Guyana

C

Local Government

Guyana is divided into ten regions. Each region is governed by a council.

D

Political Parties

The People’s National Congress (PNC; founded 1957) held power from independence until 1992, when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP; 1950) won a parliamentary majority. The PNC is largely supported by the black African population, while the PPP is Indian-dominated. Other parties to gain seats at the 2006 general election include the Alliance for Change (formed 2005), the United Force (1960), and the Guyana Action Party/Rise, Organize and Rebuild Guyana (GAP/ROAR) coalition.

E

Health and Welfare

The Guyanese government provides social assistance, including old-age pensions and relief for the aged, the infirm, and destitute children; delinquency services; and community services. Public-health measures have eliminated malaria as a major problem. In 2004 there were 2,075 people for every doctor, and the infant mortality rate, in 2008, was 30.4 deaths per 1,000 births. Life expectancy at birth is 63.8 years for men and 69.2 years for women (2008). In total, the government spent 10.37 per cent of GDP on health in 1990.

F

Defence

The armed forces of Guyana are organized in one group, called the Guyana Defence Forces, which in 2004 had about 1,100 members.

G

International Organizations

Guyana is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth of Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), CARICOM, Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), and the Organization of American States (OAS).