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Economy of Guyana vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guyana has a GDP of $24.7B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 120/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $5.99B in government debt (24.3% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Guyana vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Guyana
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana Vanuatu
2024 $24,662,709,832 $1,117,972,034
2023 $16,918,503,597 $1,115,861,056
2022 $14,718,388,489 $1,055,031,361
2021 $8,041,362,110 $950,394,007
2020 $5,471,256,595 $909,421,044
2019 $5,173,760,192 $936,526,268
2018 $4,787,636,998 $914,727,908
2017 $4,748,174,334 $880,043,284
2016 $4,482,697,337 $804,323,577
2015 $4,279,840,194 $759,690,181
2014 $4,127,660,152 $773,717,011
2013 $4,167,800,929 $758,304,466
2012 $4,063,088,536 $747,839,698
2011 $3,691,384,318 $770,153,588
2010 $3,432,912,517 $670,712,980
2009 $3,165,663,153 $592,622,319
2008 $3,025,187,433 $590,748,429
2007 $2,730,971,595 $516,392,923
2006 $2,379,817,991 $439,358,587
2005 $824,880,550 $394,962,433
2004 $787,814,379 $364,996,869
2003 $743,063,950 $314,471,413
2002 $726,131,435 $262,596,536
2001 $712,167,450 $257,926,882
2000 $712,667,897 $272,014,628
1999 $694,754,988 $268,006,973
1998 $717,530,683 $262,293,411
1997 $749,138,010 $272,771,209
1996 $705,406,001 $261,370,044
1995 $621,626,786 $249,333,250
1994 $540,874,934 $233,701,301
1993 $454,101,382 $200,491,853
1992 $373,573,141 $209,088,825
1991 $348,533,095 $201,334,169
1990 $396,582,263 $168,879,207
1989 $379,779,390 $154,013,202
1988 $413,799,990 $158,351,368
1987 $354,591,847 $139,464,174
1986 $504,651,140 $126,498,935
1985 $453,488,372 $131,856,421
1984 $437,631,605 $144,482,515
1983 $489,333,333 $117,389,554
1982 $482,000,000 $114,501,913
1981 $570,357,107 $113,781,796
1980 $603,200,000 $121,185,498
1979 $530,440,000 $119,258,835
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guyana vs Vanuatu by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $974 $6,392 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $951 $6,304 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $932 $6,131 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $932 $5,860 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $909 $5,812 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $940 $5,573 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $983 $5,615 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $928 $5,210 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $820 $4,753 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $716 $4,447 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $603 $4,027 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $498 $3,651 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $466 $3,322 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $529 $3,022 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $503 - $1,067 -
1988 $545 - $1,125 -
1987 $464 - $1,017 -
1986 $657 - $946 -
1985 $588 - $1,012 -
1984 $565 - $1,137 -
1983 $631 - $947 -
1982 $621 - $946 -
1981 $735 - $962 -
1980 $779 - $1,048 -
1979 $689 - $1,055 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Guyana's GDP per capita is $29,675, ranking 41/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Guyana Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$24.7B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
120/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
43.8%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,675
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$5.99B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.3%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,213
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
66/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,212
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
13.2%
2019
4.05%
2020
Population
842249
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 24.3% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 20.3% 24.8% 42% 42.8%
2021 24.8% 45.7% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 30.5% 59.5% 43.4% 48%
2019 28.1% 54% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 27.6% 47.9% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 26.3% 46.1% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 25.2% 44% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 29% 74.5% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 24% 104.6% 22.3% 37%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 17.6% 97.1% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 19.7% 108% 27.9% 28%
1997 20.9% 101.3% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 - - 24.5% 23.1%
1995 - - 28% 24.1%
1994 - - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 - - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 - - 31.8% 21%
1991 - - 33.2% 15.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guyana's government spending was $5.72B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.3% in Guyana and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 168/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana Vanuatu
2024 -7.31% -2.34%
2023 -5.78% -0.95%
2022 -5.11% -6.5%
2021 -6.94% 2.38%
2020 -7.78% -1.95%
2019 -2.52% 2.81%
2018 -2.52% 6.26%
2017 -3.14% -1.2%
2016 -3.21% -0.72%
2015 -0.75% -8.66%
2014 -3.88% 1.44%
2013 -2.16% -0.25%
2012 -3.11% -1.7%
2011 -2.13% -2.19%
2010 -1.88% -2.63%
2009 -2.5% -0.85%
2008 -2.78% -0.04%
2007 -3.35% 0.28%
2006 -6.16% 0.49%
2005 -6.54% 1.86%
2004 -2.88% 0.8%
2003 -4.81% -1.35%
2002 -2.42% -3.63%
2001 -3.71% -3.33%
2000 -2.27% -6.28%
1999 -0.47% -0.55%
1998 -2.67% -6.65%
1997 -1.7% -0.51%
1996 - -1.78%
1995 - -2.59%
1994 - -1.49%
1993 - -3.67%
1992 - -2.32%
1991 - -2.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/guyana/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.28% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana Vanuatu
2024 2.5% -
2023 4.5% 11.2%
2022 6.5% 6.68%
2021 3.3% 2.34%
2020 1.2% 5.33%
2019 2.1% 2.76%
2018 1.3% 2.33%
2017 1.9% 3.08%
2016 0.8% 0.84%
2015 -0.9% 2.48%
2014 0.7% 0.8%
2013 1.9% 1.46%
2012 2.4% 1.35%
2011 4.4% 0.87%
2010 4.3% 2.76%
2009 3% 4.3%
2008 8.1% 4.84%
2007 12.2% 3.94%
2006 6.7% 2.04%
2005 6.9% 1.2%
2004 4.7% 1.42%
2003 6% 3.02%
2002 5.4% 1.96%
2001 2.6% 3.58%
2000 6.1% 2.54%
1999 7.5% 2%
1998 4.6% 3.28%
1997 3.6% 2.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.14%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 2.5% in Guyana and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Guyana Vanuatu
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
43/190
2023
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$230M
2022
Service exports
$529M
2023
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Guyana Vanuatu
Economic freedom 58.7 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 92/197
Property rights 46.7 62.1
Government integrity 38.8 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 67.9
Tax burden 76.4 96.9
Government spending 85 48.1
Fiscal health 39.9 78.8
Business freedom 70.9 50.3
Labor freedom 76 41
Monetary freedom 78.5 72.1
Trade freedom 59.2 62
Investment freedom 55 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana Vanuatu
2026 58.7 61.1
2025 58.2 61.8
2024 57.3 62.2
2023 56.9 62.1
2022 59.5 62.9
2021 57.4 60.5
2020 56.2 60.7
2019 56.8 56.4
2018 58.7 69.5
2017 58.5 67.4
2016 55.4 60.8
2015 55.5 61.1
2014 55.7 59.5
2013 53.8 56.6
2012 51.3 56.6
2011 49.4 56.7
2010 48.4 56.4
2009 48.4 58.4
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/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guyana is 58.7, ranking 109/197, 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

Guyana Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
76%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.62%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$52,290
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
141/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.73%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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 (1991–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. 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.