Departments of Guatemala: population and official figures
Guatemala is divided into 22 departments. The largest by population is Guatemala with 3,755,757 people (20.5% of the total); the smallest is El Progreso with 200,433. Population projections, the 2018 census, poverty and household survey results come from the National Statistics Institute (INE); health survey results from the Ministry of Health (MSPAS) and INE; GDP from the Bank of Guatemala; formal employment and salaries from the social security institute (IGSS).
Who governs Guatemala's departments?
Regions (8): Regional development council chaired by a presidential representative. Planning only; no elected government.
How local power works in Guatemala · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 22 departments, largest first
| # | Department | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guatemala | 3,755,757 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 2 | Huehuetenango | 1,533,735 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 3 | Alta Verapaz | 1,482,083 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 4 | San Marcos | 1,271,974 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 5 | Quiche | 1,173,669 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 6 | Quetzaltenango | 974,752 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 7 | Escuintla | 854,115 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 8 | Chimaltenango | 808,669 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 9 | Peten | 666,257 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 10 | Suchitepequez | 646,587 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 11 | Jutiapa | 580,689 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 12 | Totonicapan | 528,065 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 13 | Solola | 507,638 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 14 | Chiquimula | 476,362 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 15 | Izabal | 474,800 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 16 | Santa Rosa | 471,823 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 17 | Jalapa | 432,547 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 18 | Sacatepequez | 426,324 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 19 | Retalhuleu | 401,613 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 20 | Baja Verapaz | 360,693 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 21 | Zacapa | 283,788 | 2026 (projection) | – |
| 22 | El Progreso | 200,433 | 2026 (projection) | – |
More on Guatemala: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Estimaciones y proyecciones de población 2010-2050 by department (revision 2019-2020, based on the 2018 census; population at 30 June), 22 workbooks, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d4425fe8f96c…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE): Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida (ENCOVI) 2023: Poverty and inequality (departmental maps for poverty, extreme poverty, poverty gap and severity, Gini, water, sanitation, electricity), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 df15ab3fe8b7…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), Censo 2018: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2018: age by literacy (can read and write) by department and sex, Redatam table (INE data, copy published by CONALFA), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 794d5a4775c7…)
- Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social (MSPAS), INE and SEGEPLAN: Encuesta Nacional de Salud Materno Infantil (ENSMI) 2014-2015, Informe de indicadores básicos: tables by department, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d61241c32152…)
- Banco de Guatemala (Banguat): Cuentas regionales y departamentales anuales: Producto Interno Bruto por departamento 2013-2024 (current quetzales and chained volume, reference year 2013; preliminary), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5b2e9ad0dee9…)
- Banco de Guatemala (Banguat): Cuentas regionales y departamentales anuales: Producto Interno Bruto per cápita por departamento 2013-2024 (quetzales; preliminary), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 673dd87343cf…)
- Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social (IGSS): El IGSS en cifras 2024: contributing affiliates, payroll and average salary by department (B2.1, C5), employers by department (C17.3), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d61a33487068…)
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