Photo: Bill Cameron · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Guyana: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Guyana is placed joint 125th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 48.41 (2025); Labour Income Share 56.11 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint125th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Guyana on work & labour — 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.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
48.41
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Guyana: 48.41. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in South America
- 76.29 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Brazil 59.37 · Suriname 49.61 · Venezuela 49.17
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
11.96
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Guyana: 11.96. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in South America
- 2.967 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Brazil 5.97 · Suriname 7.834 · Venezuela 5.307
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
25.34
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Guyana: 25.34. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in South America
- 18.38 Suriname
- Land neighbours
- Brazil 26.08 · Suriname 18.38 · Venezuela 37.3
02Over time
Which way Guyana is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
GuyanaWorld median
Guyana fell from 50.39 in 2000 to 48.41 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Guyana World median 2025 48.409 57.720 2024 48.591 57.694 2023 48.182 58.158 2022 47.587 57.688 2021 43.726 56.066 2020 42.974 55.691 2019 45.209 57.871 2018 48.188 56.911 2017 48.112 56.738 2016 48.288 56.845 2015 48.514 56.788 2014 48.832 56.774 2013 49.151 56.229 2012 49.437 56.289 2011 49.672 56.297 2010 49.848 56.212 2009 50.090 56.255 2008 50.291 57.308 2007 50.409 56.933 2006 50.487 56.685 2005 50.246 56.129 2004 50.092 55.465 2003 49.889 55.630 2002 49.617 55.843 2001 50.051 56.018 2000 50.386 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
GuyanaWorld median
Guyana rose from 54.88 in 2004 to 56.11 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Guyana World median 2025 56.113 46.230 2024 54.816 46.060 2023 55.084 45.900 2022 53.943 45.615 2021 55.365 45.433 2020 57.958 47.267 2019 55.251 46.277 2018 54.666 46.187 2017 54.871 46.467 2016 54.855 46.798 2015 54.943 46.876 2014 54.903 47.281 2013 54.836 46.887 2012 54.782 46.231 2011 54.783 45.679 2010 54.814 46.024 2009 54.829 47.071 2008 54.885 45.312 2007 54.714 45.246 2006 54.776 45.670 2005 54.993 46.265 2004 54.878 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
GuyanaWorld median
Guyana rose from 11.92 in 2000 to 11.96 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Guyana World median 2025 11.962 5.08 2024 11.874 5.15 2023 11.917 5.21 2022 11.907 5.34 2021 14.576 6.04 2020 15.308 6.38 2019 13.172 5.36 2018 13.627 5.35 2017 13.466 5.59 2016 13.263 5.90 2015 13.009 6.41 2014 12.637 6.58 2013 12.296 6.71 2012 12.029 6.79 2011 11.811 6.90 2010 11.632 7.04 2009 11.307 6.67 2008 11.018 5.79 2007 10.840 6.00 2006 10.700 6.50 2005 11.085 7.09 2004 11.281 6.80 2003 11.529 6.95 2002 11.810 6.91 2001 11.796 6.96 2000 11.917 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
GuyanaWorld median
Guyana fell from 31.68 in 2000 to 25.34 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Guyana World median 2025 25.339 28.67 2024 25.819 29.04 2023 26.709 29.33 2022 28.274 29.67 2021 30.013 30.01 2020 29.417 30.54 2019 28.466 29.98 2018 28.634 30.15 2017 29.085 29.93 2016 29.495 29.91 2015 29.840 30.26 2014 30.086 30.47 2013 30.305 31.14 2012 30.535 31.00 2011 30.777 31.41 2010 30.968 32.37 2009 31.136 32.59 2008 31.279 31.76 2007 31.427 33.47 2006 31.558 34.27 2005 31.553 34.66 2004 31.511 35.51 2003 31.528 35.90 2002 31.533 35.96 2001 31.600 35.27 2000 31.677 35.67
03In context
Guyana beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Guyana and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil | =56th | 59.37 | 59.5 | 5.97 | 26.08 |
 Suriname | =119th | 49.61 | 49.92 | 7.834 | 18.38 |
| Guyana | =125th | 48.41 | 56.11 | 11.96 | 25.34 |
 Venezuela | 164th | 49.17 | 9.691 | 5.307 | 37.3 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Guyana in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Guyana is ahead of the world, and behind
29 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median10
Statistics on which Guyana does better than the middle country measured.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384243,17547,384▲ Improved since 2015
Guyana: 243,175 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1699.6222.16▲ Improved since 2015
Guyana: 99.62 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 5th of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.910045.9No earlier reading
Guyana: 100 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0763.0132.07No earlier reading
Guyana: 63.01 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74246,0946,742▲ Improved since 2015
Guyana: 46,094 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 14th of 151 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.531.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Guyana: 0.53 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.3040.337No real change since 2018
Guyana: 0.304 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 51st of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.8134.885▲ Improved since 2015
Guyana: 0.813 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23029,30025,230▼ Worsened since 2010
Guyana: 29,300 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 71st of 151 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8917.6317.89▼ Worsened since 2018
