11 answers, 4 from Guatemala's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
82.11% of Guatemalans aged 15 and over could read and write in 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Among young people aged 15 to 24 the literacy rate was 95.36%.
The adult rate has risen from 64.21% in 1994 and 80.81% in 2018. UNESCO compiles the figures from national data. Guatemala's National Literacy Committee (CONALFA) runs adult literacy programmes in Spanish and bilingual versions.
8.43% of children of primary school age in Guatemala were out of school in 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. For children of lower secondary age the out-of-school rate was 32.38%, down from 37.37% in 2023.
The rate counts children of the official age for each level who are not enrolled in school at any level. The jump between primary and lower secondary shows that many children leave school after primary. The figures are based on the Ministry of Education's enrolment records and population estimates, so they can change when population figures are revised.
84.97% of young people in Guatemala had completed primary school in 2024, 56.5% had completed lower secondary and 23.09% upper secondary, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics' completion rates for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education.
Completion rates measure the share of people a few years above the final-grade age who have finished that level, based on household surveys. Primary completion rose from 72.5% in 2014. The upper secondary rate is the share who finished the diversified cycle, which leads to a school-leaving qualification (bachillerato or a technical diploma).
Guatemala's government spent 3.08% of GDP on education in 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The share has stayed between 3.09% and 3.21% since 2021.
The figure covers spending by all levels of government on schools, universities and education administration. It is based on budget execution data. The same database shows a gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education of 27.29% in 2023, up from 18.26% in 2014.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2018, net primary school enrolment in Guatemala was 86.9%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 84.6% (2016) to 96.3% (2009). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 92.9%, and Guatemala placed 13th highest of 17. Worldwide: 50th of 69.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2024, is 49.6%. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 54.9%; its low point was 2005, at 40.6%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 91.6%; Guatemala is 22nd highest of 22. Of 100 countries with 2024 data, 94th highest.
In 2023, gross tertiary enrolment in Guatemala was 27.3%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. No year since 2007 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 48.6%, and Guatemala placed 12th highest of 16. World rank, highest first: 90th of 120.
82.1%: that is the adult literacy rate in Guatemala for 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 83.0% in 2022 and the low 77.0% in 2013. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 94.7%, and Guatemala placed 13th highest of 13.
3.1% of GDP: that is government spending on education in Guatemala for 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2006 it has ranged from 2.8% of GDP (2010) to 3.3% of GDP (2020). Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.8% of GDP; Guatemala is 11th highest of 11. Of 36 countries with 2024 data, 32nd highest.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the number of primary pupils per teacher in Guatemala at 20 in 2018. The peak was 31 in 2005 and the low 20 in 2017. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 18, and Guatemala placed 5th highest of 18. Worldwide: 45th of 85.
In 2024, the primary completion rate in Guatemala was 86.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 88.1%; its low point was 2005, at 71.1%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 93.9%, and Guatemala placed 15th highest of 19. Worldwide: 80th of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error