Guam Population: 167,772
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| History | |
| Spain ceded Guam to the US in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installations on the island are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific; they also constitute the island’s most important source of income and economic stability. |
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| Geography | |
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| Location: | Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines |
| Geographic coordinates: | 13 28 N, 144 47 E |
| Area: | total: 544 sq km land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km Size comparison: three times the size of Washington, DC |
| Land Boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 125.5 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
| Climate: | tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation |
| Terrain: | volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south |
| Natural resources: | aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped) |
| Land use: | agricultural land: 33.4% (2011 est.) arable land: 1.9% (2011 est.) permanent crops: 16.7% (2011 est.) permanent pasture: 14.8% (2011 est.) forest: 47.9% (2011 est.) other: 18.7% (2011 est.) |
| Irrigated land: | 2 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards: | frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December) |
| Current Environment Issues: | fresh water scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; extermination of native bird populations by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species |
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| People | |
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| Nationality: | noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian |
| Ethnic groups: | Chamorro 37.3%, Filipino 26.3%, white 7.1%, Chuukese 7%, Korean 2.2%, other Pacific Islander 2%, other Asian 2%, Chinese 1.6%, Palauan 1.6%, Japanese 1.5%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, mixed 9.4%, other 0.6% (2010 est.) |
| Languages: | English 43.6%, Filipino 21.2%, Chamorro 17.8%, other Pacific island languages 10%, Asian languages 6.3%, other 1.1% (2010 est.) |
| Religions: | Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.) |
| Population: | 167,772 (July 2018 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 27.48% (male 23,893 /female 22,207) 15-24 years: 16.4% (male 14,692 /female 12,816) 25-54 years: 37.18% (male 32,170 /female 30,207) 55-64 years: 10.05% (male 8,627 /female 8,236) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 6,947 /female 7,977) (2018 est.) |
| Dependency ratios: | total dependency ratio: 52.3 (2015 est.) youth dependency ratio: 38.8 (2015 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 13.6 (2015 est.) potential support ratio: 7.4 (2015 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 29.1 years male: 28.4 years female: 29.9 years (2018 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 0.23% (2018 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 19.4 births/1,000 population (2018 est.) |
| Death rate: | 6 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | -11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.) |
| Urbanization: | urban population: 94.8% of total population (2018) rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) |
| Major urban areas - population: | 147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2018 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 76.4 years male: 73.9 years female: 78.9 years (2018 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 2.92 children born/woman (2018 est.) |
| Drinking water source: | improved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 99.5% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access: | improved: urban: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) rural: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) total: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) unimproved: urban: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) rural: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) total: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | n/a |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | n/a |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | n/a |
| Education expenditures: | n/a Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 29.4% male: 29.7% female: 28.9% (2011 est.) |
| Literacy: | |
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| Government | |
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| Country name: | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Guam local long form: none local short form: Guahan abbreviation: GU etymology: the native Chamorro name for the island "Guahan" (meaning "we have" or "ours") was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, whereby Spain relinquished Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US |
| Government type: | presidential democracy; a self-governing unincorporated territory of the US |
| Capital: | name: Hagatna (Agana) geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name is derived from the Chamoru word "haga," meaning "blood", and may refer to the bloodlines of the various families that established the original settlement |
| Administrative divisions: | none (territory of the US) |
| Independence: | none (territory of the US) |
| National holiday: | Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521) |
| Constitution: | history: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution) amendments: amended many times, last in 2015 (2017) |
| Legal system: | common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017) head of government: Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019); Lieutenant Governor Josh TENORIO (since 7 January 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022) election results: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO elected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 50.7%, Ray TENORIO (Republican Party) 26.4%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor |
| Legislative branch: | description: unicameral Legislature of Guam or Liheslaturan Guahan (15 seats; members elected in a single countrywide constituency by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms) elections: last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5; composition - men 5, women 10, percent of women 66.7% note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020); election results - seat by party - Democratic Party 1; composition 1 man |
| Judicial branch: | highest courts: Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life subject to retention election every 10 years subordinate courts: Superior Court of Guam - includes several divisions; US Federal District Court for the District of Guam (a US territorial court; appeals beyond this court are heard before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit) |
