Country Profile: Guatemala

Guatemala is a Central American nation bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Belize, Honduras, and Mexico, characterized by a diverse geography of mountains, highlands, and lowlands. With an estimated population of 18.3 million in 2024, it is a nation rich in cultural heritage, predominantly influenced by its Indigenous Maya roots. The economy is largely driven by agriculture alongside remittances from abroad, yet faces challenges such as poverty and inequality. Governed as a presidential republic, Guatemala has a history of political instability that has shaped its modern governance and social landscape.

Geography

Guatemala is located in Central America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country features a tropical climate and a diverse terrain that includes mountainous highlands and flat lowland regions.

Area: 108,889 sq km, slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Coastline: 400 km
Highest Point: Volcan Tajumulco at 4,220 m, the tallest in Central America
Natural Resources: Includes petroleum, nickel, and hydropower
Natural Hazards: Susceptible to volcanoes and hurricanes

People and Society

Guatemala's population is diverse, with 56% classified as Mestizo, followed by 41.7% Maya. The nation's culture is influenced by its Indigenous heritage, and Spanish is the official language.

Population (2024): 18,255,216
Urban Population: 53.1%
Median Age: 26.7 years (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate: 82.1% (2024 est.)
Religions: Predominantly Evangelical 45.7% and Roman Catholic 42.4%

Economy

As a developing economy, Guatemala relies heavily on agriculture, contributing 9.8% to the GDP, with substantial remittances fueling economic growth. The nation faces high poverty rates and income inequality.

GDP (PPP 2024): $232.673 billion
Real GDP Growth Rate: 3.7% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.3% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 56% of the population below the national poverty line (2023)
Major Exports: Garments, bananas, and coffee

Government

Guatemala is a presidential republic with a history of political turmoil and military influence. The latest constitution was adopted in 1985, establishing a framework for governance and civil rights.

Capital: Guatemala City
Current President: Bernardo ARÉVALO de León (since January 2024)
Legislature: Unicameral Congress with 160 seats
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age
Independence: Declared on September 15, 1821

Military and Security

Guatemala's military, which consists of approximately 20,000 active personnel, focuses on internal security and assistance in combating organized crime.

Military Expenditure: 0.4% of GDP (2024)
Military Age: Voluntary service age ranges from 18-28
Deployments: Approximately 180 personnel in peacekeeping missions
Military Focus: Internal security operations and support for police forces

Energy

The energy sector in Guatemala is characterized by a mix of renewables and fossil fuels, with nearly universal access to electricity.

Electrification Rate: 99.1% of the population (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 4.995 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 12.222 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Renewable Energy Sources: Hydroelectricity accounts for 42% of total capacity

Environment

Guatemala faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution, compounded by climate change effects.

Deforestation Rate: Significant in the Peten rainforest
Carbon Emissions: 18.546 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Water Resources: Total renewable water resources are 127.91 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International Agreements: Signatory to multiple environmental treaties

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes a mix of air, road, and limited train services, with several airports serving international routes.

Airports: 58 as of 2025
Railways: 800 km, though currently inactive
Ports: 3 total ports for maritime transport
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: TG

Communications

Guatemala has a growing telecommunications sector, with a significant number of mobile subscriptions and internet users.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 20.6 million (2023 est.)
Internet Users: 56% of the population (2023 est.)
Narrowband Subscriptions: 921,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)
Telephones: 1.94 million fixed line subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,255,216	2024 est.
Area	108,889 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$232.673 billion	2024 est.
Unemployment Rate	2.3%	2024 est.
Poverty Rate	56%	Population below national poverty line (2023)
Literacy Rate	82.1%	2024 est.
Electrifcation Rate	99.1%	Of total population (2022 est.)
Life Expectancy	73.5 years	2024 est.
Birth Rate	17.12 births/1,000	2025 est.
Total Fertility Rate	1.97 children born/woman	2025 est.