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Economy of Guatemala vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guatemala has a GDP of $123B compared to $136B for Kenya, ranking 67/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $33.5B in government debt (27.2% of GDP), compared to $94.3B (69.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Guatemala vs Kenya GDP by year

Guatemala
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Kenya
2025 $123,306,008,821 $135,941,278,879
2024 $113,215,575,151 $120,397,537,850
2023 $104,298,081,429 $107,500,884,685
2022 $95,609,727,056 $114,448,978,153
2021 $86,455,522,273 $109,703,658,905
2020 $77,719,468,248 $100,657,505,751
2019 $77,172,331,693 $100,378,436,207
2018 $73,328,356,008 $92,202,979,985
2017 $71,653,780,740 $82,036,510,877
2016 $66,053,408,206 $74,815,144,164
2015 $62,186,066,548 $70,120,446,897
2014 $57,852,159,008 $68,285,796,514
2013 $52,996,420,177 $61,671,440,408
2012 $49,593,929,487 $56,396,704,672
2011 $46,876,006,272 $46,869,473,151
2010 $40,676,578,423 $45,405,615,064
2009 $37,126,148,265 $42,347,217,913
2008 $38,503,720,224 $35,895,153,328
2007 $33,567,850,824 $31,958,195,182
2006 $29,744,246,827 $25,825,512,284
2005 $26,783,389,294 $18,737,895,513
2004 $23,577,298,095 $16,095,337,094
2003 $21,576,351,799 $14,904,517,650
2002 $20,444,205,991 $13,147,736,899
2001 $18,405,220,247 $12,986,007,426
2000 $19,288,929,030 $12,705,350,098
1999 $18,318,412,251 $12,896,010,459
1998 $19,395,491,993 $14,093,998,844
1997 $17,790,026,222 $13,115,764,358
1996 $15,674,835,615 $12,045,865,396
1995 $14,655,404,433 $9,046,320,255
1994 $12,983,233,311 $7,148,148,564
1993 $11,400,017,301 $5,751,786,643
1992 $10,440,781,588 $8,209,120,763
1991 $9,406,135,143 $8,151,488,783
1990 $7,650,196,845 $8,572,359,038
1989 $8,410,724,361 $8,283,114,514
1988 $7,841,602,824 $8,355,380,879
1987 $7,084,399,840 $7,970,820,369
1986 $7,231,963,516 $7,239,126,568
1985 $9,721,652,087 $6,135,034,214
1984 $9,470,000,100 $6,191,437,070
1983 $9,050,000,400 $5,979,198,314
1982 $8,716,999,700 $6,431,579,357
1981 $8,607,500,300 $6,854,491,706
1980 $7,878,700,000 $7,265,315,820
1979 $6,902,600,200 $6,234,391,113
1978 $6,070,600,200 $5,303,735,111
1977 $5,480,500,200 $4,494,378,764
1976 $4,365,300,200 $3,474,542,392
1975 $3,645,900,000 $3,259,345,083
1974 $3,161,499,900 $2,969,958,812
1973 $2,569,200,100 $2,509,001,324
1972 $2,101,300,000 $2,107,279,157
1971 $1,984,800,000 $1,778,391,289
1970 $1,904,000,000 $1,603,447,359
1969 $1,715,399,900 $1,458,379,417
1968 $1,610,500,000 $1,353,295,459
1967 $1,453,500,000 $1,232,559,507
1966 $1,390,700,000 $1,164,519,674
1965 $1,331,399,900 $997,919,321
1964 $1,299,099,900 $998,759,334
1963 $1,262,800,000 $926,589,349
1962 $1,143,600,000 $868,111,401
1961 $1,076,699,900 $792,959,473
1960 $1,043,599,900 $791,265,459

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Kenya by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,598 - $2,363 -
2024 $6,151 $14,369 $2,133 $6,644
2023 $5,754 $13,745 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $5,357 $13,014 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $916 $2,459
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $840 $2,481
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $700 $2,330
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $523 $2,189
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $464 $2,066
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $443 $1,975
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $403 $1,940
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $411 $1,961
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $415 $1,907
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $434 $1,910
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $488 $1,895
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $467 $1,865
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $441 $1,875
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $340 $1,818
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $229 $1,723
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $337 $1,728
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $345 $1,756
1990 $848 $3,330 $374 $1,729
1989 $958 - $374 -
1988 $919 - $391 -
1987 $854 - $387 -
1986 $896 - $364 -
1985 $1,238 - $320 -
1984 $1,241 - $334 -
1983 $1,220 - $335 -
1982 $1,204 - $374 -
1981 $1,216 - $413 -
1980 $1,142 - $454 -
1979 $1,026 - $403 -
1978 $925 - $355 -
1977 $856 - $311 -
1976 $697 - $248.9 -
1975 $595 - $241.2 -
1974 $529 - $227.2 -
1973 $441 - $198.6 -
1972 $370 - $172.6 -
1971 $358 - $150.9 -
1970 $353 - $141 -
1969 $326 - $133.3 -
1968 $315 - $128.7 -
1967 $291.9 - $121.9 -
1966 $287.3 - $119.8 -
1965 $283 - $106.9 -
1964 $284.2 - $111.3 -
1963 $284.4 - $107.4 -
1962 $265.2 - $104.6 -
1961 $257.2 - $99.3 -
1960 $256.8 - $102.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,598, ranking 108/197, compared to $2,363 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Kenya
Gross domestic product
$123B
2025
$136B
2025
GDP rank
67/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP growth
4.28%
2024-2025
4.63%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,598
2025
$2,363
2025
GDP per capita rank
108/197
2025
154/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$33.5B
2025
$94.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.2%
2025
69.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,793
2025
$1,638
2025
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2025
126/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,432
2026
$2,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$22.8B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
30.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.7%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.49%
2024-2025
4.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
8.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
5.44%
2022
Population
19115361
59218766

