European settlement in Guyana began with the Dutch in the late 16th century. The British then ruled for 200 years, until the country gained independence in 1966. Though geographically in South America, the country is culturally and historically tied to the Caribbean. Today, Guyana is ethnically and religiously diverse, and politics are dominated by two rival parties: the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress (PNC). Both parties are left-leaning, though support is driven more by ethnic identity than ideology, a legacy of Dutch and British colonial rule. While the PPP appeals to voters in the majority Indo-Guyanese population, the PNC is supported by  Afro-Guyanese descent. Indigenous peoples in Guyana make up to around 10 per cent of the population and remain politically and economically marginalized and experience multidimensional poverty. 90 per cent of Amerindian communities live in the country’s sparsely populated interior isolated from social services and political bargaining opportunities and frequently encountering unauthorized land encroachment for resource exploitation.

With over 80% of the country covered by rainforest, Guyana is one of the few net-zero carbon emitters, though this status may be challenged by its new oil industry. As the country’s oil boom drives economic growth, the rivalry between the PPP and PNC has intensified, exacerbating ethnic tension. In a country with a history of ‘endemic corruption’, there are fears that the  control of Guyana's oil royalties in the Natural Resources Fund could become politically ethnicized. The country’s turn to oil exploitation has faced significant criticism and led environmental organizations to start litigations over the state allowing oil companies to bypass environmental laws. In addition to control of oil wealth, corruption is also a driver of modern-day politics. Despite a history of credible elections, allegations of incumbent-led corruption and improper vote tabulation in the 2020 national election sparked widespread condemnation and legal action. Delayed judicial appointments  and prosecutorial staff shortages have also produced massive court backlogs and long pretrial detention periods in overcrowded prisons. The government is tackling this problem, seeking to abolish preliminary inquiries and reform bail procedures.

Gender-based discrimination is barred by law, but not enforced. Despite the country’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in politics, workplace discrimination and gender-based violence remain rampant. In 2023,  the government passed the country’s Domestic Violence Act, implementing harder measures for perpetrators and introducing criminal liability for violence. Guyana criminalizes same-sex intimacy and the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face severe discrimination and violence.

Looking ahead, it will be important to watch whether newfound economic prosperity translates into better life conditions for the population and its impacts in the country’s performance in  Rights, particularly in Basic Welfare and Gender Equality. Despite the government expressed commitment to strengthening accountability, Absence of Corruption remains a factor to watch. It will be important to observe the judiciary and prison reforms, as well as whether growth fuels ethnopolitical divisions. Finally, the country’s legal recognition of indigenous land rights will be critical to monitor.

Last Updated: June 2024