Cost Of Living For a Family in Guyana 2025

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Guyana

Average monthly spending for families in Guyana

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: GYD
93,000 270,000 1.7M
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$440 $1,300 $8,300

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Guyana?

Families in Guyana spend around 270,000 GYD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 93,000 GYD or as high as 1.7M GYD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.

Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Guyana

Family expenditure to income ratio in Guyana

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Guyana

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

91%

84% to 100%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Guyana spend around 91% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 84% of their income while some as high as 100%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Guyana

How do families spend their money in Guyana?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost26%

26% of total expenses on average (21% to 36%)

LOW$140   30,000 GYD
AVERAGE$410   85,000 GYD
HIGH$2,600   550,000 GYD
Per Month

Families in Guyana typically spend from 21% to 36% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 85,000 GYD with expenditure ranging from 30,000 GYD to 550,000 GYD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)

LOW$22   4,600 GYD
AVERAGE$64   13,000 GYD
HIGH$410   86,000 GYD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Guyana ranges from 4% to 9% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 13,000 GYD with 4,600 GYD and 86,000 GYD being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW$44   9,300 GYD
AVERAGE$130   27,000 GYD
HIGH$830   170,000 GYD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 9,300 GYD to 170,000 GYD in a month on commuting with 27,000 GYD being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 7%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost21%

21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)

LOW$80   17,000 GYD
AVERAGE$230   48,000 GYD
HIGH$1,500   310,000 GYD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Guyana is 48,000 GYD. The cost of groceries can range between 17,000 GYD to 310,000 GYD. Families spend on average about 21% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 14% and 27% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)

LOW$40   8,400 GYD
AVERAGE$130   27,000 GYD
HIGH$660   140,000 GYD
Per Month

Families in Guyana allocate 7% to 16% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 8,400 GYD to 140,000 GYD with 27,000 GYD being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW$22   4,600 GYD
AVERAGE$64   13,000 GYD
HIGH$410   86,000 GYD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 4,600 GYD to 86,000 GYD with 13,000 GYD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)

LOW$62   13,000 GYD
AVERAGE$180   37,000 GYD
HIGH$1,200   240,000 GYD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 13% of the monthly expenditure of families with 6% and 21% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 37,000 GYD per month with 13,000 GYD being the minimum spent amount and 240,000 GYD being the maximum.

Other Expenses16%

16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW$36   7,400 GYD
AVERAGE$100   21,000 GYD
HIGH$660   140,000 GYD
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Guyana

What percentage of families in Guyana are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
52%
Not Saving
48%

Almost 52% of surveyed families in Guyana said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 48% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Guyana

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

7% 13% of income 26%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

30,000 GYD
$140
86,000 GYD
$410
560,000 GYD
$2,700
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%41%
10% - 20%31%
20% - 30%21%
30% - 40%3%
40% - 50%3%
> 50%1%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 7% to 26% of their monthly income to their savings, with 13% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 86,000 GYD with 30,000 GYD and 560,000 GYD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Guyana

Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Guyana

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

180 GYD 350 GYD 590 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.84 $1.7 $2.8

Restaurant meal for one

590 GYD 880 GYD 1,800 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.8 $4.2 $8.4

Fine dining meal for one

1,200 GYD 1,800 GYD 7,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.6 $8.4 $34

Cappuccino or latte

150 GYD 230 GYD 350 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.70 $1.1 $1.7

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

120 GYD 140 GYD 180 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.56 $0.67 $0.84

12 eggs

88 GYD 120 GYD 180 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.42 $0.56 $0.84

Fresh whole chicken

200 GYD 260 GYD 370 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.96 $1.2 $1.8

Pack of beef

230 GYD 350 GYD 700 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.7 $3.4

Medium bag of rice

95 GYD 130 GYD 180 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.45 $0.62 $0.88

Bag of tomatos

35 GYD 47 GYD 88 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.17 $0.22 $0.42

Bag of apples

63 GYD 82 GYD 140 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.30 $0.39 $0.65
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Guyana

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

150 GYD 180 GYD 350 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.70 $0.84 $1.7

Average car full tank

880 GYD 1,200 GYD 2,300 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.2 $5.6 $11

Average car 1-day rental

880 GYD 1,200 GYD 1,800 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.2 $5.6 $8.4

Average car price

440,000 GYD 880,000 GYD 1.2M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,100 $4,200 $5,600

Bus ticket one way

29 GYD 44 GYD 88 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.14 $0.21 $0.42

Car Service

1,200 GYD 1,800 GYD 3,500 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.6 $8.4 $17
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas for a family in Guyana

