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Economy of Guatemala vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 68/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Guatemala vs South Sudan GDP by year

Guatemala
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala South Sudan
2024 $113,199,581,158 -
2023 $104,368,755,055 -
2022 $95,641,446,501 -
2021 $86,455,522,273 -
2020 $77,719,468,248 -
2019 $77,172,331,693 -
2018 $73,328,356,008 -
2017 $71,653,780,740 -
2016 $66,053,408,206 -
2015 $62,186,066,548 $11,997,800,760
2014 $57,852,159,008 $13,962,212,847
2013 $52,996,420,177 $18,426,469,017
2012 $49,593,929,487 $11,931,472,169
2011 $46,876,006,272 $14,907,308,933
2010 $40,676,578,423 $14,602,072,411
2009 $37,126,148,265 $12,231,264,525
2008 $38,503,720,224 $14,586,253,383
2007 $33,567,850,824 -
2006 $29,744,246,827 -
2005 $26,783,389,294 -
2004 $23,577,298,095 -
2003 $21,576,351,799 -
2002 $20,444,205,991 -
2001 $18,405,220,247 -
2000 $19,288,929,030 -
1999 $18,318,412,251 -
1998 $19,395,491,993 -
1997 $17,790,026,222 -
1996 $15,674,835,615 -
1995 $14,655,404,433 -
1994 $12,983,233,311 -
1993 $11,400,017,301 -
1992 $10,440,781,588 -
1991 $9,406,135,143 -
1990 $7,650,196,845 -
1989 $8,410,724,361 -
1988 $7,841,602,824 -
1987 $7,084,399,840 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs South Sudan by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 - -
2023 $5,758 $13,745 - -
2022 $5,359 $13,014 - -
2021 $4,913 $11,825 - -
2020 $4,478 $10,947 - -
2019 $4,512 $10,756 - -
2018 $4,353 $9,947 - -
2017 $4,325 $9,560 - -
2016 $4,060 $9,201 - -
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $2,459 $6,238 - -
2006 $2,225 $5,833 - -
2005 $2,046 $5,486 - -
2004 $1,841 $5,263 - -
2003 $1,723 $5,081 - -
2002 $1,669 $4,969 - -
2001 $1,538 $4,822 - -
2000 $1,649 $4,715 - -
1999 $1,604 $4,557 - -
1998 $1,741 $4,437 - -
1997 $1,638 $4,287 - -
1996 $1,481 $4,143 - -
1995 $1,421 $4,055 - -
1994 $1,293 $3,886 - -
1993 $1,166 $3,756 - -
1992 $1,096 $3,626 - -
1991 $1,014 $3,473 - -
1990 $848 $3,330 - -
1989 $958 - - -
1988 $919 - - -
1987 $854 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/south-sudan | CC BY

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Guatemala South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
68/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$1,305
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
12.3%
2008
Population
19049936
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 14.3% 29% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 34.1% 49%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 97% 178.3%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 34% 58.6%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 14% 25% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 20.8% -
2010 14.5% 24% - -
2009 14.1% 22.8% - -
2008 13.3% 19.6% - -
2007 13.9% 20.8% - -
2006 14.2% 20.9% - -
2005 13.2% 20% - -
2004 12.9% 20.6% - -
2003 14.4% 19.8% - -
2002 13.1% 17.4% - -
2001 13.8% 19.1% - -
2000 13.6% 18% - -
1999 14.6% 22% - -
1998 13.2% 19% - -
1997 11.2% 18.5% - -
1996 9.85% 19.2% - -
1995 9.77% 21% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 161/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala South Sudan
2024 -0.96% 11.7%
2023 -1.25% 8.04%
2022 -1.7% 4.48%
2021 -1.16% -9.3%
2020 -4.91% -5.5%
2019 -2.24% 0.04%
2018 -1.88% -1.06%
2017 -1.38% 9.56%
2016 -1.11% -19.8%
2015 -1.47% -16.4%
2014 -1.92% -9.07%
2013 -2.16% -3.45%
2012 -2.42% -14.8%
2011 -2.8% 4.57%
2010 -3.28% -
2009 -3.12% -
2008 -1.57% -
2007 -1.4% -
2006 -1.88% -
2005 -1.67% -
2004 -1.05% -
2003 -2.47% -
2002 -1.03% -
2001 -2% -
2000 -1.88% -
1999 -2.96% -
1998 -2.29% -
1997 -0.79% -
1996 0.04% -
1995 -0.53% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Guatemala's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $915M, equivalent to 1.47% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 2.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala South Sudan
2024 2.87% 91.4%
2023 6.21% 2.38%
2022 6.89% -6.69%
2021 4.26% 10.5%
2020 3.21% 29.7%
2019 3.7% 87.2%
2018 3.75% 83.5%
2017 4.42% 187.9%
2016 4.45% 380%
2015 2.39% 52.8%
2014 3.42% 1.67%
2013 4.34% -0.06%
2012 3.78% 45.5%
2011 6.21% 46.9%
2010 3.86% 1.17%
2009 1.86% 5.01%
2008 11.4% -
2007 6.82% -
2006 6.56% -
2005 9.11% -
2004 7.58% -
2003 5.6% -
2002 8.13% -
2001 7.29% -
2000 5.98% -
1999 5.21% -
1998 6.61% -
1997 9.23% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.1%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Guatemala South Sudan
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala South Sudan
Economic freedom 63.5 41
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 186/197
Property rights 39.1 n/a
Government integrity 25.2 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 n/a
Tax burden 91.3 n/a
Government spending 94.3 n/a
Fiscal health 95.9 n/a
Business freedom 65.7 n/a
Labor freedom 52.5 n/a
Monetary freedom 77.3 n/a
Trade freedom 74.6 n/a
Investment freedom 70 n/a
Financial freedom 50 n/a

Other economic metrics

Guatemala South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/south-sudan | 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.