2016 Edition

Background

The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict, which had left more than 200,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, about 1 million refugees.

Area

108,889 sq km 107,159 sq km 1,730 sq km

land

107,159 sq km

total

108,889 sq km

water

1,730 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Coastline

400 km

Elevation

759 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m (highest point in Central America)

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m (highest point in Central America)

mean elevation

759 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Geography - note

no natural harbors on west coast

Irrigated land

3,375 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,667 km Belize 266 km, El Salvador 199 km, Honduras 244 km, Mexico 958 km

border countries (4)

Belize 266 km, El Salvador 199 km, Honduras 244 km, Mexico 958 km

total

1,667 km

Land use

41.2% arable land 14.2%; permanent crops 8.8%; permanent pasture 18.2% 33.6% 25.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

41.2%

forest

33.6%

other

25.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (elev. 3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (elev. 2,552 m), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana

volcanism

significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (elev. 3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (elev. 2,552 m), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana

Natural resources

petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Population - distribution

the vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau

Age structure

35.02% (male 2,711,683/female 2,608,295) 21.8% (male 1,663,484/female 1,647,749) 33.53% (male 2,425,931/female 2,666,790) 5.23% (male 377,642/female 416,939) 4.42% (male 311,165/female 360,280) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

35.02% (male 2,711,683/female 2,608,295)

15-24 years

21.8% (male 1,663,484/female 1,647,749)

25-54 years

33.53% (male 2,425,931/female 2,666,790)

55-64 years

5.23% (male 377,642/female 416,939)

65 years and over

4.42% (male 311,165/female 360,280) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

24.5 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

929,852 21% data represent children ages 5-17 (2006 est.)

note

data represent children ages 5-17 (2006 est.)

percentage

21%

total number

929,852

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

12.6% (2015)

Death rate

4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Guatemala is a predominantly poor country that struggles in several areas of health and development, including infant, child, and maternal mortality, malnutrition, literacy, and contraceptive awareness and use. The country's large indigenous population is disproportionately affected. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and has the highest fertility rate in Latin America. It also has the highest population growth rate in Latin America, which is likely to continue because of its large reproductive-age population and high birth rate. Almost half of Guatemala's population is under age 19, making it the youngest population in Latin America. Guatemala's total fertility rate has slowly declined during the last few decades due in part to limited government-funded health programs. However, the birth rate is still more than three children per woman and is markedly higher among its rural and indigenous populations. Guatemalans have a history of emigrating legally and illegally to Mexico, the United States, and Canada because of a lack of economic opportunity, political instability, and natural disasters. Emigration, primarily to the United States, escalated during the 1960 to 1996 civil war and accelerated after a peace agreement was signed. Thousands of Guatemalans who fled to Mexico returned after the war, but labor migration to southern Mexico continues.

Dependency ratios

70.9% 62.6% 8.3% 12.1% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

8.3%

potential support ratio

12.1% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

70.9%

youth dependency ratio

62.6%

Drinking water source

urban: 98.4% of population rural: 86.8% of population total: 92.8% of population urban: 1.6% of population rural: 13.2% of population total: 7.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

13.2% of population

total

7.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.6% of population

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census)

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.57% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,700 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

54,600 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

22 deaths/1,000 live births 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births 19.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

19.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

23.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

22 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official) 60%, Amerindian languages 40% there are 23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca

note

there are 23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca

Life expectancy at birth

72.3 years 70.3 years 74.4 years (2016 est.)

female

74.4 years (2016 est.)

male

70.3 years

total population

72.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 81.5% 87.4% 76.3% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

76.3% (2015 est.)

male

87.4%

total population

81.5%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne disease

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

GUATEMALA CITY (capital) 2.918 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

88 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

21.7 years 21 years 22.4 years (2016 est.)

female

22.4 years (2016 est.)

male

21 years

total

21.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.3 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008/09 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008/09 est.)

