Talk about Social problems in Guatemala Is to speak of violence, drug addiction, illiteracy, delinquency or malnutrition, among others.
The Republic of Guatemala possesses a wide indigenous culture that has been the result of its Mayan heritage but also of the Castilian influence during the colonial era. However, at the present time, Guatemala's social problems, coupled with economic and political imbalances, make it one of the countries with the highest levels of violence and alarming corruption.
In addition, impunity has reigned for many years and there are few guarantees for foreign investment. On the other hand, the education system has not been able to reach all parts of the country. But this is not all.
10 most serious social problems in Guatemala
1- Violence
Guatemala is today one of the most violent countries in the world. Violence is a major threat to public safety and health. According to data from 2016, up to October last year there were 15 murders a day. This means that up to that date there were more than 4,600 crimes.
With these figures it is clear that the situation in the Central American country is really serious and worrying. The situation is comparable to an armed conflict, although there is no official war.
Another of the problems that afflict the country is violence against women. According to figures from October last year, between two and five women die every day from violence in Guatemala. In addition, 22 of them are raped and one in five adolescents is already a mother or is pregnant.
2- Corruption
Another of the major problems facing Guatemala is corruption. This country has been suffering from widespread corruption that today is only beginning to have a solution. In 2015, Guatemalans saw former President Otto Pérez Molina and part of his cabinet accused of corruption and other types of bribery.
The country had established a criminal network that was run by the same government. In 2016, Attorney General Thelma Aldana said some 70 people belonging to the political and economic elite were involved in money laundering and bribery. For many years corruption was tolerated in the country, which led to impunity and the reinforcement of criminal structures.
3-Drug addiction
Another major problem is drug addiction. The country has long been a place for drug trafficking, but now has alarming rates of consumption. This problem particularly affects the young population. Therefore, one of the main actions that the authorities intend to carry out is the prevention of the sale of drugs and alcoholic beverages near the educational centers.
After several surveys it has been determined that a large proportion of young women who use drugs started out in this world just out of curiosity. The preferred place for the consumption of these substances is usually the street due to the influence of friendships.
4- Illiteracy
Illiteracy is another serious problem present in Guatemala. By 2015 there were 1,300,000 people who could not read or write. This problem is often seen as an epidemic that attacks not only against freedom but also against the progress of peoples. This is because an illiterate population has many limitations. These people do not know how to read their rights or write a curriculum vitae to look for a job, for example.
Illiteracy is a chronic disease that condemns people to exploitation and oppression. For this reason, in recent years, the authorities have carried out different initiatives to reduce illiteracy rates in the region. Thus they expect that by 2021 they can reach a literacy rate of over 96%.
5- Unemployment
Unemployment is one of the main problems affecting the Guatemalan population, both in urban and rural areas. According to the National Employment and Revenue Survey (ENEI), by 2016, the unemployed population was estimated at 204,000. This was in relation to the economically active population, which was about 6.6 million people. In Guatemala the population of working age reaches 10.7 million.
But the biggest problem with unemployment affects young people. Lack of opportunity oppresses new professionals, many of whom are forced to emigrate. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics revealed in the same survey, the population group that has the most challenges to be employed is that of young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Last year the open unemployment rate increased to 3.1%, surpassing the 2.7% of 2015.
6- Malnutrition
Another of the major problems present in this Central American country is malnutrition. From January to November 2016, 111 children under 5 years of age died due to malnutrition. This is a problem that affects more than half of the Guatemalan population.
And according to research by UNICEF in 2014, 43.4% of the child population (under 5 years old) presented chronic malnutrition. This means that four out of ten children in Guatemala suffered from a delay in height for their age.
Part of the problem of malnutrition has been caused by the effects of crop losses, low incomes in the coffee sector, and declining health services. The greatest number of cases are in rural areas, in the indigenous population and in children of parents with low levels of education.
7- Poverty
Poverty is another of the serious problems that afflict the Guatemalan population. Corruption, unemployment and illiteracy are some of the factors that have affected the country's high poverty rates. By 2016, Guatemala was listed as one of the most violent and poorest countries in the world.
This Central American country is considered a rich country full of the poor. While it is true that during the last years the local economy has had a stable growth around 4%, this has not had repercussions in the society. This means that a large part of the population continues to live in poverty. According to figures, this would be 59.3%. These data show that Guatemala is one of the most unequal Latin American countries.
8- Delinquency
Delinquency is a social problem that is closely linked with violence. But it is also linked to various economic, social and cultural factors such as unemployment, poverty, underdevelopment, social inequality, discrimination, overcrowding, among others.
Guatemala is currently on alert for crime and organized crime. This has been made known by the president of the Republic, Jimmy Morales. As the head of state has said, the population is experiencing a"high intensity threat." Therefore, the authorities are in search of a plan that will allow them to neutralize both common and organized crime.
9- Mining
Mining has endangered the lives of many people. In the last years the conflicts related to the mining have been generalized. Both indigenous and non-indigenous communities have begun to protest against the mine site on their land and near their homes. The population fears that these activities may adversely affect their livelihoods and their lives in general.
The mining activity has resulted in a number of conflicts, especially since the human rights of many of the inhabitants of these mining areas have not been respected.
A part of the population has had to suffer years of threats, violence and the result of this have been people wounded and dead. Many of the protesters become targets of threats or attacks. And the worst of all is that in most cases, those responsible for those acts are not accountable to justice.
10- Alcoholism
Alcoholism in a social evil that affects many countries and Guatemala is one of them. This is usually one of those topics that do not talk too much, but does not mean that it does not exist. Worst of all is that this problem is the number one cause not only of diseases but also of accidents, loss of employment, economic problems and even family disintegration.
According to figures from Alcoholics Anonymous, by 2014 there were at least six million alcoholic people in Guatemala. And the biggest problem is that the figure has been increasing and it is the women and young people who most suffer from this addiction.
References
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- Javier, J. (2009). Poverty rather than a Problem an Opportunity to Go Forward. Guatemala. Retrieved from guatemala3000.com.
- The crusade against corruption in Guatemala is an example for the region (2016). Editorial committee. Retrieved from nytimes.com.
- Sagastume, A. (2017). The causes of illiteracy. Guest feather. Recovered from prensalibre.com.
- Felipe, O. (2016). Unemployment oppresses undergraduates; Lack of opportunities generates migration and violence. Recovered from prensalibre.com.
- Violence in Guatemala by the clouds: 15 murders a day. (2016). Recovered from the press.hn.
- There is alert in Guatemala for delinquency and organized crime: President. (2017). Recovered from xeu.com.mx.
- UNICEF, (2014) UNICEF Annual Report 2014 Guatemala. Guatemala.
- Mining in Guatemala: rights at risk. (2014). Recovered from movimientom4.org.
- Ibañez, J; López, J. (2014). Alcoholism, a social evil. Recovered from revistaamiga.com.