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Economy of Guyana vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guyana has a GDP of $24.7B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 120/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $5.99B in government debt (24.3% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Guyana vs Switzerland GDP by year

Guyana
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana Switzerland
2024 $24,662,709,832 $936,564,198,049
2023 $16,918,503,597 $894,424,821,645
2022 $14,718,388,489 $828,508,926,958
2021 $8,041,362,110 $815,309,330,987
2020 $5,471,256,595 $741,999,406,006
2019 $5,173,760,192 $721,369,112,727
2018 $4,787,636,998 $725,568,717,468
2017 $4,748,174,334 $695,200,833,086
2016 $4,482,697,337 $687,895,460,903
2015 $4,279,840,194 $694,118,186,380
2014 $4,127,660,152 $726,537,808,338
2013 $4,167,800,929 $706,234,937,371
2012 $4,063,088,536 $686,420,221,558
2011 $3,691,384,318 $715,888,126,682
2010 $3,432,912,517 $598,851,028,907
2009 $3,165,663,153 $554,212,916,092
2008 $3,025,187,433 $567,267,767,519
2007 $2,730,971,595 $490,740,715,595
2006 $2,379,817,991 $441,634,672,197
2005 $824,880,550 $418,284,865,885
2004 $787,814,379 $403,912,891,033
2003 $743,063,950 $362,075,086,508
2002 $726,131,435 $309,301,422,430
2001 $712,167,450 $286,582,672,434
2000 $712,667,897 $279,216,033,870
1999 $694,754,988 $297,873,643,323
1998 $717,530,683 $303,459,014,347
1997 $749,138,010 $294,788,198,856
1996 $705,406,001 $340,103,959,547
1995 $621,626,786 $352,835,806,342
1994 $540,874,934 $301,375,055,202
1993 $454,101,382 $272,237,527,071
1992 $373,573,141 $279,921,425,828
1991 $348,533,095 $268,901,693,863
1990 $396,582,263 $265,763,573,999
1989 $379,779,390 $208,105,846,934
1988 $413,799,990 $215,540,625,299
1987 $354,591,847 $199,236,370,038
1986 $504,651,140 $159,089,921,063
1985 $453,488,372 $110,980,314,192
1984 $437,631,605 $109,455,312,168
1983 $489,333,333 $114,634,358,535
1982 $482,000,000 $115,043,365,512
1981 $570,357,107 $112,244,805,519
1980 $603,200,000 $122,557,843,886
1979 $530,440,000 $114,970,094,425
1978 $507,080,000 $102,280,472,036
1977 $449,880,000 $73,135,771,167
1976 $454,440,000 $68,476,524,644
1975 $494,791,667 $65,466,081,819
1974 $433,954,545 $57,103,011,446
1973 $307,047,619 $49,550,006,320
1972 $285,380,952 $36,844,318,854
1971 $282,050,000 $30,040,171,751
1970 $267,800,000 $24,998,066,773
1969 $249,300,000 $22,442,043,274
1968 $229,750,000 $20,712,102,794
1967 $250,176,471 $19,397,044,714
1966 $228,705,882 $18,019,402,374
1965 $213,235,294 $16,780,226,225
1964 $194,774,513 $15,833,133,858
1963 $175,757,894 $14,283,872,299
1962 $194,949,513 $12,989,649,694
1961 $185,849,535 $11,713,348,834
1960 $170,216,241 $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Guyana vs Switzerland by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $974 $6,392 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $951 $6,304 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $932 $6,131 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $932 $5,860 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $909 $5,812 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $940 $5,573 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $983 $5,615 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $928 $5,210 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $820 $4,753 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $716 $4,447 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $603 $4,027 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $498 $3,651 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $466 $3,322 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $529 $3,022 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $503 - $31,309 -
1988 $545 - $32,690 -
1987 $464 - $30,441 -
1986 $657 - $24,460 -
1985 $588 - $17,152 -
1984 $565 - $16,991 -
1983 $631 - $17,859 -
1982 $621 - $18,000 -
1981 $735 - $17,665 -
1980 $779 - $19,394 -
1979 $689 - $18,266 -
1978 $663 - $16,282 -
1977 $593 - $11,644 -
1976 $604 - $10,865 -
1975 $664 - $10,328 -
1974 $588 - $9,005 -
1973 $421 - $7,856 -
1972 $395 - $5,885 -
1971 $396 - $4,835 -
1970 $381 - $4,044 -
1969 $361 - $3,657 -
1968 $340 - $3,413 -
1967 $378 - $3,237 -
1966 $353 - $3,045 -
1965 $336 - $2,865 -
1964 $313 - $2,735 -
1963 $288.8 - $2,508 -
1962 $327 - $2,330 -
1961 $319 - $2,155 -
1960 $299.1 - $1,954 -

