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Economy of Guyana vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guyana has a GDP of $27.1B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 120/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $7.74B in government debt (28.6% of GDP), compared to $308B (309% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Guyana vs Venezuela GDP by year

Guyana
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana Venezuela
2025 $27,097,477,218 $99,661,244,156
2024 $24,662,714,628 $120,566,112,397
2023 $16,918,503,597 $102,377,501,186
2022 $14,718,388,489 $89,013,251,021
2021 $8,041,362,110 $56,615,026,263
2020 $5,471,256,595 $42,837,965,907
2019 $5,173,760,192 $73,014,157,108
2018 $4,787,636,998 $101,987,075,929
2017 $4,748,174,334 $115,892,475,743
2016 $4,482,697,337 $112,948,035,495
2015 $4,279,840,194 $125,249,941,854
2014 $4,127,660,152 $214,838,755,022
2013 $4,167,800,929 $258,512,396,298
2012 $4,063,088,536 $371,846,610,182
2011 $3,691,384,318 $316,482,190,800
2010 $3,432,912,517 $393,192,354,511
2009 $3,165,663,153 $329,787,628,928
2008 $3,025,187,433 $315,953,388,511
2007 $2,730,971,595 $230,364,012,576
2006 $2,379,817,991 $183,477,522,124
2005 $824,880,550 $145,513,489,652
2004 $787,814,379 $112,451,400,425
2003 $743,063,950 $83,620,628,582
2002 $726,131,435 $92,893,587,734
2001 $712,167,450 $122,911,036,747
2000 $712,667,897 $117,146,466,003
1999 $694,754,988 $97,972,842,462
1998 $717,530,683 $91,336,763,255
1997 $749,138,010 $85,837,678,560
1996 $705,406,001 $70,543,211,119
1995 $621,626,786 $77,389,487,770
1994 $545,278,380 $58,418,666,667
1993 $454,101,382 $60,037,460,783
1992 $373,573,141 $60,416,519,620
1991 $348,533,095 $53,453,444,787
1990 $396,582,263 $48,606,952,195
1989 $379,779,390 $43,536,709,104
1988 $413,799,990 $60,226,413,793
1987 $354,591,847 $48,029,034,483
1986 $504,651,140 $60,516,123,711
1985 $453,488,372 $61,965,466,667
1984 $437,631,605 $59,867,743,468
1983 $489,333,333 $67,556,279,070
1982 $482,000,000 $67,736,744,186
1981 $570,357,107 $66,327,441,860
1980 $603,200,000 $59,116,511,628
1979 $530,440,000 $48,310,930,233
1978 $507,080,000 $39,316,279,070
1977 $449,880,000 $36,210,697,674
1976 $454,440,000 $31,419,534,884
1975 $494,791,667 $27,464,651,163
1974 $433,954,545 $26,100,930,233
1973 $307,047,619 $17,035,581,395
1972 $285,380,952 $13,977,727,273
1971 $282,050,000 $12,986,590,909
1970 $267,800,000 $11,561,111,111
1969 $249,300,000 $10,285,111,111
1968 $229,750,000 $10,034,444,444
1967 $250,176,471 $9,250,000,000
1966 $228,705,882 $8,781,333,333
1965 $213,235,294 $8,427,777,778
1964 $194,774,513 $8,192,413,793
1963 $175,757,894 $9,608,717,288
1962 $194,949,513 $8,814,309,884
1961 $185,849,535 $8,067,267,031
1960 $170,216,241 $7,663,938,303

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Guyana vs Venezuela by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,414 - $3,495 -
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $4,244 -
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $3,617 -
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $3,155 -
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $2,005 -
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $1,506 -
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $2,523 -
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $3,422 -
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $3,792 -
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $3,671 -
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $4,097 -
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $7,101 -
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $8,642 -
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $12,582 -
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $974 $6,392 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $951 $6,304 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $932 $6,131 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $932 $5,860 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $909 $5,812 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $940 $5,573 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $983 $5,615 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $928 $5,210 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $820 $4,753 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $721 $4,447 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $603 $4,027 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $498 $3,651 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $466 $3,322 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $529 $3,022 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $503 - $2,250 -
1988 $545 - $3,191 -
1987 $464 - $2,611 -
1986 $657 - $3,376 -
1985 $588 - $3,549 -
1984 $565 - $3,520 -
1983 $631 - $4,079 -
1982 $621 - $4,202 -
1981 $735 - $4,228 -
1980 $779 - $3,874 -
1979 $689 - $3,257 -
1978 $663 - $2,727 -
1977 $593 - $2,585 -
1976 $604 - $2,309 -
1975 $664 - $2,078 -
1974 $588 - $2,034 -
1973 $421 - $1,367 -
1972 $395 - $1,155 -
1971 $396 - $1,106 -
1970 $381 - $1,015 -
1969 $361 - $932 -
1968 $340 - $938 -
1967 $378 - $893 -
1966 $353 - $876 -
1965 $336 - $869 -
1964 $313 - $874 -
1963 $288.8 - $1,060 -
1962 $327 - $1,007 -
1961 $319 - $954 -
1960 $299.1 - $939 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Guyana's GDP per capita is $32,414, ranking 40/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Guyana Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$27.1B
2025
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
120/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP growth
19.3%
2024-2025
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,414
2025
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
40/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
28.6%
2025
309%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,255
2025
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank
63/185
2025
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,307
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2024-2025
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
14.7%
2021
7.53%
2020
Population
843423
28692435