Nationality

Guatemalan(s) Guatemalan

adjective

Guatemalan

noun

Guatemalan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.4% (2014)

Physicians density

0.93 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

15,189,958 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

the vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas

Population growth rate

1.79% (2016 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Sanitation facility access

urban: 77.5% of population rural: 49.3% of population total: 63.9% of population urban: 22.5% of population rural: 50.7% of population total: 36.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

50.7% of population

total

36.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

22.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 10 years (2013)

female

10 years (2013)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.83 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

6.3% 6.5% 5.8% (2013 est.)

female

5.8% (2013 est.)

male

6.5%

total

6.3%

Urbanization

51.6% of total population (2015) 3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

51.6% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Capital

Guatemala City 14 37 N, 90 31 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

14 37 N, 90 31 W

name

Guatemala City

time difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 5 years with no absences of six consecutive months or longer or absences totaling more than a year

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years with no absences of six consecutive months or longer or absences totaling more than a year

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; suspended, reinstated, and amended in 1994 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Guatemala Guatemala Republica de Guatemala Guatemala name derives from the Mayan word meaning "land of trees"

conventional long form

Republic of Guatemala

conventional short form

Guatemala

etymology

name derives from the Mayan word meaning "land of trees"

local long form

Republica de Guatemala

local short form

Guatemala

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Todd D. ROBINSON (since 10 October 2014) 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City DPO AA 34024 [502] 2326-4000 [502] 2326-4654

chief of mission

Ambassador Todd D. ROBINSON (since 10 October 2014)

embassy

7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City

FAX

[502] 2326-4654

mailing address

DPO AA 34024

telephone

[502] 2326-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Gladys Marithza RUIZ SANCHEZ (since 2 June 2016) 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 745-4952 [1] (202) 745-1908 Del Rio (TX), San Bernadino (CA), Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ) Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), Miami, New York, Phoenix, Providence (RI), San Francisco, Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ)

chancery

2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Gladys Marithza RUIZ SANCHEZ (since 2 June 2016)

consulate(s)

Del Rio (TX), San Bernadino (CA), Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), Miami, New York, Phoenix, Providence (RI), San Francisco, Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ)

FAX

[1] (202) 745-1908

telephone

[1] (202) 745-4952

Executive branch

President Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (since 14 January 2016); Vice President Jafeth CABRERA Franco (since 14 January 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (since 14 January 2016); Vice President Jafeth CABRERA Franco (since 14 January 2016) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (not eligible for consecutive terms); election last held in 2 rounds on 6 September and 25 October 2015 (next to be held in September 2019) Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) elected president; percent of vote in first round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) 23.8%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 19.8%, Manuel BALDIZON (LIDER) 19.6%; percent of vote in second round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) 67.4%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 32.6%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (since 14 January 2016); Vice President Jafeth CABRERA Franco (since 14 January 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) elected president; percent of vote in first round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) 23.8%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 19.8%, Manuel BALDIZON (LIDER) 19.6%; percent of vote in second round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) 67.4%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 32.6%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (not eligible for consecutive terms); election last held in 2 rounds on 6 September and 25 October 2015 (next to be held in September 2019)

head of government

President Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (since 14 January 2016); Vice President Jafeth CABRERA Franco (since 14 January 2016)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) representing liberty and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles signifying Guatemala's willingness to defend itself and a pair of crossed swords representing honor and framed by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory; the blue bands represent the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea; the white band denotes peace and purity

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 13 magistrates including the court president and organized into 3 chambers); note - the court president also supervises trial judges countrywide; Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad (consists of 5 judges and 5 alternates) Supreme Court magistrates elected by the Congress of the Republic from candidates proposed by the Postulation Committee, an independent body of deans of the country's university law schools, representatives of the country's law associations, and representatives of the Courts of Appeal; magistrates elected for concurrent, renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court judges - 1 elected by the Congress of the Republic, 1 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 1 by the (public) University of San Carlos, and 1 by the lawyers bar association; judges elected for concurrent, renewable 5-year terms; the presidency of the court rotates among the magistrates for a single 1-year term numerous first instance and appellate courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 13 magistrates including the court president and organized into 3 chambers); note - the court president also supervises trial judges countrywide; Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad (consists of 5 judges and 5 alternates)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court magistrates elected by the Congress of the Republic from candidates proposed by the Postulation Committee, an independent body of deans of the country's university law schools, representatives of the country's law associations, and representatives of the Courts of Appeal; magistrates elected for concurrent, renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court judges - 1 elected by the Congress of the Republic, 1 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 1 by the (public) University of San Carlos, and 1 by the lawyers bar association; judges elected for concurrent, renewable 5-year terms; the presidency of the court rotates among the magistrates for a single 1-year term

