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Guatemala

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While Guatemala is the largest Central American country in terms of population (14.6 million) and economic activity, its largely rural, Mayan population live in extremely difficult conditions. Distribution of land, income and other wealth is controlled by a small percentage of Guatemala’s Spanish-speaking population. An estimated 75% of Guatemalans live in poverty, and the roughly 5 million Mayans are isolated socially, economically and politically due to geographic and language barriers, as well as the lack of educational and economic opportunity. The country’s social indicators are among the worst in the hemisphere. Overall adult literacy is estimated at 70 percent, but literacy among Mayan women is estimated as low as 30 percent. Less than half of rural Guatemalans have access to running water, only a quarter have access to electricity and less than one in ten have access to modern sanitation facilities. Infant, child and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in Latin America.

Food For The Poor Projects in Guatemala

Food For The Poor has 47 projects either completed or underway in Guatemala.

  • To date, 1,671 housing units have been built and 25 more are now under construction.
  • There are four Angels Of Hope orphanages in Guatemala.
  • There are Tilapia projects including 30 in-ground ponds and 24 10-foot diameter concrete pools. Ten more ponds and 12 pools are under construction.

Fast Facts Page


General Information - Guatemala

  • Area - 42,043 sq. miles (slightly larger than Ohio)
  • Population - 13,276,517 (July 2009 est.)
  • Capital - Guatemala City
  • Languages - (Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
  • Religion - Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
  • Currency - Quetzal (GTQ) 7.6 quetzals = $1 US
  • Unemployment - 3.2% (2005 est.)
  • Literacy rate - Total population: 69.1% | Male: 75.4% | Female: 63.3% (Defined: age 15 and over can read and write), (2002 census)

Guatemala Demographics

By Age: (2009 est.)

0-14 years: 39.4% (male 2,664,058/female 2,573,006)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,655,184/female 3,884,331)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 231,652/female 268,286)

Infant Mortality: (2009 est.)

Total: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Male: 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 25.35 deaths/1,000 live births


Median Age: (2008 est.)

Total: 19.4 years
Male: 18.9 years
Female: 20 years


Life Expectancy: (2009 est.)

Total population: 70.29 years
Male: 68.49 years
Female: 72.19 years


Guatemala History


The Mayan 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 conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees.


Guatemala Did You Know?

Here are some facts: Guatemala has the highest rate of malnutrition in our hemisphere. The rate of chronic child malnutrition in Guatemala is higher than many countries in Africa. More than half the population live below the poverty line. Because of widespread malnutrition, nearly one in two children under age 5 is stunted -- the highest rate in the world. (Sources: USAID, UNICEF)