As the Government of Guatemala advances efforts to strengthen sustainable reintegration services, a new report by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlights the evolving profile of returned migrants and the opportunities they bring. Many return with valuable skills, experience, and aspirations that can support their reintegration and contribute to Guatemala's development.
The report highlights how changing returnee profiles are creating new reintegration challenges and opportunities for Guatemala, underscoring the need for tailored support to help returning migrants rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
"Data is fundamental to transforming return into an opportunity for sustainable reintegration," said a spokesperson for IOM Guatemala. "Understanding who returned migrants are, what their needs are, and what capabilities they bring allows us to strengthen services, better target resources, and support Guatemalan institutions so that no one returns without opportunities to rebuild their future."
Drawing on official government data, complemented by results stemming from a voluntary survey conducted with more than 12,000 returnees between January and September 2025, focus groups with 156 returned migrants, and interviews with government officials, community leaders, migrant organizations, and private-sector representatives, the report provides one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of return and reintegration in Guatemala.
The findings show that more Guatemalans are returning after spending longer periods abroad. Many have built lives, developed skills, and gained work experience before returning home. Returnees are also increasingly likely to be older, male, Indigenous, and from rural communities in Guatemala's Western Highlands.
More than 55,000 Guatemalans were returned to Guatemala in 2025, the vast majority from the United States and a smaller number from Mexico. Compared to previous years, many returnees are older, more likely to come from rural communities, and often bring valuable experience gained abroad. Adult men accounted for 88 per cent of returnees, up from 73 per cent in 2024.
The report finds that many returnees arrive with valuable work experience, skills and professional knowledge gained abroad. Yet many also return with limited information about available services, outstanding migration-related debts, family members still living abroad, and difficulties accessing support, particularly in rural areas.
Despite these challenges, many returnees are looking to rebuild their lives in Guatemala. Half of those surveyed said they do not intend to migrate again. Among the 31 per cent who would consider re-emigrating, nearly eight in ten said they would be willing to remain in Guatemala if employment opportunities were available. Many also expressed willingness to relocate within the country for work.
The report notes that Guatemala has made significant progress in recent years. The Government's Plan Retorno al Hogar, launched in February 2025, brings together more than 20 government institutions, international organizations and private-sector partners through, among other initiatives, the operationalization of a Reception and Registration Center in Guatemala City, where returned migrants have access to different kinds of reintegration services.
While Guatemala has laid important foundations through this initiative, the report notes that the changing profile of returnees will require continued investments in employment pathways, stronger institutional coordination, improved data collection, and expanded local services to help migrants rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
The report concludes that continued investment in jobs, skills recognition, private-sector engagement, data collection, and local reintegration services will help returnees rebuild their lives and contribute to Guatemala's development.
Read the full report "Rebuilding Lives in Guatemala: Understanding Returnee Profiles and Integration Challenges" here .
