Guinea-Bissau vs. Senegal
Introduction
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | For much of its history, Guinea-Bissau was under the control of the Mali Empire and the Kaabu kingdom. In the 16th century, Portugal began establishing trading posts along Guinea-Bissau's shoreline. Initially, the Portuguese were restricted to the coastline and islands. However, the slave and gold trade was lucrative to local African leaders, and the Portuguese were slowly able expand their power and influence inland. Starting in the 18th century, the Mali Empire and Kingdom of Kaabu slowly disintegrated into smaller local entities. By the 19th century, Portugal had fully incorporated Guinea-Bissau into its empire. | Senegal is one of the few countries in the world with evidence of continuous human life from the Paleolithic era to present. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the Jolof Empire ruled most of Senegal. Starting in the 15th century, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and Great Britain traded along the Senegalese coast. Senegal's location on the western tip of Africa made it a favorable base for the European slave trade. European powers used the Senegalese island of Goree as a base to purchase slaves from the warring chiefdoms on the mainland, and at the height of the slave trade in Senegal, over one-third of the Senegalese population was enslaved. In 1815, France abolished slavery and began expanding inland. During the second half of the 19th century, France took possession of Senegal as a French colony. In 1959, the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan were merged and granted independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. The union broke up after only a few months. In 1982, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia. The envisaged integration of the two countries was never implemented, and the union dissolved in 1989. Since the 1980s, the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance - a separatist movement based in southern Senegal - has led a low-level insurgency. Several attempts at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement have failed. Since 2012, despite sporadic incidents of violence, an unofficial cease-fire has remained largely in effect. Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa and has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. The Socialist Party of Senegal ruled for 40 years until Abdoulaye WADE was elected president in 2000 and re-elected in 2007. WADE amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and weaken the opposition. In 2012, WADE's decision to run for a third presidential term sparked public backlash that led to his defeat to current President Macky SALL. A 2016 constitutional referendum limited future presidents to two consecutive five-year terms. The change, however, does not apply to SALL's first term. In February 2019, SALL won his bid for re-election; his second term will end in 2024. One month after the 2019 election, the National Assembly voted to abolish the office of the prime minister. Opposition and civil society organizations criticized the decision as a further concentration of power in the executive branch at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches. |
Geography
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania |
| Geographic coordinates | 12 00 N, 15 00 W | 14 00 N, 14 00 W |
| Map references | Africa | Africa |
| Area | total: 36,125 sq km land: 28,120 sq km water: 8,005 sq km | total: 196,722 sq km land: 192,530 sq km water: 4,192 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut | slightly smaller than South Dakota; slightly larger than twice the size of Indiana |
| Land boundaries | total: 762 km border countries (2): Guinea 421 km, Senegal 341 km | total: 2,684 km border countries (5): The Gambia 749 km, Guinea 363 km, Guinea-Bissau 341 km, Mali 489 km, Mauritania 742 km |
| Coastline | 350 km | 531 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin |
| Climate | tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds | tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind |
| Terrain | mostly low-lying coastal plain with a deeply indented estuarine coastline rising to savanna in east; numerous off-shore islands including the Arquipelago Dos Bijagos consisting of 18 main islands and many small islets | generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: unnamed elevation in the eastern part of the country 300 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 70 m | highest point: unnamed elevation 2.8 km southeast of Nepen Diaka 648 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 69 m |
| Natural resources | fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum | fish, phosphates, iron ore |
| Land use | agricultural land: 44.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 6.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 29.7% (2018 est.) forest: 55.2% (2018 est.) other: 0% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 46.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 29.1% (2018 est.) forest: 43.8% (2018 est.) other: 9.4% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 250 sq km (2012) | 1,200 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires | lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts |
| Environment - current issues | deforestation (rampant felling of trees for timber and agricultural purposes); soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing | deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; periodic droughts; seasonal flooding; overfishing; weak environmental protective laws; wildlife populations threatened by poaching |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Geography - note | this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland | westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal |
