GDP in Guatemala

Guatemala - GDP
Economy grows at record pace in 2021, despite a Q4 cooldown
Economic growth cooled to an annual 4.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 8.1% in the third quarter. Looking at the year as a whole, the Guatemalan economy recovered strongly. GDP expanded 8.0% over the prior year, in which the economy contracted 1.8% due to the pandemic and associated lockdowns. The impressive growth reading in 2021 marked the highest since at least 1991, when our records began.
The quarterly slowdown came on the back of softer domestic demand and weaker performance by the external sector. Household consumption expanded 6.0% year on year in the fourth quarter, down from the prior quarter’s 8.7% increase. Public consumption grew 3.4% over the same period a year prior, cooling from the 3.8% expansion recorded in the third quarter. Lastly, fixed investment growth eased from 20.9% in the third quarter to 10.1% in the fourth.
On the external front, exports of goods and services growth weakened to 9.6% in the fourth quarter from 12.9% in the prior period. Imports of goods and services also expanded at a softer clip, increasing 16.4% year on year in the quarter (Q3: +27.0% yoy).
Turning to this year, the economy is forecast to grow at a softer clip as the base effect turns less supportive. The unwinding of Covid-19 restrictions at home and abroad should provide support to aggregate demand. However, the country’s relatively low level of vaccination against Covid-19 and the emergence of new virus strains pose downside risks. The war in Ukraine adds a further risk to the outlook, as commodity prices and fuel inflation are spiking. Furthermore, the government’s unwinding of fiscal relief measures will likely also pull the brakes on rapid economic growth.
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect the economy to grow 3.8% in 2022, which is up 0.2 percentage points from last month’s projection. For 2023, our panelists expect the economy to grow 3.3%.
Guatemala - GDP Data
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Economic Growth (GDP, annual variation in %) | 4.1 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.8 |
Guatemala GDP Chart

Source: National Statistical Institute and FocusEconomics calculations.
Guatemala Facts
Value | Change | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Exchange Rate | 7.71 | 0.22 % | Jan 01 |
Sample Report
Get a sample report showing our regional, country and commodities data and analysis.
Request a Trial
Start working with the reports used by the world’s major financial institutions, multinational enterprises & government agencies now. Click on the button below to get started.
Economic News
-
Guatemala: Inflation rises to over one-decade high in May
June 8, 2022
Consumer prices rose 1.31% in May over the previous month, accelerating from the 0.54% increase logged in April.
-
Guatemala: Growth in remittances cools in March
June 7, 2022
Remittances rose to a record-high USD 1,592.5 million in May, with annual growth accelerating to 28.8% year on year in the month (April: +23.1% yoy).
-
Guatemala: Economic activity growth inches down in April
June 2, 2022
Economic activity rose 4.5% year on year in April (March: +4.8% yoy).
-
Guatemala: Central Bank tightens financial conditions in May
May 25, 2022
The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) hiked its monetary policy rate by 25 basis points from 1.75% to 2.00% at its 25 May meeting.
-
Guatemala: Economic activity growth eases in March
May 13, 2022
Economic activity rose 4.3% year-on-year in March (February: +4.6% yoy).