subordinate courts

numerous first instance and appellate courts

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; 127 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies within each of the country's 22 departments by simple majority vote and 31 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 6 September 2015 (next to be held in September 2019) percent of vote by party - LIDER 19.10%, UNE 14.83%, TODOS 9.74%, PP 9.43%, FCN 8.75%, EG 6.24%, PU 5.69%, UCN 5.43%, Winaq-URNG-MAIZ 4.32%, Convergence 3.84%, VIVA 3.66%, PAN 3.42, FUERZA 2.07%, other 3.48%; seats by party - LIDER 44, UNE 36, TODOS 18, PP 17, FCN 11, EG 7, UCN 6, PU 5, Winaq-URNG-MAIZ 3, Convergence 3, VIVA 3, PAN 3, FUERZA 2

description

unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; 127 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies within each of the country's 22 departments by simple majority vote and 31 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - LIDER 19.10%, UNE 14.83%, TODOS 9.74%, PP 9.43%, FCN 8.75%, EG 6.24%, PU 5.69%, UCN 5.43%, Winaq-URNG-MAIZ 4.32%, Convergence 3.84%, VIVA 3.66%, PAN 3.42, FUERZA 2.07%, other 3.48%; seats by party - LIDER 44, UNE 36, TODOS 18, PP 17, FCN 11, EG 7, UCN 6, PU 5, Winaq-URNG-MAIZ 3, Convergence 3, VIVA 3, PAN 3, FUERZA 2

elections

last held on 6 September 2015 (next to be held in September 2019)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala) Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911

lyrics/music

Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE

name

"Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala)

note

adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

quetzal (bird); national colors: blue, white

quetzal (bird); national colors

blue, white

Political parties and leaders

Commitment, Renewal, and Order or CREO [Roberto GONZALEZ Diaz-Duran] Convergence Democratic Union or UD [Edwin Armando MARTINEZ Herrera] Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENEGRO Cottom] Everyone Together for Guatemala or TODOS [Felipe ALEJOS] FUERZA [Maurico REDFORD] Grand National Alliance or GANA [Jaime Antonio MARTINEZ Lohayza] Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or Winaq-URNG [Angel SANCHEZ Viesca] Institutional Republican Party (formerly the Guatemalan Republican Front) or PRI [Luis Fernando PEREZ] National Advancement Party or PAN [Juan GUTIERREZ Strauss] National Unity for Hope or UNE [Sandra TORRES] Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Mario ESTRADA] National Convergence Front or FCN [Edgar Justino OVALLE Maldonado] New National Alternative or ANN [Pablo MONSANTO] Patriot Party or PP [Ingrid Roxana BALDETTI Elias] Renewed Democratic Liberty or LIDER [Manuel BALDIZON] Unionista Party or PU [Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen] Victoria (Victory) [Amilcar RIVERA] Vision with Values or VIVA [Harold CABALLEROS] (part of a coalition with EG during the last legislative election)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Alliance Against Impunity or AI (includes among others Center for Legal Action on Human Rights (CALDH), Family and Friends of the Disappeared of Guatemala (FAMDEGUA)) Civic and Political Convergence of Women Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF Foundation for the Development of Guatemala or FUNDESA Guatemala Visible Mutual Support Group or GAM Movimiento PRO-Justicia National Union of Agriculture Workers or UNAGRO

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces and police by law cannot vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens

Budget

$6.909 billion $7.824 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$7.824 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$6.909 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.23% (31 December 2015 est.) 13.77% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$315 million (2015 est.) -$1.23 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$18.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $18.76 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

53 (2014 est.) 56 (2011)

Economy - overview

Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly half the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for 13.6% of GDP and 31% of the labor force; key agricultural exports include sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemala's large expatriate community in the US. These inflows are a primary source of foreign income, equivalent to over one-half of the country's exports or one-tenth of its GDP. The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and since then Guatemala has pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in July 2006, spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA-DR has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and 23% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up more than 40% of the population, averages 79%, with 39.8% of the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. Guatemala is facing growing fiscal pressures exacerbated by multiple corruption scandals in 2015 that led to the resignation of the president, vice president, and numerous high-level economic officials.

Exchange rates

quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.6548 (2015 est.) 7.7322 (2014 est.) 7.7322 (2013 est.) 7.83 (2012 est.) 7.7854 (2011 est.)

