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Economy of Guatemala vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 68/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Guatemala vs Suriname GDP by year

Guatemala
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Suriname
2024 $113,199,581,158 $4,416,775,112
2023 $104,368,755,055 $3,472,693,412
2022 $95,641,446,501 $3,791,603,200
2021 $86,455,522,273 $3,107,923,198
2020 $77,719,468,248 $2,911,807,496
2019 $77,172,331,693 $4,016,040,575
2018 $73,328,356,008 $3,996,198,867
2017 $71,653,780,740 $3,591,679,431
2016 $66,053,408,206 $3,317,421,648
2015 $62,186,066,548 $5,126,237,646
2014 $57,852,159,008 $5,240,606,061
2013 $52,996,420,177 $5,145,757,576
2012 $49,593,929,487 $4,980,000,000
2011 $46,876,006,272 $4,422,276,622
2010 $40,676,578,423 $4,368,370,998
2009 $37,126,148,265 $3,875,409,836
2008 $38,503,720,224 $3,532,969,035
2007 $33,567,850,824 $2,936,612,022
2006 $29,744,246,827 $2,626,380,435
2005 $26,783,389,294 $1,793,410,397
2004 $23,577,298,095 $1,484,092,538
2003 $21,576,351,799 $1,274,190,311
2002 $20,444,205,991 $1,093,574,468
2001 $18,405,220,247 $834,279,358
2000 $19,288,929,030 $947,671,970
1999 $18,318,412,251 $886,290,698
1998 $19,395,491,993 $1,110,850,000
1997 $17,790,026,222 $926,422,500
1996 $15,674,835,615 $861,372,806
1995 $14,655,404,433 $691,590,498
1994 $12,983,233,311 $605,492,537
1993 $11,400,017,301 $428,764,706
1992 $10,440,781,588 $404,600,000
1991 $9,406,135,143 $448,100,000
1990 $7,650,196,845 $388,400,000
1989 $8,410,724,361 $542,600,000
1988 $7,841,602,824 $1,161,000,000
1987 $7,084,399,840 $980,000,000
1986 $7,231,963,516 $891,000,000
1985 $9,721,652,087 $873,000,000
1984 $9,470,000,100 $864,000,000
1983 $9,050,000,400 $883,500,000
1982 $8,716,999,700 $915,000,000
1981 $8,607,500,300 $889,000,000
1980 $7,878,700,000 $795,000,000
1979 $6,902,600,200 $782,500,000
1978 $6,070,600,200 $735,500,000
1977 $5,480,500,200 $641,500,000
1976 $4,365,300,200 $505,500,000
1975 $3,645,900,000 $465,500,000
1974 $3,161,499,900 $409,850,000
1973 $2,569,200,100 $339,450,000
1972 $2,101,300,000 $311,950,000
1971 $1,984,800,000 $301,000,000
1970 $1,904,000,000 $274,900,000
1969 $1,715,399,900 $259,650,000
1968 $1,610,500,000 $241,350,000
1967 $1,453,500,000 $220,700,000
1966 $1,390,700,000 $190,350,000
1965 $1,331,399,900 $154,150,000
1964 $1,299,099,900 $134,400,000
1963 $1,262,800,000 $125,950,000
1962 $1,143,600,000 $116,150,000
1961 $1,076,699,900 $107,700,000
1960 $1,043,599,900 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Suriname by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $969 $6,992
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $848 $3,330 $942 $6,493
1989 $958 - $1,329 -
1988 $919 - $2,886 -
1987 $854 - $2,469 -
1986 $896 - $2,271 -
1985 $1,238 - $2,256 -
1984 $1,241 - $2,261 -
1983 $1,220 - $2,333 -
1982 $1,204 - $2,430 -
1981 $1,216 - $2,368 -
1980 $1,142 - $2,118 -
1979 $1,026 - $2,072 -
1978 $925 - $1,928 -
1977 $856 - $1,666 -
1976 $697 - $1,302 -
1975 $595 - $1,190 -
1974 $529 - $1,041 -
1973 $441 - $858 -
1972 $370 - $785 -
1971 $358 - $768 -
1970 $353 - $724 -
1969 $326 - $708 -
1968 $315 - $681 -
1967 $291.9 - $644 -
1966 $287.3 - $575 -
1965 $283 - $482 -
1964 $284.2 - $435 -
1963 $284.4 - $424 -
1962 $265.2 - $409 -
1961 $257.2 - $395 -
1960 $256.8 - $378 -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Suriname
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
7.92%
2016
Population
19049936
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 29% 98.2%
