in Guyana are salaried?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Guyana was 68.9%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 14th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 64.8%. World rank, highest first: 81st of 174.