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Economy of Ghana vs Guatemala compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $113B for Guatemala, ranking 80/197 and 68/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $29.8B (26.3% of GDP) in Guatemala.

Ghana vs Guatemala GDP by year

Ghana
Guatemala
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Guatemala
2024 $82,308,110,386 $113,199,581,158
2023 $80,547,146,878 $104,368,755,055
2022 $73,919,003,210 $95,641,446,501
2021 $79,514,204,730 $86,455,522,273
2020 $70,008,243,860 $77,719,468,248
2019 $68,352,629,246 $77,172,331,693
2018 $67,259,353,966 $73,328,356,008
2017 $60,385,409,435 $71,653,780,740
2016 $56,144,179,398 $66,053,408,206
2015 $49,436,806,230 $62,186,066,548
2014 $54,678,533,806 $57,852,159,008
2013 $62,845,721,960 $52,996,420,177
2012 $41,271,701,061 $49,593,929,487
2011 $39,336,668,081 $46,876,006,272
2010 $32,197,655,567 $40,676,578,423
2009 $26,048,720,006 $37,126,148,265
2008 $28,679,383,241 $38,503,720,224
2007 $24,827,339,138 $33,567,850,824
2006 $20,885,037,597 $29,744,246,827
2005 $10,744,568,381 $26,783,389,294
2004 $8,881,417,907 $23,577,298,095
2003 $7,632,723,556 $21,576,351,799
2002 $6,166,197,848 $20,444,205,991
2001 $5,314,872,854 $18,405,220,247
2000 $4,982,850,662 $19,288,929,030
1999 $7,718,109,982 $18,318,412,251
1998 $7,482,069,162 $19,395,491,993
1997 $6,891,443,192 $17,790,026,222
1996 $6,932,991,739 $15,674,835,615
1995 $6,464,382,808 $14,655,404,433
1994 $5,446,383,727 $12,983,233,311
1993 $5,968,922,939 $11,400,017,301
1992 $6,416,103,926 $10,440,781,588
1991 $6,603,185,268 $9,406,135,143
1990 $5,889,106,573 $7,650,196,845
1989 $5,251,858,440 $8,410,724,361
1988 $5,197,765,032 $7,841,602,824
1987 $5,074,829,932 $7,084,399,840
1986 $5,735,677,434 $7,231,963,516
1985 $4,504,306,723 $9,721,652,087
1984 $4,412,279,843 $9,470,000,100
1983 $4,057,275,132 $9,050,000,400
1982 $4,035,994,398 $8,716,999,700
1981 $4,222,441,860 $8,607,500,300
1980 $4,445,228,216 $7,878,700,000
1979 $4,020,227,920 $6,902,600,200
1978 $3,662,478,185 $6,070,600,200
1977 $3,189,428,571 $5,480,500,200
1976 $2,765,254,237 $4,365,300,200
1975 $2,810,106,383 $3,645,900,000
1974 $2,894,409,938 $3,161,499,900
1973 $3,006,766,758 $2,569,200,100
1972 $2,112,293,280 $2,101,300,000
1971 $2,417,108,578 $1,984,800,000
1970 $2,215,028,588 $1,904,000,000
1969 $1,962,050,556 $1,715,399,900
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,610,500,000
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,453,500,000
1966 $2,126,300,672 $1,390,700,000
1965 $2,053,462,968 $1,331,399,900
1964 $1,731,296,200 $1,299,099,900
1963 $1,540,797,589 $1,262,800,000
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,143,600,000
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,076,699,900
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,043,599,900

