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Kaieteur Falls is a high-volume waterfall on the Potaro River in central Guyana.

Photo: Bill Cameron · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

Governance & Institutions

109th

of 194 countries placed

Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Guyana on governance & institutions — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys
  1. Key 1 of 4

    Government Effectiveness

    World Bank Group

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0

    0.147

    Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)

    Higher is better

    Guyana: 0.147. Across the 209 countries in this edition, values run from -2.251 (South Sudan) to 2.092 (Singapore); the world median is 0.101.

    World median
    0.101
    Best in South America
    1.042 Chile
    Land neighbours
    Brazil -0.036 · Suriname -0.012 · Venezuela -1.393
  2. Key 2 of 4

    Statistical Performance Indicators

    World Bank Group

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    54.06

    SPI overall score (0–100)

    Higher is better

    Guyana: 54.06. Across the 188 countries in this edition, values run from 27.12 (South Sudan) to 94.14 (Norway); the world median is 69.3.

    World median
    69.3
    Best in South America
    89.38 Chile
    Land neighbours
    Brazil 82.31 · Suriname 58.63 · Venezuela 39.46
  3. Key 3 of 4

    Corruption Perceptions Index

    Transparency International

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)

    40

    CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)

    Higher is better

    Ranked 84th of 181 by Transparency International

    Guyana: 40. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 9 (Somalia) to 89 (Denmark); the world median is 39.

    World median
    39
    Best in South America
    73 Uruguay
    Land neighbours
    Brazil 35 · Suriname 38 · Venezuela 10
  4. Key 4 of 4

    Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index

    V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    0.668

    Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)

    Higher is better

    Guyana: 0.668. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.003 (Nicaragua) to 0.988 (Australia); the world median is 0.676.

    World median
    0.676
    Best in South America
    0.954 Brazil
    Land neighbours
    Brazil 0.954 · Suriname 0.839 · Venezuela 0.017

03In context

Guyana beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 194 countries on governance & institutions, never a place within the region.

South America
1st194thNot placed · 30 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on governance & institutions

Guyana and the countries it borders

Standing among all 194; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingGovernment EffectivenessGovernance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)Statistical Performance IndicatorsSPI overall score (0–100)Corruption Perceptions IndexCPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexJudicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
Brazil57th-0.03682.31350.954
Suriname94th-0.01258.63380.839
Guyana109th0.14754.06400.668
Venezuela194th-1.39339.46100.017

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Placed either side on governance & institutions

The countries immediately above and below Guyana in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Guyana is ahead of the world, and behind

34 more statistics filed under governance & institutions, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median13

Statistics on which Guyana does better than the middle country measured.

  • Social Protection CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 52.1100No earlier reading

    Guyana: 100 · world median 52.1 · Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.932.886▲ Improved since 2014

    Guyana: 2.886 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.

    Position 104th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9422.64▲ Improved since 2014

    Guyana: 22.64 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.

    Position 95th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.8100No earlier reading

    Guyana: 100 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Women, Business and the LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 81.2589.38▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 89.38 · world median 81.25 · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 3.125 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 54th of 190 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.458▲ Improved since 2015

    Guyana: 3.458 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.

    Position 24th of 78 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Civic Space RatingsCIVICUS · 2025 · world median 50.4670.51No earlier reading

    Guyana: 70.51 · world median 50.46 · Civic space score (0–100). CIVICUS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.17 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 63rd of 198 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.398▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 98 · world median 95.3 · Territory under effective state control (% of official territory). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 47.56 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4970.515▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 0.515 · world median 0.497 · Electoral democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.016 to 0.913; higher is better.

    Position 83rd of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0220.063▲ Improved since 2015

    Guyana: 0.063 · world median -0.022 · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -2.348 to 1.825; higher is better.

    Position 99th of 206 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.664No real change since 2015

    Guyana: 0.664 · world median 0.651 · Equal protection index (0–1); higher = rights and freedoms protected more equally across social groups and classes. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.027 to 0.986; higher is better.

    Position 85th of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.945.1No earlier reading

    Guyana: 45.1 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Political Corruption IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5180.507▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 0.507 · world median 0.518 · Political corruption index (0–1; higher = more corrupt). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.004 to 0.968; lower is better.

    Position 89th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

Behind the world median18

Statistics on which Guyana does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.3870.385▲ Improved since 2014

    Guyana: 0.385 · world median 0.387 · ND-GAIN Readiness (0–1, where 1 is the most ready). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.137 to 0.749; higher is better.

    Ranked 97th of 192 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.498.1No earlier reading

    Guyana: 98.1 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.328▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 0.328 · world median 0.353 · Liberal democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.009 to 0.884; higher is better.

    Position 92nd of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6814.01No earlier reading

    Guyana: 14.01 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.

    Position 76th of 139 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.529▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 0.529 · world median 0.445 · Neopatrimonial rule index (0–1; higher = more personalised rule). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.008 to 0.989; lower is better.

    Position 79th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • State Fiscal Source of RevenueV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.1790.992▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 0.992 · world median 1.179 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.1); higher = broader taxation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -1.716 to 3.135; higher is better.

    Position 99th of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Rule of LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.102-0.312▲ Improved since 2015

    Guyana: -0.312 · world median -0.102 · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -2.199 to 2.012; higher is better.

    Position 122nd of 211 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Control of CorruptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.197-0.377▲ Improved since 2015

    Guyana: -0.377 · world median -0.197 · Control of Corruption (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.259; higher is better.

