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Economy of Guatemala vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 68/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Guatemala vs Panama GDP by year

Guatemala
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Panama
2024 $113,199,581,158 $86,523,959,132
2023 $104,368,755,055 $83,812,155,244
2022 $95,641,446,501 $76,479,304,471
2021 $86,455,522,273 $67,396,392,506
2020 $77,719,468,248 $57,059,846,522
2019 $77,172,331,693 $69,778,991,193
2018 $73,328,356,008 $67,316,471,181
2017 $71,653,780,740 $64,327,688,826
2016 $66,053,408,206 $59,760,858,718
2015 $62,186,066,548 $55,767,806,073
2014 $57,852,159,008 $51,427,104,882
2013 $52,996,420,177 $46,949,496,479
2012 $49,593,929,487 $41,595,439,721
2011 $46,876,006,272 $35,687,738,252
2010 $40,676,578,423 $30,231,009,533
2009 $37,126,148,265 $27,791,215,547
2008 $38,503,720,224 $25,721,327,955
2007 $33,567,850,824 $21,717,433,808
2006 $29,744,246,827 $18,659,721,513
2005 $26,783,389,294 $16,623,906,739
2004 $23,577,298,095 $15,100,203,362
2003 $21,576,351,799 $13,603,456,003
2002 $20,444,205,991 $12,800,851,271
2001 $18,405,220,247 $12,252,906,341
2000 $19,288,929,030 $11,966,497,049
1999 $18,318,412,251 $11,660,704,777
1998 $19,395,491,993 $11,019,557,689
1997 $17,790,026,222 $10,058,854,386
1996 $15,674,835,615 $9,197,503,323
1995 $14,655,404,433 $9,573,813,700
1994 $12,983,233,311 $9,365,289,800
1993 $11,400,017,301 $8,782,585,400
1992 $10,440,781,588 $8,042,337,700
1991 $9,406,135,143 $7,074,675,500
1990 $7,650,196,845 $6,433,967,000
1989 $8,410,724,361 $5,918,469,800
1988 $7,841,602,824 $5,902,783,400
1987 $7,084,399,840 $6,827,665,300
1986 $7,231,963,516 $6,797,834,200
1985 $9,721,652,087 $6,541,517,100
1984 $9,470,000,100 $6,183,387,100
1983 $9,050,000,400 $5,923,755,900
1982 $8,716,999,700 $5,769,767,900
1981 $8,607,500,300 $5,222,421,500
1980 $7,878,700,000 $4,614,086,400
1979 $6,902,600,200 $3,704,551,600
1978 $6,070,600,200 $3,244,558,600
1977 $5,480,500,200 $2,738,261,900
1976 $4,365,300,200 $2,588,106,000
1975 $3,645,900,000 $2,435,304,100
1974 $3,161,499,900 $2,188,307,600
1973 $2,569,200,100 $1,913,793,400
1972 $2,101,300,000 $1,673,411,700
1971 $1,984,800,000 $1,523,917,200
1970 $1,904,000,000 $1,351,006,400
1969 $1,715,399,900 $1,221,305,700
1968 $1,610,500,000 $1,112,791,100
1967 $1,453,500,000 $1,034,376,400
1966 $1,390,700,000 $928,833,000
1965 $1,331,399,900 $852,485,300
1964 $1,299,099,900 $776,137,500
1963 $1,262,800,000 $722,784,500
1962 $1,143,600,000 $652,120,900
1961 $1,076,699,900 $599,026,300
1960 $1,043,599,900 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Panama by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $848 $3,330 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $958 - $2,462 -
1988 $919 - $2,509 -
1987 $854 - $2,966 -
1986 $896 - $3,019 -
1985 $1,238 - $2,972 -
1984 $1,241 - $2,875 -
1983 $1,220 - $2,819 -
1982 $1,204 - $2,811 -
1981 $1,216 - $2,605 -
1980 $1,142 - $2,357 -
1979 $1,026 - $1,938 -
1978 $925 - $1,738 -
1977 $856 - $1,503 -
1976 $697 - $1,457 -
1975 $595 - $1,406 -
1974 $529 - $1,296 -
1973 $441 - $1,164 -
1972 $370 - $1,046 -
1971 $358 - $979 -
1970 $353 - $893 -
1969 $326 - $830 -
1968 $315 - $778 -
1967 $291.9 - $745 -
1966 $287.3 - $689 -
1965 $283 - $651 -
1964 $284.2 - $611 -
1963 $284.4 - $587 -
1962 $265.2 - $546 -
1961 $257.2 - $516 -
1960 $256.8 - $477 -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Panama
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
8.61%
2024
Population
19049936
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 14.3% 29% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 23% 34.7%
2013 14% 25% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 22.8% 34%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 14.5% 24% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 22.7% 40%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 13.2% 20% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 23.5% 57%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 13.6% 18% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 14.6% 22% 23% 55.1%
1998 13.2% 19% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 21.5% 65%
1995 9.77% 21% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 - - 25.2% 78.3%
1993 - - 33.8% 83.6%
1992 - - 27.8% 91.2%
1991 - - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 - - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 161/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Panama
2024 -0.96% -7.42%
2023 -1.25% -3.9%
2022 -1.7% -3.98%
2021 -1.16% -6.48%
2020 -4.91% -10.2%
2019 -2.24% -2.89%
2018 -1.88% -2.88%
2017 -1.38% -1.92%
2016 -1.11% -1.89%
2015 -1.47% -2.3%
2014 -1.92% -3.21%
2013 -2.16% -2.38%
2012 -2.42% -1.31%
2011 -2.8% -1.96%
2010 -3.28% -1.68%
2009 -3.12% -0.9%
2008 -1.57% 0.37%
2007 -1.4% 3.12%
2006 -1.88% 0.51%
2005 -1.67% -2.21%
2004 -1.05% -4.33%
2003 -2.47% -2.27%
2002 -1.03% -0.96%
2001 -2% -0.42%
2000 -1.88% 2.05%
1999 -2.96% -0.65%
1998 -2.29% -1.11%
1997 -0.79% 1.24%
1996 0.04% 2.48%
1995 -0.53% 2.3%
1994 - 2.12%
1993 - -9.4%
1992 - -2.62%
1991 - -0.6%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Panama
2024 2.87% 0.69%
2023 6.21% 1.49%
2022 6.89% 2.86%
2021 4.26% 1.63%
2020 3.21% -1.55%
2019 3.7% -0.36%
2018 3.75% 0.76%
2017 4.42% 0.88%
2016 4.45% 0.74%
2015 2.39% 0.14%
2014 3.42% 2.63%
2013 4.34% 4.03%
2012 3.78% 5.7%
2011 6.21% 5.88%
2010 3.86% 3.49%
2009 1.86% 2.41%
2008 11.4% 8.76%
2007 6.82% 4.17%
2006 6.56% 2.46%
2005 9.11% 2.86%
2004 7.58% 0.47%
2003 5.6% 0.39%
2002 8.13% 1.01%
2001 7.29% 0.31%
2000 5.98% 1.5%
1999 5.21% 1.25%
1998 6.61% 0.56%
1997 9.23% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $122M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $96.8M
Wood & paper products $47.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.2M
Raw materials & minerals $14M
Machinery & equipment $13.6M
Metals $9.84M
Raw agricultural goods $3.87M
Miscellaneous $2.39M
Animal & marine products $750K
Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $388M
Machinery & equipment $194M
Textiles & consumer goods $174M
Precious metals & jewellery $39.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26.3M
Wood & paper products $8.76M
Raw materials & minerals $8.63M
Metals $7.97M
Animal & marine products $3.44M
Miscellaneous $2.41M