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

4,600 GYD 13,000 GYD 86,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $64 $410

Internet and cable

880 GYD 1,800 GYD 2,300 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.2 $8.4 $11

Mobile phone charges

700 GYD 1,200 GYD 3,500 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.4 $5.6 $17

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

440 GYD 590 GYD 880 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.1 $2.8 $4.2

One month gym membership

1,400 GYD 1,800 GYD 3,500 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.7 $8.4 $17
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Guyana

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

1,000 GYD 1,500 GYD 2,200 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5 $7 $11

Woman dress

980 GYD 1,400 GYD 4,400 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.7 $6.5 $21

Woman shoes

930 GYD 1,300 GYD 2,900 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.4 $6 $14

Men's shoes

800 GYD 980 GYD 2,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.8 $4.7 $9.4

Men suit

880 GYD 1,100 GYD 5,900 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.2 $5.3 $28

Regular t-shirt

440 GYD 590 GYD 1,800 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.1 $2.8 $8.4
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Guyana

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

15,000 GYD 22,000 GYD 59,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$70 $110 $280

1-bedroom apartment

22,000 GYD 35,000 GYD 88,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $170 $420

2-bedroom apartment

29,000 GYD 44,000 GYD 120,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $210 $560

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

2.9M GYD 4.4M GYD 8.8M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14,000 $21,000 $42,000

1-bedroom apartment

3.5M GYD 5.9M GYD 22M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17,000 $28,000 $110,000

2-bedroom apartment

5.9M GYD 18M GYD 35M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$28,000 $84,000 $170,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Guyana

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

18,000 GYD 22,000 GYD 29,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$84 $110 $140

Double Bed

12,000 GYD 18,000 GYD 22,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$56 $84 $110

Single Bed

10,000 GYD 14,000 GYD 18,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$50 $65 $84

Living Room

20,000 GYD 25,000 GYD 88,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$94 $120 $420

Dining Table

8,800 GYD 12,000 GYD 22,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42 $56 $110

Sofa or Couch

12,000 GYD 16,000 GYD 35,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$56 $77 $170
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Guyana

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

12,000 GYD 18,000 GYD 35,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$56 $84 $170

Fridge or Freezer

10,000 GYD 16,000 GYD 22,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$50 $77 $110

Washing Machine

14,000 GYD 20,000 GYD 35,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$65 $94 $170

Stove or Cooker

13,000 GYD 16,000 GYD 22,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60 $77 $110

Mobile Phone

15,000 GYD 18,000 GYD 25,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$70 $84 $120

Laptop or Computer

16,000 GYD 20,000 GYD 35,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$77 $94 $170
Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Guyana

Saving Challenges in Guyana

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Guyana. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income5%
High Expenses8%
Debt and Loans13%
Lack of Budgeting Skills12%
Impulsive Spending12%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment5%
Will do it later21%
Inflation13%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 5% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Guyana

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Guyana

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Guyana

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

15,000 GYD 22,000 GYD 59,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$70 $110 $280

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

22,000 GYD 35,000 GYD 88,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $170 $420

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

29,000 GYD 44,000 GYD 120,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $210 $560

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

35,000 GYD 59,000 GYD 160,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$170 $280 $770

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

70,000 GYD 180,000 GYD 350,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$340 $840 $1,700

Townhouse monthly rent cost

59,000 GYD 88,000 GYD 250,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$280 $420 $1,200

House monthly rent cost

70,000 GYD 180,000 GYD 350,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$340 $840 $1,700

Villa monthly rent cost

88,000 GYD 220,000 GYD 350,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$420 $1,100 $1,700

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Guyana ranges between 15,000 GYD and 59,000 GYD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 22,000 GYD to 88,000 GYD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 29,000 GYD and 120,000 GYD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 35,000 GYD to 160,000 GYD. The average rent of a townhouse in Guyana is around 88,000 GYD while house rental costs can be as high as 180,000 GYD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 88,000 GYD to 350,000 GYD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Guyana

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

2.9M GYD 4.4M GYD 8.8M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14,000 $21,000 $42,000

1-bedroom apartment price

3.5M GYD 5.9M GYD 22M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17,000 $28,000 $110,000

2-bedroom apartment price

5.9M GYD 18M GYD 35M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$28,000 $84,000 $170,000

3-bedroom apartment price

20M GYD 29M GYD 88M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$94,000 $140,000 $420,000

Townhouse price

25M GYD 59M GYD 220M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120,000 $280,000 $1.1M

House price

29M GYD 180M GYD 250M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $840,000 $1.2M

