Guinea-Bissau, located on the coast of West Africa, is one of the least-known countries in the world. That’s because it’s literally one of the smallest and poorest countries in the world. Here are the 10 most asked questions about Guinea-Bissau.
1. Is Guinea-Bissau a rich or poor country?
Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world. Out of 270 countries listed by the World Bank, only 21 have a smaller GDP than Guinea-Bissau (and those countries all have a population that is less than a tenth of Guinea-Bissau’s). In 2020, Guinea-Bissau’s GDP was 1.4 billion USD. Antigua and Barbuda have a similar GDP, but their population is less than 100,000 people, compared to the 2 million people that inhabit Guinea-Bissau.
About 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, earning less than the USD equivalent of $2 a day. The average person lives on $1.40 a day.
The average person lives on $1.40 a day in Guinea-Bissau.
Interested in helping alleviate povertyin Guinea-Bissau?
Join One Student, a community of monthly donors giving young people in Guinea-Bissau the opportunity to build a brighter future. At WAVS vocational schools, students invest in their education by paying a small portion of their tuition. When you sponsor a student, you help cover the rest—making their training possible.
Learn More2. What nationality are people from Guinea-Bissau?
People from Guinea-Bissau are referred to as Bissau-Guineans. Though if you are visiting the country, don’t be surprised if you hear people refer to themselves as “guineense”. Like most African countries, Guinea-Bissau is home to many different tribal and ethnic groups. Bissau-Guineans will sometimes mention their tribe when explaining their nationality.
3. What is Guinea-Bissau famous for?
Guinea-Bissau is famous for its expansive coastline filled with tropical islands, some of which are run by matriarchal tribes. The country is also one of the top five cashew producers in the world despite being a country that is roughly the same size as the state of Maryland.
Millions of pounds of cashews are exported from Guinea-Bissau each year.
Guinea-Bissau is home to a network of beautiful tropical islands.
4. Is English spoken in Guinea-Bissau?
Very few people speak English in Guinea-Bissau. And the farther away you get from the capital, the less likely you are to find an English speaker. The language most commonly spoken in Guinea-Bissau is a called Guinea-Bissau creole or Crioulo. The official language of the country is Portuguese, but it is only spoken by about 11-14% of the population.
Hear an example of Guinea-Bissau creole from a WAVS vocational school teacher. Give it a try yourself!
5. Is Guinea-Bissau safe for tourists?
Guinea-Bissau is a relatively safe country. The World Bank records 1 homicide per 100,000 people. For reference, the United States’ rate is 5 per 100,000 and Mexico’s is 29 per 100,000.
Crime that does occur is typically opportunistic: stealing a wallet from a table when a back is turned, or government officials looking for small bribes.
However, as a whole, the country is extremely hospitable and welcoming to tourists.
Bissau-Guineans love sharing their culture and country with visitors.
Help Your Kids Learn About Guinea-Bissau TOO!
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Games – Authentic Recipes – Connect-the-dots Map – Maze
6. Who colonized Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea-Bissau was colonized by Portugal from the 1450s until 1973. The Guinea-Bissau War of Independence lasted for 11 years before Guinea-Bissau gained its independence from Portugal.
Guinea-Bissau has been an independent country for less than 50 years.
8. Do I need a visa to go to Guinea-Bissau?
Yes, you will need a visa to travel to Guinea-Bissau. A visa costs 55,000 XOF (approximately $85 to $95 USD depending on exchange rate). If you do not have XOF (pronounced safe-uh), you can pay for the visa with euros. When you arrive in the airport and travel through customs, agents will take your passport to an office down a hallway where you will pay for and receive your visa.
10. Why are there so many countries with the name “Guinea”?
We’re glad you asked – thankfully, we’ve written a whole blog about that too!
Hopefully, we have answered your questions about Guinea-Bissau in West Africa. If not, feel free to send us an email with your question! We love having the opportunity to teach others about this beautiful country that is so often overlooked.
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Laura Trickett
Laura Trickett is the former Program Director of West African Vocational Schools. She spent her time in Guinea-Bissau working with local staff and collecting student and graduate stories to share with donors and partners.
