Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is located on the Atlantic Coast on the West coast of Africa. Guinea-Bissau is a Portuguese-speaking nation. Population growth in Guinea-Bissau is lower than that of the rest of the African continent. Most of the population is currently 15 years and under. Two-thirds of the population is under 30. Healthcare systems throughout Guinea-Bissau are incredibly poor.  Improper sanitation and waste treatment remain significant challenges within this nation. Much of the population remains undernourished. In addition, tropical diseases, especially malaria, are widespread and bring high mortality rates. Other health concerns include cholera, bilharzia, and leprosy. Guinea-Bissau was once hailed as a potential model for African development but is now one of the poorest countries in the world. Having been devastated by years of struggle for independence, violence, and guerrilla warfare, the nation continues to struggle with overwhelming foreign debt and an economy which relies heavily on foreign aid. Since many drug lords have fled Columbia, it has been said that Guinea Bissau is the transition point for the cartels to send drugs into Europe. It makes one wonder if there is a connection between this and the country’s unstable political history, where no president has gone full-term since achieving independence. With over 35 people groups within Guinea-Bissau, there are still 21 Unreached People Groups that have never heard the Gospel.