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Economy of Guyana vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guyana has a GDP of $24.7B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 120/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $5.99B in government debt (24.3% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Guyana vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Guyana
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana Saint Lucia
2024 $24,662,709,832 $2,549,062,963
2023 $16,918,503,597 $2,430,166,667
2022 $14,718,388,489 $2,342,714,815
2021 $8,041,362,110 $1,867,185,185
2020 $5,471,256,595 $1,499,274,074
2019 $5,173,760,192 $2,095,344,444
2018 $4,787,636,998 $2,060,955,556
2017 $4,748,174,334 $1,998,503,704
2016 $4,482,697,337 $1,868,544,444
2015 $4,279,840,194 $1,807,640,741
2014 $4,127,660,152 $1,749,185,185
2013 $4,167,800,929 $1,660,392,593
2012 $4,063,088,536 $1,598,207,407
2011 $3,691,384,318 $1,568,370,370
2010 $3,432,912,517 $1,482,385,185
2009 $3,165,663,153 $1,401,507,889
2008 $3,025,187,433 $1,437,731,111
2007 $2,730,971,595 $1,336,088,815
2006 $2,379,817,991 $1,268,319,185
2005 $824,880,550 $1,135,555,556
2004 $787,814,379 $1,066,666,667
2003 $743,063,950 $987,407,407
2002 $726,131,435 $900,000,000
2001 $712,167,450 $892,592,593
2000 $712,667,897 $932,592,593
1999 $694,754,988 $921,851,852
1998 $717,530,683 $877,407,407
1997 $749,138,010 $805,925,926
1996 $705,406,001 $788,888,889
1995 $621,626,786 $762,962,963
1994 $540,874,934 $713,703,704
1993 $454,101,382 $684,814,815
1992 $373,573,141 $674,074,074
1991 $348,533,095 $613,703,704
1990 $396,582,263 $579,629,630
1989 $379,779,390 $486,666,667
1988 $413,799,990 $429,629,630
1987 $354,591,847 $375,555,556
1986 $504,651,140 $340,000,000
1985 $453,488,372 $284,444,444
1984 $437,631,605 $251,481,481
1983 $489,333,333 $197,037,037
1982 $482,000,000 $183,333,333
1981 $570,357,107 $194,444,444
1980 $603,200,000 $170,370,370
1979 $530,440,000 -
1978 $507,080,000 -
1977 $449,880,000 -
1976 $454,440,000 -
1975 $494,791,667 -
1974 $433,954,545 -
1973 $307,047,619 -
1972 $285,380,952 -
1971 $282,050,000 -
1970 $267,800,000 -
1969 $249,300,000 -
1968 $229,750,000 -
1967 $250,176,471 -
1966 $228,705,882 -
1965 $213,235,294 -
1964 $194,774,513 -
1963 $175,757,894 -
1962 $194,949,513 -
1961 $185,849,535 -
1960 $170,216,241 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guyana vs Saint Lucia by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $974 $6,392 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $951 $6,304 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $932 $6,131 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $932 $5,860 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $909 $5,812 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $940 $5,573 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $983 $5,615 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $928 $5,210 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $820 $4,753 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $716 $4,447 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $603 $4,027 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $498 $3,651 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $466 $3,322 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $529 $3,022 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $503 - $3,565 -
1988 $545 - $3,182 -
1987 $464 - $2,819 -
1986 $657 - $2,591 -
1985 $588 - $2,202 -
1984 $565 - $1,979 -
1983 $631 - $1,576 -
1982 $621 - $1,489 -
1981 $735 - $1,605 -
1980 $779 - $1,428 -
1979 $689 - - -
1978 $663 - - -
1977 $593 - - -
1976 $604 - - -
1975 $664 - - -
1974 $588 - - -
1973 $421 - - -
1972 $395 - - -
1971 $396 - - -
1970 $381 - - -
1969 $361 - - -
1968 $340 - - -
1967 $378 - - -
1966 $353 - - -
1965 $336 - - -
1964 $313 - - -
1963 $288.8 - - -
1962 $327 - - -
1961 $319 - - -
1960 $299.1 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/saint-lucia | CC BY

