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Economy of Guatemala vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guatemala has a GDP of $123B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 67/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $33.5B in government debt (27.2% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Guatemala vs Malta GDP by year

Guatemala
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Malta
2025 $123,306,008,821 $27,771,821,561
2024 $113,215,575,151 $25,042,712,191
2023 $104,298,081,429 $22,625,329,776
2022 $95,609,727,056 $18,938,869,147
2021 $86,455,522,273 $19,730,119,031
2020 $77,719,468,248 $16,404,655,808
2019 $77,172,331,693 $16,337,788,881
2018 $73,328,356,008 $16,153,785,817
2017 $71,653,780,740 $14,161,374,599
2016 $66,053,408,206 $12,025,777,078
2015 $62,186,066,548 $11,340,789,706
2014 $57,852,159,008 $11,888,029,752
2013 $52,996,420,177 $10,796,780,874
2012 $49,593,929,487 $9,609,530,619
2011 $46,876,006,272 $9,789,363,086
2010 $40,676,578,423 $9,097,044,301
2009 $37,126,148,265 $8,769,897,418
2008 $38,503,720,224 $9,172,399,573
2007 $33,567,850,824 $7,908,412,374
2006 $29,744,246,827 $6,749,838,862
2005 $26,783,389,294 $6,393,234,965
2004 $23,577,298,095 $6,104,141,501
2003 $21,576,351,799 $5,418,315,225
2002 $20,444,205,991 $4,455,127,398
2001 $18,405,220,247 $4,070,867,153
2000 $19,288,929,030 $4,036,809,767
1999 $18,318,412,251 $4,111,857,836
1998 $19,395,491,993 $4,010,111,652
1997 $17,790,026,222 $3,787,023,655
1996 $15,674,835,615 $3,822,547,151
1995 $14,655,404,433 $3,709,396,089
1994 $12,983,233,311 $2,998,505,428
1993 $11,400,017,301 $2,709,193,538
1992 $10,440,781,588 $3,021,942,759
1991 $9,406,135,143 $2,750,216,747
1990 $7,650,196,845 $2,547,328,748
1989 $8,410,724,361 $2,118,655,677
1988 $7,841,602,824 $2,019,503,068
1987 $7,084,399,840 $1,751,293,461
1986 $7,231,963,516 $1,435,038,441
1985 $9,721,652,087 $1,117,797,439
1984 $9,470,000,100 $1,101,807,023
1983 $9,050,000,400 $1,165,729,707
1982 $8,716,999,700 $1,234,474,404
1981 $8,607,500,300 $1,243,509,394
1980 $7,878,700,000 $1,250,198,601
1979 $6,902,600,200 $1,001,288,847
1978 $6,070,600,200 $793,673,402
1977 $5,480,500,200 $625,563,171
1976 $4,365,300,200 $527,936,989
1975 $3,645,900,000 $474,618,321
1974 $3,161,499,900 $376,081,124
1973 $2,569,200,100 $345,616,106
1972 $2,101,300,000 $295,106,628
1971 $1,984,800,000 $264,578,485
1970 $1,904,000,000 $250,728,796
1969 $1,715,399,900 -
1968 $1,610,500,000 -
1967 $1,453,500,000 -
1966 $1,390,700,000 -
1965 $1,331,399,900 -
1964 $1,299,099,900 -
1963 $1,262,800,000 -
1962 $1,143,600,000 -
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/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Malta by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,598 - $47,907 -
2024 $6,151 $14,369 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $5,754 $13,745 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $5,357 $13,014 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $848 $3,330 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $958 - $6,041 -
1988 $919 - $5,814 -
1987 $854 - $5,084 -
1986 $896 - $4,195 -
1985 $1,238 - $3,322 -
1984 $1,241 - $3,333 -
1983 $1,220 - $3,527 -
1982 $1,204 - $3,788 -
1981 $1,216 - $3,898 -
1980 $1,142 - $3,948 -
1979 $1,026 - $3,196 -
1978 $925 - $2,559 -
1977 $856 - $2,038 -
1976 $697 - $1,727 -
1975 $595 - $1,560 -
1974 $529 - $1,245 -
1973 $441 - $1,144 -
1972 $370 - $976 -
1971 $358 - $874 -
1970 $353 - $828 -
1969 $326 - - -
1968 $315 - - -
1967 $291.9 - - -
1966 $287.3 - - -
1965 $283 - - -
1964 $284.2 - - -
1963 $284.4 - - -
1962 $265.2 - - -
1961 $257.2 - - -
1960 $256.8 - - -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,598, ranking 108/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Malta
Gross domestic product
$123B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
67/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
4.28%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,598
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
108/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$33.5B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.2%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,793
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,432
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.7%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.49%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
3.1%
2025
Population
19115361
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 14.7% 27.2% 37% 46.8%
2024 13.4% 26.3% 37.4% 46%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 14.3% 29% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 37.8% 55%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 14% 25% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 14.5% 24% 40.1% 65%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 41.1% 66%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 41.2% 62%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 13.2% 20% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 42% 70.4%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 44.4% 70%
2000 13.6% 18% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 14.6% 22% - 69.8%
1998 13.2% 19% - 66.4%
1997 11.2% 18.5% - 60.8%
1996 9.85% 19.2% - 51.5%
1995 9.77% 21% - 45.3%

