About IWGIAIndigenous peoples in Guatemala
The more than 6 million indigenous inhabitants (60% of the country’s total population), made up of the: Achi’, Akateco, Awakateco, Chalchiteco, Ch’orti’, Chuj, Itza’, Ixil, Jacalteco, Kaqchikel, K’iche’, Mam, Mopan, Poqomam, Poqomchi’, Q’anjob’al, Q’eqchi’, Sakapulteco, Sipakapense, Tektiteko, Tz’utujil, Uspanteko, Xinka and Garífuna ethnic groups, continue to lag behind the non-indigenous population in social statistics: they are 2.8 times poorer and have 13 years’ less life expectancy; meanwhile, only 5% of university students are indigenous.
The situation of indigenous peoples changed little during 2010: 73% are poor (as opposed to 35% of the non-indigenous population), and 26% are extremely poor. Even so, indigenous participation in the country’s economy as a whole accounts for 61.7% of output, as opposed to 57.1% for the non-indigenous population.
Guatemala voted in favour of the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007.
Download the 2011 yearbook article on indigenous peoples in Guatemala to read more about major developments and events during 2010
