Guatemala: housing

How can I get a housing subsidy in Guatemala?

The state Housing Fund (FOPAVI) gives housing subsidies to families in poverty and extreme poverty, according to its website. Subsidies can be used to buy a plot with basic services or a housing module, or to build or improve a home on land the family owns.

FOPAVI offers individual subsidies, applied for directly by one household, and collective subsidies managed by a group. Applicants must be Guatemalan adults, provide a copy of their updated identity document (DPI) and fill in FOPAVI's form; group applications also need a certified record of the assembly that named their representative. Applicants can follow their case online. FOPAVI says its work aims to reduce the housing deficit. No official house price or rent index for Guatemala was found on the sites of FOPAVI or the Banco de Guatemala, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: website

What is Guatemala's urbanisation rate?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people living in urban areas in Guatemala at 56.3% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 66.2%; Guatemala is 24th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 117th of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Guatemala?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Guatemala was 37.6%, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been lower. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.7%, and Guatemala placed 5th highest of 26. World rank, highest first: 61st of 170.

What share of people in Guatemala have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Guatemala at 90.9% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 100.0%; its low point was 2005, at 78.3%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 99.5%, and Guatemala placed 31st highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 138th highest.

What share of people in Guatemala have safe drinking water?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Guatemala was 48.8%, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 66.3%; Guatemala is 12th highest of 14. Worldwide: 94th of 134.

What share of homes in Guatemala cook with clean fuels?

51.0%: that is the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Guatemala for 2024, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 95.0%, and Guatemala placed 32nd highest of 33. Worldwide: 137th of 192.