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Economy of Guatemala vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 68/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Guatemala vs Ireland GDP by year

Guatemala
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Ireland
2024 $113,199,581,158 $609,157,459,747
2023 $104,368,755,055 $567,372,737,459
2022 $95,641,446,501 $548,341,794,599
2021 $86,455,522,273 $530,394,123,830
2020 $77,719,468,248 $436,009,027,819
2019 $77,172,331,693 $407,211,793,801
2018 $73,328,356,008 $395,780,319,817
2017 $71,653,780,740 $348,355,212,569
2016 $66,053,408,206 $305,431,252,709
2015 $62,186,066,548 $302,101,388,556
2014 $57,852,159,008 $266,490,442,124
2013 $52,996,420,177 $242,924,245,719
2012 $49,593,929,487 $226,921,827,888
2011 $46,876,006,272 $240,975,871,047
2010 $40,676,578,423 $221,732,824,603
2009 $37,126,148,265 $236,443,115,854
2008 $38,503,720,224 $275,447,471,451
2007 $33,567,850,824 $270,079,279,420
2006 $29,744,246,827 $232,180,617,162
2005 $26,783,389,294 $211,876,989,656
2004 $23,577,298,095 $194,372,115,041
2003 $21,576,351,799 $164,670,771,260
2002 $20,444,205,991 $128,596,035,288
2001 $18,405,220,247 $109,346,669,230
2000 $19,288,929,030 $100,207,610,430
1999 $18,318,412,251 $98,893,958,263
1998 $19,395,491,993 $90,199,410,116
1997 $17,790,026,222 $82,856,648,758
1996 $15,674,835,615 $75,790,786,290
1995 $14,655,404,433 $69,139,823,232
1994 $12,983,233,311 $57,097,656,066
1993 $11,400,017,301 $52,417,477,614
1992 $10,440,781,588 $55,918,538,121
1991 $9,406,135,143 $49,787,501,584
1990 $7,650,196,845 $49,305,632,408
1989 $8,410,724,361 $39,238,392,678
1988 $7,841,602,824 $37,772,896,221
1987 $7,084,399,840 $33,920,518,493
1986 $7,231,963,516 $28,714,571,852
1985 $9,721,652,087 $21,270,013,326
1984 $9,470,000,100 $20,106,648,455
1983 $9,050,000,400 $20,766,047,764
1982 $8,716,999,700 $21,474,752,962
1981 $8,607,500,300 $20,670,190,138
1980 $7,878,700,000 $21,747,855,640
1979 $6,902,600,200 $18,319,334,300
1978 $6,070,600,200 $14,647,996,074
1977 $5,480,500,200 $11,248,340,431
1976 $4,365,300,200 $9,453,756,015
1975 $3,645,900,000 $9,483,808,362
1974 $3,161,499,900 $7,896,860,615
1973 $2,569,200,100 $7,481,173,066
1972 $2,101,300,000 $6,318,060,582
1971 $1,984,800,000 $5,098,250,287
1970 $1,904,000,000 $4,395,995,086
1969 $1,715,399,900 $3,902,721,632
1968 $1,610,500,000 $3,378,701,147
1967 $1,453,500,000 $3,445,739,915
1966 $1,390,700,000 $3,198,820,904
1965 $1,331,399,900 $3,035,655,794
1964 $1,299,099,900 $2,851,091,646
1963 $1,262,800,000 $2,505,073,358
1962 $1,143,600,000 $2,329,372,972
1961 $1,076,699,900 $2,151,772,980
1960 $1,043,599,900 $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Ireland by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $848 $3,330 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $958 - $11,176 -
1988 $919 - $10,716 -
1987 $854 - $9,582 -
1986 $896 - $8,112 -
1985 $1,238 - $6,012 -
1984 $1,241 - $5,692 -
1983 $1,220 - $5,915 -
1982 $1,204 - $6,161 -
1981 $1,216 - $5,986 -
1980 $1,142 - $6,372 -
1979 $1,026 - $5,430 -
1978 $925 - $4,400 -
1977 $856 - $3,427 -
1976 $697 - $2,920 -
1975 $595 - $2,973 -
1974 $529 - $2,517 -
1973 $441 - $2,424 -
1972 $370 - $2,080 -
1971 $358 - $1,704 -
1970 $353 - $1,487 -
1969 $326 - $1,331 -
1968 $315 - $1,159 -
1967 $291.9 - $1,187 -
1966 $287.3 - $1,107 -
1965 $283 - $1,055 -
1964 $284.2 - $995 -
1963 $284.4 - $878 -
1962 $265.2 - $821 -
1961 $257.2 - $762 -
1960 $256.8 - $707 -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Ireland
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
4.27%
2024
Population
19049936
