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Economy of Guatemala vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guatemala has a GDP of $123B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 67/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $33.5B in government debt (27.2% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Guatemala vs Romania GDP by year

Guatemala
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Romania
2025 $123,306,008,821 $428,677,977,855
2024 $113,215,575,151 $382,564,217,989
2023 $104,298,081,429 $347,757,995,759
2022 $95,609,727,056 $295,317,862,856
2021 $86,455,522,273 $285,072,444,957
2020 $77,719,468,248 $250,624,575,872
2019 $77,172,331,693 $250,080,428,512
2018 $73,328,356,008 $241,791,427,224
2017 $71,653,780,740 $210,147,385,855
2016 $66,053,408,206 $185,290,759,249
2015 $62,186,066,548 $177,885,131,240
2014 $57,852,159,008 $199,722,319,676
2013 $52,996,420,177 $189,798,603,751
2012 $49,593,929,487 $179,117,323,107
2011 $46,876,006,272 $192,623,977,894
2010 $40,676,578,423 $170,064,350,672
2009 $37,126,148,265 $174,110,532,659
2008 $38,503,720,224 $214,315,932,061
2007 $33,567,850,824 $174,588,782,939
2006 $29,744,246,827 $122,023,735,993
2005 $26,783,389,294 $98,454,380,120
2004 $23,577,298,095 $74,973,656,852
2003 $21,576,351,799 $57,806,384,143
2002 $20,444,205,991 $46,065,502,703
2001 $18,405,220,247 $40,395,116,581
2000 $19,288,929,030 $37,253,739,511
1999 $18,318,412,251 $35,953,156,754
1998 $19,395,491,993 $41,696,091,974
1997 $17,790,026,222 $35,575,214,078
1996 $15,674,835,615 $36,937,074,278
1995 $14,655,404,433 $37,430,162,103
1994 $12,983,233,311 $30,072,805,104
1993 $11,400,017,301 $26,361,160,450
1992 $10,440,781,588 $25,121,666,667
1991 $9,406,135,143 $28,850,634,900
1990 $7,650,196,845 $38,247,882,300
1989 $8,410,724,361 $41,450,777,202
1988 $7,841,602,824 $40,424,528,302
1987 $7,084,399,840 $38,067,567,568
1986 $7,231,963,516 -
1985 $9,721,652,087 -
1984 $9,470,000,100 -
1983 $9,050,000,400 -
1982 $8,716,999,700 -
1981 $8,607,500,300 -
1980 $7,878,700,000 -
1979 $6,902,600,200 -
1978 $6,070,600,200 -
1977 $5,480,500,200 -
1976 $4,365,300,200 -
1975 $3,645,900,000 -
1974 $3,161,499,900 -
1973 $2,569,200,100 -
1972 $2,101,300,000 -
1971 $1,984,800,000 -
1970 $1,904,000,000 -
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Romania by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,598 - $22,538 -
2024 $6,151 $14,369 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $5,754 $13,745 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $5,357 $13,014 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $848 $3,330 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $958 - $1,790 -
1988 $919 - $1,753 -
1987 $854 - $1,659 -
1986 $896 - - -
1985 $1,238 - - -
1984 $1,241 - - -
1983 $1,220 - - -
1982 $1,204 - - -
1981 $1,216 - - -
1980 $1,142 - - -
1979 $1,026 - - -
1978 $925 - - -
1977 $856 - - -
1976 $697 - - -
1975 $595 - - -
1974 $529 - - -
1973 $441 - - -
1972 $370 - - -
1971 $358 - - -
1970 $353 - - -
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/romania | CC BY

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,598, ranking 108/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Romania
Gross domestic product
$123B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
67/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
4.28%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,598
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
108/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$33.5B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.2%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,793
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,432
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$70.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.7%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.49%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
6.1%
2025
Population
19115361
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 14.7% 27.2% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 13.4% 26.3% 40% 57.5%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 37% 52.6%
2022 14.3% 29% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 31% 37.1%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 14% 25% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 35% 32.6%
