• 4 in 10 children under the age of 5 five are chronically malnourished making Guatemala the 4th highest chronic malnutrition rate in the world.
  • Two thirds of the population live on less than $2 a day.
  • Guatemala has the lowest literacy rate in Central America.
  • The average student in Guatemala only receives 4 years of schooling.
  • Guatemala’s spending on education is one of the lowest in the world.
  • The schools in Guatemala have few educational materials, poor infrastructures and low quality educators. It is difficult for many children to attend school because of the rising cost of uniforms, books, supplies and transportation. For many time spent in school could be better spent working to sustain their families. Other children do not have access to a school close by. Gender inequality in education is common. Male literacy and school enrolment exceeds female rates.