Guinea-Bissau’s population rose to 2.2 m people in 2025.

Neither way is good in itself. A larger population can mean more workers and a bigger home market. It can also mean more demand for food, schooling and jobs, so the direction matters less than whether the economy grows alongside it. The latest estimate for January 2025 is 2.2 million, up 0.05 million, or 2.2%, from a year earlier. Since 2016 the series has risen from a low of 1.8 million, and the latest figure is the highest in that span.

Why it matters. Growth of 2.2% a year means Guinea-Bissau adds a noticeable number of people every year. Households with more children need more places in schools and clinics. The state has to spread its revenue and services across a growing population, and employers face a steadily larger pool of people looking for work.