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Economy of Guatemala vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 68/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Guatemala vs Iraq GDP by year

Guatemala
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Iraq
2024 $113,199,581,158 $279,641,257,615
2023 $104,368,755,055 $268,881,051,644
2022 $95,641,446,501 $287,372,232,138
2021 $86,455,522,273 $209,691,945,713
2020 $77,719,468,248 $180,898,797,517
2019 $77,172,331,693 $233,636,097,800
2018 $73,328,356,008 $227,367,469,034
2017 $71,653,780,740 $187,217,660,051
2016 $66,053,408,206 $166,743,557,748
2015 $62,186,066,548 $166,774,104,959
2014 $57,852,159,008 $228,415,656,175
2013 $52,996,420,177 $234,637,675,129
2012 $49,593,929,487 $218,002,476,129
2011 $46,876,006,272 $185,749,664,444
2010 $40,676,578,423 $138,516,722,650
2009 $37,126,148,265 $111,657,580,326
2008 $38,503,720,224 $131,614,434,154
2007 $33,567,850,824 $88,837,057,320
2006 $29,744,246,827 $65,147,051,918
2005 $26,783,389,294 $50,065,104,668
2004 $23,577,298,095 $36,633,669,269
2003 $21,576,351,799 $21,921,569,479
2002 $20,444,205,991 $32,928,454,672
2001 $18,405,220,247 $36,176,430,129
2000 $19,288,929,030 $48,364,250,944
1999 $18,318,412,251 $36,881,601,584
1998 $19,395,491,993 $20,617,405,044
1997 $17,790,026,222 $20,764,857,056
1996 $15,674,835,615 $10,433,698,621
1995 $14,655,404,433 $12,894,029,888
1994 $12,983,233,311 $3,991,349,283
1993 $11,400,017,301 $1,031,944,881
1992 $10,440,781,588 $553,671,958
1991 $9,406,135,143 $407,796,350
1990 $7,650,196,845 $180,408,064,516
1989 $8,410,724,361 $65,831,935,484
1988 $7,841,602,824 $62,684,516,129
1987 $7,084,399,840 $56,774,193,548
1986 $7,231,963,516 $47,264,516,129
1985 $9,721,652,087 $48,425,161,290
1984 $9,470,000,100 $46,938,387,097
1983 $9,050,000,400 $40,712,903,226
1982 $8,716,999,700 $42,382,333,333
1981 $8,607,500,300 $37,823,000,000
1980 $7,878,700,000 $52,569,000,000
1979 $6,902,600,200 $37,816,457,839
1978 $6,070,600,200 $23,762,275,652
1977 $5,480,500,200 $19,838,130,715
1976 $4,365,300,200 $17,754,825,601
1975 $3,645,900,000 $13,458,516,763
1974 $3,161,499,900 $11,516,762,614
1973 $2,569,200,100 $5,134,367,778
1972 $2,101,300,000 $4,113,848,002
1971 $1,984,800,000 $3,865,346,535
1970 $1,904,000,000 $3,281,318,687
1969 $1,715,399,900 $3,007,758,797
1968 $1,610,500,000 $2,896,598,841
1967 $1,453,500,000 $2,551,522,656
1966 $1,390,700,000 $2,530,306,096
1965 $1,331,399,900 $2,335,785,506
1964 $1,299,099,900 $2,136,408,198
1963 $1,262,800,000 $1,805,901,510
1962 $1,143,600,000 $1,784,174,541
1961 $1,076,699,900 $1,671,960,965
1960 $1,043,599,900 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Iraq by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $818 $6,068
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $901 $7,964
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $936 $6,020
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $485 $5,034
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $619 $4,598
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $23 $2,694
1990 $848 $3,330 $10,261 -
1989 $958 - $3,791 -
1988 $919 - $3,707 -
1987 $854 - $3,436 -
1986 $896 - $2,940 -
1985 $1,238 - $3,088 -
1984 $1,241 - $3,066 -
1983 $1,220 - $2,743 -
1982 $1,204 - $2,942 -
1981 $1,216 - $2,700 -
1980 $1,142 - $3,868 -
1979 $1,026 - $2,871 -
1978 $925 - $1,863 -
1977 $856 - $1,609 -
1976 $697 - $1,489 -
1975 $595 - $1,166 -
1974 $529 - $1,031 -
1973 $441 - $476 -
1972 $370 - $394 -
1971 $358 - $384 -
