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Economy of Guatemala vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 68/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Guatemala vs Venezuela GDP by year

Guatemala
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Venezuela
2024 $113,199,581,158 $119,802,963,258
2023 $104,368,755,055 $102,376,526,556
2022 $95,641,446,501 $89,013,255,585
2021 $86,455,522,273 $56,614,976,855
2020 $77,719,468,248 $42,838,020,721
2019 $77,172,331,693 $73,014,084,091
2018 $73,328,356,008 $102,021,093,965
2017 $71,653,780,740 $115,883,275,163
2016 $66,053,408,206 $112,915,034,262
2015 $62,186,066,548 $125,449,241,571
2014 $57,852,159,008 $214,689,614,733
2013 $52,996,420,177 $258,930,655,486
2012 $49,593,929,487 $372,592,062,768
2011 $46,876,006,272 $316,482,190,800
2010 $40,676,578,423 $393,192,354,511
2009 $37,126,148,265 $329,787,628,928
2008 $38,503,720,224 $315,953,388,511
2007 $33,567,850,824 $230,364,012,576
2006 $29,744,246,827 $183,477,522,124
2005 $26,783,389,294 $145,513,489,652
2004 $23,577,298,095 $112,451,400,425
2003 $21,576,351,799 $83,620,628,582
2002 $20,444,205,991 $92,893,587,734
2001 $18,405,220,247 $122,911,036,747
2000 $19,288,929,030 $117,146,466,003
1999 $18,318,412,251 $97,972,842,462
1998 $19,395,491,993 $91,336,763,255
1997 $17,790,026,222 $85,837,678,560
1996 $15,674,835,615 $70,543,211,119
1995 $14,655,404,433 $77,389,487,770
1994 $12,983,233,311 $58,418,666,667
1993 $11,400,017,301 $60,037,460,783
1992 $10,440,781,588 $60,416,519,620
1991 $9,406,135,143 $53,453,444,787
1990 $7,650,196,845 $48,606,952,195
1989 $8,410,724,361 $43,536,709,104
1988 $7,841,602,824 $60,226,413,793
1987 $7,084,399,840 $48,029,034,483
1986 $7,231,963,516 $60,516,123,711
1985 $9,721,652,087 $61,965,466,667
1984 $9,470,000,100 $59,867,743,468
1983 $9,050,000,400 $67,556,279,070
1982 $8,716,999,700 $67,736,744,186
1981 $8,607,500,300 $66,327,441,860
1980 $7,878,700,000 $59,116,511,628
1979 $6,902,600,200 $48,310,930,233
1978 $6,070,600,200 $39,316,279,070
1977 $5,480,500,200 $36,210,697,674
1976 $4,365,300,200 $31,419,534,884
1975 $3,645,900,000 $27,464,651,163
1974 $3,161,499,900 $26,100,930,233
1973 $2,569,200,100 $17,035,581,395
1972 $2,101,300,000 $13,977,727,273
1971 $1,984,800,000 $12,986,590,909
1970 $1,904,000,000 $11,561,111,111
1969 $1,715,399,900 $10,285,111,111
1968 $1,610,500,000 $10,034,444,444
1967 $1,453,500,000 $9,250,000,000
1966 $1,390,700,000 $8,781,333,333
1965 $1,331,399,900 $8,427,777,778
1964 $1,299,099,900 $8,192,413,793
1963 $1,262,800,000 $9,608,717,288
1962 $1,143,600,000 $8,814,309,884
1961 $1,076,699,900 $8,067,267,031
1960 $1,043,599,900 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Venezuela by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $4,218 -
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $3,617 -
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $3,155 -
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $2,005 -
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $1,506 -
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $2,523 -
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $3,423 -
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $3,791 -
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $3,670 -
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $4,103 -
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $7,096 -
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $8,656 -
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $12,607 -
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $848 $3,330 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $958 - $2,250 -
1988 $919 - $3,191 -
1987 $854 - $2,611 -
1986 $896 - $3,376 -
1985 $1,238 - $3,549 -
1984 $1,241 - $3,520 -
1983 $1,220 - $4,079 -
1982 $1,204 - $4,202 -
1981 $1,216 - $4,228 -
1980 $1,142 - $3,874 -
1979 $1,026 - $3,257 -
1978 $925 - $2,727 -
1977 $856 - $2,585 -
1976 $697 - $2,309 -
1975 $595 - $2,078 -
1974 $529 - $2,034 -
1973 $441 - $1,367 -
1972 $370 - $1,155 -
1971 $358 - $1,106 -
1970 $353 - $1,015 -
1969 $326 - $932 -
1968 $315 - $938 -
1967 $291.9 - $893 -
1966 $287.3 - $876 -
1965 $283 - $869 -
1964 $284.2 - $874 -
1963 $284.4 - $1,060 -
1962 $265.2 - $1,007 -
1961 $257.2 - $954 -
1960 $256.8 - $939 -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
7.53%
2020
Population
19049936
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 14.3% 29% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 11.2% 337%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 21% 206%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 14% 25% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 38% 58.4%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 14.5% 24% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 13.2% 20% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 32.2% 56%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 31% 48.2%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 13.6% 18% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 14.6% 22% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 13.2% 19% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 31% 34.8%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 9.77% 21% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 161/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Venezuela
2024 -0.96% -3.6%
2023 -1.25% -1.25%
2022 -1.7% -5.29%
2021 -1.16% -5.85%
2020 -4.91% -6.63%
2019 -2.24% -10.9%
2018 -1.88% -31%
2017 -1.38% -13.3%
2016 -1.11% -8.46%
2015 -1.47% -8.06%
2014 -1.92% -9.81%
2013 -2.16% -10.4%
2012 -2.42% -9.86%
2011 -2.8% -8.24%
2010 -3.28% -4.74%
2009 -3.12% -8.69%
2008 -1.57% -3.46%
2007 -1.4% -2.82%
2006 -1.88% -1.6%
2005 -1.67% 4.09%
2004 -1.05% 2.47%
2003 -2.47% 0.17%
2002 -1.03% -1.48%
2001 -2% -4.59%
2000 -1.88% 4.45%
1999 -2.96% 0.74%
1998 -2.29% -4.49%
1997 -0.79% 2.58%
1996 0.04% 7.94%
1995 -0.53% -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guatemala/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.93% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Venezuela
2024 2.87% 49%
2023 6.21% 338%
2022 6.89% 186.5%
2021 4.26% 1,589%
2020 3.21% 2,355%
2019 3.7% 19,906%
2018 3.75% 65,374%
2017 4.42% 438%
2016 4.45% 254.9%
2015 2.39% 121.7%
2014 3.42% 62.2%
2013 4.34% 40.6%
2012 3.78% 21.1%
2011 6.21% 26.1%
2010 3.86% 28.2%
2009 1.86% 26%
2008 11.4% 31.4%
2007 6.82% 18.7%
2006 6.56% 13.7%
2005 9.11% 16%
2004 7.58% 21.7%
2003 5.6% 31.1%
2002 8.13% 22.4%
2001 7.29% 12.5%
2000 5.98% 16.2%
1999 5.21% 23.6%
1998 6.61% 35.8%
1997 9.23% 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.54%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.58M
Chemicals & pharma $3.44M
Raw materials & minerals $1.59M
Machinery & equipment $1.49M
Wood & paper products $773K
Textiles & consumer goods $649K
Miscellaneous $562K
Raw agricultural goods $115K
Metals $23K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.03M
Metals $385K
Chemicals & pharma $170K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K

