Although geopolitically recognized as Anglo-Caribbean, Guyana is the only English-speaking nation in South America and has a landmass of 214,969 square kilometers. With an estimated population of 821,637, this former British colony is endowed with an abundance of natural resources, including gold, bauxite, forestry, and oil and gas as of 2015. Currently, Guyana is the fastest-growing economy in the world and one of the richest countries in the Western Hemisphere in terms of per capita growth. This chapter reports the findings of a survey of the socio-economic landscape of Guyana, aimed at highlighting the country’s major economic and social progress and post-independence challenges. Secondary data sourced from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations, and the Bureau of Statistics informs the descriptive statistical analyses undertaken. Understanding how the country’s socio-economic landscape has changed over the years helps in rethinking development policies and practices. This follows a critical review of the country’s post-independence experiences, ending with the oil and gas era. As readers will discover, Guyana has made significant economic progress since its independence. However, it still faces significant challenges in reducing poverty and improving access to quality and affordable healthcare services.