| Total renewable water resources | 31.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 38.97 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | approximately one-fifth of the population lives in the capital city of Bissau along the Atlantic coast; the remainder is distributed among the eight other, mainly rural, regions as shown in this population distribution map | the population is concentrated in the west, with Dakar anchoring a well-defined core area; approximately 70% of the population is rural as shown in this population distribution map |
Demographics
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,976,187 (July 2021 est.) | 16,082,442 (July 2021 est.) |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 43.17% (male 417,810/female 414,105) 15-24 years: 20.38% (male 192,451/female 200,370) 25-54 years: 30.24% (male 275,416/female 307,387) 55-64 years: 3.12% (male 29,549/female 30,661) 65 years and over: 3.08% (male 25,291/female 34,064) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 40.38% (male 3,194,454/female 3,160,111) 15-24 years: 20.35% (male 1,596,896/female 1,606,084) 25-54 years: 31.95% (male 2,327,424/female 2,700,698) 55-64 years: 4.21% (male 283,480/female 378,932) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 212,332/female 275,957) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 18 years male: 17.4 years female: 18.6 years (2020 est.) | total: 19.4 years male: 18.5 years female: 20.3 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 2.52% (2021 est.) | 2.25% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 36.64 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 31.31 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 7.69 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 7.55 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | -3.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.75 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 50.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 56.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 47.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 63.26 years male: 61.04 years female: 65.55 years (2021 est.) | total population: 63.83 years male: 61.59 years female: 66.14 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 4.72 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 3.97 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 3% (2020 est.) | 0.3% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Bissau-Guinean(s) adjective: Bissau-Guinean | noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese |
| Ethnic groups | Fulani 28.5%, Balanta 22.5%, Mandinga 14.7%, Papel 9.1%, Manjaco 8.3%, Beafada 3.5%, Mancanha 3.1%, Bijago 2.1%, Felupe 1.7%, Mansoanca 1.4%, Balanta Mane 1%, other 1.8%, none 2.2% (2008 est.) | Wolof 37.1%, Pular 26.2%, Serer 17%, Mandinka 5.6%, Jola 4.5%, Soninke 1.4%, other 8.3% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2017 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 37,000 (2020 est.) | 39,000 (2020 est.) |
| Religions | Muslim 45.1%, Christian 22.1%, animist 14.9%, none 2%, unspecified 15.9% (2008 est.) | Muslim 95.9% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 4.1% (mostly Roman Catholic) (2017 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | 1,500 (2020 est.) | 1,100 (2020 est.) |
| Languages | Portuguese-based Creole, Portuguese (official; largely used as a second or third language), Pular (a Fula language), Mandingo | French (official), Wolof, Pular, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, Soninke |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 59.9% male: 71.8% female: 48.3% (2015) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.9% male: 64.8% female: 39.8% (2017) |
| Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis |
| Education expenditures | 2.1% of GDP (2013) | 4.8% of GDP (2018) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 44.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 48.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 91.2% of population rural: 60.3% of population total: 73.5% of population unimproved: urban: 8.5% of population rural: 39.7% of population total: 26.5% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 92.3% of population rural: 74.5% of population total: 83.3% of population unimproved: urban: 6.7% of population rural: 25.5% of population total: 16.7% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 66.5% of population rural: 13.4% of population total: 36.2% of population unimproved: urban: 33.5% of population rural: 86.6% of population total: 63.8% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 91.2% of population rural: 48.5% of population total: 68.4% of population unimproved: urban: 8.8% of population rural: 51.5% of population total: 31.6% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 621,000 BISSAU (capital) (2021) | 3.230 million DAKAR (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 667 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 315 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 18.8% (2019) | 14.4% (2019) |
| Health expenditures | 7% (2018) | 4% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2016) | 0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2017) |
| Hospital bed density | 1 beds/1,000 population (2009) | 0.3 beds/1,000 population (2008) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 9.5% (2016) | 8.8% (2016) |