Guyana's GDP per capita is $29,675, ranking 41/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Guyana Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$24.7B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
120/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
43.8%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,675
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$5.99B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.3%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,213
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
66/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,212
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
13.2%
2019
10.1%
2024
Population
842249
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 24.3% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 20.3% 24.8% 23% 74.4%
2021 24.8% 45.7% 27.4% 87%
2020 30.5% 59.5% 34.9% 100%
2019 28.1% 54% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 27.6% 47.9% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 26.3% 46.1% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 25.2% 44% 23% 61.3%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 28% 60.8%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 27% 55.2%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 26% 53%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 24.5% 51%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 29% 74.5% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 26% 51.9%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 24% 104.6% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 17.6% 97.1% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 19.7% 108% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 20.9% 101.3% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 - - 18.9% 24.1%
1995 - - 19.2% 22.9%
1994 - - 19.1% 23.8%
1993 - - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 - - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Guyana's government spending was $5.72B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.3% in Guyana and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 168/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana Saint Lucia
2024 -7.31% -2.13%
2023 -5.78% -3.09%
2022 -5.11% -1.67%
2021 -6.94% -5.1%
2020 -7.78% -12%
2019 -2.52% -3.51%
2018 -2.52% -1.03%
2017 -3.14% -1.14%
2016 -3.21% -0.79%
2015 -0.75% -2.35%
2014 -3.88% -3.08%
2013 -2.16% -4.84%
2012 -3.11% -7.62%
2011 -2.13% -5.38%
2010 -1.88% -4.17%
2009 -2.5% -2.67%
2008 -2.78% -0.72%
2007 -3.35% -1.62%
2006 -6.16% -5.07%
2005 -6.54% -6.18%
2004 -2.88% -2.63%
2003 -4.81% -3.23%
2002 -2.42% -3.1%
2001 -3.71% -3.08%
2000 -2.27% -1.16%
1999 -0.47% 1.62%
1998 -2.67% 2.25%
1997 -1.7% -1.13%
1996 - -0.58%
1995 - -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.26%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.43%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.02% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana Saint Lucia
2024 2.5% -0.11%
2023 4.5% 4.07%
2022 6.5% 6.38%
2021 3.3% 2.41%
2020 1.2% -1.76%
2019 2.1% 0.54%
2018 1.3% 1.94%
2017 1.9% 0.1%
2016 0.8% -3.08%
2015 -0.9% -0.98%
2014 0.7% 3.52%
2013 1.9% 1.47%
2012 2.4% 4.18%
2011 4.4% 2.77%
2010 4.3% 3.25%
2009 3% -0.16%
2008 8.1% 5.55%
2007 12.2% 2.82%
2006 6.7% 2.4%
2005 6.9% 3.9%
2004 4.7% 1.46%
2003 6% 1.03%
2002 5.4% -0.26%
2001 2.6% 5.31%
2000 6.1% 3.71%
1999 7.5% 3.5%
1998 4.6% 3.2%
1997 3.6% -0.006%

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.08%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Guyana and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

Guyana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $151M
Raw agricultural goods $1.63M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.3M
Wood & paper products $559K
Chemicals & pharma $229K
Animal & marine products $187K
Textiles & consumer goods $85K
Machinery & equipment $80K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.56M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.48M
Raw materials & minerals $1.31M
Metals $115K
Machinery & equipment $79K
Wood & paper products $79K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Miscellaneous $8K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Guyana Saint Lucia
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
43/190
2023
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$137M
2024
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$598M
2024
Service exports
$529M
2023
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Guyana Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 58.7 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 57/197
Property rights 46.7 64.3
Government integrity 38.8 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 77.3
Tax burden 76.4 77.7
Government spending 85 82.6
Fiscal health 39.9 80
Business freedom 70.9 71.9
Labor freedom 76 65.2
Monetary freedom 78.5 81
Trade freedom 59.2 60
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana Saint Lucia
2026 58.7 67.5
2025 58.2 67
2024 57.3 62.2
2023 56.9 60.7
2022 59.5 64.3
2021 57.4 67.5
2020 56.2 68.2
2019 56.8 68.7
2018 58.7 67.6
2017 58.5 65
2016 55.4 70
2015 55.5 70.2
2014 55.7 70.7
2013 53.8 70.4
2012 51.3 71.3
2011 49.4 70.8
2010 48.4 70.5
2009 48.4 68.8
2008 48.8 -
2007 53.7 -
2006 56.6 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 53 -
2003 50.3 -
2002 54.3 -
2001 53.3 -
2000 52.4 -
1999 53.3 -
1998 52.7 -
1997 53.2 -
1996 50.1 -
1995 45.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guyana is 58.7, ranking 109/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guyana Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
76%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.62%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$52,290
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
141/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.73%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.