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Economy of Guatemala vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 68/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Guatemala vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Guatemala
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Saint Lucia
2024 $113,199,581,158 $2,549,062,963
2023 $104,368,755,055 $2,430,166,667
2022 $95,641,446,501 $2,342,714,815
2021 $86,455,522,273 $1,867,185,185
2020 $77,719,468,248 $1,499,274,074
2019 $77,172,331,693 $2,095,344,444
2018 $73,328,356,008 $2,060,955,556
2017 $71,653,780,740 $1,998,503,704
2016 $66,053,408,206 $1,868,544,444
2015 $62,186,066,548 $1,807,640,741
2014 $57,852,159,008 $1,749,185,185
2013 $52,996,420,177 $1,660,392,593
2012 $49,593,929,487 $1,598,207,407
2011 $46,876,006,272 $1,568,370,370
2010 $40,676,578,423 $1,482,385,185
2009 $37,126,148,265 $1,401,507,889
2008 $38,503,720,224 $1,437,731,111
2007 $33,567,850,824 $1,336,088,815
2006 $29,744,246,827 $1,268,319,185
2005 $26,783,389,294 $1,135,555,556
2004 $23,577,298,095 $1,066,666,667
2003 $21,576,351,799 $987,407,407
2002 $20,444,205,991 $900,000,000
2001 $18,405,220,247 $892,592,593
2000 $19,288,929,030 $932,592,593
1999 $18,318,412,251 $921,851,852
1998 $19,395,491,993 $877,407,407
1997 $17,790,026,222 $805,925,926
1996 $15,674,835,615 $788,888,889
1995 $14,655,404,433 $762,962,963
1994 $12,983,233,311 $713,703,704
1993 $11,400,017,301 $684,814,815
1992 $10,440,781,588 $674,074,074
1991 $9,406,135,143 $613,703,704
1990 $7,650,196,845 $579,629,630
1989 $8,410,724,361 $486,666,667
1988 $7,841,602,824 $429,629,630
1987 $7,084,399,840 $375,555,556
1986 $7,231,963,516 $340,000,000
1985 $9,721,652,087 $284,444,444
1984 $9,470,000,100 $251,481,481
1983 $9,050,000,400 $197,037,037
1982 $8,716,999,700 $183,333,333
1981 $8,607,500,300 $194,444,444
1980 $7,878,700,000 $170,370,370
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Saint Lucia by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $848 $3,330 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $958 - $3,565 -
1988 $919 - $3,182 -
1987 $854 - $2,819 -
1986 $896 - $2,591 -
1985 $1,238 - $2,202 -
1984 $1,241 - $1,979 -
1983 $1,220 - $1,576 -
1982 $1,204 - $1,489 -
1981 $1,216 - $1,605 -
1980 $1,142 - $1,428 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/saint-lucia | CC BY

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
10.1%
2024
Population
19049936
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 14.3% 29% 23% 74.4%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 27.4% 87%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 34.9% 100%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 23% 61.3%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 14% 25% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 28% 60.8%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 27% 55.2%
2010 14.5% 24% 26% 53%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 24.5% 51%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 13.2% 20% 26% 51.9%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 13.6% 18% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 14.6% 22% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 13.2% 19% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 9.77% 21% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 - - 19.1% 23.8%
1993 - - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 - - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 161/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Saint Lucia
2024 -0.96% -2.13%
2023 -1.25% -3.09%
2022 -1.7% -1.67%
2021 -1.16% -5.1%
2020 -4.91% -12%
2019 -2.24% -3.51%
2018 -1.88% -1.03%
2017 -1.38% -1.14%
2016 -1.11% -0.79%
2015 -1.47% -2.35%
2014 -1.92% -3.08%
2013 -2.16% -4.84%
2012 -2.42% -7.62%
2011 -2.8% -5.38%
2010 -3.28% -4.17%
2009 -3.12% -2.67%
2008 -1.57% -0.72%
2007 -1.4% -1.62%
2006 -1.88% -5.07%
2005 -1.67% -6.18%
2004 -1.05% -2.63%
2003 -2.47% -3.23%
2002 -1.03% -3.1%
2001 -2% -3.08%
2000 -1.88% -1.16%
1999 -2.96% 1.62%
1998 -2.29% 2.25%
1997 -0.79% -1.13%
1996 0.04% -0.58%
1995 -0.53% -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.26%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.43%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.85% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Saint Lucia
2024 2.87% -0.11%
2023 6.21% 4.07%
2022 6.89% 6.38%
2021 4.26% 2.41%
2020 3.21% -1.76%
2019 3.7% 0.54%
2018 3.75% 1.94%
2017 4.42% 0.1%
2016 4.45% -3.08%
2015 2.39% -0.98%
2014 3.42% 3.52%
2013 4.34% 1.47%
2012 3.78% 4.18%
2011 6.21% 2.77%
2010 3.86% 3.25%
2009 1.86% -0.16%
2008 11.4% 5.55%
2007 6.82% 2.82%
2006 6.56% 2.4%
2005 9.11% 3.9%
2004 7.58% 1.46%
2003 5.6% 1.03%
2002 8.13% -0.26%
2001 7.29% 5.31%
2000 5.98% 3.71%
1999 5.21% 3.5%
1998 6.61% 3.2%
1997 9.23% -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $444K
Machinery & equipment $292K
Chemicals & pharma $166K
Textiles & consumer goods $154K
Miscellaneous $69K
Wood & paper products $20K
Metals $19K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Guatemala Saint Lucia
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 63.5 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 57/197
Property rights 39.1 64.3
Government integrity 25.2 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 77.3
Tax burden 91.3 77.7
Government spending 94.3 82.6
Fiscal health 95.9 80
Business freedom 65.7 71.9
Labor freedom 52.5 65.2
Monetary freedom 77.3 81
Trade freedom 74.6 60
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Saint Lucia
2026 63.5 67.5
2025 63.4 67
2024 62.4 62.2
2023 62.7 60.7
2022 63.2 64.3
2021 64 67.5
2020 64 68.2
2019 62.6 68.7
2018 63.4 67.6
2017 63 65
2016 61.8 70
2015 60.4 70.2
2014 61.2 70.7
2013 60 70.4
2012 60.9 71.3
2011 61.9 70.8
2010 61 70.5
2009 59.4 68.8
2008 59.8 -
2007 60.5 -
2006 59.1 -
2005 59.5 -
2004 59.6 -
2003 62.3 -
2002 62.3 -
2001 65.1 -
2000 64.3 -
1999 66.2 -
1998 65.8 -
1997 65.7 -
1996 63.7 -
1995 62 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.