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 14.7% 27.2% 24% 69.3%
2024 13.4% 26.3% 23.2% 67.3%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 22.6% 73.4%
2022 14.3% 29% 23.1% 67.8%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 24% 68.2%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 24.8% 68%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 25.3% 50.4%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 14% 25% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 14.5% 24% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 20.3% 36%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 13.2% 20% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 16% 43.8%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 15.7% 42%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 13.6% 18% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 14.6% 22% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 13.2% 19% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 15.6% 36%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 9.77% 21% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 - - 18.8% 57%
1993 - - 18.9% 61.6%
1992 - - 17.6% 41.2%
1991 - - 16.4% 43%
1990 - - 17.2% 37.6%
1989 - - 16.3% 33.4%
1988 - - 15.9% 33.9%
1987 - - 15.5% 36.3%
1986 - - 15.3% 31.3%
1985 - - 15.6% 28.8%
1984 - - 14.9% 25.6%
1983 - - 14.6% 26.1%
1982 - - 16.2% 26.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guatemala's government spending was $18.2B, accounting for 14.7% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $32.6B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.2% in Guatemala and 69.3% in Kenya, ranking 163/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Kenya
2025 -1.91% -6.41%
2024 -0.96% -5.74%
2023 -1.25% -5.61%
2022 -1.7% -6.01%
2021 -1.16% -7.2%
2020 -4.91% -8.13%
2019 -2.24% -7.4%
2018 -1.88% -6.91%
2017 -1.38% -7.37%
2016 -1.11% -7.45%
2015 -1.47% -6.68%
2014 -1.92% -5.75%
2013 -2.16% -5.25%
2012 -2.42% -5.29%
2011 -2.8% -3.64%
2010 -3.28% -3.67%
2009 -3.12% -3.12%
2008 -1.57% -1.95%
2007 -1.4% -0.95%
2006 -1.88% -0.43%
2005 -1.67% -0.19%
2004 -1.05% 0.5%
2003 -2.47% -0.73%
2002 -1.03% -1.29%
2001 -2% -0.53%
2000 -1.88% 0.38%
1999 -2.96% 0.84%
1998 -2.29% -0.03%
1997 -0.79% -0.91%
1996 0.04% -0.49%
1995 -0.53% -0.23%
1994 - -4.14%
1993 - -8.57%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -6.56%
1990 - -3.28%
1989 - -2.39%
1988 - -1.97%
1987 - -2.27%
1986 - -2.98%
1985 - -3.05%
1984 - -2.55%
1983 - -2.17%
1982 - -3.07%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guatemala's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.36B, equivalent to 1.91% of GDP. This compares to Kenya's deficit of $8.72B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.47% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Kenya
2025 1.49% 4.07%
2024 2.87% 4.49%
2023 6.21% 7.67%
2022 6.89% 7.66%
2021 4.26% 6.11%
2020 3.21% 5.41%
2019 3.7% 5.24%
2018 3.75% 4.69%
2017 4.42% 8.01%
2016 4.45% 6.3%
2015 2.39% 6.58%
2014 3.42% 6.88%
2013 4.34% 5.72%
2012 3.78% 9.38%
2011 6.21% 14%
2010 3.86% 3.96%
2009 1.86% 9.23%
2008 11.4% 26.2%
2007 6.82% 9.76%
2006 6.56% 14.5%
2005 9.11% 10.3%
2004 7.58% 11.6%
2003 5.6% 9.82%
2002 8.13% 1.96%
2001 7.29% 5.74%
2000 5.98% 9.98%
1999 5.21% 5.74%
1998 6.61% 6.72%
1997 9.23% 11.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.4%, compared with 8.25% in Kenya. In 2025, inflation was 1.49% in Guatemala and 4.07% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $581K
Raw agricultural goods $310K
Chemicals & pharma $281K
Metals $146K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53K
Animal & marine products $35K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Kenya
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31%
2025
21.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.6%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Kenya
Economic freedom 63.5 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 128/197
Property rights 39.1 40.2
Government integrity 25.2 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 47
Tax burden 91.3 76.3
Government spending 94.3 84.1
Fiscal health 95.9 36.2
Business freedom 65.7 61.5
Labor freedom 52.5 56.5
Monetary freedom 77.3 75.1
Trade freedom 74.6 52
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Kenya
2026 63.5 55.5
2025 63.4 54.8
2024 62.4 53.6
2023 62.7 52.5
2022 63.2 52.6
2021 64 54.9
2020 64 55.3
2019 62.6 55.1
2018 63.4 54.7
2017 63 53.5
2016 61.8 57.5
2015 60.4 55.6
2014 61.2 57.1
2013 60 55.9
2012 60.9 57.5
2011 61.9 57.4
2010 61 57.5
2009 59.4 58.7
2008 59.8 59.3
2007 60.5 59.6
2006 59.1 59.7
2005 59.5 57.9
2004 59.6 57.7
2003 62.3 58.6
2002 62.3 58.2
2001 65.1 57.6
2000 64.3 59.7
1999 66.2 58.2
1998 65.8 58.4
1997 65.7 60.1
1996 63.7 56.4
1995 62 54.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Kenya
Services, % of GDP
62.1%
2025
55.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
16.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.55%
2025
23.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$119B
2025
$127B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,020
2025
$6,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$32.8B
2025
$12.4B
2025
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2025
76/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
4.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
17%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.