Guam Country Summary

Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States. As such, we are including the information for the United States below:

FATF Status

The U.S.A. is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The latest follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in the USA was undertaken by in 2024. According to that Evaluation, the USA was deemed Compliant for 9 and Largely Compliant for 23 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly Effective for 4 and Substantially Effective for 4 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Guam, as an unincorporated territory of the United States, faces significant challenges related to crime and corruption, particularly in areas such as human trafficking, drug trade, and financial crimes. Despite these issues, there are efforts in place to enhance resilience, including robust legal frameworks and civil society initiatives aimed at supporting victims and increasing public trust in governance.

Guam's economy is characterized as an upper-income, tourism-based system, heavily reliant on tourism, military installations, and local businesses for its growth and stability. Despite facing significant challenges from COVID-19, the economy showed a promising real GDP growth rate of 5.1% in 2022, with military bases playing a crucial role by occupying 29% of the island's land and providing financial support. The investment climate benefits from Guam's status as a U.S. territory, which offers a stable legal framework and access to U.S. markets, although investors must contend with limited land availability and environmental concerns while exploring opportunities in tourism and infrastructure.