THE PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA There are over 13,000,000 Guatemalans and this number is expected to double in number by 2025. Females have a life expectancy of 69 years: males 64 years. 65% of adults are literate, the lowest rate in Central America. 53% of the population lives on less than $1 a day. 23% of the population does not have access to safe water and 43% live without access to adequate health services. Out of 174 nations, Guatemala ranks 111 on the U.N. Human Development Index. Guatemala is still recovering from a 36-year civil war. The principal cause of the war was the fact that the richest 10% of Guatemala's population controls 47% of the country's income while the poorest 10% survive on a mere 0.6%. The majority of the population is indigenous, mostly Mayan, and they suffered over 80% of war's victimizations. Guatemala is one of the most beautiful and colorful countries in the Americas. Katalysis Partners in Guatemala MUDE - Associación de Mujeres En Desarrollo REFICOM - Red Financiera Comunitaria FAPE - La Fundación de Asistencia para la Pequeña Empresa << Back to map