Balance of trade

Guatemala Venezuela
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guatemala Venezuela
Economic freedom 63.5 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 194/197
Property rights 39.1 0
Government integrity 25.2 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 5.1
Tax burden 91.3 73.4
Government spending 94.3 93
Fiscal health 95.9 29.1
Business freedom 65.7 31.1
Labor freedom 52.5 35.5
Monetary freedom 77.3 0
Trade freedom 74.6 43.2
Investment freedom 70 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Venezuela
2026 63.5 27.3
2025 63.4 27.6
2024 62.4 28.1
2023 62.7 25.8
2022 63.2 24.8
2021 64 24.7
2020 64 25.2
2019 62.6 25.9
2018 63.4 25.2
2017 63 27
2016 61.8 33.7
2015 60.4 34.3
2014 61.2 36.3
2013 60 36.1
2012 60.9 38.1
2011 61.9 37.6
2010 61 37.1
2009 59.4 39.9
2008 59.8 44.7
2007 60.5 47.9
2006 59.1 44.6
2005 59.5 45.2
2004 59.6 46.7
2003 62.3 54.8
2002 62.3 54.7
2001 65.1 54.6
2000 64.3 57.4
1999 66.2 56.1
1998 65.8 54
1997 65.7 52.8
1996 63.7 54.5
1995 62 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guatemala Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
4.9%
2024

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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2013–2024, 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.