2022 14.3% 29% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 32% 115.8%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 40.5% 84%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 28.7% 73%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 14% 25% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 21% 18.7%
2010 14.5% 24% 21% 17.3%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 24% 14.6%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 13.2% 20% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 13.6% 18% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 14.6% 22% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 13.2% 19% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 9.77% 21% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 - - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 - - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 - - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 - - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 - - 22.7% 72.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 161/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Suriname
2024 -0.96% -2.42%
2023 -1.25% -1.68%
2022 -1.7% -2.69%
2021 -1.16% -5.66%
2020 -4.91% -12%
2019 -2.24% -20.2%
2018 -1.88% -8.56%
2017 -1.38% -8.62%
2016 -1.11% -10.2%
2015 -1.47% -8.29%
2014 -1.92% -2.65%
2013 -2.16% -2.64%
2012 -2.42% -0.38%
2011 -2.8% 2.32%
2010 -3.28% -0.15%
2009 -3.12% 2.03%
2008 -1.57% 2.39%
2007 -1.4% 5.01%
2006 -1.88% 0.59%
2005 -1.67% -3.39%
2004 -1.05% -1.2%
2003 -2.47% -0.11%
2002 -1.03% -3.3%
2001 -2% 3.49%
2000 -1.88% -7.76%
1999 -2.96% -4.92%
1998 -2.29% -6.39%
1997 -0.79% -0.32%
1996 0.04% 3.42%
1995 -0.53% 1.17%
1994 - -1.89%
1993 - -4.68%
1992 - -6.45%
1991 - -9.8%
1990 - -3.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.1% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Suriname
2024 2.87% 16.2%
2023 6.21% 51.6%
2022 6.89% 52.4%
2021 4.26% 59.1%
2020 3.21% 34.9%
2019 3.7% -
2018 3.75% -
2017 4.42% 22%
2016 4.45% 55.4%
2015 2.39% 6.89%
2014 3.42% 3.38%
2013 4.34% 1.92%
2012 3.78% 5.01%
2011 6.21% 17.7%
2010 3.86% 6.94%
2009 1.86% -0.13%
2008 11.4% 14.7%
2007 6.82% 6.43%
2006 6.56% 11.3%
2005 9.11% 9.9%
2004 7.58% 9.99%
2003 5.6% 23%
2002 8.13% 15.5%
2001 7.29% 38.6%
2000 5.98% 59.4%
1999 5.21% 98.8%
1998 6.61% 19%
1997 9.23% 7.15%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.68M
Chemicals & pharma $981K
Machinery & equipment $390K
Raw materials & minerals $40K
Miscellaneous $19K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Metals $6K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $45K
Wood & paper products $24K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Metals $4K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Suriname
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Suriname
Economic freedom 63.5 53
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 143/197
Property rights 39.1 40.5
Government integrity 25.2 41
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 46.5
Tax burden 91.3 69.1
Government spending 94.3 74.3
Fiscal health 95.9 76.6
Business freedom 65.7 56.9
Labor freedom 52.5 69
Monetary freedom 77.3 56.4
Trade freedom 74.6 65.2
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Suriname
2026 63.5 53
2025 63.4 50.9
2024 62.4 46.7
2023 62.7 46.1
2022 63.2 48.1
2021 64 46.4
2020 64 49.5
2019 62.6 48.1
2018 63.4 48.1
2017 63 48
2016 61.8 53.8
2015 60.4 54.2
2014 61.2 54.2
2013 60 52
2012 60.9 52.6
2011 61.9 53.1
2010 61 52.5
2009 59.4 54.1
2008 59.8 54.3
2007 60.5 54.8
2006 59.1 55.1
2005 59.5 51.9
2004 59.6 47.9
2003 62.3 46.9
2002 62.3 48
2001 65.1 44.3
2000 64.3 45.8
1999 66.2 40.1
1998 65.8 39.9
1997 65.7 35.9
1996 63.7 36.7
1995 62 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Suriname
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.