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Economy of Guyana vs Jamaica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guyana has a GDP of $24.7B compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 120/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $5.99B in government debt (24.3% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

Guyana vs Jamaica GDP by year

Guyana
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana Jamaica
2024 $24,662,709,832 $22,014,397,090
2023 $16,918,503,597 $21,418,804,320
2022 $14,718,388,489 $18,813,516,805
2021 $8,041,362,110 $15,963,885,376
2020 $5,471,256,595 $15,000,214,216
2019 $5,173,760,192 $17,026,269,263
2018 $4,787,636,998 $16,855,447,986
2017 $4,748,174,334 $15,783,583,237
2016 $4,482,697,337 $14,898,999,754
2015 $4,279,840,194 $14,963,589,916
2014 $4,127,660,152 $13,899,217,680
2013 $4,167,800,929 $14,264,205,153
2012 $4,063,088,536 $14,807,086,556
2011 $3,691,384,318 $14,444,661,522
2010 $3,432,912,517 $13,220,549,908
2009 $3,165,663,153 $12,120,458,115
2008 $3,025,187,433 $13,709,401,520
2007 $2,730,971,595 $12,799,600,047
2006 $2,379,817,991 $11,930,179,090
2005 $824,880,550 $11,243,865,778
2004 $787,814,379 $10,174,664,854
2003 $743,063,950 $9,430,234,811
2002 $726,131,435 $9,719,009,495
2001 $712,167,450 $9,194,727,831
2000 $712,667,897 $9,005,064,475
1999 $694,754,988 $8,887,057,997
1998 $717,530,683 $8,787,195,622
1997 $749,138,010 $8,400,041,724
1996 $705,406,001 $7,393,891,921
1995 $621,626,786 $6,577,520,643
1994 $540,874,934 $5,452,558,947
1993 $454,101,382 $5,440,075,676
1992 $373,573,141 $3,535,460,090
1991 $348,533,095 $4,106,207,649
1990 $396,582,263 $4,592,208,087
1989 $379,779,390 $4,404,937,853
1988 $413,799,990 $3,828,342,820
1987 $354,591,847 $3,287,007,322
1986 $504,651,140 $2,754,549,582
1985 $453,488,372 $2,100,239,019
1984 $437,631,605 $2,373,564,549
1983 $489,333,333 $3,619,262,277
1982 $482,000,000 $3,293,496,312
1981 $570,357,107 $2,979,027,966
1980 $603,200,000 $2,679,379,372
1979 $530,440,000 $2,425,064,229
1978 $507,080,000 $2,644,527,822
1977 $449,880,000 $3,249,733,140
1976 $454,440,000 $2,966,042,856
1975 $494,791,667 $2,860,442,750
1974 $433,954,545 $2,375,122,375
1973 $307,047,619 $1,905,917,553
1972 $285,380,952 $1,875,146,587
1971 $282,050,000 $1,539,861,816
1970 $267,800,000 $1,404,720,442
1969 $249,300,000 $1,191,239,047
1968 $229,750,000 $1,083,839,133
1967 $250,176,471 $1,148,014,311
1966 $228,705,882 $1,096,759,561
1965 $213,235,294 $972,159,611
1964 $194,774,513 $897,949,001
1963 $175,757,894 $826,706,669
1962 $194,949,513 $777,727,689
1961 $185,849,535 $748,043,501
1960 $170,216,241 $699,064,380

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/jamaica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guyana vs Jamaica by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $974 $6,392 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $951 $6,304 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $932 $6,131 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $932 $5,860 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $909 $5,812 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $940 $5,573 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $983 $5,615 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $928 $5,210 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $820 $4,753 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $716 $4,447 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $603 $4,027 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $498 $3,651 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $466 $3,322 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $529 $3,022 $1,930 $5,106
1989 $503 - $1,865 -
1988 $545 - $1,632 -
1987 $464 - $1,411 -
1986 $657 - $1,191 -
1985 $588 - $917 -
1984 $565 - $1,048 -
1983 $631 - $1,619 -
1982 $621 - $1,494 -
1981 $735 - $1,370 -
1980 $779 - $1,249 -
1979 $689 - $1,144 -
1978 $663 - $1,262 -
1977 $593 - $1,569 -
1976 $604 - $1,450 -
1975 $664 - $1,417 -
1974 $588 - $1,193 -
1973 $421 - $972 -
1972 $395 - $971 -
1971 $396 - $809 -
1970 $381 - $748 -
1969 $361 - $642 -
1968 $340 - $591 -
1967 $378 - $633 -
1966 $353 - $612 -
1965 $336 - $549 -
1964 $313 - $514 -
1963 $288.8 - $480 -
1962 $327 - $458 -
1961 $319 - $447 -
1960 $299.1 - $424 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/jamaica | CC BY

Guyana's GDP per capita is $29,675, ranking 41/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

