- More than half (53%) of Guineans say women should be free to decide for themselves whether and when to get married. But only 29% endorse women’s autonomy in decisions about when to have children and how many children to have.
- Almost three-fourths (73%) of citizens say pupils who get pregnant or have children should be allowed to continue their schooling.
- Almost two-thirds (63%) endorse the teaching of sex education in school.
- Only about three in 10 Guineans say contraceptives should be made available for anyone who is sexually active regardless of age (30%) and marital status (26%).
- Three in 10 respondents (30%) say women and girls in their community “occasionally” or “often” terminate their pregnancies.
- Majorities of Guineans say abortion is “never” justified in cases where the woman’s life or health is at risk (54%), where the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest (63%), where the mother is economically unable to care for a child (67%), or where the pregnancy is unwanted for whatever reason (68%).
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are a major public health issue in the Republic of Guinea. The country continues to face significant challenges, including a high maternal mortality rate, unequal access to sexual and reproductive health services, and low satisfaction (27%) of the need for modern family-planning methods (United Nations Population Fund, 2025; Family Planning 2030, 2022). In addition, the fertility rate among adolescents aged 15-19 remains persistently high, at 117 births per 1,000 adolescents (World Bank, 2024).
These challenges stem in part from a lack of information (United Nations Population Fund, 2025). Many young people transition from childhood to adulthood without receiving the reliable, comprehensive knowledge they need regarding sexual and reproductive health. This silence – which may be rooted in both cultural taboos and a lack of educational resources – leaves girls and boys facing realities they should be able to navigate with informed understanding instead increasing their vulnerability to sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies.
While these challenges are significant, progress has been made in recent years thanks to efforts by the government and its partners in the sector (Guinéenews, 2026). Access to modern contraceptive methods has improved modestly, from 10.1% in 2018 to 13.5% in 2023 (Mamadama, 2024). The maternal mortality rate fell from 530 to 501 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2025 (United Nations Population Fund, 2026). Nonetheless, these levels call for continued investment in obstetric and neonatal care, health-worker training, supply of essential medicines, and the strengthening of reproductive health services.
Against this backdrop, a special module included in the Afrobarometer Round 10 survey explores Guineans’ views on SRHR.
Citizens express uneven levels of support for the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls. While a majority favour their autonomy in marriage decisions – and more than half support teaching sexuality education and allowing pregnant students and young mothers to stay in school – they are far less supportive of reproductive autonomy and universal access to contraception. Only about three in 10 respondents believe that women should be able to decide when to have children and how many to have, and a similar minority endorse access to contraceptives regardless of age or marital status.
Most Guineans oppose abortion, even when the pregnant woman’s life or health is at risk.
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