Managing Guyana’s Migration Shocks: Tentative Proposals

This chapter offers tentative insights into possible demographic shocks that Guyana may experience in the near future. The first shock is entirely internal and may be linked to climate change and global warming. This shock may see a large portion of the country’s population moving away from the coast as a result of flooding. The second shock may be linked to immigration driven by the petroleum industry and the need for increased human resources in that sector. The migratory shocks may lead to reduction in the country’s housing stock due to increased demand. This could result in a housing crisis unless tempered by appropriate government responses. The chapter recommends strengthening the country’s sea defense systems in response to threats of increased flooding along the coastal plain which is below sea level. The second is housing construction away from the Coast.