Extreme poverty is defined by the World Bank as living on less than $2.15 a day. This isn’t just a number — it represents a life without adequate food, clean water, healthcare, education, or even the most basic housing. According to the World Bank, as of the most recent reports, about 59% of Guatemalans live below the national poverty line, and nearly 17% live in extreme poverty — meaning they survive on less than $2.15 a day. In rural and Indigenous communities, those numbers are even higher. Poverty in Guatemala is not just widespread — it’s deeply rooted.
The roots of poverty in Guatemala are complex. Historical injustice, a brutal civil war, systemic racism, and corruption have left deep scars. Land is unequally distributed, and many Indigenous families have limited access to education or healthcare. In some rural communities, especially among Indigenous populations, more than half of families are facing food insecurity. Many children are chronically malnourished, and clean water is still a luxury in too many homes.
Several complex and interrelated factors contribute to persistent extreme poverty in Guatemala:
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Inequitable land distribution: A legacy of colonialism and conflict has left most fertile land in the hands of a few.
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Weak governance and corruption: Public funds are often mismanaged, reducing investment in education, healthcare, and rural development.
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Lack of access to quality education: Many children drop out early to help support their families or because schools are too far or poorly resourced.
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Gender inequality: Women, especially in Indigenous communities, face significant barriers to economic participation and education.
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Climate change: Frequent droughts, floods, and unpredictable growing seasons have devastated subsistence farming, which many rely on.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges of the Guatemalan people. But Scripture invites us to respond differently — not with despair, but with compassion. Proverbs 14:31 says, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” This isn’t optional for us. Loving the poor is an act of worship.
God sees the struggle. He is close to the brokenhearted. He hasn’t forgotten the people of Guatemala — and neither should we. We choose to act and build hope in partnership with the local church. Please pray as we begin construction for families facing ultra-poverty in Guatemala (first two are listed on our media page) and join us in expectation for how the Lord is going to move!