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 14.3% 29% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 28.1% 74%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 14% 25% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 14.5% 24% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 13.2% 20% 33% 26.1%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 13.6% 18% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 14.6% 22% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 13.2% 19% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 9.77% 21% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 - - 44.2% 88%
1993 - - 44.6% 93.4%
1992 - - 46.8% 90.6%
1991 - - 46.1% 93.8%
1990 - - 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 161/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Ireland
2024 -0.96% 4.09%
2023 -1.25% 1.52%
2022 -1.7% 1.67%
2021 -1.16% -1.37%
2020 -4.91% -4.87%
2019 -2.24% 0.41%
2018 -1.88% 0.09%
2017 -1.38% -0.3%
2016 -1.11% -0.76%
2015 -1.47% -1.97%
2014 -1.92% -3.52%
2013 -2.16% -6.28%
2012 -2.42% -8.42%
2011 -2.8% -13.5%
2010 -3.28% -32.1%
2009 -3.12% -13.9%
2008 -1.57% -7.03%
2007 -1.4% 0.27%
2006 -1.88% 2.78%
2005 -1.67% 1.57%
2004 -1.05% 1.3%
2003 -2.47% 0.35%
2002 -1.03% -0.52%
2001 -2% 0.96%
2000 -1.88% 4.86%
1999 -2.96% 3.54%
1998 -2.29% 2.07%
1997 -0.79% 1.37%
1996 0.04% -0.2%
1995 -0.53% -2.07%
1994 - -1.82%
1993 - -2.62%
1992 - -2.84%
1991 - -2.8%
1990 - -2.69%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.33% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Ireland
2024 2.87% 2.11%
2023 6.21% 6.3%
2022 6.89% 7.83%
2021 4.26% 2.34%
2020 3.21% -0.33%
2019 3.7% 0.94%
2018 3.75% 0.47%
2017 4.42% 0.36%
2016 4.45% 0.02%
2015 2.39% -0.33%
2014 3.42% 0.19%
2013 4.34% 0.52%
2012 3.78% 1.69%
2011 6.21% 2.55%
2010 3.86% -0.92%
2009 1.86% -4.45%
2008 11.4% 4.04%
2007 6.82% 4.89%
2006 6.56% 3.94%
2005 9.11% 2.46%
2004 7.58% 2.18%
2003 5.6% 3.49%
2002 8.13% 4.63%
2001 7.29% 4.85%
2000 5.98% 5.58%
1999 5.21% 1.63%
1998 6.61% 2.41%
1997 9.23% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.1M
Raw agricultural goods $8.14M
Wood & paper products $979K
Animal & marine products $317K
Chemicals & pharma $92K
Machinery & equipment $20K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.5M
Chemicals & pharma $4.69M
Animal & marine products $2.57M
Machinery & equipment $2.39M
Wood & paper products $606K
Raw materials & minerals $197K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Ireland
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Ireland
Economic freedom 63.5 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 3/197
Property rights 39.1 94.4
Government integrity 25.2 84
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 95.4
Tax burden 91.3 77.7
Government spending 94.3 85.9
Fiscal health 95.9 97
Business freedom 65.7 85.5
Labor freedom 52.5 61.3
Monetary freedom 77.3 79.3
Trade freedom 74.6 79.4
Investment freedom 70 90
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Ireland
2026 63.5 83.3
2025 63.4 83.1
2024 62.4 82.6
2023 62.7 82
2022 63.2 82
2021 64 81.4
2020 64 80.9
2019 62.6 80.5
2018 63.4 80.4
2017 63 76.7
2016 61.8 77.3
2015 60.4 76.6
2014 61.2 76.2
2013 60 75.7
2012 60.9 76.9
2011 61.9 78.7
2010 61 81.3
2009 59.4 82.2
2008 59.8 82.5
2007 60.5 82.6
2006 59.1 82.2
2005 59.5 80.8
2004 59.6 80.3
2003 62.3 80.9
2002 62.3 80.5
2001 65.1 81.2
2000 64.3 76.1
1999 66.2 74.6
1998 65.8 73.7
1997 65.7 72.6
1996 63.7 68.5
1995 62 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Ireland
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
18.2%
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/ireland | 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 (1926–1999, 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.