Guyana: 17.63 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 37th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which Guyana does worse than the middle country measured.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6814.0116.68No 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.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7648.8236.76No earlier reading
Guyana: 48.82 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 43rd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1617.6719.16No earlier reading
Guyana: 17.67 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 102nd of 179 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,4051,636▲ Improved since 2018
Guyana: 1,405 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 43rd of 75 · derived.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989198▼ Worsened since 2015
Guyana: 91 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3647.3553.36▲ Improved since 2015
Guyana: 47.35 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 129th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6654.9961.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Guyana: 54.99 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 139th of 182 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Guyana: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8159.8541.81No earlier reading
Guyana: 59.85 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 33rd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8324.912.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Guyana: 24.9 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 29th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5622.1612.56▲ Improved since 2018
Guyana: 22.16 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 11th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Guyana: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8831.0918.88Moved since 2015
Guyana: 31.09 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 15th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8943.3138.89Moved since 2015
Guyana: 43.31 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 36th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4520.4113.45Moved since 2018
Guyana: 20.41 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8431.1131.84Moved since 2015
Guyana: 31.11 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 94th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95618.75657.95Moved since 2014
Guyana: 618.75 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3812.2114.38Moved since 2015
Guyana: 12.21 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 98th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5156.6959.51Moved since 2015
Guyana: 56.69 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 100th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Guyana
Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2021), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Public Sector Employment and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2021). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“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
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Guyana’s 14 topics
Work & Labour is Guyana’s 10th best-placed topic of 14. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Security26th of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 34th of 1843/4 keys
- Gender & Equality55th of 1832/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability56th of 1862/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital68th of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties98th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing112th of 2004/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions109th of 1944/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience112th of 1933/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 125th of 1824/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge148th of 1983/4 keys
- Digital & Technology167th of 1984/4 keys
- Energyjoint 150th of 1652/3 keys
- Mobility & Trade161st of 1774/4 keys
No standing on Economy & Innovation, Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Guyana can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
United States14th4/4 keysHighest in South America
Bolivia=29th4/4 keysThis page
Guyana=125th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Guyana and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Guyana on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Guyana is placed joint 125th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Guyana?
48.41 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Guyana?
56.11 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Guyana compare with Brazil on work & labour?
Brazil is placed joint 56th of 182, and Guyana joint 125th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Brazil 59.37, Guyana 48.41; Labour Income Share: Brazil 59.5, Guyana 56.11; Unemployment Rate: Brazil 5.97, Guyana 11.96; Vulnerable Employment: Brazil 26.08, Guyana 25.34.
How have Guyana’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 50.39 in 2000 to 48.41 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 54.88 in 2004 to 56.11 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 11.92 in 2000 to 11.96 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 31.68 in 2000 to 25.34 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Guyana?
No current reading is published for Guyana on Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Public Sector Employment and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 29 statistics on this page come from 2 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.
- Guyana (banner) — Bill Cameron, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Guyana: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/guyana/work