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Guatemala vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a population of 18.4M (ranked 70/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Guatemala's land area is 41,375 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 102nd vs. 24th).

By GDP, Guatemala ranks 68/197 ($113B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Guatemala ranks 112/197 ($6,150), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Guatemala South Africa
Population
19049936
65683993
Population rank 69/197 24/197
GDP
$113B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 68/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 112/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 124/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 41,375 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
459 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.31
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
24 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
73 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Guatemala and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Guatemala and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Guatemala

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Guatemala South Africa
2024 $113,199,581,158 $401,144,998,374
2023 $104,368,755,055 $381,440,724,491
2022 $95,641,446,501 $407,596,043,068
2021 $86,455,522,273 $419,986,284,375
2020 $77,719,468,248 $337,974,655,408
2019 $77,172,331,693 $389,330,032,224
2018 $73,328,356,008 $405,260,723,893
2017 $71,653,780,740 $381,448,814,653
2016 $66,053,408,206 $323,585,509,674
2015 $62,186,066,548 $346,709,790,459
2014 $57,852,159,008 $381,198,869,776
2013 $52,996,420,177 $400,886,013,596
2012 $49,593,929,487 $434,400,545,086
2011 $46,876,006,272 $458,199,494,831
2010 $40,676,578,423 $417,363,822,802
2009 $37,126,148,265 $329,754,060,647
2008 $38,503,720,224 $316,131,258,616
2007 $33,567,850,824 $333,077,117,254
2006 $29,744,246,827 $303,858,675,364
2005 $26,783,389,294 $288,867,217,197
2004 $23,577,298,095 $255,806,908,595
2003 $21,576,351,799 $197,018,965,309
2002 $20,444,205,991 $129,087,556,612
2001 $18,405,220,247 $135,429,905,923
2000 $19,288,929,030 $151,752,757,215
1999 $18,318,412,251 $151,516,957,079
1998 $19,395,491,993 $152,982,984,557
1997 $17,790,026,222 $168,978,057,328
1996 $15,674,835,615 $163,234,925,381
1995 $14,655,404,433 $171,735,933,897
1994 $12,983,233,311 $153,512,712,382
1993 $11,400,017,301 $147,194,747,566
1992 $10,440,781,588 $146,956,150,987
1991 $9,406,135,143 $135,203,698,238
1990 $7,650,196,845 $126,048,140,142
1989 $8,410,724,361 $108,055,624,082
1988 $7,841,602,824 $103,976,831,871
1987 $7,084,399,840 $96,535,763,418
1986 $7,231,963,516 $73,354,771,399
1985 $9,721,652,087 $64,459,376,087
1984 $9,470,000,100 $84,870,163,366
1983 $9,050,000,400 $96,204,110,942
1982 $8,716,999,700 $85,904,057,409
1981 $8,607,500,300 $93,141,472,164
1980 $7,878,700,000 $89,411,864,402
1979 $6,902,600,200 $63,038,658,089
1978 $6,070,600,200 $51,607,412,902
1977 $5,480,500,200 $45,328,411,332
1976 $4,365,300,200 $41,150,460,288
1975 $3,645,900,000 $42,906,905,672
1974 $3,161,499,900 $41,389,186,095
1973 $2,569,200,100 $33,262,772,008
1972 $2,101,300,000 $24,515,919,217
1971 $1,984,800,000 $23,411,076,638
1970 $1,904,000,000 $21,218,391,513
1969 $1,715,399,900 $19,256,992,297
1968 $1,610,500,000 $17,124,793,150
1967 $1,453,500,000 $15,821,393,671
1966 $1,390,700,000 $14,211,394,315
1965 $1,331,399,900 $13,068,994,772
1964 $1,299,099,900 $11,955,995,218
1963 $1,262,800,000 $10,854,195,658
1962 $1,143,600,000 $9,813,996,074
1961 $1,076,699,900 $9,225,996,310
1960 $1,043,599,900 $8,748,596,501

