Frequently Asked Questions

Guyana is getting richer,
so why aren't its citizens...

• How much oil money has Guyana made so far?
  
  Since oil production began in 2019, Guyana has earned over US$8 billion in oil revenue by late 2025, mainly through profit oil and royalties paid into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF).
  
  (Ministry of Finance Guyana, 2025; Natural Resource Fund Quarterly Reports, 2025)
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• Where is Guyana’s oil money kept?
  
  All oil revenues are paid into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), which is held at the Bank of Guyana.The fund is designed to:
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  - store oil revenues
  - stabilise the economy
  - support national development
  
  However, while the NRF is publicly reported, there are ongoing concerns about transparency and oversight in how funds are managed.
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  (Natural Resource Fund Act, 2021; Resource Governance Index, 2021)
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• ‍How much tax do Exxon and its partners pay?
  
  Under Guyana’s 2016 oil agreement, companies like ExxonMobil and its partners pay:
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  - 2% royalty on oil production
  - 50% profit share (after costs are recovered)
  
  However, the Guyanese government also pays the companies’ corporate taxes on their behalf, meaning the companies effectively pay no direct income tax in Guyana.This arrangement has been widely criticised as being unfavourable to the country compared to global standards.
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  (Government of Guyana–Exxon Production Sharing Agreement, 2016; Open Oil, 2020)
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• How much of the money has been invested?
  
  Funds from the NRF are gradually withdrawn and used in national budgets. These have been allocated to areas such as:
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  - infrastructure (roads, housing)
  - healthcare
  - education
  - cash grants to citizens
  
  By 2025, billions of US dollars have been approved for spending, though concerns remain about how effectively this money is being translated into improvements in everyday life.
  
  (Ministry of Finance Guyana, Budget Reports 2022–2025)
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• Will there be another $100,000 payout for citizens?
  
  The government has previously issued cash grants (e.g. GYD $100,000) to citizens as part of redistributing oil wealth.
  However, these payments are:
  
  - not guaranteed
  - dependent on government policy and budget decisions.
  
  While such grants provide short-term support, critics argue they do not address long-term structural issues such as cost of living, wages, and infrastructure.
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  (Government of Guyana Budget Statements, 2024–2025)
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