| Demographic profile | Guinea-Bissau's young and growing population is sustained by high fertility; approximately 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Its large reproductive-age population and total fertility rate of more than 4 children per woman offsets the country's high infant and maternal mortality rates. The latter is among the world's highest because of the prevalence of early childbearing, a lack of birth spacing, the high percentage of births outside of health care facilities, and a shortage of medicines and supplies. Guinea-Bissau's history of political instability, a civil war, and several coups (the latest in 2012) have resulted in a fragile state with a weak economy, high unemployment, rampant corruption, widespread poverty, and thriving drug and child trafficking. With the country lacking educational infrastructure, school funding and materials, and qualified teachers, and with the cultural emphasis placed on religious education, parents frequently send boys to study in residential Koranic schools (daaras) in Senegal and The Gambia. They often are extremely deprived and are forced into street begging or agricultural work by marabouts (Muslim religious teachers), who enrich themselves at the expense of the children. Boys who leave their marabouts often end up on the streets of Dakar or other large Senegalese towns and are vulnerable to even worse abuse. Some young men lacking in education and job prospects become involved in the flourishing international drug trade. Local drug use and associated violent crime are growing. | Senegal has a large and growing youth population but has not been successful in developing its potential human capital. Senegal's high total fertility rate of almost 4.5 children per woman continues to bolster the country's large youth cohort - more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Fertility remains high because of the continued desire for large families, the low use of family planning, and early childbearing. Because of the country's high illiteracy rate (more than 40%), high unemployment (even among university graduates), and widespread poverty, Senegalese youths face dim prospects; women are especially disadvantaged. Senegal historically was a destination country for economic migrants, but in recent years West African migrants more often use Senegal as a transit point to North Africa - and sometimes illegally onward to Europe. The country also has been host to several thousand black Mauritanian refugees since they were expelled from their homeland during its 1989 border conflict with Senegal. The country's economic crisis in the 1970s stimulated emigration; departures accelerated in the 1990s. Destinations shifted from neighboring countries, which were experiencing economic decline, civil wars, and increasing xenophobia, to Libya and Mauritania because of their booming oil industries and to developed countries (most notably former colonial ruler France, as well as Italy and Spain). The latter became attractive in the 1990s because of job opportunities and their periodic regularization programs (legalizing the status of illegal migrants). Additionally, about 16,000 Senegalese refugees still remain in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as a result of more than 30 years of fighting between government forces and rebel separatists in southern Senegal's Casamance region. |
| Contraceptive prevalence rate | 20.6% (2018) | 26.9% (2019) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 81.2 youth dependency ratio: 76 elderly dependency ratio: 5.2 potential support ratio: 19.1 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 84.2 youth dependency ratio: 78.4 elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 potential support ratio: 17.5 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea etymology: the country is named after the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; "Bissau," the name of the capital city, distinguishes the country from neighboring Guinea | conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation etymology: named for the Senegal River that forms the northern border of the country; many theories exist for the origin of the river name; perhaps the most widely cited derives the name from "Azenegue," the Portuguese appellation for the Berber Zenaga people who lived north of the river |
| Government type | semi-presidential republic | presidential republic |
| Capital | name: Bissau geographic coordinates: 11 51 N, 15 35 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the meaning of Bissau is uncertain, it might be an alternative name for the Papel people who live in the area of the city of Bissau | name: Dakar geographic coordinates: 14 44 N, 17 38 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the Atlantic coast trading settlement of Ndakaaru came to be called "Dakar" by French colonialists |
| Administrative divisions | 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama/Bijagos, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali | 14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor |
| Independence | 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal) | 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 24 September (1973) | Independence Day, 4 April (1960) |
| Constitution | history: promulgated 16 May 1984; note - constitution suspended following military coup April 2012, restored 2014; note - in May 2020, President EMBALO established a commission to draft a revised constitution amendments: proposed by the National People's Assembly if supported by at least one third of its members, by the Council of State (a presidential consultant body), or by the government; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on the republican and secular form of government and national sovereignty cannot be amended; amended 1991, 1993, 1996 | history: previous 1959 (preindependence), 1963; latest adopted by referendum 7 January 2001, promulgated 22 January 2001 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires Assembly approval and approval in a referendum; the president can bypass a referendum and submit an amendment directly to the Assembly, which requires at least three-fifths majority vote; the republican form of government is not amendable; amended several times, last in 2019 |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of civil law, which incorporated Portuguese law at independence and influenced by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), African Francophone Public Law, and customary law | civil law system based on French law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: President Umaro Cissoko EMBALO (since 27 February 2020); note - President EMBALO was declared winner of the 29 December 2019 runoff presidential election by the electoral commission; however, on 28 February 2020, Cipriano CASSAMA was appointed as interim president by the parliament until the Supreme Court rules on the legitimacy of the elections