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/south-africa | CC BY

Guatemala and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Guatemala

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Guatemala South Africa
2024 $6,150 $6,267
2023 $5,758 $6,034
2022 $5,359 $6,534
2021 $4,913 $6,829
2020 $4,478 $5,581
2019 $4,512 $6,534
2018 $4,353 $6,914
2017 $4,325 $6,618
2016 $4,060 $5,651
2015 $3,894 $6,112
2014 $3,689 $6,857
2013 $3,444 $7,332
2012 $3,287 $8,077
2011 $3,169 $8,646
2010 $2,805 $7,973
2009 $2,612 $6,375
2008 $2,763 $6,185
2007 $2,459 $6,592
2006 $2,225 $6,077
2005 $2,046 $5,837
2004 $1,841 $5,221
2003 $1,723 $4,062
2002 $1,669 $2,688
2001 $1,538 $2,847
2000 $1,649 $3,218
1999 $1,604 $3,242
1998 $1,741 $3,310
1997 $1,638 $3,700
1996 $1,481 $3,618
1995 $1,421 $3,856
1994 $1,293 $3,489
1993 $1,166 $3,400
1992 $1,096 $3,462
1991 $1,014 $3,243
1990 $848 $3,093
1989 $958 $2,727
1988 $919 $2,702
1987 $854 $2,586
1986 $896 $2,027
1985 $1,238 $1,839
1984 $1,241 $2,504
1983 $1,220 $2,938
1982 $1,204 $2,717
1981 $1,216 $3,050
1980 $1,142 $3,029
1979 $1,026 $2,202
1978 $925 $1,852
1977 $856 $1,671
1976 $697 $1,559
1975 $595 $1,670
1974 $529 $1,656
1973 $441 $1,369
1972 $370 $1,038
1971 $358 $1,020
1970 $353 $952
1969 $326 $891
1968 $315 $817
1967 $291.9 $779
1966 $287.3 $722
1965 $283 $685
1964 $284.2 $646
1963 $284.4 $605
1962 $265.2 $563
1961 $257.2 $546
1960 $256.8 $532

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/south-africa | CC BY

Guatemala vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Guatemala

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Guatemala South Africa
2026 73 66.7
2025 72.9 66.5
2024 72.7 66.3
2023 72.6 66.1
2022 71.2 65.5
2021 67.9 62
2020 70 65.2
2019 71.6 66.1
2018 71.5 65.7
2017 71.6 65.4
2016 71.2 64.7
2015 70.9 64.1
2014 70.9 63.2
2013 70.9 62.4
2012 70.7 61.7
2011 70.3 60.6
2010 69.9 58.9
2009 69.7 57.4
2008 69.5 56
2007 69.3 54.9
2006 68.8 54.2
2005 68.2 53.9
2004 68.2 54
2003 68.2 54.2
2002 67.8 55.6
2001 67.4 57.2
2000 67.1 58.4
1999 66.6 59.2
1998 66 59.9
1997 65.2 60.5
1996 64.5 61.1
1995 63.7 61.6
1994 63 62.1
1993 62.4 62.6
1992 62 62.8
1991 61.9 63
1990 61.8 62.9
1989 61.7 63
1988 61.5 62.9
1987 61 62.7
1986 60.3 62.4
1985 59.8 62.2
1984 59.1 61.8
1983 57.9 61.4
1982 48.9 60.9
1981 54.7 60.4
1980 55.3 60
1979 56.6 59.5
1978 56.4 59
1977 55.2 58.5
1976 47.6 58
1975 52.8 57.6
1974 53 57.1
1973 52.8 56.7
1972 51.8 56.4
1971 50.3 56
1970 48.5 55.7
1969 47.5 55.4
1968 47.8 55.2
1967 47.7 55
1966 47.5 54.7
1965 47.2 54.4
1964 47.1 54.2
1963 46.6 53.9
1962 46.5 53.6
1961 46.1 53.1
1960 45.8 52.6
1959 44.3 51.9
1958 43.1 51.1
1957 41.9 50.2
1956 41.3 49.2
1955 40.7 48.2
1954 40.1 47.1
1953 39.5 46.1
1952 38.9 45
1951 38.3 44.1
1950 37.8 43.1