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

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

Guyana's GDP per capita is $29,675, ranking 41/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Guyana Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$24.7B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
120/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
43.8%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,675
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$5.99B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.3%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,213
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
66/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,212
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
13.2%
2019
4.34%
2024
Population
842249
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 24.3% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 20.3% 24.8% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 24.8% 45.7% 34.4% 41%
2020 30.5% 59.5% 37% 43.2%
2019 28.1% 54% 32% 39.6%
2018 27.6% 47.9% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 26.3% 46.1% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 25.2% 44% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 30% 44.8%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 29% 74.5% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 24% 104.6% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 17.6% 97.1% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 19.7% 108% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 20.9% 101.3% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 - - 33% 51.3%
1995 - - 32.4% 50%
1994 - - 32.5% 47.1%
1993 - - 32.5% 44.4%
1992 - - 31.3% 39.5%
1991 - - 29.5% 35.1%
1990 - - 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guyana's government spending was $5.72B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.3% in Guyana and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 168/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana Switzerland
2024 -7.31% 0.58%
2023 -5.78% 0.12%
2022 -5.11% 1.19%
2021 -6.94% -0.29%
2020 -7.78% -3.01%
2019 -2.52% 1.34%
2018 -2.52% 1.29%
2017 -3.14% 1.13%
2016 -3.21% 0.24%
2015 -0.75% 0.55%
2014 -3.88% -0.25%
2013 -2.16% -0.43%
2012 -3.11% 0.24%
2011 -2.13% 0.68%
2010 -1.88% 0.35%
2009 -2.5% 0.5%
2008 -2.78% 1.93%
2007 -3.35% 1.57%
2006 -6.16% 0.85%
2005 -6.54% -0.65%
2004 -2.88% -1.39%
2003 -4.81% -1.36%
2002 -2.42% -1.75%
2001 -3.71% 0.21%
2000 -2.27% 0.28%
1999 -0.47% -1.57%
1998 -2.67% -1.31%
1997 -1.7% -2.33%
1996 - -2.01%
1995 - -1.86%
1994 - -2.59%
1993 - -3.15%
1992 - -2.96%
1991 - -1.85%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.05% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana Switzerland
2024 2.5% 1.06%
2023 4.5% 2.14%
2022 6.5% 2.84%
2021 3.3% 0.58%
2020 1.2% -0.73%
2019 2.1% 0.36%
2018 1.3% 0.94%
2017 1.9% 0.53%
2016 0.8% -0.43%
2015 -0.9% -1.14%
2014 0.7% -0.01%
2013 1.9% -0.22%
2012 2.4% -0.69%
2011 4.4% 0.23%
2010 4.3% 0.69%
2009 3% -0.48%
2008 8.1% 2.43%
2007 12.2% 0.73%
2006 6.7% 1.06%
2005 6.9% 1.17%
2004 4.7% 0.8%
2003 6% 0.64%
2002 5.4% 0.64%
2001 2.6% 0.99%
2000 6.1% 1.56%
1999 7.5% 0.81%
1998 4.6% 0.02%
1997 3.6% 0.52%

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/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.08%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Guyana and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Guyana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.77M
Textiles & consumer goods $504K
Metals $37K
Chemicals & pharma $25K
Raw materials & minerals $23K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Wood & paper products $3K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Guyana Switzerland
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
43/190
2023
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$502B
2024
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$203B
2024
Service exports
$529M
2023
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guyana Switzerland
Economic freedom 58.7 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 2/197
Property rights 46.7 94.4
Government integrity 38.8 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 98.3
Tax burden 76.4 70.9
Government spending 85 69.5
Fiscal health 39.9 97.2
Business freedom 70.9 86.3
Labor freedom 76 60
Monetary freedom 78.5 82.3
Trade freedom 59.2 87
Investment freedom 55 85
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana Switzerland
2026 58.7 83.7
2025 58.2 83.7
2024 57.3 83
2023 56.9 83.8
2022 59.5 84.2
2021 57.4 81.9
2020 56.2 82
2019 56.8 81.9
2018 58.7 81.7
2017 58.5 81.5
2016 55.4 81
2015 55.5 80.5
2014 55.7 81.6
2013 53.8 81
2012 51.3 81.1
2011 49.4 81.9
2010 48.4 81.1
2009 48.4 79.4
2008 48.8 79.5
2007 53.7 78
2006 56.6 78.9
2005 56.5 79.3
2004 53 79.5
2003 50.3 79
2002 54.3 79.3
2001 53.3 76
2000 52.4 76.8
1999 53.3 79.1
1998 52.7 79
1997 53.2 78.6
1996 50.1 76.8
1995 45.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guyana is 58.7, ranking 109/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Guyana Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
76%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.62%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$52,290
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
141/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.73%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
27%
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/guyana/switzerland | 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 (1899–1989, 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 (2022–2024, 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.