Guatemala

Spanish

[spa] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1985, Constitution, Article 143). 15,840,000 in Guatemala, all users. L1 users: 12,100,000 in Guatemala (2018 World Factbook). L2 users: 3,740,000 (2018).

4 (Educational)

Akateko

[knj] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 55,300 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 66,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 58,190.

Awakateko

[agu] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 10,100 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 12,500 (2019 census).

Ixil

[ixl] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 115,000 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 133,000 (2019 census).

K’iche’

[quc] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 1,050,000 (2019 census). 300,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,680,000 (2019 census).

Poqomchi’

[poh] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 133,000 (2019 census). 40,000 monolinguals (2017 B. Ramirez). Ethnic population: 177,000 (2019 census).

Q’eqchi’

[kek] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 1,130,000 in Guatemala (2019 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 1,370,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 1,147,600.

Tz’utujil

[tzj] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 72,400 (2019 census), increasing. 17,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 106,000 (2019 census).

5 (Developing)

Chuj

[cac] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 58,600 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 91,400 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 62,120.

Mam

[mam] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 591,000 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 842,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 602,400.

Q’anjob’al

[kjb] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 166,000 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 208,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 176,900.

Guatemalan Sign Language

[gsm] 5 (Developing). 50,000 (2021). Estimated 33,000–66,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the total population. Another estimate: 28,000–256,000 signing deaf (Parks and Parks 2008).

Jakalteko

[jac] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 32,600 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 54,200 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 33,080.

Uspanteko

[usp] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 5,130 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 7,490 (2003 census).

6b (Threatened)

Achi

[acr] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 124,000 (2019 census). 5,000 monolinguals (2015 C. Barrera). Ethnic population: 161,000 (2019 census).

Ch’orti’

[caa] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 16,700 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 112,000 (2019 census).

Garifuna

[cab] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 2,860 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 19,500 (2019 census).

Kaqchikel

[cak] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 411,000 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 1,070,000 (2019 census).

Maya, Mopán

[mop] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 2,010 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 3,360 (2019 census).

Poqomam

[poc] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 10,800 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 46,500 (2019 census).

Sipakapense

[qum] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 4,160 (2019 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 17,400 (2019 census).

Tektiteko

[ttc] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 3,010 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 3,320 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 3,088.

7 (Shifting)

Kaqchikel-K’iche’ Mixed Language

[ckz] 7 (Shifting). 2,000 (1998 SIL).

Sakapulteko

[quv] 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 6,530 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 12,900 (2019 census).

8a (Moribund)

Itza’

[itz] 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). 410 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 2,930 (2019 census).

9 (Reawakening)

Xinca

[xin] 9 (Reawakening). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). No known L1 speakers, but emerging L2 speakers. Last fluent speakers probably died by the 1970s; some semi-speakers survived into the 2000s. Ethnic population: 16,200 (2003 census).

10 (Extinct)

Chicomuceltec

[cob] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers in Guatemala. The last speaker probably died in the 1930s (Campbell and Canger 1978).

Guatemala

Primary tabs

Browse by

25th Edition

Products

Related Sites