Balance of trade

Guatemala Panama
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Panama
Economic freedom 63.5 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 70/197
Property rights 39.1 56.7
Government integrity 25.2 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 49.6
Tax burden 91.3 86.1
Government spending 94.3 85.5
Fiscal health 95.9 51.8
Business freedom 65.7 72.6
Labor freedom 52.5 60.9
Monetary freedom 77.3 78.2
Trade freedom 74.6 80.2
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Panama
2026 63.5 64.9
2025 63.4 65.5
2024 62.4 64.1
2023 62.7 63.8
2022 63.2 65.4
2021 64 66.2
2020 64 67.2
2019 62.6 67.2
2018 63.4 67
2017 63 66.3
2016 61.8 64.8
2015 60.4 64.1
2014 61.2 63.4
2013 60 62.5
2012 60.9 65.2
2011 61.9 64.9
2010 61 64.8
2009 59.4 64.7
2008 59.8 64.7
2007 60.5 64.6
2006 59.1 65.6
2005 59.5 64.3
2004 59.6 65.3
2003 62.3 68.4
2002 62.3 68.5
2001 65.1 70.6
2000 64.3 71.6
1999 66.2 72.6
1998 65.8 72.6
1997 65.7 72.4
1996 63.7 71.8
1995 62 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Panama
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
33.5%
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/panama | 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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1999, 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 (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.