Guatemala External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Guatemala's external debt to gni was 21.44% in 2025, ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 11.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Guatemala's external debt to gni stood at 21.44% in 2025, a decline of +2.81pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 21.44% by 2025. Guatemala ranked 102nd globally.
Guatemala’s external debt-to‑GNI ratio has risen from a low of 10.34% in 1970 to a peak of 41.87% during the 1987 debt crisis, before moderating to 21.44% in 2025, placing the country 102nd in the World Bank ranking. The post‑peak decline reflects a combination of fiscal consolidation, debt restructuring and increased export earnings, yet the current level remains higher than the long‑run trough and only marginally below peers such as Guinea (21.53%) and Nepal (23.35%). The 56‑year series shows that external indebtedness is now roughly double the 1970 baseline, indicating persistent vulnerability to external shocks despite recent improvements. Continued diversification of export markets, stronger fiscal buffers and prudent borrowing could further lower the ratio, while adverse terms‑of‑trade or fiscal slippage would risk a reversal of the modest downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 17.14% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 19.29% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 21.44% | - | - |
| 2025 | 21.44% | −2.81pp | #102 |
| 2024 | 24.24% | −0.81pp | #19 |
| 2023 | 25.05% | −1.96pp | #18 |
| 2022 | 27.01% | −4.20pp | #23 |
| 2021 | 31.21% | −0.71pp | #27 |
| 2020 | 31.92% | −0.55pp | #27 |
| 2019 | 32.46% | −1.33pp | #37 |
| 2018 | 33.80% | +0.63pp | #42 |
| 2017 | 33.16% | +0.47pp | #39 |
| 2016 | 32.69% | −0.88pp | #42 |
| 2015 | 33.57% | −1.06pp | #50 |
| 2014 | 34.64% | +0.86pp | #58 |
| 2013 | 33.78% | +2.14pp | #59 |
| 2012 | 31.64% | −4.09pp | #59 |
| 2011 | 35.73% | −2.22pp | #68 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guatemala matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Guatemala's external debt to gni was 21.44% in 2025. Ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 11.6% decrease from the previous year.
Guatemala's external debt to gni peaked at 41.87% in 1987.
The lowest external debt to gni in Guatemala was 10.34% in 1970.
Guatemala ranks 102nd globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Guatemala's external debt to gni is projected to reach 21.44% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Guatemala in 2025 was 21.44%. This ranks 102nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guatemala_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Guatemala External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guatemala/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}