Guatemala: crime and justice

Where are Guatemala's crime figures published?

The Ministry of the Interior publishes a monthly dashboard, Tu Gobierno en Números, with results for the National Civil Police and the prison system, most recently for September 2026. Its figures load in an interactive panel, and no crime figures could be read from it or from the National Civil Police site on 15 October 2026.

The Public Ministry (the prosecution service), whose site could not be reached that day, and the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), which blocked automated access, are other official sources of crime and forensic information. International bodies such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime publish homicide rates for Guatemala where national figures exist.

Official sources: Tu Gobierno en Números · National Civil Police site

What is the homicide rate in Guatemala?

Guatemala's homicide rate was 17.4 per 100,000 people in 2025, according to the Ministry of the Interior's 2025 annual report, using its data to 31 December 2025. The ministry reports that 110 municipalities recorded no homicides in 2025.

The rate is based on homicides recorded by the National Civil Police and published by the ministry, which charts the annual rate from 2016 to 2025 in the report. Other bodies, such as the forensic science institute (INACIF) and the Public Ministry, keep their own records, which can differ. The report and earlier editions are listed on the ministry's annual reports page.

Official sources: 2025 annual report · annual reports page

What is the crime rate in Guatemala?

Guatemala's crime incidence rate was 90.4 per 100,000 people in 2025, 2.9 points lower than the 93.3 recorded in 2023, according to the Ministry of the Interior's 2025 annual report. The rate for crimes against property was 46.3 per 100,000, down 9.1 points from 55.4 in 2023.

The incidence rate counts the main crimes recorded by the National Civil Police against the population. The report also says that reports of extortion rose in 2025, which the ministry links to more people coming forward. Police investigators worked on 19,651 criminal investigation cases for the Public Ministry in 2025, and 148 criminal groups with 921 members were broken up, 60 of them for extortion.

Official sources: 2025 annual report

What is the murder rate in Guatemala?

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the intentional homicide rate in Guatemala was 23.4 per 100,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 45.7 per 100,000; its low point was 2020, at 18.2 per 100,000. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.1 per 100,000, and Guatemala placed 11th highest of 25. World rank, highest first: 11th of 79.

How many women are killed in Guatemala?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for women in Guatemala at 6.8 per 100,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 10.1 per 100,000; its low point was 2020, at 5.2 per 100,000. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.4 per 100,000; Guatemala is 9th highest of 25. World rank, highest first: 9th of 78.

What is the male homicide rate in Guatemala?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for men in Guatemala at 40.2 per 100,000 in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 31.1 per 100,000 (2020) to 81.8 per 100,000 (2009). It is 11th highest of 25 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 33.1 per 100,000. Of 78 countries with 2023 data, 11th highest.