due to alleged irregularities in voting; CASSAMA resigned the following day stating he had received death threats head of government: Prime Minister Nuno NABIAM (since 27 February 2020) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term; election last held on 24 November 2019 with a runoff on 29 December 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the National People's Assembly; note - the president cannot apply for a third consecutive term, nor during the 5 years following the end of the second term election results: Umaro Sissoco EMBALO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Domingos Simoes PEREIRA (PAIGC) 40.1%, Umaro Sissoco EMBALO (Madem G15) 27.7%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM (APU-PDGB) 13.2%, Jose Mario VAZ (independent) 12.4%, other 6.6%; percent of vote in second round - Umaro Sissoco EMBALO 53.6%, Domingos Simoes PEREIRA 46.5% | chief of state: President Macky SALL (since 2 April 2012) head of government: President Macky SALL (since 2 April 2012) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single renewable 5-year term; election last held on 24 February 2019 (next to be held in February 2024) election results: Macky SALL elected president in first round; percent of vote - Macky SALL (APR) 58.3%, Idrissa SECK (Rewmi) 20.5%, Ousmane SONKO (PASTEF) 15.7% |
| Legislative branch | description: unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (102 seats; 100 members directly elected in 27 multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote and 2 elected in single-seat constituencies for citizens living abroad (1 for Africa, 1 for Europe); all members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 10 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 35.2%, Madem G-15 21.1%, PRS 21.1%, other 22.6%; seats by party - PAIGC 47, Madem G-15 27, PRS 21, other 7; composition - men 88, women 14, percent of women 13.7% | description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale (165 seats; 105 members including 15 representing Senegalese diaspora directly elected by plurality vote in single- and multi-seat constituencies and 60 members directly elected by proportional representation vote in single- and multi-seat constituencies) elections: National Assembly - last held on 2 July 2017 (next to be held in July 2022) election results: National Assembly results - percent of vote by party/coalition - BBK 49.5%, CGWS 16.7%, MTS 11.7%, PUR 4.7%, CP-Kaddu Askan Wi 2%, other 15.4%; seats by party/coalition - BBY 125, CGWS 19, MTS 7, PUR 3, CP-Kaddu Askan Wi 2, other 9; composition - men 96, women 69, percent of women 41.8% |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (consists of 9 judges and organized into Civil, Criminal, and Social and Administrative Disputes Chambers); note - the Supreme Court has both appellate and constitutional jurisdiction judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the Higher Council of the Magistrate, a major government organ responsible for judge appointments, dismissals, and judiciary discipline; judges appointed by the president for life subordinate courts: Appeals Court; regional (first instance) courts; military court | highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the court president and 12 judges and organized into civil and commercial, criminal, administrative, and social chambers); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionel (consists of 7 members, including the court president, vice president, and 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon recommendation of the Superior Council of the Magistrates, a body chaired by the president and minister of justice; judge tenure varies, with mandatory retirement either at 65 or 68 years; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the president and 2 by the National Assembly speaker; judges serve 6-year terms, with renewal of 2 members every 2 years subordinate courts: High Court of Justice (for crimes of high treason by the president); Courts of Appeal; Court of Auditors; assize courts; regional and district courts; Labor Court |
| Political parties and leaders | African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde or PAIGC [Domingos SIMOES PEREIRA] Democratic Convergence Party or PCD [Vicente FERNANDES] Movement for Democratic Alternation Group of 15 or MADEM-G15 [Braima CAMARA] National People's Assembly - Democratic Party of Guinea Bissau or APU-PDGB [Nuno Gomes NABIAM] New Democracy Party or PND [Mamadu Iaia DJALO] Party for Social Renewal or PRS [Alberto NAMBEIA] Republican Party for Independence and Development or PRID [Aristides GOMES] Union for Change or UM [Agnelo REGALA] | Alliance for the Republic-Yakaar or APR-Yakaar [Macky SALL] Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE] Alliance for Citizenship and Labor or ACT [Abdoul MBAYE] And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Mamadou DIOP Decriox] Benno Bokk Yakaar or BBY (United in Hope) [Macky SALL] (coalition includes AFP, APR, BGC, LD-MPT, PIT, PS, and UNP) Bokk Gis Gis coalition [Pape DIOP] Citizen Movement for National Reform or MCRN-Bes Du Nakk [Mansour Sy DJAMIL] Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Abdoulaye BATHILY] Dare the Future movement [Aissata Tall SALL] Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE] Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS] General Alliance for the Interests of the Republic or AGIR [Thierno BOCOUM] Grand Party or GP [Malick GAKOU] Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Magatte THIAM] Madicke 2019 coalition [Madicke NIANG] National Union for the People or UNP [Souleymane Ndene NDIAYE] Only Senegal movement [Pierre Goudiaby ATEPA] Party for Truth and Development or PVD [Cheikh Ahmadou Kara MBAKE] Party of Unity and Rally or PUR [El Hadji SALL] Patriotic Convergence Kaddu Askan Wi or CP-Kaddu Askan Wi [Abdoulaye BALDE] Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work and Fraternity or (PASTEF) [Ousmane SONKO] Rewmi Party [Idrissa SECK] Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE] Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG] Tekki Movement [Mamadou Lamine DIALLO] |
