RELIGION LIBRARY

Guatemala

Map of Guatemala

The country has an area of 42,043 square miles and a population of 14 million. According to official census data, the indigenous population is 43 percent of the total, although unofficial estimates are higher.
There is no official census of religious affiliation. The Episcopal Conference of Guatemala, the official ruling body of the Roman Catholic Church, estimates that 65 to 70 percent of the population is Catholic (2009). Alianza Evangelica, the official umbrella organization for Protestants, estimates that 35 to 40 percent of the population is Protestant. A 2006 survey conducted by Latinobarómetro indicates that Catholics constitute 56.9 percent of the population and evangelicals 30.7 percent. The largest Protestant group is the Full Gospel Church, followed by the Assemblies of God, the Central American Church, and the Prince of Peace Church, as well as many independent evangelical groups. Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Seventh-day Adventists, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and Jehovah's Witnesses are present. Jews (approximately 2,000) and a small Muslim population reside primarily in Guatemala City.
Catholics and Protestants are distributed throughout the country, and their adherents are found among all major ethnic groups and political parties. According to leaders of Mayan spiritual organizations and Catholic and Protestant missionaries, many indigenous Catholics and some Protestants also practice some form of indigenous spiritual ritual.

Population Population (2009 est.) 13,276,517
Religious Demographics Roman Catholic, Protestant, Indigenous Mayan beliefs
Ethnic Groups Ethnic Groups Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census)
Languages Languages Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Country Flag Flag of Guatemala