Guatemala: health and care

What is life expectancy in Guatemala?

Life expectancy at birth in Guatemala was 72.7 years in 2024, 5.6 years more than in 2000 (67.1), according to the Pan American Health Organization's country profile. PAHO notes that this is lower than the average for the Americas.

The same profile puts Guatemala's population at 18,406,359 in 2024, with 4.8% aged over 65. In 2019 the age-adjusted death rate from external causes was 98.3 per 100,000 people, including 27 from homicide and 26.5 from road traffic accidents. WHO's own estimate on its Guatemala data page uses a different model, so the two figures differ slightly. The National Statistics Institute produces the official population projections.

Official sources: Pan American Health Organization's country profile · Guatemala data page

What are the infant and maternal mortality rates in Guatemala?

Infant mortality in Guatemala fell from 38.8 to 17.27 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2002 and 2021, according to the Pan American Health Organization's country profile. The maternal mortality ratio was estimated at 95.5 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, 37.1% lower than in 2000.

The profile also reports that 96.0% of births were attended by skilled health personnel in 2021 and that 12.3% of babies were born with low birth weight. Adolescent fertility fell from 112.9 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 in 2000 to 67.9 in 2024. Maternal mortality ratios are estimates, because not all deaths are registered with a cause.

Official sources: Pan American Health Organization's country profile

How much does Guatemala spend on health?

Public spending on health in Guatemala was 2.33% of GDP in 2021, and 17.41% of all public spending, according to the Pan American Health Organization's country profile. Out-of-pocket payments by households made up 60.98% of total health spending.

Out-of-pocket spending is what people pay directly for consultations, medicines and tests, rather than through taxes or insurance. WHO's global health expenditure data put the out-of-pocket share at 57.2% in 2023. Public care is provided by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, while insured workers and their families are covered by the IGSS.

Official sources: Pan American Health Organization's country profile · global health expenditure data

How many patients does the IGSS treat in Guatemala?

The Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) gave 6,024,350 outpatient consultations and handled 1,800,614 emergency cases in 2025, according to its 2025 annual report summary. It recorded 158,825 hospital discharges, and 27,652 babies were born in its facilities.

The IGSS treats insured workers and their registered family members, 3,780,259 people in 2025. The same summary shows 60,416 patients treated with haemodialysis and Q806.1 million paid in sick pay for illness, maternity and accidents. People without social security use the public network run by the Ministry of Public Health, whose site blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: 2025 annual report summary

How many doctors are there in Guatemala?

Guatemala had 16.27 medical doctors per 10,000 people in 2024, according to the World Health Organization's health workforce data, which are reported by national authorities. That is about one doctor for every 600 people.

WHO's figures for earlier years are much lower (3.63 per 10,000 in 2018), which partly reflects changes in how doctors were counted and reported rather than only real growth, so year-to-year comparisons should be made with care. The figures cover doctors in both the public and private sectors. National registers of health workers are kept by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.

Official sources: health workforce data

How long do people live in Guatemala?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Guatemala at 72.7 years in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 74.0 years, and Guatemala placed 24th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 106th highest.

What is the infant mortality rate in Guatemala?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Guatemala at 17.2 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 6th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 12.1 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 73rd highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Guatemala?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Guatemala at 94.0 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 6th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 55.0 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 68th of 192.

What share of GDP does Guatemala spend on health care?

The WHO puts current health spending in Guatemala at 6.8% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 7.4% of GDP in 2021 and the low 5.8% of GDP in 2013. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.8% of GDP, and Guatemala placed 17th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 87th of 191.

How much do people in Guatemala pay for health care themselves?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 57.2%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 62.5%; its low point was 2017, at 54.1%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.3%, and Guatemala placed 1st highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 22nd highest.

How many doctors per person does Guatemala have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Guatemala at 1.3 per 1,000 in 2020. In 2009 the figure was 0.91 per 1,000. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.4 per 1,000, and Guatemala placed 16th highest of 18. Of 136 countries with 2020 data, 85th highest.

How many hospital beds per person does Guatemala have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 0.45 per 1,000. Since 2011 it has ranged from 0.43 per 1,000 (2020) to 0.65 per 1,000 (2011). It is 22nd highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.1 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 71st of 73.

How many children in Guatemala are vaccinated against measles?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Guatemala was 90.0% in 2024. The peak was 96.0% in 2008 and the low 68.0% in 2014. It is 15th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 89.5%. Worldwide: 92nd of 191.