| International organization participation | ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC | chief of mission: Ambassador Mansour Elimane KANE (since 6 January 2020) chancery: 2215 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 629-2961 email address and website: contact@ambasenegal-us.org http://www.ambasenegal-us.org/index.php consulate(s) general: Houston, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | embassy: the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998; the US Ambassador to Senegal is accredited to Guinea-Bissau mailing address: 2080 Bissau Place, Washington DC 20521-2080 email address and website: dakarACS@state.gov https://gw.usmission.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador Tulinabo S. MUSHINGI (since August 2017); note - also accredited to Guinea-Bissau embassy: Route des Almadies, Dakar mailing address: 2130 Dakar Place, Washington DC 20521-2130 telephone: [221] 33-879-4000 email address and website: DakarACS@state.gov https://sn.usembassy.gov/ |
| Flag description | two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; yellow symbolizes the sun; green denotes hope; red represents blood shed during the struggle for independence; the black star stands for African unity note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the flag design was heavily influenced by the Ghanaian flag | three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; green represents Islam, progress, and hope; yellow signifies natural wealth and progress; red symbolizes sacrifice and determination; the star denotes unity and hope note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Mali and the reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea |
| National anthem | name: "Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country) lyrics/music: Amilcar Lopes CABRAL/XIAO He note: adopted 1974; a delegation from then Portuguese Guinea visited China in 1963 and heard music by XIAO He; Amilcar Lopes CABRAL, the leader of Guinea-Bissau's independence movement, asked the composer to create a piece that would inspire his people to struggle for independence | name: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons) lyrics/music: Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the Koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and Balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| National symbol(s) | black star; national colors: red, yellow, green, black | lion; national colors: green, yellow, red |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Senegal dual citizenship recognized: no, but Senegalese citizens do not automatically lose their citizenship if they acquire citizenship in another state residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
Economy
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Guinea-Bissau is highly dependent on subsistence agriculture, cashew nut exports, and foreign assistance. Two out of three Bissau-Guineans remain below the absolute poverty line. The legal economy is based on cashews and fishing. Illegal logging and trafficking in narcotics also play significant roles. The combination of limited economic prospects, weak institutions, and favorable geography have made this West African country a way station for drugs bound for Europe. Guinea-Bissau has substantial potential for development of mineral resources, including phosphates, bauxite, and mineral sands. Offshore oil and gas exploration has begun. The country's climate and soil make it feasible to grow a wide range of cash crops, fruit, vegetables, and tubers; however, cashews generate more than 80% of export receipts and are the main source of income for many rural communities. The government was deposed in August 2015, and since then, a political stalemate has resulted in weak governance and reduced donor support. The country is participating in a three-year, IMF extended credit facility program that was suspended because of a planned bank bailout. The program was renewed in 2017, but the major donors of direct budget support (the EU, World Bank, and African Development Bank) have halted their programs indefinitely. Diversification of the economy remains a key policy goal, but Guinea-Bissau's poor infrastructure and business climate will constrain this effort. | Senegal's economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in rural areas. The country's key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products and commercial fishing and Senegal is also working on oil exploration projects. It relies heavily on donor assistance, remittances and foreign direct investment. Senegal reached a growth rate of 7% in 2017, due in part to strong performance in agriculture despite erratic rainfall. President Macky SALL, who was elected in March 2012 under a reformist policy agenda, inherited an economy with high energy costs, a challenging business environment, and a culture of overspending. President SALL unveiled an ambitious economic plan, the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP), which aims to implement priority economic reforms and investment projects to increase economic growth while preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. Bureaucratic bottlenecks and a challenging business climate are among the perennial challenges that may slow the implementation of this plan. Senegal receives technical support from the IMF under a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) to assist with implementation of the ESP. The PSI implementation continues to be satisfactory as concluded by the IMF's fifth review in December 2017. Financial markets have signaled confidence in Senegal through successful Eurobond issuances in 2014, 2017, and 2018. The government is focusing on 19 projects under the ESP to continue The government's goal under the ESP is structural transformation of the economy. Key projects include the Thiès-Touba Highway, the new international airport opened in December 2017, and upgrades to energy infrastructure. The cost of electricity is a chief constraint for Senegal's development. Electricity prices in Senegal are among the highest in the world. Power Africa, a US presidential initiative led by USAID, supports Senegal's plans to improve reliability and increase generating capacity. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $3.821 billion (2019 est.) $3.653 billion (2018 est.) $3.519 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $55.324 billion (2019 est.) $52.553 billion (2018 est.) $49.402 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 5.9% (2017 est.) 6.3% (2016 est.) 6.1% (2015 est.) | 7.2% (2017 est.) 6.2% (2016 est.) 6.4% (2015 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $1,989 (2019 est.) $1,949 (2018 est.) $1,925 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $3,395 (2019 est.) $3,315 (2018 est.) $3,204 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 50% (2017 est.) industry: 13.1% (2017 est.) services: 36.9% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 16.9% (2017 est.) industry: 24.3% (2017 est.) services: 58.8% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 67% (2015 est.) | 46.7% (2011 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 28% (2002) | lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.1% (2011) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 0.2% (2019 est.) 0.3% (2018 est.) 1.6% (2017 est.) | -0.8% (2019 est.) 0.4% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 731,300 (2013 est.) | 6.966 million (2017 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 82% industry and services: 18% (2000 est.) | agriculture: 77.5% industry: 22.5% industry and services: 22.5% (2007 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | NA | 48% (2007 est.) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 50.7 (2010 est.) | 40.3 (2011 est.) |
| Budget | revenues: 246.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 263.5 million (2017 est.) | revenues: 4.139 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.9 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks | agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair |
| Industrial production growth rate | 2.5% (2017 est.) | 7.7% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | rice, cashew nuts, roots/tubers nes, oil palm fruit, plantains, cassava, groundnuts, vegetables, coconuts, fruit | groundnuts, watermelons, rice, sugar cane, cassava, millet, maize, onions, sorghum, vegetables |
| Exports | $188 million (2018 est.) $183 million (2017 est.) | $2.362 billion (2017 est.) $2.498 billion (2016 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | cashews, gold, fish, lumber, aluminum ores (2019) | gold, refined petroleum, phosphoric acid, fish, ground nuts (2019) |
| Exports - partners | India 50%, Belgium 28%, Cote d'Ivoire 8% (2019) | Mali 22%, Switzerland 14%, India 9%, China 7% (2019) |
| Imports | $383 million (2018 est.) $348 million (2017 est.) | $5.217 billion (2017 est.) $4.966 billion (2016 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | refined petroleum, rice, wheat products, soups/broths, malt extract (2019) | refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rice, cars, malt extract, clothing and apparel (2019) |
| Imports - partners | Portugal 31%, Senegal 20%, China 10%, Netherlands 7%, Pakistan 7% (2019) | China 17%, France 11%, Belgium 7%, Russia 7%, Netherlands 7% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $1.095 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $941.5 million (31 December 2000 est.) | $8.571 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.327 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Exchange rates | Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 605.3 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) | Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 617.4 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
| Public debt | 53.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 57.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | 48.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.8% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $356.4 million (31 December 2017 est.) $349.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.827 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $116.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | -$27 million (2017 est.) $16 million (2016 est.) | -$1.547 billion (2017 est.) -$769 million (2016 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $1.339 billion (2019 est.) | $23.576 billion (2019 est.) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 43.2 (2020) Starting a Business score: 75.5 (2020) Trading score: 59.6 (2020) Enforcement score: 38.6 (2020) | Overall score: 59.3 (2020) Starting a Business score: 91.2 (2020) Trading score: 60.9 (2020) Enforcement score: 50.6 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -3.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 83.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 4.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -26.5% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 71.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.8% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 8.8% of GDP (2018 est.) 8.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 10.5% of GDP (2015 est.) | 23.4% of GDP (2018 est.) 22.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 20.4% of GDP (2015 est.) |
Energy
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 39 million kWh (2016 est.) | 4.167 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 36.27 million kWh (2016 est.) | 3.497 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 17,880 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | 0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 59.46 million cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 59.46 million cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 28,300 kW (2016 est.) | 977,000 kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 99% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 82% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 11% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 17,590 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 2,700 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 48,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 4,063 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 2,625 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 32,050 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 28% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 56% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 7% (2019) | electrification - total population: 71% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 94% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 50% (2019) |