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/south-africa | CC BY

Guatemala and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Guatemala

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Guatemala South Africa
2024 18,406,359 64,007,187
2023 18,124,838 63,212,384
2022 17,847,877 62,378,410
2021 17,598,650 61,502,603
2020 17,357,325 60,562,381
2019 17,103,803 59,587,885
2018 16,845,685 58,613,001
2017 16,567,357 57,635,162
2016 16,268,760 57,259,551
2015 15,971,743 56,723,537
2014 15,681,725 55,594,838
2013 15,387,337 54,678,791
2012 15,089,647 53,782,567
2011 14,792,126 52,995,205
2010 14,500,112 52,344,051
2009 14,215,611 51,728,516
2008 13,935,174 51,114,599
2007 13,652,040 50,528,584
2006 13,367,459 49,998,277
2005 13,087,629 49,490,033
2004 12,807,402 48,991,421
2003 12,525,842 48,500,348
2002 12,246,915 48,019,415
2001 11,969,422 47,566,800
2000 11,697,592 47,159,719
1999 11,422,965 46,730,335
1998 11,139,145 46,223,880
1997 10,857,754 45,666,838
1996 10,583,526 45,123,018
1995 10,312,996 44,541,554
1994 10,043,718 44,004,139
1993 9,779,761 43,297,156
1992 9,522,266 42,443,509
1991 9,272,584 41,687,898
1990 9,024,773 40,746,268
1989 8,775,546 39,628,575
1988 8,532,099 38,480,649
1987 8,296,485 37,326,190
1986 8,070,818 36,180,515
1985 7,849,693 35,042,093
1984 7,630,682 33,892,788
1983 7,419,642 32,739,304
1982 7,240,241 31,615,339
1981 7,075,648 30,541,044
1980 6,900,212 29,518,857
1979 6,727,797 28,634,162
1978 6,561,534 27,869,507
1977 6,401,515 27,118,952
1976 6,262,404 26,395,450
1975 6,128,731 25,690,940
1974 5,981,197 24,989,108
1973 5,831,631 24,294,263
1972 5,682,833 23,609,456
1971 5,538,355 22,942,143
1970 5,396,966 22,279,984
1969 5,257,081 21,614,676
1968 5,118,111 20,957,287
1967 4,978,862 20,314,066
1966 4,840,958 19,690,087
1965 4,704,965 19,089,380
1964 4,571,109 18,511,361
1963 4,440,264 17,954,564
1962 4,312,044 17,418,522
1961 4,186,201 16,908,035
1960 4,063,655 16,440,172

