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Home » Central and South America » Why is a literacy rate so low in Guatemala?

Why is a literacy rate so low in Guatemala?

December 14, 2021 by Trevor Zboncak

Many young people in rural communities become bored in school, fail to develop proper study skills, and drop out. As a result, illiteracy rates among indigenous adults reach as high as 33%. Educational attainment is less than five years on average, and less than two years for indigenous women.

Contents

What is the illiteracy rate in Guatemala?

According to UNESCO, in Guatemala only 74.5% of the population age 15 and over is literate, the lowest literacy rate in Central America.

How is education in Guatemala?

Guatemala has a three-tier system of education starting with primary school, followed by secondary school and tertiary education, depending on the level of technical training. 74.5% of the population age 15 and over is literate, the lowest literacy rate in Central America.

Where does Guatemala rank in education?

Definitions

STAT Guatemala
Total population 70.6% Ranked 120th.
Primary education, duration > Years 6 Ranked 77th. The same as United States
Primary education, teachers per 1000 6.84 Ranked 24th. 25% more than United States
Pupil-teacher ratio, primary 26.29 Ranked 49th. 84% more than United States

How does poverty affect education in Guatemala?

Many families struggle to regularly put food on the table, making education in Guatemala a luxury rather than a necessity. Only a mere 10% attend high school. Children who cannot afford schooling often end up working for a low wage and cannot pursue higher education even as adults.

What is the poverty rate in Guatemala?

59.3%
The poverty rate in Guatemala is very high. According to the World Bank, 59.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. In addition, 23% live in extreme poverty. The indigenous people in Guatemala are most affected by poverty.

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What are some major problems in Guatemala?

  • Public Security, Corruption, and Criminal Justice. Violence and extortion by powerful criminal organizations remain serious problems in Guatemala.
  • Accountability for Past Human Rights Violations.
  • Violence Against Journalists.
  • Children’s Rights.
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health.
  • Key International Actors.

Why is Guatemala so poor?

Many depend on farming inherited land as their sole source of income, contributing to cyclical poverty in Guatemala. As 65 percent of the land is controlled by 2.5 percent of farms, land is passed down through families and most consider farming one of their only options.

How many grades are in Guatemala?

Similar to the United States, the educational system in Guatemala is divided into three levels: primary (elementary), secondary (high school), and university. Education in Guatemala is free and compulsory through sixth grade, or between the ages of 7 and 14.

What is 7th grade in Guatemala?

Education System in Guatemala

Primary Primary School 7–13
Middle Ciclo Prevocacional 13–16
Secondary Ciclo Diversificado (Diversified Secondary) 16–18
Vocational Technical Secondary School (Upper Secondary) 15–18
Tertiary Primary/Basic School Teacher Education

What country is #1 in education?

United States
Education Rankings by Country 2021

Country Rank (2021) Rank (2020)
United States 1 1
United Kingdom 2 2
Germany 3 4
Canada 4 3

Is Guatemala rich or poor?

Measured by its GDP per capita (US$4,603 in 2020), Guatemala is an upper middle-income country. However, the economic stability and upper middle-income status have not translated to a significant reduction in poverty and inequality.

Is Guatemala a bad country?

Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America, one of the world’s highest homicide rates and a very low arrest and detention rate. Most incidents of violent crime are drug- and gang-related. They occur throughout the country, including in tourist destinations.

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What is the average education level in Guatemala?

The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, reports on average Guatemalan children attend only 4 years of schooling and 3 out of 10 students graduate from the sixth grade. The literacy rates, (CESR) though have improved to 75.9%-88%, Guatemala still ranks lowest by comparison.

How much does school cost in Guatemala?

High school in Guatemala is expensive. It costs between $600 and $1,200 per year.

What are 5 interesting facts about Guatemala?

11 Surprising Cultural Facts You Didn’t Know About Guatemala

  • The national bird lends its name to the Guatemalan currency.
  • Guatemala means “land of many trees”
  • It has been inhabited for 20,000 years.
  • 22 languages are spoken in the country.
  • The CIA overthrew a socialist government in 1954.

Is Guatemala the poorest country in Central America?

Guatemala
Guatemala has the largest economy in Central America, but more than half of its citizens live below the poverty line. Guatemala’s per capita GDP is $3,838 making it the fourth-poorest country in North America.

Where does Guatemala rank in poverty?

Among indigenous people, who comprise almost 40 percent of the total population, the poverty rate is approximately 80 percent.
Economy of Guatemala.

Statistics
GDP per capita $4,617 (nominal, 2019 est.) $8,705 (PPP, 2019 est.)
GDP per capita rank 103rd (nominal, 2019) 116th (PPP, 2019)

Is Guatemala politically stable?

Guatemala: Political stability index (-2.5 weak; 2.5 strong), 1996 – 2020:The average value for Guatemala during that period was -0.72 points with a minimum of -1.01 points in 1996 and a maximum of -0.43 points in 2020. The latest value from 2020 is -0.43 points.

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How bad is life in Guatemala?

Guatemala suffers from a serious housing crisis. More than half of citizens have inadequate housing and land rights remain an issue, with around 1 percent of the population owning 60 percent of the land. Many families live in homes with dirt floors with parasites which cause different illnesses.

Is Guatemala a third world country?

In summary, Guatemala is a third world country. Even though it is a beautiful country with plenty of attractions, it continues to struggle with the effects of its long civil war. During the cold war, Guatemala was not a part of the east and west conflict.

Filed Under: Central and South America

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About Trevor Zboncak

Trevor Zboncak is a bit of an old grump, but he's also one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. He loves to travel and see new places, but he's not a fan of airports or long flights. Trevor has been all over the world, and he has some amazing stories to tell. He's also a great photographer, and his pictures will take your breath away.

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