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(309k) Prosperity in Guatemala
USAID works with the people of Guatemala to improve health and education outcomes and create new opportunities for investment, job growth, and expanded markets.
Working closely with government institutions, USAID and its partners implement a wide-range of projects to address the major issues hindering prosperity in Guatemala. To reduce irregular migration, end poverty, and increase employment, USAID’s projects focus on: 1) promoting economic growth and resilience; 2) creating income-generating opportunities; and 3) strengthening health and education.
History & Context
The signing of the Peace Accords in 1996 brought a formal end to Guatemala’s internal armed conflict. However, the 36-year long conflict destroyed businesses and infrastructure, decreased the labor force, and stagnated the economy. Lack of economic opportunity is the single largest driver of irregular migration from Guatemala. In 2018, the economy created only one new job for every 15 people entering the job market. Approximately 70 percent of Guatemala’s economy is informal, characterized by low productivity, wages, and competitiveness. Without access to local economic opportunities, Guatemalans are migrating to other countries.
Currently, much of Guatemala’s workforce lacks sufficient education and training, access to financial services for small and medium-sized businesses is limited, infrastructure connecting cities is outdated, and regulations inhibit investment. While agriculture is the most labor-intensive sector in the Guatemalan economy—employing 33 percent of the population—it only contributes 13.5 percent to the gross domestic product and offers limited opportunities for prosperity and growth. This landscape makes it difficult for Guatemalans to attain a better quality of life, and by one estimate, has driven 1.5 million Guatemalans to emigrate in the last 20 years.
Programs
Regional
- Strengthening Care and Treatment Cascade Project
- HIV Prevention for High Risk Individuals Activity
- Global Health Supply Chain for Procurement and Supply Management for HIV
- Central American Project for Sustaining and Championing the Human Rights Response to HIV
- Sustainable HIV Knowledge Management
Guatemala
- Creating Economic Opportunities
- Puentes Project
- Climate, Nature, and Communities
- Innovative Solutions for Agricultural Value Chains Project
- Health and Education Policy Project Plus (HEP+)
- Coffee Value Chains Project
- Improved Health and Nutrition
- Strengthening Governance in the Maya Biosphere Reserve
Last updated: January 28, 2022
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