Photo: Arjuno3 · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Guatemala: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
Guatemala is placed 156th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 72.6 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 20.51 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
156th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 72.6Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 20.51Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 46Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- 22.4Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Guatemala on health & wellbeing — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
72.6
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
Guatemala: 72.6. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Central America
- 80.8 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Belize 73.57 · Honduras 72.88 · Mexico 75.07 · El Salvador 72.1
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
20.51
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
Guatemala: 20.51. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Central America
- 10.05 El Salvador
- Land neighbours
- Belize 12.66 · Honduras 14.96 · Mexico 13.05 · El Salvador 10.05
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Guatemala’s is from 2021 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
46
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
Guatemala: 46. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Central America
- 9 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Belize 14.96 · Honduras 18.71 · Mexico 12.5 · El Salvador 10
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
22.4
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
Guatemala: 22.4. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Central America
- 2.3 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Belize 2.7 · Honduras 14.3 · Mexico 2.7 · El Salvador 12.3
02Over time
Which way Guatemala is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
GuatemalaWorld median
Guatemala rose from 67.1 in 2000 to 72.6 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year Guatemala World median 2023 72.60 74.630 2022 71.21 74.313 2021 67.86 72.433 2020 69.97 73.063 2019 71.64 74.196 2018 71.50 74.081 2017 71.58 74.029 2016 71.22 74.013 2015 70.91 73.783 2014 70.94 73.330 2013 70.88 73.386 2012 70.72 73.210 2011 70.32 73.003 2010 69.89 72.827 2009 69.68 72.426 2008 69.49 72.264 2007 69.30 72.113 2006 68.79 72.027 2005 68.17 71.876 2004 68.24 71.477 2003 68.20 71.409 2002 67.83 71.173 2001 67.44 70.926 2000 67.10 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
GuatemalaWorld median
Guatemala fell from 51.79 in 2000 to 20.51 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year Guatemala World median 2024 20.5 14.5 2023 21.2 15.2 2022 21.9 14.7 2021 22.7 15.1 2020 23.5 15.3 2019 24.3 15.7 2018 25.1 16.3 2017 26.1 16.8 2016 27.0 17.5 2015 28.1 17.9 2014 29.2 18.3 2013 30.4 18.7 2012 31.8 18.8 2011 33.1 19.0 2010 34.5 19.2 2009 36.0 20.8 2008 37.5 20.7 2007 39.1 21.8 2006 40.7 22.8 2005 42.4 24.0 2004 44.1 25.9 2003 45.9 26.9 2002 47.7 28.0 2001 49.7 29.1 2000 51.8 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
GuatemalaWorld median
Guatemala rose from 16.1 in 2015 to 22.4 in 2024; the world median went from 3.4 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Guatemala World median 2024 22.4 4.9 2023 21.3 4.7 2022 20.8 5.4 2021 20.3 5.7 2020 20.7 5.6 2019 19.2 5.0 2018 18.1 4.2 2017 17.1 4.0 2016 17.0 3.4 2015 16.1 3.4
03In context
Guatemala beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
Guatemala and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mexico | =83rd | 75.07 | 13.05 | 12.5 | 2.7 |
 Belize | 92nd | 73.57 | 12.66 | 14.96 | 2.7 |
 El Salvador | 107th | 72.1 | 10.05 | 10 | 12.3 |
 Honduras | 132nd | 72.88 | 14.96 | 18.71 | 14.3 |
| Guatemala | 156th | 72.6 | 20.51 | 46 | 22.4 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below Guatemala in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Guatemala is ahead of the world, and behind
52 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median10
Statistics on which Guatemala does better than the middle country measured.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5460.83.546No earlier reading
Guatemala: 0.8 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 151st of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7458.540.74No earlier reading
Guatemala: 58.5 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 26th of 136 · derived.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5759.3237.57No earlier reading
Guatemala: 59.32 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 24th of 115 · derived.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.269.35221.26No earlier reading
Guatemala: 9.352 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 88th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.53.7435.5▲ Improved since 2014
Guatemala: 3.743 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 124th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6587.2677.65No earlier reading
Guatemala: 87.26 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 36th of 144 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.3820.2721.382▲ Improved since 2015
Guatemala: 0.272 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.
Global Report on Food CrisesFSIN · 2024 · world median 221822▲ Improved since 2016
Guatemala: 18 · world median 22 · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population). Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 2025 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3 to 56; lower is better.
Position 28th of 44 · derived, 1st = worst.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.548.841.5No earlier reading
Guatemala: 48.8 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 49th of 127 · derived.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8186.281No earlier reading
Guatemala: 86.2 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 60th of 153 · derived.
Behind the world median32
Statistics on which Guatemala does worse than the middle country measured.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.2570.971.25No real change since 2013
Guatemala: 70.9 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 100th of 196 · derived.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9552.852.95No earlier reading
Guatemala: 52.8 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 71st of 136 · derived.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.56365.5▲ Improved since 2018
Guatemala: 63 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3916.1516.39▼ Worsened since 2013
Guatemala: 16.15 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 121st of 222 · derived.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 414341No real change since 2012
Guatemala: 43 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
INFORM Severity IndexACAPS · 2025 · world median 3.13.33.1▼ Worsened since 2020
Guatemala: 3.3 · world median 3.1 · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis). ACAPS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.3 to 4.7; lower is better.
