Accelerating Guatemala Growth
Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America, with a GDP of US$46.9 billion (2011). A moderate long-term rate of economic growth of 3.3 percent between 2001 and 2011 translated into a per capita GDP of $3,300 in 2011. However, Guatemala expe...
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2015
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/04/20456650/accelerating-guatemala-growth-growth-dialogue-report-based-high-level-policy-consultations-accelerating-guatemala-growth-growth-dialogue-report-based-high-level-policy-consultations http://hdl.handle.net/10986/21123 |
| Summary: | Guatemala is the largest economy in
Central America, with a GDP of US$46.9 billion (2011). A
moderate long-term rate of economic growth of 3.3 percent
between 2001 and 2011 translated into a per capita GDP of
$3,300 in 2011. However, Guatemala experienced 36 years of
civil unrest, which left few resources for social programs,
including education. The country is one of the most unequal
in Latin America, with an estimated Gini coefficient of
0.54. With 51 percent of its population living in poverty,
Guatemala urgently needs to accelerate growth and move
toward a more equitable society through rapid and inclusive
growth. The team identified four areas where Guatemala needs
to think long-term and think big: 1) the development of key
sectors with potential to move up the value chain; 2) a much
needed investment push in infrastructure and human capital;
3) the role of state in delivering essential services; and
4) cooperation between the government and business to foster
economic growth. Specific recommendations are further
elaborated in the various sections of the report. |
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