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 28.6% 20.3% 309%
2024 23.3% 24.3% 17.5% 169.1%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 20.4% 24.8% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 24.8% 38.9% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 30.5% 47.4% 11.2% 337%
2019 28.1% 34.2% 21% 206%
2018 27.6% 37.4% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 26.3% 35.2% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 25.2% 35.7% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 38% 58.4%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 29% 74.5% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 32.2% 56%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 31% 48.2%
2001 24% 104.6% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 17.6% 97.1% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 19.7% 108% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 20.9% 101.3% 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guyana's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $20.2B, or 20.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 28.6% in Guyana and 309% in Venezuela, ranking 160/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana Venezuela
2025 -5.37% -5.84%
2024 -7.27% -3.67%
2023 -5.62% -1.25%
2022 -5.1% -5.29%
2021 -6.94% -5.85%
2020 -7.78% -6.63%
2019 -2.52% -10.9%
2018 -2.52% -31%
2017 -3.14% -13.3%
2016 -3.21% -8.46%
2015 -0.75% -8.06%
2014 -3.88% -9.81%
2013 -2.16% -10.4%
2012 -3.11% -9.86%
2011 -2.13% -8.24%
2010 -1.88% -4.74%
2009 -2.5% -8.69%
2008 -2.78% -3.46%
2007 -3.35% -2.82%
2006 -6.16% -1.6%
2005 -6.54% 4.09%
2004 -2.88% 2.47%
2003 -4.81% 0.17%
2002 -2.42% -1.48%
2001 -3.71% -4.59%
2000 -2.27% 4.45%
1999 -0.47% 0.74%
1998 -2.67% -4.49%
1997 -1.7% 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guyana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.46B, equivalent to 5.37% of GDP. This compares to Venezuela's deficit of $5.82B, or 5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.37% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana Venezuela
2025 3.3% 252%
2024 2.9% 49.4%
2023 2.8% 338%
2022 6.9% 186.5%
2021 4.5% 1,589%
2020 0.7% 2,355%
2019 2.1% 19,906%
2018 1.3% 65,374%
2017 1.9% 438%
2016 0.8% 254.9%
2015 -0.9% 121.7%
2014 0.7% 62.2%
2013 1.9% 40.6%
2012 2.4% 21.1%
2011 4.4% 26.1%
2010 4.3% 28.2%
2009 3% 26%
2008 8.1% 31.4%
2007 12.2% 18.7%
2006 6.7% 13.7%
2005 6.9% 16%
2004 4.7% 21.7%
2003 6% 31.1%
2002 5.4% 22.4%
2001 2.6% 12.5%
2000 6.1% 16.2%
1999 7.5% 23.6%
1998 4.6% 35.8%
1997 3.6% 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.05%, compared with 3,150% in Venezuela. In 2025, inflation was 3.3% in Guyana and 252% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Guyana
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $56K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $275K
Textiles & consumer goods $67K
Machinery & equipment $61K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $50K
Raw materials & minerals $49K
Miscellaneous $9K

Balance of trade

Guyana Venezuela
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2023
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$529M
2023
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Guyana Venezuela
Economic freedom 58.7 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 194/197
Property rights 46.7 0
Government integrity 38.8 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 5.1
Tax burden 76.4 73.4
Government spending 85 93
Fiscal health 39.9 29.1
Business freedom 70.9 31.1
Labor freedom 76 35.5
Monetary freedom 78.5 0
Trade freedom 59.2 43.2
Investment freedom 55 0
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana Venezuela
2026 58.7 27.3
2025 58.2 27.6
2024 57.3 28.1
2023 56.9 25.8
2022 59.5 24.8
2021 57.4 24.7
2020 56.2 25.2
2019 56.8 25.9
2018 58.7 25.2
2017 58.5 27
2016 55.4 33.7
2015 55.5 34.3
2014 55.7 36.3
2013 53.8 36.1
2012 51.3 38.1
2011 49.4 37.6
2010 48.4 37.1
2009 48.4 39.9
2008 48.8 44.7
2007 53.7 47.9
2006 56.6 44.6
2005 56.5 45.2
2004 53 46.7
2003 50.3 54.8
2002 54.3 54.7
2001 53.3 54.6
2000 52.4 57.4
1999 53.3 56.1
1998 52.7 54
1997 53.2 52.8
1996 50.1 54.5
1995 45.7 59.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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

Guyana Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
14.8%
2025
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
75.1%
2025
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.73%
2025
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$23.8B
2025
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$80,300
2025
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold
$1.36B
2025
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2025
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.84%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
5.93%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2013–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.