Country Profile: Guatemala

Guatemala, located in Central America, has a diverse geography characterized by mountainous highlands, a Pacific coastline, and the expansive northern Peten lowlands. Home to a population of approximately 18.3 million people, the nation has a rich cultural heritage mainly influenced by its indigenous Maya roots. The economy is developing, primarily driven by agriculture and remittances, but faces challenges such as high poverty rates and income inequality. Governed as a presidential republic, Guatemala is currently navigating its democratic processes following a lengthy history of conflict and political unrest.

Geography

Guatemala is situated in Central America, bordered by the North Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Honduras. The country covers an area of 108,889 sq km, featuring a tropical climate with significant elevation differences that create distinct regions.

Highest Point: Volcan Tajumulco at 4,220 m, the tallest in Central America.
Area Comparison: Slightly smaller than Pennsylvania.
Coastline: 400 km of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Natural Hazards: Susceptible to earthquakes and hurricanes due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

People and Society

Guatemala boasts a population of about 18.3 million people, with a majority living in the southern highlands. The society is culturally rich, composed mainly of Mestizo (56%) and Maya (41.7%) ethnic groups.

Languages: Spanish is the official language, spoken by 69.9% of the population, while various Maya languages are spoken by 29.7%.
Urbanization: Approximately 53.1% of the population resides in urban areas.
Religions: The population is predominantly Evangelical (45.7%) and Roman Catholic (42.4%).
Life Expectancy: 73.5 years for the total population as of 2024.

Economy

Guatemala's economy is categorized as a developing economy with GDP estimated at $232.673 billion in 2024. It is marked by agricultural production but suffers from poverty and inequality.

GDP Growth Rate: Projected at 3.7% in 2024.
Unemployment Rate: As low as 2.3% in 2024.
Poverty Rate: 56% of the population lives below the national poverty line as of 2023.
Exports: Key products include garments, bananas, and coffee, with the USA as the primary trading partner (33% of exports).

Government

Guatemala is a presidential republic, with a government structure defined by a constitution adopted on May 31, 1985, and reinstated in 1994.

Current President: Bernardo Arévalo de León, in office since January 15, 2024.
Legislative Body: Unicameral Congress with 160 directly elected members.
Suffrage: Citizens over 18 years can vote; military personnel are restricted on election day.
Administrative Divisions: The country is divided into 22 departments.

Military and Security

The Guatemalan military comprises the Army, Naval, and Air Forces, focusing heavily on domestic security to address internal issues such as gang violence.

Military Personnel: Approximately 20,000 active members as of 2025.
Expenditures: Military spending has remained at 0.4% of GDP since 2020.
Mandatory Service: Men and women aged 18-28 can volunteer, with a service obligation of 12-24 months.
Previous Conflicts: The military played a significant role in the civil conflict lasting 36 years.

Energy

Guatemala has made strides in electrification, with 99.1% of the population having access to electricity.

Installed Capacity: Approximately 4.995 million kW as of 2023.
Renewable Sources: 42% of energy comes from hydroelectricity.
Petroleum Production: Estimated at 6,000 barrels per day in 2023.
Electricity Consumption: Reached 12.222 billion kWh in 2023.

Environment

The country faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution, primarily due to agricultural practices and urbanization.

Forest Coverage: Approximately 33.2% of land is forested as of 2023.
Environmental Agreements: A participant in multiple international environmental agreements.
Pollution Concerns: Notable issues include soil erosion and carbon emissions from various industries.

Transportation

Guatemala's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of roadways and air services, though rail services are currently suspended.

Airports: 58 in total as of 2025.
Road Network: Key part of domestic transportation, although details on total length are sparse.
Merchant Marine: Consists of 9 vessels active in trade as of 2023.
Ports: The country hosts 3 ports, primarily for oil and goods transport.

Communications

The telecommunications sector is expanding, with a substantial number of mobile phone subscriptions.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 20.6 million active lines in 2023.
Internet Users: Roughly 56% of the population has internet access.
Fixed-line Telephones: Approximately 1.94 million subscriptions recorded in 2023.
Broadband Access: Fixed broadband subscriptions total 921,000 as of 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	18,255,216 (2024 est.)	Total population estimate for 2024
Area	108,889 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$232.673 billion (2024 est.)	Estimated GDP in purchasing power parity for 2024
Unemployment Rate	2.3% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Birth Rate	17.12 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Estimated birth rate for 2025
Life Expectancy	73.5 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy for the total population
Electricity Access	99.1% (2022 est.)	Percentage of population with electricity access
Military Expenditures	0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)	Military spending as a percentage of GDP for 2024
Urban Population	53.1% (2023)	Percentage of total population living in urban areas
Population Below Poverty Line	56% (2023 est.)	Percentage of population living below the poverty line