Guyana Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$24.7B
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
120/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
43.8%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,675
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$5.99B
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.3%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,213
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
66/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,212
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12.4B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
13.2%
2019
3.02%
2023
Population
842249
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 24.3% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 28% 67.3%
2022 20.3% 24.8% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 24.8% 45.7% 29% 90.9%
2020 30.5% 59.5% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 28.1% 54% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 27.6% 47.9% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 26.3% 46.1% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 25.2% 44% 27% 109.1%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 29.6% 143%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 29% 74.5% 31.2% 118%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 32.5% 125.5%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 31.1% 119.1%
2001 24% 104.6% 28.5% 107.9%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 26.2% 91.3%
1999 17.6% 97.1% 28.9% 83.5%
1998 19.7% 108% 28.3% 75.6%
1997 20.9% 101.3% 28.3% 74.4%
1996 - - 27.7% 70.2%
1995 - - 23.1% 85.2%
1994 - - 21.5% 90.4%
1993 - - 21.5% 106.2%
1992 - - 20% 100.4%
1991 - - 24.5% 175.1%
1990 - - 25.7% 128.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, Guyana's government spending was $5.72B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.3% in Guyana and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 168/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana Jamaica
2024 -7.31% 0.22%
2023 -5.78% 0.04%
2022 -5.11% 0.27%
2021 -6.94% 0.89%
2020 -7.78% -2.83%
2019 -2.52% 0.85%
2018 -2.52% 1.12%
2017 -3.14% 0.43%
2016 -3.21% -0.19%
2015 -0.75% -0.28%
2014 -3.88% -0.49%
2013 -2.16% 0.12%
2012 -3.11% -4.05%
2011 -2.13% -6.34%
2010 -1.88% -6.27%
2009 -2.5% -11.1%
2008 -2.78% -7.43%
2007 -3.35% -3.82%
2006 -6.16% -4.9%
2005 -6.54% -3.3%
2004 -2.88% -4.68%
2003 -4.81% -5.67%
2002 -2.42% -6.77%
2001 -3.71% -4.89%
2000 -2.27% -0.8%
1999 -0.47% -3.53%
1998 -2.67% -5.82%
1997 -1.7% -6.54%
1996 - -5.32%
1995 - 1.6%
1994 - 2.59%
1993 - 2.6%
1992 - 3.11%
1991 - 3.87%
1990 - 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, Guyana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.8B, equivalent to 7.31% of GDP. This compares to Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana Jamaica
2024 2.5% 5.41%
2023 4.5% 6.47%
2022 6.5% 10.3%
2021 3.3% 5.86%
2020 1.2% 5.23%
2019 2.1% 3.91%
2018 1.3% 3.74%
2017 1.9% 4.38%
2016 0.8% 2.35%
2015 -0.9% 3.69%
2014 0.7% 8.27%
2013 1.9% 9.34%
2012 2.4% 6.87%
2011 4.4% 7.56%
2010 4.3% 12.6%
2009 3% 9.59%
2008 8.1% 22%
2007 12.2% 9.24%
2006 6.7% 8.56%
2005 6.9% 15.1%
2004 4.7% 13.6%
2003 6% 10.1%
2002 5.4% 7.08%
2001 2.6% 6.8%
2000 6.1% 8.17%
1999 7.5% 5.95%
1998 4.6% 8.63%
1997 3.6% 9.66%

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/guyana/jamaica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.08%, compared with 8.23% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Guyana and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Top exports between countries

Guyana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $41.7M
Raw agricultural goods $38.7M
Animal & marine products $7M
Wood & paper products $1.98M
Chemicals & pharma $1.45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.13M
Raw materials & minerals $432K
Metals $121K
Textiles & consumer goods $57K
Jamaica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.1M
Raw materials & minerals $4.6M
Chemicals & pharma $1.75M
Raw agricultural goods $1.21M
Animal & marine products $363K
Metals $226K
Machinery & equipment $210K
Miscellaneous $57K
Textiles & consumer goods $36K
Wood & paper products $9K

Balance of trade

Guyana Jamaica
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
43/190
2023
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$529M
2023
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

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

Guyana Jamaica
Economic freedom 58.7 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 48/197
Property rights 46.7 66.8
Government integrity 38.8 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 75.6
Tax burden 76.4 76.3
Government spending 85 76
Fiscal health 39.9 92.2
Business freedom 70.9 68.5
Labor freedom 76 59.2
Monetary freedom 78.5 74.2
Trade freedom 59.2 70.4
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana Jamaica
2026 58.7 68.2
2025 58.2 68.7
2024 57.3 68.1
2023 56.9 68.1
2022 59.5 67.4
2021 57.4 69
2020 56.2 68.5
2019 56.8 68.6
2018 58.7 69.1
2017 58.5 69.5
2016 55.4 67.5
2015 55.5 67.7
2014 55.7 66.7
2013 53.8 66.8
2012 51.3 65.1
2011 49.4 65.7
2010 48.4 65.5
2009 48.4 65.2
2008 48.8 65.7
2007 53.7 65.5
2006 56.6 66.4
2005 56.5 67
2004 53 66.7
2003 50.3 67
2002 54.3 61.7
2001 53.3 63.7
2000 52.4 65.5
1999 53.3 64.7
1998 52.7 67.1
1997 53.2 67.7
1996 50.1 66.7
1995 45.7 64.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/jamaica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guyana is 58.7, ranking 109/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guyana Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
76%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.62%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$52,290
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
141/177
2024
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.73%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
22.6%
2019

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/guyana/jamaica | 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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, 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.