Country Profile: Guatemala

Guatemala, nestled in Central America, is bordered by the North Pacific Ocean and boasts a tropical climate characterized by hot, humid lowlands and cooler highlands. With a population estimated at over 18 million, the country experiences significant rural residency and is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups. Guatemala's economy is still developing, heavily reliant on remittances, and faces challenges such as high poverty rates and income inequality. Governance is structured as a presidential republic, with the latest elections occurring in mid-2023.

Geography

Guatemala is strategically located in Central America, sharing borders with Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. The country's total area is approximately 108,889 square kilometers, characterized by mountainous highlands, a volcanic landscape, and fertile lowlands. Significant natural resources include petroleum and hydropower, although the environment is at risk from deforestation and natural disasters.

• 2 major mountain chains divide the country into three distinct geographical regions.
• 4,220 m is the elevation of Volcan Tajumulco, the highest point in Central America.
• 33.2% of land is classified as forested (2023).
• 400 km of coastline borders both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

People and Society

Guatemala's estimated population is around 18.3 million (2024), with a complex tapestry of ethnicities including 56% Mestizo and 41.7% Maya. The official language is Spanish, but there are 23 recognized indigenous languages, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage. The population has a median age of 26.7 years, highlighting a young demographic that is growing at an annual rate of 0.99%.

• 31.5% of the population is aged between 0-14 years.
• 73.5 years is the estimated life expectancy at birth (2024).
• 82.1% of the population is literate (2024).
• 56% of the population lives below the poverty line (2023).

Economy

Guatemala's economy is classified as developing, with a GDP of approximately $232.7 billion (2024), supported significantly by remittances that constitute about 19.1% of GDP. The economy is marked by high poverty and inequality, with a Gini index value of 45.2 (2023). The labor force is around 7.575 million, and the unemployment rate is low at 2.3% (2024).

• 3.7% is the projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
• Industry accounts for 21.7% of GDP, while services contribute 61.8% (2024).
• Exports are primarily made up of garments, bananas, and coffee, reaching $18 billion in recent years.
• The agricultural sector occupies 43% of land use (2023).

Government

Guatemala is a presidential republic with a capital in Guatemala City. The current president, Bernardo Arévalo de León, took office on January 15, 2024, following elections held on June 25, 2023. The government is organized into 22 departments, and the constitution was last adopted in 1985. Suffrage is universal for citizens aged 18 and older.

• The legislature consists of a unicameral Congress with 160 members.
• Political parties play a significant role, with the major parties including Vamos and UNE (National Unity of Hope).
• The national holiday celebrating independence from Spain is on September 15.

Military and Security

Guatemala maintains a military force of approximately 20,000 active personnel and spends about 0.4% of GDP on military expenditures. The military primarily focuses on internal security, collaborating with the National Civil Police to combat crime. The nation has a history of using the military to support security operations in response to organized crime and gang violence.

• 180 troops are currently deployed in international peacekeeping missions.
• The military age for service is between 18-28 years.
• The military's role has transitioned from historical power during civil conflict (1960-1996) to current internal security support.

Energy

The country's electrification rate is an impressive 99.1%, with the majority of the population having access to electricity. The installed electricity generation capacity is 4.995 million kW, primarily sourced from hydroelectricity.

• 42% of the installed capacity comes from hydroelectric sources (2023).
• Daily petroleum consumption is about 117,000 bbl/day (2023).
• Total energy consumption per capita stands at 17.096 million Btu/person (2023).

Environment

Guatemala faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The country is a party to various international environmental agreements aiming to protect biodiversity and combat climate change.

• 43% of land is utilized for agriculture (2023).
• 2.757 million tons of municipal solid waste is generated annually (2024).
• 18.546 million metric tons of CO2 emissions are recorded (2023).

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure includes 58 airports and 9 merchant vessels. However, rail service has been suspended since 2007, and the country relies on other modes of transport for freight and passenger movement.

• 800 km of railway tracks exist but are currently not operational (2018).
• 3 ports are in operation, with key ports being Puerto Barrios and Puerto Quetzal.

Communications

Approximately 56% of the population uses the internet, and there are 20.6 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023). The fixed-line system has around 1.94 million subscribers.

• 4 major national TV channels dominate broadcast media.
• 921,000 fixed broadband subscriptions exist (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,255,216 (2024 est.)
Area	108,889 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$232.673 billion	(2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	17.096 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.3% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	17.12 births/1,000 population	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	73.5 years (2024 est.)