Long - run prospects for increasing income levels in Guatemala"s highlands

Population projections and man-land ratios are projected to year 2000. The prospects for financing rural development programs are investigated. It is estimated that income transfers alone could not increase average real per capita incomes in the highlands by more than 17 percent during the 1975-2000 period. Programs to open new land areas, to increase yields, and to promote diversification would be required if per capita incomes are to be doubled by year 2000. Income distributions could be changed substantially with very little impact on average income levels through land redistribution programs.