Guatemala Population Pyramid 1978
Guatemala
Afghanistan
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Less developed regions, excluding China
Less developed regions, excluding least developed countries
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Morocco
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Niger
Nigeria
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Norway
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Other non-specified areas
Pakistan
Panama
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Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Polynesia
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Republic of Moldova
Romania
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Samoa
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Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
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Southern Africa
Southern Asia
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Sweden
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Western Africa
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World
Yemen
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Zimbabwe
1978
Population:
6,561,534
Summary
Guatemala in 1978
The population of Guatemala in 1978 was 6,561,534. A decade earlier, in 1968, the population was 5,118,112; it has grown by 28.2% since.
With a median age of 17.0 years, Guatemala had a youth dependency ratio of 87.9 and an old-age dependency ratio of 5.0 per 100 people of working age. This is an expansive pyramid — each cohort of children is larger than the one above it, the signature of high birth rates and rapid growth.
Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.
Key indicators for Guatemala
Population
6,561,534
Median age
17.0
0-14 %
45.6%
65+ %
2.6%
Child dependency
87.9
Old-age dependency
5.0
Pyramid shape
Population 2050
24,670,857
Population 2100
25,912,091
What is driving the change
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
1234567
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 2.31
The fertility rate of Guatemala was 2.31 births per woman in 2023, above the 2.1 needed to replace each generation.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.
Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total
Women
Men
4050607080
19602023 · 72.6
A child born there in 2023 could expect to live 72.6 years on average (74.9 years for girls, 70.3 for boys).
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.
People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children
Older adults
255075100
19502100
Migration to and from Guatemala
Where immigrants come from (2024)
89,725 immigrants live in Guatemala, 0.5% of the population.
| El Salvador | 22,750 |
| Mexico | 20,758 |
| United States of America | 10,228 |
| Nicaragua | 10,131 |
| Honduras | 9,924 |
Where emigrants live (2024)
1,460,232 people born in Guatemala live in other countries.
| United States of America | 1,298,936 |
| Mexico | 81,012 |
| Belize | 29,643 |
| Canada | 18,187 |
| El Salvador | 9,157 |
Explore
Immigration statistics
Origin of migrant stocks map
Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.
How Guatemala compares with its neighbours
| Country | Population | Median age | Relative size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | 6,561,534 | 17.0 | |
| El Salvador | 4,394,115 | 17.2 | |
| Honduras | 3,505,464 | 16.2 | |
| Nicaragua | 3,080,315 | 16.2 | |
| Costa Rica | 2,264,511 | 19.7 |
Frequently asked questions about Guatemala's population
How many people lived in Guatemala in 1978?
Guatemala had a population of 6,561,534 in 1978.
Is Guatemala's population growing or shrinking?
Yes, growing: up 28.2% from 1968, with a projected population of 24,670,857 in 2050.
How old is the population of Guatemala?
The median age in Guatemala is 17.0 years — half the population is younger, half older.
What share of Guatemala's population is over 65 or under 15?
In Guatemala, 45.6% of people are under 15 and 2.6% are 65 or older.
What type of population pyramid does Guatemala have?
Guatemala has an expansive pyramid: a wide base of young cohorts reflecting high fertility and continued population growth.