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guatemala | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Guatemala by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Guatemala
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $6,150 $14,369
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $5,758 $13,745
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $5,359 $13,014
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $4,913 $11,825
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $4,478 $10,947
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $4,512 $10,756
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $4,353 $9,947
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $4,325 $9,560
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $4,060 $9,201
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $3,894 $8,934
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $3,689 $8,237
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $3,444 $7,700
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $3,287 $7,258
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $3,169 $6,784
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $2,805 $6,510
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $2,612 $6,377
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $2,763 $6,435
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $2,459 $6,238
2006 $906 $3,103 $2,225 $5,833
2005 $479 $2,904 $2,046 $5,486
2004 $406 $2,729 $1,841 $5,263
2003 $358 $2,584 $1,723 $5,081
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $1,669 $4,969
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,538 $4,822
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $1,649 $4,715
1999 $403 $2,239 $1,604 $4,557
1998 $400 $2,167 $1,741 $4,437
1997 $378 $2,097 $1,638 $4,287
1996 $389 $2,026 $1,481 $4,143
1995 $372 $1,947 $1,421 $4,055
1994 $321 $1,875 $1,293 $3,886
1993 $360 $1,821 $1,166 $3,756
1992 $396 $1,739 $1,096 $3,626
1991 $418 $1,678 $1,014 $3,473
1990 $383 $1,581 $848 $3,330
1989 $350 - $958 -
1988 $355 - $919 -
1987 $355 - $854 -
1986 $411 - $896 -
1985 $330 - $1,238 -
1984 $330 - $1,241 -
1983 $311 - $1,220 -
1982 $319 - $1,204 -
1981 $344 - $1,216 -
1980 $372 - $1,142 -
1979 $347 - $1,026 -
1978 $326 - $925 -
1977 $292.3 - $856 -
1976 $261 - $697 -
1975 $273 - $595 -
1974 $289.4 - $529 -
1973 $310 - $441 -
1972 $223.8 - $370 -
1971 $263.4 - $358 -
1970 $248.2 - $353 -
1969 $225.8 - $326 -
1968 $196.7 - $315 -
1967 $211.2 - $291.9 -
1966 $263.3 - $287.3 -
1965 $260.5 - $283 -
1964 $225 - $284.2 -
1963 $205 - $284.4 -
1962 $188.4 - $265.2 -
1961 $181.9 - $257.2 -
1960 $174.9 - $256.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guatemala | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $6,150 in Guatemala, ranking 112/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369.

Economic indicators

Ghana Guatemala
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$113B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
3.65%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$6,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
112/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$14,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
116/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$29.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$1,619
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
124/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$4,917
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
34.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
1.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
13.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
2.87%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
1.9%
2024
Population
35885254
19049936