| Political parties and leaders: | Democratic Party [Joaquin "Kin" PEREZ] Republican Party [Jerry CRISOSTOMO] |
| International organization participation: | AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU |
| National symbol(s): | coconut tree; national colors: deep blue, red |
| National anthem: | name: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians) lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States) |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | none (territory of the US) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | none (territory of the US) |
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| Economy | |
US national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed closely by tourism and other services. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.988 billion in 2016, or 34.2 of Guam’s GDP. Of that total, federal grants and cover-over payments amounted to $3444.1 million in 2016, or 35.8% of Guam’s total revenues for the fiscal year. In 2016, Guam’s economy grew 0.3%. Despite slow growth, Guam’s economy has been stable over the last decade. National defense spending cushions the island’s economy against fluctuations in tourism. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists in Guam, amounted to over $1 billion for the first time in 2016, or 17.8% of GDP. | |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | $5.793 billion (2016 est.) $5.697 billion (2015 est.) $5.531 billion (2014 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | $5.793 billion (2016 est.) (2016 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 0.4% (2016 est.) 0.5% (2015 est.) 1.6% (2014 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP): | $35,600 (2016 est.) $35,200 (2015 est.) $34,400 (2014 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 56.2% (2016 est.) government consumption: 55% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: n/a (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 19.4% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: n/a industry: n/a services: 58.4% n/a (2015 est.) |
| Agriculture - products: | fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef |
| Industries: | national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles |
| Industrial production growth rate: | n/a |
| Labor force: | 73,210 (2016 est.) note: includes only the civilian labor force |
| Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture: 0.3% industry: 21.6% services: 78.1% (2013 est.) |
| Unemployment rate: | 4.5% (2017 est.) 3.9% (2016 est.) |
| Population below poverty line: | 23% (2001 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: n/a highest 10%: n/a |
| Budget: | revenues: 1.24 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: 1.299 billion (2016 est.) |
| Taxes and other revenues: | 21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2016 est.) |
| Public debt: | 22.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 32.1% of GDP (2013) |
| Fiscal year: | 1 October - 30 September |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 1% (2017 est.) 0% (2016 est.) |
| Exports: | $1.124 billion (2016 est.) $1.046 billion (2015 est.) |
| Exports - commodities: | transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, foodstuffs and beverages |
| Exports - partners: | Palau 13.6% (2017) |
| Imports: | $2.964 billion (2016 est.) $3.054 billion (2015 est.) |
| Imports - commodities: | petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods |
| Imports - partners: | Singapore 41.7%, Japan 30.6%, Hong Kong 10.6% (2017) |
| Debt - external: | n/a |
| Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: | (31 December 2009 est.) |
| Exchange rates: | the US dollar is used |
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| Energy | |
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| Electricity - production: | 1.722 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption: | 1.601 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports: | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - imports: | 0 kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity: | 560,000 kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels: | 94% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels: | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources: | 6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Crude oil - production: | 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Crude oil - exports: | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Crude oil - imports: | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Crude oil - proved reserves: | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production: | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption: | 14,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports: | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports: | 13,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Natural gas - production: | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption: | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports: | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports: | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves: | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy: | 2.214 million Mt (2017 est.) |
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| Communications | |
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| Cellular Phones in use: | total subscriptions: 181,000 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (July 2016 est.) |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers (2018) domestic: three major companies provide both fixed-line and mobile services, as well as access to the Internet; fixed-line 42 per 100 and 113 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2018) international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) |
| Broadcast media: | about a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations |
| Internet country code: | .gu |
| Internet users: | total: 125,328 percent of population: 77% (July 2016 est.) |
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| Transportation | |
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| Airports: | 5 (2013) |
| Airports (paved runways): | total 4 (2017) over 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017) |
| Airports (unpaved runways): | total 1 (2013) under 914 m: 1 (2013) |
| Roadways: | total 1,045 km (2008) |
| Merchant marine: | total 3 by type: other 3 (2018) |
| Ports and terminals: | major seaport(s): Apra Harbor |
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| Military | |
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| Defense is the responsibility of the US | |
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| Transnational Issues | |
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| Disputes - International: | none |
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