Updated
Overview
Guatemala has about 70% more people than Honduras: 18.69 million against 11.01 million (2025).
Guatemala's economy is 3.1 times the size of Honduras's, at $123.31B versus $39.60B.
Per person, Guatemala is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $3,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Guatemala | Honduras | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $123.31B | $39.60B | 2025 | $113.20B / $37.09B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $6,598 | $3,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.3% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 4.6% | 2025 | 2.9% / 4.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.6% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 43 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $465 | $433 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $431 | Higher: $464 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.46 | $5.19 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.69 million | 11.01 million | 2025 | 18.26 million / 9.53 million |
| Population growth | 1.5% | 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 23.4 yrs | 24.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.26 | 2.45 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.7 yrs | Higher: 73.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 59% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 60% | 59% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 108,889 km² | 112,492 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 171.6/km² | 97.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 20 Mt | Lower: 13 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.1 t | 1.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $415.19M | $581.27M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.4% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 43,000 | 23,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Guatemala is growing faster: 4.3% annual GDP growth versus 3.8%.
Honduras runs the hotter price environment: 4.6% inflation versus 1.5%.
Average monthly earnings favour Guatemala: $465 against $433 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 23.4 (Guatemala) and 24.2 (Honduras).
Geography
By land area, Guatemala is almost exactly the same size as Honduras: 108,889 km² versus 112,492 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Honduras spends about 40% more on defence than Guatemala: $581.27M versus $415.19M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Honduras carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.4%.
Guatemala fields the larger armed forces: 43,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Guatemala bigger than Honduras?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Guatemala covers 108,889 km² while Honduras covers 112,492 km², a difference of under 3%.
- Which has more people, Guatemala or Honduras?
- Guatemala has the larger population: 18.69 million versus 11.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Guatemala richer than Honduras?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Guatemala is richer: $6,598 against $3,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $123.31B for Guatemala versus $39.60B for Honduras.
- Who spends more on their military, Guatemala or Honduras?
- Honduras spends more: $581.27M versus $415.19M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).