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EDUCATION
Guinea ’s government provides a free education for students at all levels attending a state school. Children start their “primary” education at age seven, and continue for about six years. Although the primary education is mandated, little more than half of all children actually attend. Secondary education then begins for teenagers at thirteen years old, and continues for seven years. According to 1997 statistics, about 68% of boys receive a primary education, while only 41% of girls do. The gender gap widens even further through secondary schools as only 7% of girls remain, and 20% of boys. In 1999, the Guinea government allocated 8.1 % of its total budget for educational expenses ( Maher, 1855) .
DEFENSE
As of a couple of years ago, Guinea ’s armed forces were comprised of almost 10,000 people. 8,500 of which made up the army, 400 the navy, and 800 the air force. “The defense budget for 2001 was estimated at 100,000 million FG ( Maher, 1854) .
MILITARY EXPENDITURE: $154 Million (in 2002)
EXPENDITURE AS PERCENT OF GDP: 3.3% (in 2002)
MANPOWER FIT FOR MILITARY SERVICE: Males age 15-49: 1,038,428 (in 2002)