Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
Numbers
(Kaieteur News) – By any measurement, the numbers are grand. In any part of the world, Guyana’s out-of-this-world economic numbers, would stand alone for the fantastic nature of them. A half-year growth rate of 33.3% is something to cheer about. An inflation rate of 4% is simply outstanding. And, for the Gross Domestic Product for second half 2026 to be increased to 20.8% projects significant optimism. Citizens should give themselves some applause for numbers that the world is sure to envy. First, we do a comparison, then take a position.
At 2025 midyear, growth was recorded at 7.5%. Healthy, but not what could be called outstanding. At 2026 midyear, economic growth was measured at 33.3%, in excess of four times last year’s 7.5% number. The oil and gas sector had a banner first six months of this year, with a vigorous 41.3% expansion to boast about. War in the Middle East, and consistently high daily production levels, were big contributors. Last year, the midyear report was 14% for the nonoil sector, and the same sector expanded by 10.1% in the equivalent 2026 period. What do these numbers tell the people of this nation? What feelings of pride they introduce into the local environment? What disappointments and resentments they instill in citizens stuck at different rungs of the local economic ladder?
To begin with, these economic numbers are so good that every citizen should feel good about themselves. Mid to high single-digit GDP numbers are a cause for celebration in some parts of the world. Economic experts and authoritative institutions, such as the World Bank and IMF applaud those relatively low numbers. In Guyana, however, the numbers are multiples of what is considered vibrant and inspiring. Accordingly, Guyana’s numbers could only lead to one conclusion. Citizens fortunate to be a part of this country on the rise, and at a dizzying rate, should all be doing well, if not very well. There is enough economic output and more than enough economic returns for every citizen of Guyana to benefit handsomely. The ugly fact is that this is not the situation.
Despite a rain of great growth numbers, and inflation miraculously kept in check at 4%, there are still huge stretches in Guyana living in economic distress, i.e., in actual poverty or borderline poverty. The wrangling about poverty numbers has been heated and nonstop. But the honest in Guyana, whether in the government or on the ground, would have to admit that there are too many citizens who are hungry and live with many areas of dire need in their lives. By whatever means the government derived its 4% inflation number, or from wherever source it got that dubious number, there can be no denying one simple fact. There are many, many, people in this country, who cannot buy food, who cannot pay their bills, who cannot live with confidence and joy. The GDP number could be at 50%, but their experience is on the other side of that reality: they live in economic distress. This is tragic in a time and place, where economic growth numbers are blowing through the roof, and past prior national records.
The past years since the arrival of oil have had rosy numbers. This present year continues the trend with rosy numbers. The projection for the second half of this year glitters with rosy numbers. With wrenching poverty stalking many citizens, where are the gains from all these rosy economic achievements going? Who is on the inside track and benefiting, and who is not? How many are now rich beyond their dreams, with oil spiraling to unknown heights? What is the true number of citizens, who cannot dream of economic prosperity because they are too busy trying to scratch out some meager form of existence in order to survive?
Onetime hopefuls in Guyana are numb by the weight of heavy national economic numbers. The numbers are so high and so heavy, yet there are those here, who only know a life of limping, an existence that is hard and demanding. It is a time of groaning for them. A crying shame, a national disgrace, amid these exceptional growth numbers. When the numbers grow, all the people should grow alongside them.
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