Position 36th of 81 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1349.4538.134▲ Improved since 2014
Guatemala: 9.453 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 87th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 PandemicAriel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset) · 2026 · world median 272.35327.3272.35No earlier reading
Guatemala: 327.3 · world median 272.35 · Excess deaths per 100,000 people, March 2020 to the end of each country's data (at most December 2023). Ariel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from -264.9 to 1,013; lower is better.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,8442,982▲ Improved since 2014
Guatemala: 2,844 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 96th of 155 · derived.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8583.9632.858▼ Worsened since 2014
Guatemala: 3.963 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 77th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7161.99133.7No real change since 2013
Guatemala: 161.99 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 84th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2617.1912.26No real change since 2014
Guatemala: 17.19 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 74th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.8369.7584.83▲ Improved since 2013
Guatemala: 69.75 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6967.55102.69▲ Improved since 2013
Guatemala: 67.55 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.1340.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Guatemala: 0.134 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 38th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.6593.7246.65No real change since 2013
Guatemala: 93.72 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 67th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.447.326.4▼ Worsened since 2017
Guatemala: 47.3 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 47th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.480.351▲ Improved since 2013
Guatemala: 0.48 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 121st of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16312.318.163No real change since 2013
Guatemala: 12.31 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 60th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.211.85.2▲ Improved since 2013
Guatemala: 11.8 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 49th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.4610.564▲ Improved since 2010
Guatemala: 0.461 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 172 · derived.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.6620.762No real change since 2013
Guatemala: 0.662 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 137th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4524.114.45No real change since 2013
Guatemala: 24.1 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 57th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.4832.873.48No real change since 2015
Guatemala: 32.87 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.75267.7No earlier reading
Guatemala: 52 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 96th of 127 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2114.4910.21▼ Worsened since 2010
Guatemala: 14.49 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 36th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.94920.9No real change since 2015
Guatemala: 49 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 29th of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4668.2727.46▲ Improved since 2013
Guatemala: 68.27 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 44th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 917791▲ Improved since 2015
Guatemala: 77 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.96596.9No earlier reading
Guatemala: 65 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.370.25▼ Worsened since 2014
Guatemala: 0.37 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.98.182.9No earlier reading
Guatemala: 8.1 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 108th of 109 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909090▲ Improved since 2015
Guatemala: 90 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
No better end9
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.555.184.55Moved since 2017
Guatemala: 5.18 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.734.731.73No real change since 2014
Guatemala: 4.73 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 57th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8941.3638.89No real change since 2015
Guatemala: 41.36 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 62nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.6526.320.65No earlier reading
Guatemala: 26.3 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.889.3646.88No earlier reading
Guatemala: 9.364 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2541.841.25Moved since 2013
Guatemala: 41.8 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.435.635.4Moved since 2013
Guatemala: 35.6 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8354.2657.83Moved since 2013
Guatemala: 54.26 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.173.7716.17Moved since 2013
Guatemala: 3.77 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
No current reading for Guatemala
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2022), Children with Functional Difficulties, Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2022), Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum) (last 2022), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) (last 2022) and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Health & Wellbeing among Guatemala’s 16 topics
Health & Wellbeing is Guatemala’s 14th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability28th of 1863/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 72nd of 1824/4 keys
- Energy66th of 1653/3 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 91st of 1944/4 keys
- Peace & Security85th of 1774/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation95th of 1764/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture108th of 1844/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties118th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality111th of 1834/4 keys
- Digital & Technology121st of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade113th of 1774/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital144th of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge147th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing156th of 2004/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality133rd of 1593/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience167th of 1934/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders Guatemala can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Americas
United States=30th4/4 keysHighest in Central America
Costa Rica60th4/4 keysThis page
Guatemala156th4/4 keys
Positions out of 200 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Guatemala and health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
Guatemala on health & wellbeing: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Guatemala rank on health & wellbeing?
Guatemala is placed 156th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for Guatemala?
72.6 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for Guatemala?
20.51 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does Guatemala compare with Mexico on health & wellbeing?
Mexico is placed joint 83rd of 200, and Guatemala 156th. Life Expectancy at Birth: Mexico 75.07, Guatemala 72.6; Under-Five Mortality Rate: Mexico 13.05, Guatemala 20.51; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: Mexico 12.5, Guatemala 46; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity: Mexico 2.7, Guatemala 22.4.
How have Guatemala’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 67.1 in 2000 to 72.6 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 51.79 in 2000 to 20.51 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity rose from 16.1 in 2015 to 22.4 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for Guatemala?
No current reading is published for Guatemala on Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Children with Functional Difficulties, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 52 statistics on this page come from 19 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Guatemala’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Guatemala (banner) — Arjuno3, CC BY 2.0
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Guatemala: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/guatemala/health