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Economy of Guatemala vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guatemala has a GDP of $123B compared to $157B for Kuwait, ranking 67/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $33.5B in government debt (27.2% of GDP), compared to $22.9B (14.6% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Guatemala vs Kuwait GDP by year

Guatemala
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Kuwait
2025 $123,306,008,821 $157,209,026,926
2024 $113,215,575,151 $160,903,106,639
2023 $104,298,081,429 $165,462,656,227
2022 $95,609,727,056 $183,502,046,694
2021 $86,455,522,273 $148,350,671,489
2020 $77,719,468,248 $111,045,470,606
2019 $77,172,331,693 $140,856,394,861
2018 $73,328,356,008 $138,646,316,351
2017 $71,653,780,740 $120,687,539,806
2016 $66,053,408,206 $109,406,674,125
2015 $62,186,066,548 $114,585,555,689
2014 $57,852,159,008 $162,650,450,685
2013 $52,996,420,177 $174,168,116,535
2012 $49,593,929,487 $174,047,662,680
2011 $46,876,006,272 $154,039,231,246
2010 $40,676,578,423 $115,416,245,242
2009 $37,126,148,265 $105,968,691,905
2008 $38,503,720,224 $147,379,737,230
2007 $33,567,850,824 $114,634,043,362
2006 $29,744,246,827 $101,557,330,723
2005 $26,783,389,294 $80,798,630,137
2004 $23,577,298,095 $59,439,090,601
2003 $21,576,351,799 $47,874,582,232
2002 $20,444,205,991 $38,135,788,414
2001 $18,405,220,247 $34,889,559,870
2000 $19,288,929,030 $37,718,743,480
1999 $18,318,412,251 $30,122,365,849
1998 $19,395,491,993 $25,943,705,784
1997 $17,790,026,222 $30,350,190,704
1996 $15,674,835,615 $31,492,373,309
1995 $14,655,404,433 $27,186,980,647
1994 $12,983,233,311 $24,848,483,838
1993 $11,400,017,301 $23,941,391,391
1992 $10,440,781,588 $19,858,555,215
1991 $9,406,135,143 $11,009,993,703
1990 $7,650,196,845 $18,427,777,778
1989 $8,410,724,361 $24,313,855,653
1988 $7,841,602,824 $20,690,322,153
1987 $7,084,399,840 $22,368,704,134
1986 $7,231,963,516 $17,903,989,745
1985 $9,721,652,087 $21,445,970,614
1984 $9,470,000,100 $21,700,082,753
1983 $9,050,000,400 $20,871,081,080
1982 $8,716,999,700 $21,577,153,356
1981 $8,607,500,300 $25,058,020,338
1980 $7,878,700,000 $28,638,868,356
1979 $6,902,600,200 $24,749,063,922
1978 $6,070,600,200 $15,503,557,496
1977 $5,480,500,200 $14,137,406,741
1976 $4,365,300,200 $13,132,252,802
1975 $3,645,900,000 $12,022,811,621
1974 $3,161,499,900 $13,006,948,296
1973 $2,569,200,100 $5,408,804,607
1972 $2,101,300,000 $4,450,537,925
1971 $1,984,800,000 $3,880,392,195
1970 $1,904,000,000 $2,873,638,851
1969 $1,715,399,900 $2,769,198,892
1968 $1,610,500,000 $2,662,798,935
1967 $1,453,500,000 $2,441,599,023
1966 $1,390,700,000 $2,391,199,044
1965 $1,331,399,900 $2,097,199,161
1964 $1,299,099,900 $2,071,668,533
1963 $1,262,800,000 $1,900,895,857
1962 $1,143,600,000 $1,828,107,503
1961 $1,076,699,900 -
1960 $1,043,599,900 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Kuwait by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,598 - $32,312 -
2024 $6,151 $14,369 $32,856 $52,444
2023 $5,754 $13,745 $34,092 $53,025
2022 $5,357 $13,014 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $848 $3,330 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $958 - $10,965 -
1988 $919 - $9,692 -
1987 $854 - $10,896 -
1986 $896 - $9,077 -
1985 $1,238 - $11,322 -
1984 $1,241 - $11,919 -
1983 $1,220 - $11,965 -
1982 $1,204 - $12,979 -
1981 $1,216 - $15,825 -
1980 $1,142 - $19,032 -
1979 $1,026 - $17,386 -
1978 $925 - $11,567 -
1977 $856 - $11,238 -
1976 $697 - $11,141 -
1975 $595 - $10,882 -
1974 $529 - $12,527 -
1973 $441 - $5,532 -
1972 $370 - $4,836 -
1971 $358 - $4,486 -
1970 $353 - $3,552 -
1969 $326 - $3,695 -
1968 $315 - $3,872 -
1967 $291.9 - $3,887 -
1966 $287.3 - $4,176 -
1965 $283 - $4,024 -
1964 $284.2 - $4,379 -
1963 $284.4 - $4,445 -
1962 $265.2 - $4,748 -
1961 $257.2 - - -
1960 $256.8 - - -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,598, ranking 108/197, compared to $32,312 in Kuwait, ranking 41/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$123B
2025
$157B
2025
GDP rank
67/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP growth
4.28%
2024-2025
2.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,598
2025
$32,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
108/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$33.5B
2025
$22.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.2%
2025
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,793
2025
$4,714
2025
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2025
87/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,432
2026
$24,940
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$172B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.7%
2025
50.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.49%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
2.16%
2016
Population
19115361
4981316