1970 $353 - $337 -
1969 $326 - $320 -
1968 $315 - $319 -
1967 $291.9 - $290.6 -
1966 $287.3 - $298.2 -
1965 $283 - $284.8 -
1964 $284.2 - $269.4 -
1963 $284.4 - $235.5 -
1962 $265.2 - $240.7 -
1961 $257.2 - $232.4 -
1960 $256.8 - $218.9 -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Iraq
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$5,928
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
16.2%
2021
Population
19049936
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 14.3% 29% 33.9% 39%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 14% 25% 48.2% 32%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 14.5% 24% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 44% 117.1%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 13.2% 20% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 91.5% 344%
2003 14.4% 19.8% - -
2002 13.1% 17.4% - -
2001 13.8% 19.1% - -
2000 13.6% 18% - -
1999 14.6% 22% - -
1998 13.2% 19% - -
1997 11.2% 18.5% - -
1996 9.85% 19.2% - -
1995 9.77% 21% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 161/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Iraq
2024 -0.96% -4.14%
2023 -1.25% -1.14%
2022 -1.7% 8.1%
2021 -1.16% -0.38%
2020 -4.91% -12.8%
2019 -2.24% 0.83%
2018 -1.88% 7.69%
2017 -1.38% -1.52%
2016 -1.11% -14.4%
2015 -1.47% -12.8%
2014 -1.92% -5.63%
2013 -2.16% -6.06%
2012 -2.42% 4.09%
2011 -2.8% 4.74%
2010 -3.28% -4.18%
2009 -3.12% -14.9%
2008 -1.57% -0.86%
2007 -1.4% 9.98%
2006 -1.88% 10.7%
2005 -1.67% 4.07%
2004 -1.05% -35.4%
2003 -2.47% -
2002 -1.03% -
2001 -2% -
2000 -1.88% -
1999 -2.96% -
1998 -2.29% -
1997 -0.79% -
1996 0.04% -
1995 -0.53% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/iraq | 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 Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Iraq
2024 2.87% -12.3%
2023 6.21% 4.36%
2022 6.89% 4.99%
2021 4.26% 6.04%
2020 3.21% 0.57%
2019 3.7% -0.2%
2018 3.75% 0.37%
2017 4.42% 0.18%
2016 4.45% 0.56%
2015 2.39% 1.39%
2014 3.42% 2.24%
2013 4.34% 1.88%
2012 3.78% 6.09%
2011 6.21% 5.8%
2010 3.86% 2.88%
2009 1.86% 6.87%
2008 11.4% 12.7%
2007 6.82% -10.1%
2006 6.56% 53.2%
2005 9.11% 37%
2004 7.58% 27%
2003 5.6% 33.6%
2002 8.13% 19.3%
2001 7.29% 16.4%
2000 5.98% 4.98%
1999 5.21% 12.6%
1998 6.61% 14.8%
1997 9.23% 23.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.37M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Guatemala Iraq
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Iraq
Economic freedom 63.5 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 196/197
Property rights 39.1 8.3
Government integrity 25.2 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 5.8
Tax burden 91.3 85.5
Government spending 94.3 65.3
Fiscal health 95.9 95.7
Business freedom 65.7 42.8
Labor freedom 52.5 60.6
Monetary freedom 77.3 68.6
Trade freedom 74.6 40
Investment freedom 70 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Iraq
2026 63.5 -
2025 63.4 -
2024 62.4 -
2023 62.7 -
2022 63.2 -
2021 64 -
2020 64 -
2019 62.6 -
2018 63.4 -
2017 63 -
2016 61.8 -
2015 60.4 -
2014 61.2 -
2013 60 -
2012 60.9 -
2011 61.9 -
2010 61 -
2009 59.4 -
2008 59.8 -
2007 60.5 -
2006 59.1 -
2005 59.5 -
2004 59.6 -
2003 62.3 -
2002 62.3 15.6
2001 65.1 17.2
2000 64.3 17.2
1999 66.2 17.2
1998 65.8 17.2
1997 65.7 17.2
1996 63.7 17.2
1995 62 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Iraq
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
28.2%
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/iraq | 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.