Urban Population: Guatemala
Guatemala's urban population is currently 56.0% as of 2024. # Guatemala Urban Population Guatemala's urban population reached 55.
Current (2024)
56.0%
+0.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
56.0%
Low (1960)
31.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Guatemala
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Guatemala
Analysis# Guatemala Urban Population
Guatemala's urban population reached 55.955% in 2024, marking an all-time high and representing a dramatic shift from the country's 31.846% urbanization rate in 1960. Over this 64-year span, Guatemala's urban share increased by 75.7 percentage points, reflecting one of Latin America's most significant rural-to-urban migration patterns. The nation crossed the 50% urbanization threshold around 2014-2015, solidifying its transition toward an urban-majority society.
The acceleration since 2015 proves particularly striking. Guatemala added 2.5 percentage points to its urban population between 2015 and 2024, with consistent annual growth averaging roughly 0.3 percentage points yearly. This steady upward trajectory suggests continued urbanization pressure, driven by employment opportunities, education access, and rural economic challenges. Current momentum indicates Guatemala will likely sustain or exceed 56% urbanization in the near term.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 56.0% | +0.62% |
| 2023 | 55.6% | +0.63% |
| 2022 | 55.3% | +0.64% |
| 2021 | 54.9% | +0.65% |
| 2020 | 54.5% | +0.66% |
| 2019 | 54.2% | +0.64% |
| 2018 | 53.8% | +0.09% |
| 2017 | 53.8% | +0.26% |
| 2016 | 53.7% | +0.41% |
| 2015 | 53.4% | +0.56% |
| 2014 | 53.1% | +0.69% |
| 2013 | 52.8% | +0.82% |
| 2012 | 52.4% | +0.94% |
| 2011 | 51.9% | +1.05% |
| 2010 | 51.3% | +1.15% |
| 2009 | 50.7% | +1.25% |
| 2008 | 50.1% | +1.33% |
| 2007 | 49.5% | +1.41% |
| 2006 | 48.8% | +1.48% |
| 2005 | 48.1% | +1.54% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 47.3% | +1.59% |
| 2003 | 46.6% | +1.77% |
| 2002 | 45.8% | +2.46% |
| 2001 | 44.7% | +3.32% |
| 2000 | 43.2% | +3.89% |
| 1999 | 41.6% | +4.21% |
| 1998 | 39.9% | +4.23% |
| 1997 | 38.3% | +3.90% |
| 1996 | 36.9% | +3.15% |
| 1995 | 35.8% | +1.94% |
| 1994 | 35.1% | +0.99% |
| 1993 | 34.7% | +0.87% |
| 1992 | 34.4% | +0.81% |
| 1991 | 34.2% | +0.76% |
| 1990 | 33.9% | +0.69% |
| 1989 | 33.7% | +0.62% |
| 1988 | 33.5% | +0.56% |
| 1987 | 33.3% | +0.48% |
| 1986 | 33.1% | +0.41% |
| 1985 | 33.0% | +0.33% |
| 1984 | 32.9% | +0.24% |
| 1983 | 32.8% | +0.16% |
| 1982 | 32.7% | +0.07% |
| 1981 | 32.7% | -0.26% |
| 1980 | 32.8% | -1.07% |
| 1979 | 33.2% | -1.64% |
| 1978 | 33.7% | -1.93% |
| 1977 | 34.4% | -1.95% |
| 1976 | 35.1% | -1.74% |
| 1975 | 35.7% | -1.31% |
| 1974 | 36.2% | -0.63% |
| 1973 | 36.4% | +0.04% |
| 1972 | 36.4% | +0.37% |
| 1971 | 36.2% | +0.62% |
| 1970 | 36.0% | +0.83% |
| 1969 | 35.7% | +1.00% |
| 1968 | 35.4% | +1.13% |
| 1967 | 35.0% | +1.21% |
| 1966 | 34.5% | +1.25% |
| 1965 | 34.1% | +1.24% |
| 1964 | 33.7% | +1.25% |
| 1963 | 33.3% | +1.36% |
| 1962 | 32.8% | +1.49% |
| 1961 | 32.4% | +1.61% |
| 1960 | 31.8% | — |
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