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 14.7% 27.2% 50.1% 14.6%
2024 13.4% 26.3% 48% 2.91%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 14.3% 29% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 50.2% 10.5%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 51% 14.3%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 54% 9.88%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 55.3% 4.6%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 45% 3.43%
2013 14% 25% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 38.1% 3.6%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 39.6% 4.64%
2010 14.5% 24% 45.4% 6.16%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 42.8% 6.65%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 40.8% 5.38%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 32.2% 7.79%
2005 13.2% 20% 28.7% 10.2%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 35.2% 13.9%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 38% 17.2%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 42.5% 21.3%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 41.2% 23%
2000 13.6% 18% 29.7% 21.4%
1999 14.6% 22% 44.3% 25.5%
1998 13.2% 19% 51.4% 25.6%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 43.5% 24.3%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 42.5% 26.5%
1995 9.77% 21% 51.7% 34.9%
1994 - - 57.5% 37.7%
1993 - - 58% 28.8%
1992 - - 77.4% 27.9%
1991 - - 208.1% 45.3%
1990 - - 122.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guatemala's government spending was $18.2B, accounting for 14.7% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $78.8B, or 50.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.2% in Guatemala and 14.6% in Kuwait, ranking 163/185 and 177/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Kuwait
2025 -1.91% 28.4%
2024 -0.96% 26%
2023 -1.25% 28.2%
2022 -1.7% 30%
2021 -1.16% 9.99%
2020 -4.91% 0.16%
2019 -2.24% 13%
2018 -1.88% 17.6%
2017 -1.38% 15.3%
2016 -1.11% 12.8%
2015 -1.47% 16.3%
2014 -1.92% 29.8%
2013 -2.16% 40.4%
2012 -2.42% 40.5%
2011 -2.8% 38.6%
2010 -3.28% 31.7%
2009 -3.12% 31.1%
2008 -1.57% 21.2%
2007 -1.4% 36.9%
2006 -1.88% 27.8%
2005 -1.67% 38.8%
2004 -1.05% 32.3%
2003 -2.47% 27%
2002 -1.03% 30.9%
2001 -2% 44.9%
2000 -1.88% 52.3%
1999 -2.96% 28%
1998 -2.29% 19.4%
1997 -0.79% 29.4%
1996 0.04% 24.2%
1995 -0.53% 11.7%
1994 - 1.71%
1993 - -3.2%
1992 - -28%
1991 - -144.5%
1990 - -49.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $44.6B, or 28.4% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to surplus of 26.9% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Kuwait
2025 1.49% 2.36%
2024 2.87% 2.9%
2023 6.21% 3.64%
2022 6.89% 3.98%
2021 4.26% 3.42%
2020 3.21% 2.1%
2019 3.7% 1.09%
2018 3.75% 0.54%
2017 4.42% 2.17%
2016 4.45% 3.2%
2015 2.39% 3.27%
2014 3.42% 2.91%
2013 4.34% 2.68%
2012 3.78% 3.26%
2011 6.21% 4.84%
2010 3.86% 4.5%
2009 1.86% 4.61%
2008 11.4% 10.6%
2007 6.82% 5.48%
2006 6.56% 3.06%
2005 9.11% 4.14%
2004 7.58% 1.25%
2003 5.6% 0.96%
2002 8.13% 0.89%
2001 7.29% 1.3%
2000 5.98% 1.81%
1999 5.21% 2.99%
1998 6.61% 0.13%
1997 9.23% 0.68%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.4%, compared with 2.92% in Kuwait. In 2025, inflation was 1.49% in Guatemala and 2.36% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $174K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Kuwait
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$35.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
16/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+22.7%
2025
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$37.5B
2025
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$70.7B
2025
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$29.6B
2025
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$12.7B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31%
2025
38.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.6%
2025
55.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Kuwait
Economic freedom 63.5 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 100/197
Property rights 39.1 42
Government integrity 25.2 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 43.4
Tax burden 91.3 97.7
Government spending 94.3 36.2
Fiscal health 95.9 99.9
Business freedom 65.7 57.4
Labor freedom 52.5 49.2
Monetary freedom 77.3 68.7
Trade freedom 74.6 75.8
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Kuwait
2026 63.5 59.9
2025 63.4 59.9
2024 62.4 58.5
2023 62.7 56.7
2022 63.2 58.3
2021 64 64.1
2020 64 63.2
2019 62.6 60.8
2018 63.4 62.2
2017 63 65.1
2016 61.8 62.7
2015 60.4 62.5
2014 61.2 62.3
2013 60 63.1
2012 60.9 62.5
2011 61.9 64.9
2010 61 67.7
2009 59.4 65.6
2008 59.8 68.1
2007 60.5 66.4
2006 59.1 66.5
2005 59.5 64.6
2004 59.6 63.6
2003 62.3 66.7
2002 62.3 65.4
2001 65.1 68.2
2000 64.3 69.7
1999 66.2 69.5
1998 65.8 66.3
1997 65.7 64.8
1996 63.7 66.1
1995 62 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
62.1%
2025
59.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
54.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.55%
2025
0.53%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$119B
2025
$201B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,020
2025
$64,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$32.8B
2025
$51.7B
2025
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2025
47/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
$2.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
15.1%
2024

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/kuwait | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, 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.