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Economy of Guatemala vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 68/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Guatemala vs Iran GDP by year

Guatemala
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Iran
2024 $113,199,581,158 $475,252,089,215
2023 $104,368,755,055 $457,510,482,317
2022 $95,641,446,501 $422,662,261,526
2021 $86,455,522,273 $407,350,685,583
2020 $77,719,468,248 $280,934,329,280
2019 $77,172,331,693 $347,988,400,958
2018 $73,328,356,008 $411,903,303,606
2017 $71,653,780,740 $510,239,893,418
2016 $66,053,408,206 $478,618,064,871
2015 $62,186,066,548 $409,191,686,497
2014 $57,852,159,008 $462,284,793,281
2013 $52,996,420,177 $500,399,839,840
2012 $49,593,929,487 $644,019,315,004
2011 $46,876,006,272 $629,082,257,472
2010 $40,676,578,423 $487,069,570,464
2009 $37,126,148,265 $414,059,094,949
2008 $38,503,720,224 $406,070,949,554
2007 $33,567,850,824 $349,736,591,832
2006 $29,744,246,827 $265,602,187,404
2005 $26,783,389,294 $224,970,371,325
2004 $23,577,298,095 $187,754,571,248
2003 $21,576,351,799 $151,911,222,119
2002 $20,444,205,991 $128,626,917,504
2001 $18,405,220,247 $126,878,750,296
2000 $19,288,929,030 $109,591,707,802
1999 $18,318,412,251 $113,848,450,088
1998 $19,395,491,993 $110,276,913,363
1997 $17,790,026,222 $113,919,163,421
1996 $15,674,835,615 $120,403,931,885
1995 $14,655,404,433 $96,419,225,744
1994 $12,983,233,311 $71,841,461,173
1993 $11,400,017,301 $63,743,623,232
1992 $10,440,781,588 $119,768,691,217
1991 $9,406,135,143 $131,637,664,958
1990 $7,650,196,845 $124,813,263,926
1989 $8,410,724,361 $120,496,362,916
1988 $7,841,602,824 $123,057,861,334
1987 $7,084,399,840 $134,009,995,923
1986 $7,231,963,516 $209,094,561,833
1985 $9,721,652,087 $180,183,629,600
1984 $9,470,000,100 $162,276,728,620
1983 $9,050,000,400 $156,365,156,618
1982 $8,716,999,700 $125,948,756,439
1981 $8,607,500,300 $100,499,312,750
1980 $7,878,700,000 $94,362,275,580
1979 $6,902,600,200 $90,391,877,326
1978 $6,070,600,200 $77,994,316,621
1977 $5,480,500,200 $80,600,122,702
1976 $4,365,300,200 $68,055,295,081
1975 $3,645,900,000 $51,776,222,350
1974 $3,161,499,900 $46,209,092,072
1973 $2,569,200,100 $27,081,698,250
1972 $2,101,300,000 $17,153,463,263
1971 $1,984,800,000 $13,731,802,833
1970 $1,904,000,000 $10,976,245,154
1969 $1,715,399,900 $9,743,089,607
1968 $1,610,500,000 $8,623,172,960
1967 $1,453,500,000 $7,555,383,690
1966 $1,390,700,000 $6,789,938,672
1965 $1,331,399,900 $6,197,319,929
1964 $1,299,099,900 $5,379,845,648
1963 $1,262,800,000 $4,928,628,018
1962 $1,143,600,000 $4,693,566,416
1961 $1,076,699,900 $4,426,949,095
1960 $1,043,599,900 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Iran by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $848 $3,330 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $958 - $2,125 -
1988 $919 - $2,234 -
1987 $854 - $2,513 -
1986 $896 - $4,064 -
1985 $1,238 - $3,634 -
1984 $1,241 - $3,395 -
1983 $1,220 - $3,397 -
1982 $1,204 - $2,845 -
1981 $1,216 - $2,393 -
1980 $1,142 - $2,368 -
1979 $1,026 - $2,352 -
1978 $925 - $2,101 -
1977 $856 - $2,243 -
1976 $697 - $1,954 -
1975 $595 - $1,532 -
1974 $529 - $1,409 -
1973 $441 - $851 -
1972 $370 - $555 -
1971 $358 - $457 -
1970 $353 - $377 -
1969 $326 - $345 -
1968 $315 - $314 -
1967 $291.9 - $283.7 -
1966 $287.3 - $262.9 -
1965 $283 - $247.5 -
1964 $284.2 - $221.7 -
1963 $284.4 - $209.6 -
1962 $265.2 - $205.8 -
1961 $257.2 - $200.1 -
1960 $256.8 - $195.6 -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Iran
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
7.63%
2024
Population
19049936
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 14.2% 34%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 14.3% 29% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 14% 25% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 14.5% 24% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 13.2% 20% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 13.6% 21%
2000 13.6% 18% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 14.6% 22% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 13.2% 19% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 9.77% 21% 21% 31.2%
1994 - - 23% 41.7%
1993 - - 27.2% 25.6%
1992 - - 14.4% 25.2%
1991 - - 14% 29.3%
1990 - - 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

