Guatemala · Americas
How many people die in Guatemala every day?
In Guatemala, about 260 people die every day, roughly one death every 6 minutes. That is about 95,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 86th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 71.8 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
260
Deaths per year
95,000
Life expectancy
71.8 years
Population
17,602,431
Death rate
5.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Guatemala
71.8
World avg
72.8
-1.0 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Guatemala
5.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Guatemala by time period
| Per hour | 11 |
| Per day | 260 |
| Per week | 1,822 |
| Per month | 7,917 |
| Per year | 95,000 |
What people die of in Guatemala
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Guatemala in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 12.2% of all deaths, about 32 a day. It was followed by diabetes and pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections.
Deaths from kidney diseases have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 1,692 to 7,132 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 62% since 2000, from about 6,068 to 2,302 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 11,725 | 32 | 12.2% | +180% |
| 2 | Diabetes | 9,094 | 25 | 9.4% | +294% |
| 3 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 7,966 | 22 | 8.3% | -35% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 7,132 | 20 | 7.4% | +322% |
| 5 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 5,530 | 15 | 5.7% | +109% |
| 6 | Stroke | 4,867 | 13 | 5% | +68% |
| 7 | Homicide (interpersonal violence) | 4,846 | 13 | 5% | +46% |
| 8 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 2,302 | 6.3 | 2.4% | -62% |
| 9 | Road injuries | 2,192 | 6.0 | 2.3% | +190% |
| 10 | Alcohol use disorders | 2,117 | 5.8 | 2.2% | +76% |
Deaths in Guatemala since 2000
WHO estimates that about 96,470 people died in Guatemala in 2023, 40% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 69,072 deaths |
| 2010 | 81,791 deaths |
| 2019 | 89,774 deaths |
| 2023 | 96,470 deaths |
Life expectancy in Guatemala since 1950
A baby born in Guatemala in 1950 could expect to live about 37.8 years. By 2023 that had risen to 72.6, a gain of 34.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 37.8 years |
| 1980 | 55.3 years |
| 2000 | 67.1 years |
| 2010 | 69.9 years |
| 2019 | 71.6 years |
| 2023 | 72.6 years |
Guatemala compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Guatemala ranks 22nd for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | 260 | 71.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ecuador | 241 | 77 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Chile | 315 | 78.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bolivia | 197 | 64 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Haiti | 274 | 64 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Dominican Republic | 186 | 74.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Guatemala every day?
In Guatemala, about 260 people die every day, or roughly one death every 6 minutes. That adds up to about 95,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Guatemala?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Guatemala. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 12.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Guatemala?
Life expectancy at birth in Guatemala is 71.8 years, 1.0 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 113th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Guatemala high?
Guatemala records about 5.4 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.