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/south-africa | CC BY

Fertility rates in Guatemala and South Africa

Fertility rate
Guatemala

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Guatemala South Africa
2023 2.31 2.22
2022 2.34 2.23
2021 2.39 2.25
2020 2.47 2.26
2019 2.59 2.26
2018 2.74 2.27
2017 2.86 2.28
2016 2.97 2.26
2015 3.03 2.36
2014 3.09 2.42
2013 3.15 2.43
2012 3.22 2.45
2011 3.29 2.44
2010 3.38 2.44
2009 3.47 2.5
2008 3.57 2.68
2007 3.72 2.55
2006 3.85 2.55
2005 3.97 2.51
2004 4.13 2.44
2003 4.25 2.36
2002 4.37 2.32
2001 4.5 2.37
2000 4.58 2.41
1999 4.69 2.56
1998 4.8 2.63
1997 4.91 2.73
1996 5.01 2.99
1995 5.11 3.17
1994 5.19 3.26
1993 5.25 3.37
1992 5.31 3.48
1991 5.38 3.62
1990 5.48 3.72
1989 5.56 3.98
1988 5.62 4.18
1987 5.64 4.35
1986 5.66 4.41
1985 5.73 4.5
1984 5.86 4.57
1983 5.98 4.63
1982 6.06 4.7
1981 6.12 4.71
1980 6.17 4.78
1979 6.22 4.82
1978 6.26 4.85
1977 6.32 4.94
1976 6.37 5.07
1975 6.41 5.19
1974 6.46 5.3
1973 6.49 5.41
1972 6.51 5.49
1971 6.55 5.57
1970 6.6 5.63
1969 6.65 5.72
1968 6.7 5.78
1967 6.76 5.85
1966 6.8 5.91
1965 6.84 5.89
1964 6.87 5.96
1963 6.9 6.01
1962 6.93 6.05
1961 6.98 6.08
1960 7 6.11

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/south-africa | CC BY

Guatemala and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Guatemala

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Guatemala South Africa
2024 24 29.5
2023 23.7 29.2
2022 23.3 28.9
2021 22.9 28.6
2020 22.6 28.3
2019 22.3 27.9
2018 22 27.5
2017 21.7 27
2016 21.3 26.7
2015 21.1 26.4
2014 20.8 26
2013 20.4 25.7
2012 20.1 25.3
2011 19.9 25
2010 19.6 24.6
2009 19.4 24.3
2008 19.1 24
2007 18.9 23.8
2006 18.7 23.5
2005 18.5 23.3
2004 18.3 23.1
2003 18.1 22.8
2002 18 22.4
2001 17.8 22.2
2000 17.7 21.9
1999 17.7 21.6
1998 17.6 21.4
1997 17.5 21.2
1996 17.4 21.2
1995 17.4 21.5
1994 17.3 22
1993 17.3 21.9
1992 17.3 21.5
1991 17.2 21.5
1990 17.2 21.3
1989 17.1 21.1
1988 17.1 20.9
1987 17.1 20.7
1986 17.1 20.5
1985 17 20.4
1984 17 20.2
1983 17 20
1982 17.1 19.8
1981 17.1 19.6
1980 17.1 19.4
1979 17.1 19.3
1978 17 19.2
1977 17 19.1
1976 17 19
1975 16.9 18.9
1974 16.8 18.9
1973 16.8 18.8
1972 16.8 18.8
1971 16.8 18.8
1970 16.8 18.8
1969 16.8 18.8
1968 16.7 18.8
1967 16.7 18.8
1966 16.7 18.8
1965 16.7 18.8
1964 16.6 18.9
1963 16.6 18.9
1962 16.6 18.9
1961 16.7 19
1960 16.7 19

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/south-africa | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Guatemala and South Africa.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Guatemala South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.11%
2023
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.37%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
43,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.96%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
63.5
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
0.9%
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.22%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00002%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$21.6B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
594,000
2020
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.35%
2020
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
38.3%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Guatemala South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
888 kg
2022
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$14.7
2022
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
20.4 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.11 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
34.6%
2022
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.1%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
5.26%
2022
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
38.4%
2022
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
670 kWh
2022
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
60.7%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
43.7%
2022
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Guatemala South Africa
% of world population
0.23%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-7,959
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
56%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.6:50.4
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.39 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
4.95 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
37.3
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
26
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
41
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
20
2021
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
22.9
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
130
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
82.1%
2024
91.2%
2024
English speaking
1%
2025
31%
2023
People using the Internet
56.1%
2023
75.7%
2023

Health

Guatemala South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$392
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$224.2
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
73 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
2.97%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
1.28
2020
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.6 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
94
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
21.4
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
27.6%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
13.2%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
37
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
11.9%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
1.54 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Guatemala South Africa
% of world land
0.07%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
2,248 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
17,807 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
13,487 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
10,949 mi
2016
466,028 mi
2016

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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