    Position 125th of 211 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Rigorous and Impartial Public AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.333-0.02▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: -0.02 · world median 0.333 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +4.0); higher = a more rigorous and impartial administration. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -3.552 to 3.99; higher is better.

    Position 109th of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • State Capacity IndexJonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School) · 2015 · world median 0.4870.208▼ Worsened since 2005

    Guyana: 0.208 · world median 0.487 · Latent estimate of state capacity (≈ −2.3 to +3.0, centred near 0); higher = a more capable state. Jonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School), 2015 edition, data for 2015.

    Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.697; higher is better.

    Position 104th of 166 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2015 dataset

  • Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.407▲ Improved since 2015

    Guyana: -0.407 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.

    Position 131st of 209 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Open Data InventoryOpen Data Watch · 2024 · world median 5949▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: 49 · world median 59 · ODIN overall score (0–100). Open Data Watch, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 19 to 90; higher is better.

    Ranked 115th of 168 by Open Data Watch.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Bribery IncidenceWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 7.26914.88No earlier reading

    Guyana: 14.88 · world median 7.269 · Firms asked for a bribe at least once in six dealings with officials (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 64.26; lower is better.

    Position 54th of 175 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • GovTech Maturity IndexWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 0.630.379▲ Improved since 2022

    Guyana: 0.379 · world median 0.63 · GTMI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.01 to 0.997; higher is better.

    Position 141st of 196 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Meritocratic Appointment in the State AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.309-0.462▼ Worsened since 2015

    Guyana: -0.462 · world median 0.309 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.6); higher = more appointments on merit. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -2.442 to 3.584; higher is better.

    Position 131st of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1925.47▲ Improved since 2020

    Guyana: 25.47 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.

    Ranked 146th of 195 by Oxford Insights.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Firms Expecting to Make Informal Payments to Public OfficialsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.40318.36No earlier reading

    Guyana: 18.36 · world median 6.403 · Firms saying firms like theirs pay officials informally to get things done (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 55.03; lower is better.

    Position 41st of 178 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Global Indicators of Regulatory Governance ScoreWorld Bank Group · 2018 · world median 2.251No earlier reading

    Guyana: 1 · world median 2.25 · Regulatory governance score (0–5, where 5 is the most transparent rule-making). World Bank Group, 2018 edition, data for 2018.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2018 dataset

No better end3

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Senior Management Time Spent on Government RegulationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.79511.54No earlier reading

    Guyana: 11.54 · world median 6.795 · Senior management time spent dealing with government regulation (% of a typical week). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 31.33.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Central Bank Independence IndexAna Carolina Garriga, University of Essex · 2023 · world median 0.6080.522Moved since 2013

    Guyana: 0.522 · world median 0.608 · CBI index (0–1, where 1 is the most statutory independence). Ana Carolina Garriga, University of Essex, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 0.974.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Public Sector Wage BillWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 7.9752.906Moved since 2012

    Guyana: 2.906 · world median 7.975 · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.977 to 42.65.

    Position 160th of 168 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing

06The top of the list

Who leads on governance & institutions

The three countries placed highest of 194, and the leaders Guyana can most readily be measured against.

All 194 countries
  1. 1

    Denmark

    Northern Europe

    1st of 194 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  2. 2

    New Zealand

    Australia and New Zealand

    2nd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: Karora derivative work: Inkey · Public domain, greyscale

  3. 3

    Sweden

    Northern Europe

    3rd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Americas

    Canada8th4/4 keys
  2. Highest in South America

    Chile=23rd4/4 keys
  3. This page

    Guyana109th4/4 keys

Positions out of 194 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

08Questions

Guyana on governance & institutions: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Guyana rank on governance & institutions?

Guyana is placed 109th of 194 countries on Governance & Institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Government Effectiveness, Statistical Performance Indicators, Corruption Perceptions Index and Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest Government Effectiveness figure for Guyana?

0.147 in 2025 (governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.101.

What is the latest Statistical Performance Indicators figure for Guyana?

54.06 in 2024 (sPI overall score (0–100)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 69.3.

How does Guyana compare with Brazil on governance & institutions?

Brazil is placed 57th of 194, and Guyana 109th. Government Effectiveness: Brazil -0.036, Guyana 0.147; Statistical Performance Indicators: Brazil 82.31, Guyana 54.06; Corruption Perceptions Index: Brazil 35, Guyana 40; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index: Brazil 0.954, Guyana 0.668.

How have Guyana’s governance & institutions figures changed?

Government Effectiveness rose from 0.108 in 2000 to 0.147 in 2025; Statistical Performance Indicators rose from 35.89 in 2016 to 54.06 in 2024; Corruption Perceptions Index rose from 28 in 2012 to 40 in 2025; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index fell from 0.705 in 2000 to 0.668 in 2025.

Which governance & institutions statistics are missing for Guyana?

No current reading is published for Guyana on Agriculture Orientation Index, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Child and Family Benefit Coverage, Foundational ID Ownership, General Government Consumption, Government Funding per Primary Student, Government Spending on Education, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons and Public Sector Employment. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

09Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

Governance is not democracy. Free elections, civil liberties and press freedom belong to the Democracy & Civil Liberties topic, and a country can place well on one and poorly on the other. How openly official data is published sits here as context, beside the statistical capacity that is a key. Nor does this topic measure the size of government or how much it spends — the share of the economy run by the state is published on this page as context, with no better end.

About governance & institutions, in full

How the Governance & Institutions standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.

The governance & institutions method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 34 statistics on this page come from 10 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Guyana’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Guyana: Governance & Institutions — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/guyana/governance

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