Numbers

Sep 18, 2026 Editorial, News

(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?