180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Not RecommendedLGBT+ visiting: Not Recommended
Tikal at sunrise, temples poking through the rainforest canopy with howler monkeys for a soundtrack, is one of the Americas' great sights. Lake Atitlán, ringed by volcanoes, and cobbled Antigua fill out the classic circuit. Guatemala's murder rate stays high, though tourist routes are well-trodden and well-protected — use the tourist shuttles, not the chicken buses, and stay current on advice.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people — lower is better.
Guatemala: 22.8
Ranked 11th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
22.76 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024 — a high rate by any standard.
Higher than 92% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is — lower is better.
Guatemala: 2.2
Ranked 56th least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 34% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.174.
Holding steady — unchanged since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom — higher is better.
Guatemala: 7.0
Ranked 76th freest country in the world.
Freer than 57% of the 165 countries measured — 7.07 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 6.69; doing business and owning property, 7.62.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life — higher is better.
Guatemala: 3.5
Ranked 83rd least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Ranks behind 53% of the 197 countries scored for LGBT+ equality — 35 out of 100.
Law and public attitudes sit close together, at 38 and 31 out of 100.