Exports

$10.83 billion (2015 est.) $10.99 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

sugar, coffee, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, manufacturing products, precious stones and metals, electricity

Exports - partners

US 34.9%, El Salvador 8.4%, Honduras 7.3%, Nicaragua 5%, Canada 4.6%, Mexico 4.3%, Costa Rica 4.1% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

85% 10.4% 13.2% 0.2% 21.3% -30% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

21.3%

government consumption

10.4%

household consumption

85%

imports of goods and services

-30% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

13.2%

investment in inventories

0.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

13.2% 23.6% 62.9% (2015 est.)

agriculture

13.2%

industry

23.6%

services

62.9% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,700 (2015 est.) $7,600 (2014 est.) $7,500 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2015 est.) 4.3% (2014 est.) 3.7% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$63.91 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$125.9 billion (2015 est.) $121 billion (2014 est.) $116.1 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

13.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 11.6% of GDP (2014 est.) 11.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.3% 42.4% (2006)

highest 10%

42.4% (2006)

lowest 10%

1.3%

Imports

$16.38 billion (2015 est.) $17.06 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity, mineral products, chemical products, plastic materials and products

Imports - partners

US 38.3%, China 13.4%, Mexico 11.8%, El Salvador 4.9% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

3.7% (2015 est.)

Industries

sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.4% (2015 est.) 3.4% (2014 est.)

Labor force

4.528 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

31.2% 14.4% 54.4% (2014 est.)

agriculture

31.2%

industry

14.4%

services

54.4% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

59.3% (2014 est.)

Public debt

28.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 29.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.746 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $7.329 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$23.19 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $21.17 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$28.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $26.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$10.05 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $9.19 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

10.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.9% (2014 est.) 3% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

13 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

8,711 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

10,040 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

83.07 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

8.915 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.025 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

61.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

29.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

8.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

664 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.73 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

10 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

1,600,000 78% 85% 72% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

72% (2013)

electrification - total population

78%

electrification - urban areas

85%

population without electricity

1,600,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.96 billion cu m (1 January 2006 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

87,840 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

12,960 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

100,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1,228 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadcast media

4 privately owned national terrestrial TV channels dominate TV broadcasting; multi-channel satellite and cable services are available; 1 government-owned radio station and hundreds of privately owned radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.gt

Internet users

4.043 million 27.1% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

27.1% (July 2015 est.)

total

4.043 million

Telephone system

fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala state-owned telecommunications company privatized in the late 1990s opened the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity roughly 10 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are being concentrated on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity about 120 per 100 persons country code - 502; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the SAM-1 fiber-optic submarine cable system that, together, provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

domestic

state-owned telecommunications company privatized in the late 1990s opened the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity roughly 10 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are being concentrated on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity about 120 per 100 persons

general assessment

fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala

international

country code - 502; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the SAM-1 fiber-optic submarine cable system that, together, provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

1,718,851 12 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

12 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

1,718,851

Telephones - mobile cellular

18.121 million 121 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

121 (July 2015 est.)

total

18.121 million

Airports

291 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

16

under 914 m

4 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

195 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

77

total

275

under 914 m

195 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

TG (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

National air transport system

93,129 455,520 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

455,520 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

93,129

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

8

number of registered air carriers

3

Pipelines

oil 480 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla

major seaport(s)

Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla

Railways

800 km 800 km 0.914-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

800 km 0.914-m gauge (2014)

total

800 km

Roadways

17,332 km 7,483 km 9,849 km (includes 4,795 km of rural roads) (2015)

paved

7,483 km

total

17,332 km

unpaved

9,849 km (includes 4,795 km of rural roads) (2015)

Waterways

990 km (260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season) (2012)

Military branches

National Army of Guatemala (Ejercito Nacional de Guatemala, ENG; includes Guatemalan Navy (Fuerza de Mar, including Marines) and Guatemalan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca, FAG)) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.42% of GDP (2014) 0.46% of GDP (2013) 0.44% of GDP (2012) 0.41% of GDP (2011) 0.42% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are eligible for military service; in practice, most of the force is volunteer, however, a selective draft system is employed, resulting in a small portion of 17-21 year-olds conscripted; conscript service obligation varies from 1 to 2 years; women can serve as officers (2013)

Disputes - international

annual ministerial meetings under the Organization of American States-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to half of Belize, but agrees to Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution, but this vote was suspended indefinitely; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the US

Illicit drugs

major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem

Refugees and internally displaced persons

251,000 (more than three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996 displaced mainly the indigenous Maya population and rural peasants; ongoing drug cartel and gang violence) (2015)

IDPs

251,000 (more than three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996 displaced mainly the indigenous Maya population and rural peasants; ongoing drug cartel and gang violence) (2015)