Telecommunications
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 0 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.) | total subscriptions: 207,592 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.35 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 1,590,381 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 84.62 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 17,880,594 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116.37 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .gw | .sn |
| Internet users | total: 72,047 percent of population: 3.93% (July 2018 est.) | total: 6,909,635 percent of population: 46% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: small system including a combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and mobile cellular communications; 2 mobile network operators; one of the poorest countries in the world and this is reflected in the countries telecommunications development; radio is the most important source of information for the public (2020) domestic: fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile cellular teledensity is roughly 83 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 245; ACE submarine cable connecting Guinea-Bissau with 20 landing points in Western and South Africa and Europe (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: universal mobile penetration since 2019; mobile broadband accounts for 97% of Internet access; 3G and LTE services for half of the population; African consortium issued a bond to finance network upgrades and services; importer of broadcasting equipment from UAE and China (2021) (2020)domestic: generally reliable urban system with a fiber-optic network; about two-thirds of all fixed-line connections are in Dakar; mobile-cellular service is steadily displacing fixed-line service, even in urban areas; fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 110 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 221; landing points for the ACE, Atlantis-2, MainOne and SAT-3/WASC submarine cables providing connectivity from South Africa, numerous western African countries, Europe and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 1,227 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.) | total: 152,047 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2018 est.) |
| Broadcast media | 1 state-owned TV station, Televisao da Guine-Bissau (TGB) and a second station, Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP) Africa, is operated by Portuguese public broadcaster (RTP); 1 state-owned radio station, several private radio stations, and some community radio stations; multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) | state-run Radiodiffusion Television Senegalaise (RTS) broadcasts TV programs from five cities in Senegal; in most regions of the country, viewers can receive TV programming from at least 7 private broadcasters; a wide range of independent TV programming is available via satellite; RTS operates a national radio network and a number of regional FM stations; at least 7 community radio stations and 18 private-broadcast radio stations are available; transmissions of at least 5 international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Dakar (2019) |
Transportation
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Roadways | total: 4,400 km (2018) paved: 453 km (2018) unpaved: 3,947 km (2018) | total: 16,665 km (2017) paved: 6,126 km (includes 241 km of expressways) (2017) unpaved: 10,539 km (2017) |
| Waterways | (rivers are partially navigable; many inlets and creeks provide shallow-water access to much of interior) (2012) | 1,000 km (primarily on the Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance Rivers) (2012) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim | major seaport(s): Dakar |
| Merchant marine | total: 8 by type: general cargo 5, other 3 (2020) | total: 34 by type: general cargo 4, oil tanker 1, other 29 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 8 (2013) | total: 20 (2013) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 2 (2019) over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | total: 9 (2017) over 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 6 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013) under 914 m: 3 (2013) | total: 11 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013) under 914 m: 1 (2013) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | J5 | 6V |
Military
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force; Guard Nacional (a gendarmerie force under the Ministry of Internal Administration) (2021) | Senegalese Armed Forces (Forces Armées Sénégalaises, FAS): Army, Senegalese National Navy (Marine Senegalaise, MNS), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal), National Gendarmerie (includes Territorial and Mobile components) (2021) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18-25 years of age for selective compulsory military service (Air Force service is voluntary); 16 years of age or younger, with parental consent, for voluntary service (2019) | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 20 years of age for selective conscript service; 2-year service obligation; women have been accepted into military service since 2008 (2019) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 1.4% of GDP (2017) 1.3% of GDP (2016) 1.6% of GDP (2015) 2% of GDP (2014) 2.1% of GDP (2013) | 1.5% of GDP (2019 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2018) 1.5% of GDP (2017) 1.6% of GDP (2016) 1.2% of GDP (2015) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP) has approximately 4,000 total active troops, including about 300 Navy and 100 Air Force (2020) | the Senegalese Armed Forces consist of approximately 19,000 active personnel (12,000 Army; 1,000 Navy/Coast Guard; 1,000 Air Force; 5,000 National Gendarmerie) (2021) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the FARP is poorly armed with an inventory consisting of Soviet-era equipment, much of which is reportedly unserviceable; the only reported deliveries of military equipment to since 2015 were patrol boats from Spain in 2017 and non-lethal equipment from China in 2015; Guinea-Bissau has also discussed acquiring military equipment with Indonesia (2020) | the FAS inventory includes mostly older or second-hand equipment from a variety of countries, including France, South Africa, and Russia/former Soviet Union; in recent years, the FAS has been undergoing a significant modernization program; since 2010, it has received newer equipment from nearly 15 countries, led by China, France, and Israel (2020) |
Transnational Issues
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | a longstanding low-grade conflict continues in parts of Casamance, in Senegal across the border; some rebels use Guinea-Bissau as a safe haven | cross-border trafficking in persons, timber, wildlife, and cannabis; rebels from the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance find refuge in Guinea-Bissau |
| Illicit drugs | increasingly important transit country for South American cocaine en route to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations due to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography near the capital facilitates drug smuggling | transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America; illicit cultivator of cannabis |
| Refugees and internally displaced persons | refugees (country of origin): 7,696 (Senegal) (2021) | refugees (country of origin): 14,195 (Mauritania) (2021) IDPs: 8,400 (2020) |
| Trafficking in persons | current situation: Guinea-Bissau is a country of origin and destination for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the scope of the problem of trafficking women or men for forced labor or forced prostitution is unknown; boys reportedly were transported to southern Senegal for forced manual and agricultural labor; girls may be subjected to forced domestic service and child prostitution in Senegal and Guinea; both boys and girls are forced to work as street vendors in cities in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea-Bissau does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include identifying forced child begging victims, cooperating with Moroccan authorities on international crime investigations, and approving a new action plan; yet, the government has not convicted a trafficker, identified fewer trafficking victims, and lacked resources or the political will to fight trafficking or to enact its action plan, which would meet minimum standards; Guinea-Bissau was granted a waiver under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from downgrade to Tier 3 (2020) | current situation: Senegal is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women who are subjected to forced begging, forced labor, and sex trafficking; traffickers subject Senegalese children to forced labor in domestic service, mining, and prostitution; some Senegalese boys from Quranic schools and boys from The Gambia, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea are forced to beg; Senegalese women and girls are forced into domestic servitude in neighboring countries, Europe, and the Middle East, while others are sexually exploited in Senegal; women and girls from other West African countries are subjected to domestic servitude and sexual exploitation in Senegal; Ukrainian and Chinese women are exploited for sex trafficking in bars and nightclubs; North Korean workers are forced to work in construction tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Senegal does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include establishing an anti-trafficking database; planning the third phase of its program to remove vulnerable children, including trafficking victims, from the streets of major cities; launching an emergency campaign to place vulnerable children and forced begging victims in shelters due to COVID 19 pandemic; however, the government rarely proactively investigated or prosecuted traffickers exploiting children in forced begging; authorities did not take action against officials who refused to investigate such cases; officials only applied adequate prison terms in accordance with the 2005 anti-trafficking law to two convicted traffickers; authorities did not identify any adult trafficking victims; government officials continued to have a limited knowledge of trafficking; Senegal was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) |
Environment
| Guinea-Bissau | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 27.12 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.29 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 1.46 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 37.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 10.9 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 11.74 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 34.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 11.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 144 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 98 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 58 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.065 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 9.24% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 1.46% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 289,514 tons (2015 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,454,059 tons (2016 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