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Guatemala
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Guatemala
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 13.4% 26.3%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 13.7% 27.2%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 14.3% 29%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 13.5% 30.6%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 15.6% 31.5%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 13.4% 26.4%
2018 20.9% 62% 13.2% 26.4%
2017 17.6% 57% 12.8% 25.1%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 12.6% 24.9%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 12.6% 24.8%
2014 21% 50.1% 13.6% 24.7%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 14% 25%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 14.2% 24.6%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 14.5% 23.8%
2010 19% 32.9% 14.5% 24%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 14.1% 22.8%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 13.3% 19.6%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 13.9% 20.8%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 14.2% 20.9%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 13.2% 20%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 12.9% 20.6%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 14.4% 19.8%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 13.1% 17.4%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 13.8% 19.1%
2000 12% 74.5% 13.6% 18%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 14.6% 22%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 13.2% 19%
1997 12% 45.2% 11.2% 18.5%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 9.85% 19.2%
1995 13% 47.6% 9.77% 21%
1994 12.7% 50.6% - -
1993 12.1% 34.1% - -
1992 9.2% 21.3% - -
1991 7.09% 17.3% - -
1990 6.59% 17.8% - -
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% - -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - -
1986 7.29% 18.2% - -
1985 6.08% 14.4% - -
1984 4.64% 13% - -
1983 3.49% 9.21% - -
1982 4.73% 8.51% - -
1981 5.74% 8.77% - -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% - -
1975 13.2% 21.8% - -
1974 9.52% 21.8% - -
1973 9.35% 25.4% - -
1972 11.4% 29.8% - -
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% - -
1969 11.2% 31.4% - -
1968 12.3% 34.5% - -
1967 11.5% 33.9% - -
1966 9.12% 29.8% - -
1965 14.2% 30.2% - -
1964 15.8% 30.8% - -
1963 15.3% 30.5% - -
1962 12.5% 11.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guatemala | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Guatemala spent $15.1B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 26.3% in Guatemala, ranking 57/185 and 161/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Guatemala
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Guatemala
2024 -7.31% -0.96%
2023 -3.37% -1.25%
2022 -11.8% -1.7%
2021 -12% -1.16%
2020 -17.4% -4.91%
2019 -7.52% -2.24%
2018 -6.79% -1.88%
2017 -3.97% -1.38%
2016 -6.75% -1.11%
2015 -4.01% -1.47%
2014 -7.81% -1.92%
2013 -9.12% -2.16%
2012 -8.36% -2.42%
2011 -5.47% -2.8%
2010 -7.13% -3.28%
2009 -5.05% -3.12%
2008 -5.56% -1.57%
2007 -4.91% -1.4%
2006 -3.11% -1.88%
2005 -1.87% -1.67%
2004 -2.02% -1.05%
2003 -1.99% -2.47%
2002 -2.73% -1.03%
2001 -3.64% -2%
2000 -3.98% -1.88%
1999 -5.64% -2.96%
1998 -5.27% -2.29%
1997 -6.14% -0.79%
1996 -5.61% 0.04%
1995 -4.52% -0.53%
1994 -4.99% -
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
1991 -1.47% -
1990 -1.93% -
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -
1985 -1.19% -
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -
1981 -3.8% -
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% -
1975 -4.05% -
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -2.32% -
1966 -1.29% -
1965 -3.29% -
1964 -3.72% -
1963 -5.66% -
1962 -5.04% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guatemala | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.02B, equivalent to 7.31% of GDP. This compares to Guatemala's deficit of $1.09B, or 0.96% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Guatemala ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for Guatemala.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Guatemala
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Guatemala
2024 22.8% 2.87%
2023 38.1% 6.21%
2022 31.3% 6.89%
2021 9.97% 4.26%
2020 9.89% 3.21%
2019 7.14% 3.7%
2018 7.81% 3.75%
2017 12.4% 4.42%
2016 17.5% 4.45%
2015 17.1% 2.39%
2014 15.5% 3.42%
2013 11.7% 4.34%
2012 11.2% 3.78%
2011 8.73% 6.21%
2010 10.7% 3.86%
2009 19.2% 1.86%
2008 16.5% 11.4%
2007 10.7% 6.82%
2006 11.7% 6.56%
2005 15.4% 9.11%
2004 18% 7.58%
2003 29.8% 5.6%
2002 9.36% 8.13%
2001 41.5% 7.29%
2000 40.2% 5.98%
1999 4.87% 5.21%
1998 14.6% 6.61%
1997 27.9% 9.23%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guatemala | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 5.54% in Guatemala. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 2.87% in Guatemala.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Metals $287K
Wood & paper products $191K
Raw agricultural goods $87K
Textiles & consumer goods $40K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Guatemala
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $437K
Chemicals & pharma $75K
Raw materials & minerals $53K
Machinery & equipment $17K

Balance of trade

Ghana Guatemala
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$3.27B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
38/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+2.89%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$13.3B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$6.45B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$4.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
31.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
15.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Ghana Guatemala
Economic freedom 57.3 63.5
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 79/197
Property rights 50.2 39.1
Government integrity 45.4 25.2
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 26.1
Tax burden 79.4 91.3
Government spending 84 94.3
Fiscal health 10.1 95.9
Business freedom 64.5 65.7
Labor freedom 54.9 52.5
Monetary freedom 56.7 77.3
Trade freedom 65.2 74.6
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Guatemala
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Guatemala
2026 57.3 63.5
2025 56 63.4
2024 55.8 62.4
2023 58 62.7
2022 59.8 63.2
2021 59.2 64
2020 59.4 64
2019 57.5 62.6
2018 56 63.4
2017 56.2 63
2016 63 61.8
2015 63 60.4
2014 64.2 61.2
2013 61.3 60
2012 60.7 60.9
2011 59.4 61.9
2010 60.2 61
2009 58.1 59.4
2008 57 59.8
2007 57.6 60.5
2006 55.6 59.1
2005 56.5 59.5
2004 59.1 59.6
2003 58.2 62.3
2002 57.2 62.3
2001 58 65.1
2000 58.1 64.3
1999 57.9 66.2
1998 57 65.8
1997 56.7 65.7
1996 57.7 63.7
1995 55.6 62

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guatemala | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 63.5 for Guatemala, ranking 79/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Guatemala
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
61.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
21.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
9.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$106B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$14,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$24.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
57/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$983M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.85B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
1.75%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
56%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
16.7%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guatemala | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.