According to, the total population was in. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2010 was 33.6%, 62.1% was between 15 and 65 years of age, while 4.3% was 65 years or older.
Total population
Proportion aged 0–14
Proportion aged 15–64
Proportion aged 65+
1950
407
39.9
56.0
4.1
1955
483
43.6
52.8
3.6
1960
560
46.3
50.4
3.3
1965
640
47.7
49.0
3.4
1970
721
48.7
47.9
3.4
1975
749
45.5
50.9
3.6
1980
777
42.5
53.7
3.8
1985
752
38.6
57.0
4.4
1990
725
34.4
60.6
5.0
1995
728
34.6
60.4
5.0
2000
733
35.5
60.0
4.5
2005
746
36.9
59.3
3.8
2010
754
33.6
62.1
4.3
Structure of the population
Structure of the population
Age Group
Male
Female
Total
%
Total
393,059
391,835
784,894
100
0–4
34,029
33,673
67,701
8.63
5–9
32,778
32,423
65,201
8.31
10–14
39,978
37,943
77,921
9.93
15–19
43,487
41,518
85,004
10.83
20–24
34,877
34,545
69,423
8.84
25–29
26,816
28,694
55,510
7.07
30–34
27,189
27,635
54,824
6.98
35–39
27,764
25,690
53,454
6.81
40–44
27,112
25,322
52,434
6.68
45–49
25,775
24,914
50,689
6.46
50–54
22,163
23,275
45,438
5.59
55–59
17,672
17,488
35,160
4.48
60–64
13,995
13,878
27,873
3.55
65–69
7,988
9,467
17,455
2.22
70–74
5,440
7,012
12,451
1.59
75–79
3,529
4,585
8,114
1.03
80+
2,469
3,773
6,242
0.80
Age structure
0–14 years: 35.6% 15–64 years: 60.2% 65 years and over: 4.2%
The present population of Guyana is racially and ethnically heterogeneous, with ethnic groups originating from India, Africa, Europe, and China, as well as indigenous or aboriginal peoples. The largest ethnic group are the Indo-Guyanese, the descendants of indentured laborers from India, who make up 39.8% of the population, according to the 2012 census. They are followed by the Afro-Guyanese, the descendants of enslaved laborers from Africa, who constitute 29.3. Guyanese of mixed heritage make up 19.9% while the indigenous peoples make up 10.5% The indigenous groups include the Arawaks, the Wai Wai, the Caribs, the Akawaio, the Arecuna, the Patamona, the Wapixana, the Macushi and the Warao. The two largest groups, the Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese, have experienced some racial tension. Most Indo-Guyanese are descended from Bhojpuri-speaking Bihari, Uttar Pradesh, and Bengali migrants. Many Indo-Guyanese are also Tamil-speaking Tamils from Tamil Nadu, and Telugus of Andhra Pradesh in South India. The distribution pattern in the 2002 census was similar to those of the 1980 and 1991 censuses, but the share of the two main groups has declined. Indo-Guyanese made up 51.9% of the total population in 1980, but by 1991 this had fallen to 48.6%, and then to 43.5% in the 2002 census. Those of African descent increased slightly from 30.8% to 32.3% during the first period before falling to 30.2% in the 2002 census. With small growth in the overall population, the decline in the shares of the two larger groups has resulted in the relative increase of shares of the multiracial and Amerindian groups. The Amerindian population rose by 22,097 people between 1991 and 2002. This represents an increase of 47.3% or annual growth of 3.5%. Similarly, the multiracial population increased by 37,788 persons, representing a 43.0% increase or annual growth rate of 3.2% from the base period of 1991 census. The number of Chinese and White population is about 0.5%.
Language
English is the official language of Guyana, which is the only South American country with English as the official language. Guyanese Creole is widely spoken in Guyana. A number of Amerindian languages are also spoken by a minority of the population. These include Cariban languages such as Macushi, Akawaio and Wai-Wai; Arawakan languages such as Arawak and Wapishana. Other languages spoken include Chinese, Guyanese Hindustani and Tamil.
Second and third languages
is increasingly widely used as a second language in Guyana, particularly in the south of the country, bordering on Brazil. Dutch and French are spoken by those who frequently visit neighboring French Guiana and Suriname. French is widely taught in secondary schools along with Spanish as foreign languages. Spanish is also used by a minority of the population as a second language. Spanish is spoken typically by visitors and residents from Venezuela.
