| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 0.91 | 3.66 | 3.86 | 1.7 | 3.08 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| CPI % | 15.03 | 11.77 | 7.81 | 2.95 | 3.97 | 6.2 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 4.0 |
| Unemployment rate | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Debt/GDP % | - | 18.0 | 19.78 | 23.4 | 25.72 | 27.2 | 26.3 | 27.2 | 27.6 | 28.1 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | -3.98 | -4.85 | -4.91 | -0.8 | -0.52 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 4.8 | 3.2 | 2.2 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
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.
Area: 108,889 sq km km2
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
Groups: Mestizo (mixed Indigenous-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Maya 41.7%, Xinca (Indigenous, non-Maya) 1.8%, African descent 0.2%, Garifuna (mixed West and Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak) 0.1%, foreign 0.2% (2018 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%, K'iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q'anjob'al 1.2%, Poqomchi' 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna) (2018 est.)
Religions: Evangelical 45.7%, Roman Catholic 42.4%, none 11%, unspecified 0.9% (2023 est.)
Capital: Guatemala City
Government type: presidential republic
Chief of state: President Bernardo ARÉVALO de León (since 15 January 2024)
Head of government: President Bernardo ARÉVALO de León (since 15 January 2024)
Description: Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la República) - unicameral
developing Central American economy; steady economic growth fueled by remittances; high poverty and income inequality; limited government services, lack of employment opportunities, and frequent natural disasters impede human development efforts and drive emigration
sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 9.8% (2024 est.), Industry: 21.7% (2024 est.), Services: 61.8% (2024 est.)
Export partners: USA 33%, El Salvador 11%, Honduras 9%, Nicaragua 6%, Mexico 4% (2023)
Export commodities: garments, bananas, coffee, palm oil, raw sugar (2023)
Import partners: USA 30%, China 19%, Mexico 11%, El Salvador 4%, Costa Rica 3% (2023)
Import commodities: refined petroleum, video displays, cars, trucks, packaged medicine (2023)
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Military expenditure: 2024: 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.