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Economy of Guatemala vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guatemala has a GDP of $123B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 67/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $33.5B in government debt (27.2% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Guatemala vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Guatemala
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Vanuatu
2025 $123,306,008,821 $1,353,658,841
2024 $113,215,575,151 $1,297,956,615
2023 $104,298,081,429 $1,188,137,265
2022 $95,609,727,056 $1,151,863,790
2021 $86,455,522,273 $1,093,826,089
2020 $77,719,468,248 $1,017,403,363
2019 $77,172,331,693 $1,061,547,513
2018 $73,328,356,008 $1,034,402,941
2017 $71,653,780,740 $998,536,155
2016 $66,053,408,206 $908,725,513
2015 $62,186,066,548 $855,360,240
2014 $57,852,159,008 $879,185,478
2013 $52,996,420,177 $863,347,172
2012 $49,593,929,487 $747,839,698
2011 $46,876,006,272 $770,153,588
2010 $40,676,578,423 $670,712,980
2009 $37,126,148,265 $592,622,319
2008 $38,503,720,224 $590,748,429
2007 $33,567,850,824 $516,392,923
2006 $29,744,246,827 $439,358,587
2005 $26,783,389,294 $394,962,433
2004 $23,577,298,095 $364,996,869
2003 $21,576,351,799 $314,471,413
2002 $20,444,205,991 $262,596,536
2001 $18,405,220,247 $257,926,882
2000 $19,288,929,030 $272,014,628
1999 $18,318,412,251 $268,006,973
1998 $19,395,491,993 $262,293,411
1997 $17,790,026,222 $272,771,209
1996 $15,674,835,615 $261,370,044
1995 $14,655,404,433 $249,333,250
1994 $12,983,233,311 $233,701,301
1993 $11,400,017,301 $200,491,853
1992 $10,440,781,588 $209,088,825
1991 $9,406,135,143 $201,334,169
1990 $7,650,196,845 $168,879,207
1989 $8,410,724,361 $154,013,202
1988 $7,841,602,824 $158,351,368
1987 $7,084,399,840 $139,464,174
1986 $7,231,963,516 $126,498,935
1985 $9,721,652,087 $131,856,421
1984 $9,470,000,100 $144,482,515
1983 $9,050,000,400 $117,389,554
1982 $8,716,999,700 $114,501,913
1981 $8,607,500,300 $113,781,796
1980 $7,878,700,000 $121,185,498
1979 $6,902,600,200 $119,258,835
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Vanuatu by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,598 - $4,039 -
2024 $6,151 $14,369 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $5,754 $13,745 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $5,357 $13,014 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $848 $3,330 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $958 - $1,067 -
1988 $919 - $1,125 -
1987 $854 - $1,017 -
1986 $896 - $946 -
1985 $1,238 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,241 - $1,137 -
1983 $1,220 - $947 -
1982 $1,204 - $946 -
1981 $1,216 - $962 -
1980 $1,142 - $1,048 -
1979 $1,026 - $1,055 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,598, ranking 108/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$123B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
67/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
4.28%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,598
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
108/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$33.5B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.2%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,793
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,432
2026
$2,801
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.7%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.49%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
1.41%
2025
Population
19115361
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 14.7% 27.2% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 13.4% 26.3% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 14.3% 29% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 29.4% 40%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 14% 25% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 14.5% 24% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 18.2% 20%
2005 13.2% 20% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 17% 34.6%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 13.6% 18% 23% 32.6%
1999 14.6% 22% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 13.2% 19% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 22.1% 20.8%
1995 9.77% 21% 25.3% 21.8%
1994 - - 22% 19.5%
1993 - - 23.7% 18.3%
1992 - - 28.8% 19%
1991 - - 30% 14.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guatemala's government spending was $18.2B, accounting for 14.7% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.2% in Guatemala and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 163/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Vanuatu
2025 -1.91% -3.88%
2024 -0.96% -2.46%
2023 -1.25% -0.78%
2022 -1.7% -5.96%
2021 -1.16% 2.07%
2020 -4.91% -1.74%
2019 -2.24% 2.48%
2018 -1.88% 5.53%
2017 -1.38% -1.06%
2016 -1.11% -0.64%
2015 -1.47% -8.13%
2014 -1.92% 1.26%
2013 -2.16% -0.22%
2012 -2.42% -1.54%
2011 -2.8% -1.98%
2010 -3.28% -2.38%
2009 -3.12% -0.76%
2008 -1.57% -0.04%
2007 -1.4% 0.25%
2006 -1.88% 0.44%
2005 -1.67% 1.68%
2004 -1.05% 0.72%
2003 -2.47% -1.22%
2002 -1.03% -3.29%
2001 -2% -3.01%
2000 -1.88% -5.67%
1999 -2.96% -0.5%
1998 -2.29% -6.01%
1997 -0.79% -0.46%
1996 0.04% -1.61%
1995 -0.53% -2.34%
1994 - -1.35%
1993 - -3.32%
1992 - -2.1%
1991 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.33% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Vanuatu
2025 1.49% 0.66%
2024 2.87% 1.14%
2023 6.21% 11.2%
2022 6.89% 6.68%
2021 4.26% 2.34%
2020 3.21% 5.33%
2019 3.7% 2.76%
2018 3.75% 2.33%
2017 4.42% 3.08%
2016 4.45% 0.84%
2015 2.39% 2.48%
2014 3.42% 0.8%
2013 4.34% 1.46%
2012 3.78% 1.35%
2011 6.21% 0.87%
2010 3.86% 2.76%
2009 1.86% 4.3%
2008 11.4% 4.84%
2007 6.82% 3.94%
2006 6.56% 2.04%
2005 9.11% 1.2%
2004 7.58% 1.42%
2003 5.6% 3.02%
2002 8.13% 1.96%
2001 7.29% 3.58%
2000 5.98% 2.54%
1999 5.21% 2%
1998 6.61% 3.28%
1997 9.23% 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.4%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 1.49% in Guatemala and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Guatemala Vanuatu
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.6%
2025
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Vanuatu
Economic freedom 63.5 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 92/197
Property rights 39.1 62.1
Government integrity 25.2 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 67.9
Tax burden 91.3 96.9
Government spending 94.3 48.1
Fiscal health 95.9 78.8
Business freedom 65.7 50.3
Labor freedom 52.5 41
Monetary freedom 77.3 72.1
Trade freedom 74.6 62
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Vanuatu
2026 63.5 61.1
2025 63.4 61.8
2024 62.4 62.2
2023 62.7 62.1
2022 63.2 62.9
2021 64 60.5
2020 64 60.7
2019 62.6 56.4
2018 63.4 69.5
2017 63 67.4
2016 61.8 60.8
2015 60.4 61.1
2014 61.2 59.5
2013 60 56.6
2012 60.9 56.6
2011 61.9 56.7
2010 61 56.4
2009 59.4 58.4
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 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
62.1%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.55%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$119B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,020
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$32.8B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
26.1%
2024

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/vanuatu | 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.