Country Profile: Guatemala

Guatemala is a Central American nation known for its rich Mayan heritage and diverse geography. It is bordered by Mexico to the northwest and features a mix of mountainous regions and lowlands. With a population of approximately 18 million, Guatemalans predominantly identify as Mestizo and Maya, and the country grapples with challenges such as poverty and income inequality despite steady economic growth, largely fueled by remittances from abroad. The governance structure is a presidential republic, with recent political developments highlighting the ongoing evolution of its democratic institutions.

Geography

Guatemala has a diverse landscape that includes mountainous highlands, the Pacific coast, and the northern Petén lowlands. The country has a tropical climate, with hot and humid conditions in the lowlands and cooler temperatures in the highlands. Guatemala's terrain is divided by two mountain chains, featuring notable volcanic activity due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Area: 108,889 sq km
Highest point: Volcan Tajumulco at 4,220 m
Major lakes: Lago de Izabal covers 590 sq km
Coastline: 400 km along the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Honduras
Natural hazards include: frequent earthquakes and hurricanes

People and Society

Guatemala's population is approximately 18.3 million, characterized by a youthful demographic with a median age of 24.8 years. The population is predominantly Mestizo (56%) and Maya (41.7%), with Spanish as the official language. Socioeconomic challenges persist, with high poverty levels and significant rural population, although urbanization is on the rise.

Urban population: 53.1% (2023)
Birth rate: 21.4 births/1,000 population (2024)
Life expectancy: 73.5 years (2024)
Literacy rate: 83% (2022)
Population growth rate: 1.49% (2024)

Economy

Guatemala's economy is classified as developing, characterized by steady growth driven by remittances. The nation faces significant challenges, including high poverty rates, limited government services, and vulnerability to natural disasters. The service sector dominates the economy, with agriculture and industry playing crucial roles.

GDP (PPP): $232.673 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $12,600 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.3% (2024 est.)
Export partners: USA (33%), El Salvador (11%)
Poverty rate: 56% (2023 est.)

Government

Guatemala operates as a presidential republic, with its capital in Guatemala City. The political system is defined by a unicameral Congress, which consists of 160 directly elected members. The judiciary includes the Supreme Court of Justice and is responsible for interpreting the constitution and laws.

President: Bernardo Arévalo de León (since January 2024)
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Constitution adopted: 31 May 1985
Administrative divisions: 22 departments
Next election: June 2027

Military and Security

The Guatemalan military, consisting of the Army, Naval, and Air forces, primarily focuses on internal security but also participates in peacekeeping missions abroad. Military expenditures are limited, constituting 0.4% of GDP. The military has faced historical scrutiny for its role in the civil war, which ended in 1996.

Active military personnel: Approximately 20,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military service age: Males 18-50, with volunteer and conscription options
International deployments: 180 personnel in DRC (2025)
Focus areas: Combatting organized crime and supporting police forces

Energy

Guatemala has made significant strides in electricity access, achieving 99.1% coverage in 2022. The country's energy generation is diverse, with a strong reliance on hydropower, followed by fossil fuels and biomass. However, energy consumption remains below potential for economic growth.

Electricity consumption: 12.222 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed capacity: 4.995 million kW (2023 est.)
Renewable energy sources: 42% hydroelectricity (2023 est.)
Electrification in rural areas: 98.2%
Total energy consumption per capita: 17.096 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Guatemala faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The country is a participant in various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing issues such as biodiversity and climate change.

Environmental agreements: Party to 14 international agreements
Deforestation: Notable in the Petén rainforest
Pollution: Concerns over water quality
Urbanization: An urban population increase of 2.59% annually projected until 2025
Natural resources include: Petroleum, nickel, hydropower

Transportation

Guatemala's transportation infrastructure includes a network of airports, highways, and ports, although rail services have been suspended since 2007. The country has several facilities for air travel but faces challenges in expanding its transportation capabilities.

Airports: 58 (2025)
Railways: 800 km (suspended since 2007)
Ports: 3 operational ports (2024)
Merchant marine: 9 vessels (2023)
Heliports: 2 (2025)

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Guatemala is growing, with a high mobile cellular subscription rate. The internet penetration rate also reflects increasing access among the population, although challenges in infrastructure remain prevalent.

Mobile subscriptions: 20.6 million (2023)
Internet users: 56% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 1.94 million (2023)
Broadband subscriptions: 921,000 (2023)
Telephones per 100 inhabitants: 115 mobile, 11 fixed (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,255,216	2024 estimate
Area	108,889 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$232.673 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.3%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	21.4 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	73.5 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	99.1%	2022 estimate
Military Expenditures	0.4% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	53.1%	2023 estimate
Natural Resource: Forests	32.7% of land area	2022 estimate