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/guatemala/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 34% in Iran, ranking 161/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Iran
2024 -0.96% -3.83%
2023 -1.25% -2.54%
2022 -1.7% -2.64%
2021 -1.16% -3.01%
2020 -4.91% -4.87%
2019 -2.24% -4.3%
2018 -1.88% -1.59%
2017 -1.38% -1.55%
2016 -1.11% -1.7%
2015 -1.47% -1.3%
2014 -1.92% -0.91%
2013 -2.16% -0.72%
2012 -2.42% -0.5%
2011 -2.8% -0.66%
2010 -3.28% -0.84%
2009 -3.12% -3.3%
2008 -1.57% -4.39%
2007 -1.4% -2.41%
2006 -1.88% -4.91%
2005 -1.67% -2.44%
2004 -1.05% -2.45%
2003 -2.47% -2.76%
2002 -1.03% -2.88%
2001 -2% 0.02%
2000 -1.88% 5.42%
1999 -2.96% -0.51%
1998 -2.29% -5.03%
1997 -0.79% -1.81%
1996 0.04% -0.75%
1995 -0.53% -2.63%
1994 - -3.36%
1993 - -5.15%
1992 - -0.86%
1991 - -1.64%
1990 - -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

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/guatemala/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Guatemala's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.09B, equivalent to 0.96% of GDP. This compares to Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Iran
2024 2.87% 32.5%
2023 6.21% 44.6%
2022 6.89% 43.5%
2021 4.26% 43.4%
2020 3.21% 30.6%
2019 3.7% 39.9%
2018 3.75% 18%
2017 4.42% 8.04%
2016 4.45% 7.25%
2015 2.39% 12.5%
2014 3.42% 16.6%
2013 4.34% 36.6%
2012 3.78% 27.3%
2011 6.21% 26.3%
2010 3.86% 10.1%
2009 1.86% 13.6%
2008 11.4% 25.4%
2007 6.82% 17.3%
2006 6.56% 10%
2005 9.11% 13.4%
2004 7.58% 14.8%
2003 5.6% 16.5%
2002 8.13% 14.3%
2001 7.29% 11.3%
2000 5.98% 14.5%
1999 5.21% 20.1%
1998 6.61% 17.9%
1997 9.23% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Iran
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
23.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Iran
Economic freedom 63.5 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 185/197
Property rights 39.1 20.2
Government integrity 25.2 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 18.7
Tax burden 91.3 81.3
Government spending 94.3 94.7
Fiscal health 95.9 83.3
Business freedom 65.7 37.4
Labor freedom 52.5 41.8
Monetary freedom 77.3 42.2
Trade freedom 74.6 55.8
Investment freedom 70 5
Financial freedom 50 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Iran
2026 63.5 41.8
2025 63.4 42.5
2024 62.4 41.2
2023 62.7 42.2
2022 63.2 42.4
2021 64 47.2
2020 64 49.2
2019 62.6 51.1
2018 63.4 50.9
2017 63 50.5
2016 61.8 43.5
2015 60.4 41.8
2014 61.2 40.3
2013 60 43.2
2012 60.9 42.3
2011 61.9 42.1
2010 61 43.4
2009 59.4 44.6
2008 59.8 45
2007 60.5 45
2006 59.1 45
2005 59.5 50.5
2004 59.6 42.8
2003 62.3 43.2
2002 62.3 36.4
2001 65.1 35.9
2000 64.3 36.1
1999 66.2 36.8
1998 65.8 36
1997 65.7 34.5
1996 63.7 36.1
1995 62 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Iran
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
44.3%
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/guatemala/iran | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.