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Guatemala Population (2026 Overview)
Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala, is located in Central America, bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It is the most populous country in Central America and ranks as the 11th most populous nation in the Americas, making it a key demographic and economic hub in the region.
According to the Guatemala Population and Housing Census 2018, the country had a population of 14,901,286 (14.9 million). Based on recent demographic trends and official estimates, Guatemala’s population is expected to reach approximately 18,358,430 (18.3 million) in 2026, reflecting steady natural growth driven by a young population and relatively high fertility rates.
Guatemala’s population growth has remained consistently upward over the past decade, supported by a large working-age population and gradual improvements in healthcare and life expectancy. Urbanization is increasing, though a significant share of the population still lives in rural and Indigenous communities.
👉 Projected Population of Guatemala (2026): ~18.3 million
Also read about: Central America Countries by Population
Guatemala Population – Quick Facts
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Guatemala |
| Region | Central America |
| Capital | Guatemala City |
| Total Population (2018 Census) | 14,901,286 |
| Estimated Population (2026) | ~18,358,430 |
| Population Rank (Central America) | 1st (Most Populous) |
| Population Rank (Americas) | 11th |
| Population Density | ~165 people per sq km |
| Urban Population | ~52% |
| Rural Population | ~48% |
| Median Age | ~23 years |
| Fertility Rate | ~2.9 births per woman |
| Major Ethnic Groups | Ladino, Indigenous Maya |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Indigenous Languages | 20+ Maya languages, Xinka, Garífuna |
Future Projection
| Year | Projected Population |
| 2023 | 17,602,431 |
| 2030 | 19,201,062 |
| 2040 | 21,150,662 |
| 2050 | 22,703,298 |
Guatemala Historical Population
| Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
| 1930 | 1,760,000 | – | – |
| 1940 | 2,200,000 | 440,000 | 0.25 |
| 1950 | 3,123,095 | 923,095 | 0.419589 |
| 1960 | 4,128,880 | 1,005,785 | 0.322048 |
| 1970 | 5,455,197 | 1,326,317 | 0.321229 |
| 1980 | 6,890,346 | 1,435,149 | 0.263079 |
| 1990 | 9,050,115 | 2,159,769 | 0.313449 |
| 2000 | 11,589,761 | 2,539,646 | 0.28062 |
| 2010 | 14,259,687 | 2,669,926 | 0.230369 |
| 2020 | 16,858,333 | 2,598,646 | 0.182237 |
Religion in Guatemala
Christianity remains the dominant religion in Guatemala, though the religious landscape has shifted notably over the past two decades. According to Latinobarómetro 2023, Guatemala is now almost evenly divided between Catholics and Evangelical Christians, reflecting long-term growth in evangelical movements alongside a gradual decline in Catholic affiliation.
In 2023, Evangelical Christians form the largest religious group, accounting for 44.2% of the population. This includes mainly non-denominational Evangelicals, along with small Methodist and other evangelical branches. Roman Catholics represent 42.4% of the population, continuing a downward trend compared to previous decades when Catholicism was overwhelmingly dominant.
Religious non-affiliation has increased steadily in Guatemala. About 11.0% of the population reports having no religion, particularly among younger age groups. Other responses such as “don’t know” or “no answer” together account for less than 1%, while non-Christian religions remain below 1%, including small Jewish, Muslim, Baháʼí, and Buddhist communities.
Religion Percentage in Guatemala
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 42.4% |
| Evangelical (total) | 45.7% |
| – Evangelical (no specific denomination) | 44.2% |
| – Evangelical Methodist | 1.4% |
| – Evangelical Baptist | 0.1% |
| Unaffiliated (None) | 11.0% |
| Don’t know | 0.6% |
| Does not answer | 0.3% |
Source: Latinobarómetro 2023, Guatemala (N = 1,000)
Read about: Guatemala population in United States
Race & Ethnicity in Guatemala
Guatemala is an ethnically and culturally diverse country, with a population shaped by Indigenous civilizations, European colonization, and later migration. According to the 2018 Census by Guatemala’s National Institute of Statistics (INE), Ladinos make up about 56% of the population, reflecting mixed Indigenous and European heritage or Hispanic cultural identity.
Indigenous peoples account for 41.7% of Guatemala’s population, one of the highest shares in Latin America. Most belong to Maya groups, led by K’iche’ (11.0%), Q’eqchi’ (8.3%), Kaqchikel (7.8%), and Mam (5.2%), along with other Maya communities. Non-Maya Indigenous groups, including the Xinka (1.77%), make up about 2%, while Afro-descendants (around 10%), Asians (mainly Chinese), and Arabs of Lebanese and Syrian origin form smaller minority populations.
For more details, read: race and ethnicity in Guatemala
Top Cities in Guatemala by Population
| # | City | Population |
| 1 | Guatemala City | 9,23,392 |
| 2 | Mixco | 4,63,019 |
| 3 | Villa Nueva | 4,26,316 |
| 4 | Cobán | 2,12,047 |
| 5 | Quetzaltenango | 1,80,706 |
| 6 | Jalapa | 1,59,840 |
| 7 | Escuintla | 1,56,313 |
| 8 | San Juan Sacatepéquez | 1,55,965 |
| 9 | Jutiapa | 1,45,880 |
| 10 | Petapa | 1,29,124 |
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