Guatemala: Human Development Rating And Global Competitivenes Rating

Abstract

Based on the analysis carried out in this article, it is established that the challenges in education, health, infrastructure, citizen security, and innovation are essential for Guatemala to overcome if it wishes to position itself in better conditions of global competitiveness. The basis for the above statement was found by analyzing the Human Development indices and the Global Competitiveness index for the last six years.

In the 1DH Guatemala is located in position 118 of 131 countries evaluated, which places it at a medium level. It is in the last position in Latin America, dropping one in the last year. Among the variables that stand out: life expectancy at birth (EVN) is 69.7 years, the gross domestic product (GDP) per inhabitant amounts to US$ 4,568 and the adult literacy rate (TAA) is 69.1%.

In the Global Competitiveness Index, Guatemala rose four positions, going from 91 in 2006 to 87 in 2007. In the areas in which it was best evaluated, macroeconomics, infrastructure, market size, goods market efficiency and sophistication stand out. On the contrary, it presents enormous challenges in the pillars of health, primary education, institutions, higher education and training, and the sophistication of financial markets.