Guatemala
Country statistics · 1990–present
Guatemala at a Glance
Guatemala is home to 18.4 million people as of 2024, with a population that is growing very rapidly. At a GDP per capita of $8,207, it is a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Life expectancy at birth stands at 72.7 years, below the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 18.4 million as of 2024. With a birth rate of 20.6 and a death rate of 4.9 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 15.8 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 290,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Guatemala is a smaller economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $162 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $8,207 per person, it is classified as a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Real GDP growth is projected at 3.8% in 2029, representing solid growth.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 72.7 years (2024), below the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $392 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 82.1% (2024), reflecting a majority-literate adult population. 60.2% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating growing but uneven digital access. Access to safe drinking water reaches 48.8% of the population (2024), representing limited safe drinking water access, a significant public health priority.