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

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

In 2025, Guatemala's government spending was $18.2B, accounting for 14.7% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.2% in Guatemala and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 163/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Malta
2025 -1.91% -3.1%
2024 -0.96% -3.51%
2023 -1.25% -4.43%
2022 -1.7% -5.33%
2021 -1.16% -6.96%
2020 -4.91% -8.71%
2019 -2.24% 0.72%
2018 -1.88% 1.86%
2017 -1.38% 3.4%
2016 -1.11% 1.1%
2015 -1.47% -0.84%
2014 -1.92% -1.49%
2013 -2.16% -2.19%
2012 -2.42% -3.31%
2011 -2.8% -2.99%
2010 -3.28% -2.22%
2009 -3.12% -3.11%
2008 -1.57% -4.06%
2007 -1.4% -2.05%
2006 -1.88% -2.46%
2005 -1.67% -2.83%
2004 -1.05% -4.28%
2003 -2.47% -9.04%
2002 -1.03% -5.62%
2001 -2% -6.5%
2000 -1.88% -5.83%
1999 -2.96% -
1998 -2.29% -
1997 -0.79% -
1996 0.04% -
1995 -0.53% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Malta
2025 1.49% 2.36%
2024 2.87% 1.65%
2023 6.21% 5.09%
2022 6.89% 6.15%
2021 4.26% 1.5%
2020 3.21% 0.64%
2019 3.7% 1.64%
2018 3.75% 1.16%
2017 4.42% 1.36%
2016 4.45% 0.64%
2015 2.39% 1.1%
2014 3.42% 0.31%
2013 4.34% 1.18%
2012 3.78% 2.38%
2011 6.21% 2.96%
2010 3.86% 1.52%
2009 1.86% 2.08%
2008 11.4% 4.26%
2007 6.82% 1.25%
2006 6.56% 2.77%
2005 9.11% 3.01%
2004 7.58% 2.79%
2003 5.6% 1.3%
2002 8.13% 2.19%
2001 7.29% 2.93%
2000 5.98% 2.37%
1999 5.21% 2.13%
1998 6.61% 2.39%
1997 9.23% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.4%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 1.49% in Guatemala and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $39K
Raw materials & minerals $21K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Malta
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $25K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K
Wood & paper products $16K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Malta
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.6%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Malta
Economic freedom 63.5 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 49/197
Property rights 39.1 85.5
Government integrity 25.2 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 80.2
Tax burden 91.3 68.5
Government spending 94.3 58.4
Fiscal health 95.9 63.2
Business freedom 65.7 83.2
Labor freedom 52.5 62.6
Monetary freedom 77.3 73.1
Trade freedom 74.6 79.4
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Malta
2026 63.5 68.2
2025 63.4 66.8
2024 62.4 64.5
2023 62.7 67.5
2022 63.2 71.5
2021 64 70.2
2020 64 69.5
2019 62.6 68.6
2018 63.4 68.5
2017 63 67.7
2016 61.8 66.7
2015 60.4 66.5
2014 61.2 66.4
2013 60 67.5
2012 60.9 67
2011 61.9 65.7
2010 61 67.2
2009 59.4 66.1
2008 59.8 66
2007 60.5 66.1
2006 59.1 67.3
2005 59.5 68.9
2004 59.6 63.3
2003 62.3 61.1
2002 62.3 62.2
2001 65.1 62.9
2000 64.3 58.3
1999 66.2 59.3
1998 65.8 61.2
1997 65.7 57.9
1996 63.7 55.8
1995 62 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Malta
Services, % of GDP
62.1%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.55%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$119B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,020
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$32.8B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
18.7%
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/malta | 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 (1995–2025, 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. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, 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.