Villa price

35M GYD 200M GYD 290M GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$170,000 $940,000 $1.4M

The average price of a studio apartment in Guyana can range from 2.9M GYD to 8.8M GYD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 3.5M GYD to 22M GYD. A villa can cost you 200M GYD on average with prices ranging from 35M GYD to 290M GYD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Guyana will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


31 x86 monthly income 191
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Guyana can be x86 to x191 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x86 multiples of the average monthly salary in Guyana.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


19% 29% of income 39%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Guyana is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
27%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
1.9%
AVERAGE
2.9%
TO
3.9%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


270 GYD 3,400 GYD 34,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Guyana

Low-cost alternatives in Guyana

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options56%

Few low-cost options44%


Based on the survey, 56% of the families living in Guyana have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Guyana

Typical saving choices for families in Guyana

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold13%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings21%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks4%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes53%

No47%


Based on the survey, 47% of the families living in Guyana said that they don't have an emergency fund while 53% said that they do.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Guyana

Affordable living in Guyana

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Guyana?


Yes
55%
No
45%

Around 55% of surveyed families think that living in Guyana is affordable with proper budgeting while 45% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Guyana

Financial Literacy in

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy50%


We asked family guardians and parents in Guyana whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 50% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 50% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 47% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 53% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance47%

Easily manages finances53%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Guyana

Financial goals of families in Guyana

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Guyana, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund8%
Debt Reduction42%
Retirement Savings10%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing6%
Travel or Lifestyle7%
Healthcare Expenses14%
Financial Independence5%

Around 8% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 42% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 7% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Guyana

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Guyana


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
30%
Debt Free
70%

According to the survey, 30% of the families in Guyana have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Guyana

Debt-to-income ratio in Guyana

Debt to income ratio

32%

24% to 40%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 32% of a family's monthly income in Guyana goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%18%
40% - 50%14%
30% - 40%16%
20% - 30%10%
10% - 20%12%
0% - 10%25%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Guyana pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 18% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 14% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 16% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Guyana

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage8%
Auto Loan15%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card30%
Personal Loan43%

8% of debtors in Guyana confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 15% of people and personal loans rose at 43%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Guyana.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Guyana

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never50%
Once a year24%
Twice a year13%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Guyana

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Guyana

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

4,600 GYD 13,000 GYD 86,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $64 $410

Internet and cable cost

880 GYD 1,800 GYD 2,300 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.2 $8.4 $11

Mobile phone bill and charges

700 GYD 1,200 GYD 3,500 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.4 $5.6 $17

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 13,000 GYD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 880 GYD to 2,300 GYD with 1,800 GYD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,200 GYD but can range between 700 GYD and 3,500 GYD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


4% 7% of income 11%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Guyana is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Guyana

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Guyana

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

180 GYD 350 GYD 590 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.84 $1.7 $2.8

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Guyana is approximatly 350 GYD with meal cost ranging from 180 GYD to 590 GYD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

590 GYD 880 GYD 1,800 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.8 $4.2 $8.4

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 590 GYD and 1,800 GYD with 880 GYD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Guyana.

Fine dining meal for one price

1,200 GYD 1,800 GYD 7,000 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.6 $8.4 $34

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 1,200 GYD to 7,000 GYD with the average cost being 1,800 GYD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Guyana.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

150 GYD 230 GYD 350 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.70 $1.1 $1.7

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Guyana is around 230 GYD. Price ranges between 150 GYD and 350 GYD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

120 GYD 140 GYD 180 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.56 $0.67 $0.84

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Guyana is 140 GYD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 180 GYD and the minimum being 120 GYD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

88 GYD 120 GYD 180 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.42 $0.56 $0.84

A dozen eggs costs around 120 GYD on average with 88 GYD and 180 GYD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

200 GYD 260 GYD 370 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.96 $1.2 $1.8

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Guyana is between 200 GYD and 370 GYD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 260 GYD.

Pack of beef price

230 GYD 350 GYD 700 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.7 $3.4

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 350 GYD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

95 GYD 130 GYD 180 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.45 $0.62 $0.88

A bag of rice in Guyana costs around 130 GYD on average with prices rangeing between 95 GYD and 180 GYD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

35 GYD 47 GYD 88 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.17 $0.22 $0.42

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 35 GYD to 88 GYD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

63 GYD 82 GYD 140 GYD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.30 $0.39 $0.65

A bag of apples costs 82 GYD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


19% 27% of income 33%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Guyana is around 27%. This means that families spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 17,000 GYD to 310,000 GYD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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