Guyana
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
74 / 100
Free
Guyana is a parliamentary democracy with a robust civil society. However, elections held in 2020 were marred by attempted fraud. The harassment and intimidation of journalists, often by the government, has affected press freedom in recent years. Crime, police violence and corruption, and discrimination against Indigenous and LGBT+ people remain significant problems. The exploitation of offshore oil reserves has made anticorruption reforms urgent.
Research & Recommendations
Guyana
Free
74
100
| PR Political Rights | 30 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 44 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
73
100
Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
Guyana is a parliamentary democracy with a robust civil society. However, electoral politics have often become entangled with ethnic tensions, and the intimidation of journalists, in many cases by the government, has affected press freedom in recent years. Crime, police brutality and corruption, and discrimination against Indigenous and LGBT+ people remain significant problems, though the government has made efforts to protect women, children, and workers from violence and exploitation. The development of offshore oil reserves has made anticorruption reforms more urgent.
Freedom in the World 2025 Policy Recommendations
Prioritize strengthening the rule of law and delivering economic dividends in the aftermath of political transitions
In countries where democratic forces have come to power after periods of antidemocratic rule, the new governments should pursue an agenda that protects and expands freedoms even as it delivers tangible economic and social benefits to citizens.
In countries emerging from war or the collapse of authoritarian regimes, focus on safety, reconciliation, reform
These countries must act swiftly to release all political prisoners, build or revitalize democratic institutions, reform police and other security forces, organize and hold competitive multiparty elections, and ensure accountability for past human rights violations.
Bolster checks and balances to mitigate the threat of democratic backsliding
In countries where there has been significant erosion of political rights and civil liberties, policymakers, legislators, jurists, civic activists, and donor communities should work to strengthen institutional guardrails and norms that serve to constrain elected leaders with antidemocratic or illiberal aims.
News and Updates
Featured
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
74
/ 100
Free
Population: 808,726
Internet Facts
Status
Not Tracked
Election Facts
Status
Not Tracked
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