2010 14.5% 24% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 35.3% 13%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 13.2% 20% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 13.6% 18% 35% 29.6%
1999 14.6% 22% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 13.2% 19% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 33.5% 15%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 33.5% 11%
1995 9.77% 21% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 - - 33.1% -
1993 - - 33.5% -
1992 - - 41.5% -
1991 - - 38.3% -
1990 - - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guatemala's government spending was $18.2B, accounting for 14.7% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.2% in Guatemala and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 163/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Romania
2025 -1.91% -7.64%
2024 -0.96% -8.68%
2023 -1.25% -5.66%
2022 -1.7% -5.85%
2021 -1.16% -6.74%
2020 -4.91% -9.6%
2019 -2.24% -4.58%
2018 -1.88% -2.76%
2017 -1.38% -2.86%
2016 -1.11% -2.5%
2015 -1.47% -1.35%
2014 -1.92% -1.76%
2013 -2.16% -2.44%
2012 -2.42% -2.39%
2011 -2.8% -4.14%
2010 -3.28% -6.22%
2009 -3.12% -6.86%
2008 -1.57% -4.6%
2007 -1.4% -3.05%
2006 -1.88% -1.36%
2005 -1.67% -0.69%
2004 -1.05% -3.39%
2003 -2.47% -2.29%
2002 -1.03% -2.59%
2001 -2% -3.2%
2000 -1.88% -3.99%
1999 -2.96% -3.58%
1998 -2.29% -5.33%
1997 -0.79% -5.19%
1996 0.04% -4.74%
1995 -0.53% -3.32%
1994 - -2.2%
1993 - -0.35%
1992 - -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.17% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Romania
2025 1.49% 7.3%
2024 2.87% 5.6%
2023 6.21% 10.4%
2022 6.89% 13.8%
2021 4.26% 5%
2020 3.21% 2.6%
2019 3.7% 3.8%
2018 3.75% 4.6%
2017 4.42% 1.3%
2016 4.45% -1.6%
2015 2.39% -0.6%
2014 3.42% 1.1%
2013 4.34% 4%
2012 3.78% 3.3%
2011 6.21% 5.8%
2010 3.86% 6.1%
2009 1.86% 5.6%
2008 11.4% 7.8%
2007 6.82% 4.8%
2006 6.56% 6.6%
2005 9.11% 9%
2004 7.58% 11.9%
2003 5.6% 15.4%
2002 8.13% 22.5%
2001 7.29% 34.5%
2000 5.98% 45.7%
1999 5.21% 45.8%
1998 6.61% 59.1%
1997 9.23% 154.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.4%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 1.49% in Guatemala and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.26M
Raw agricultural goods $755K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $544K
Raw materials & minerals $207K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.74M
Wood & paper products $1.14M
Machinery & equipment $712K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $647K
Metals $418K
Chemicals & pharma $192K
Raw agricultural goods $181K
Textiles & consumer goods $115K
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Romania
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$102B
2025
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.6%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Romania
Economic freedom 63.5 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 64/197
Property rights 39.1 81
Government integrity 25.2 50
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 67
Tax burden 91.3 89.1
Government spending 94.3 56.7
Fiscal health 95.9 21.4
Business freedom 65.7 74.4
Labor freedom 52.5 63.6
Monetary freedom 77.3 72.7
Trade freedom 74.6 79.4
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Romania
2026 63.5 65.4
2025 63.4 66.5
2024 62.4 64.4
2023 62.7 64.5
2022 63.2 67.1
2021 64 69.5
2020 64 69.7
2019 62.6 68.6
2018 63.4 69.4
2017 63 69.7
2016 61.8 65.6
2015 60.4 66.6
2014 61.2 65.5
2013 60 65.1
2012 60.9 64.4
2011 61.9 64.7
2010 61 64.2
2009 59.4 63.2
2008 59.8 61.7
2007 60.5 61.2
2006 59.1 58.2
2005 59.5 52.1
2004 59.6 50
2003 62.3 50.6
2002 62.3 48.7
2001 65.1 50
2000 64.3 52.1
1999 66.2 50.1
1998 65.8 54.4
1997 65.7 50.8
1996 63.7 46.2
1995 62 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Romania
Services, % of GDP
62.1%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.55%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$119B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,020
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$32.8B
2025
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2025
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
25.9%
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/romania | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.