Guatemala: economy

How fast is Guatemala's economy growing?

Guatemala's monthly economic activity index (IMAE) was 3.9% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, and 4.3% higher over January to August, according to the Banco de Guatemala's IMAE tables. The Monetary Board expects GDP to grow between 3.3% and 5.3% in 2026, according to its 23 September 2026 press release.

The IMAE is a monthly indicator that follows the trend of GDP before quarterly national accounts are published. Its year-on-year rate was 5.4% in December 2025 and between 3.9% and 5.1% in each month of 2026 so far. The Monetary Board said most short-term indicators were consistent with its growth range, but that higher world oil prices could affect the outlook.

Official sources: IMAE tables · 23 September 2026 press release

What is the inflation rate in Guatemala?

Consumer prices in Guatemala rose 4.69% in the year to September 2026, according to the Banco de Guatemala, using the national consumer price index (base 2024=100). Prices rose 1.18% in September alone and 4.17% since December 2025.

Inflation has risen quickly: the Monetary Board's press release reports 2.70% in July and 3.37% in August 2026. The Board's target is 4.0% plus or minus 1 percentage point, so September's figure is inside the range but above its centre. The index is compiled by the National Statistics Institute (INE), whose site blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Banco de Guatemala · press release

What is the interest rate in Guatemala?

The Banco de Guatemala's leading monetary policy rate is 3.50%, after the Monetary Board unanimously kept it unchanged on 23 September 2026, according to the Board's press release.

The leading rate is the overnight rate the central bank uses to guide money-market conditions, and the Board reviews it on a published calendar. In September the Board said inflation was being pushed up mainly by world fuel prices and some food prices, but that forecasts still put inflation within the 4% plus or minus 1 point target in 2026 and 2027. It listed persistent fuel prices and a possible El Niño as upside risks.

Official sources: press release

How much money do migrants send home to Guatemala?

Family remittances brought US$20,075.5 million into Guatemala between 1 January and 1 October 2026, 5.6% more than the US$19,006.7 million received in the same period of 2025, according to the Banco de Guatemala's short-term economic indicators. In the same period of 2024 the total was US$15,882.5 million.

The figures come from the institutional foreign-exchange market, where banks and exchange houses report the dollars they buy, so they are published weekly. Remittances are by far the largest source of foreign currency in that market: total purchases of foreign currency were US$58,824.1 million in the period. Monthly and annual series are on the central bank's foreign-exchange balance page.

Official sources: short-term economic indicators · foreign-exchange balance page

What is the exchange rate of the Guatemalan quetzal?

The reference exchange rate was Q7.64136 per US dollar on 1 October 2026, according to the Banco de Guatemala's short-term economic indicators. On 2 September 2026 it was Q7.62422.

The reference rate is calculated from the trades that banks and other institutions report in the institutional foreign-exchange market each day. The Banco de Guatemala publishes the rate every day on its home page, and some government fees, such as migration fees charged in dollars, are converted at that rate.

Official sources: short-term economic indicators · home page

How large are Guatemala's international reserves?

Guatemala's net international monetary reserves were US$33,036.5 million on 1 October 2026, up US$39.8 million on the week before, according to the Banco de Guatemala's short-term economic indicators.

Reserves are the foreign assets the central bank holds to pay for imports and to steady the currency. The same report shows the foreign-exchange market ran a deficit of US$901.2 million from 1 January to 1 October 2026, after a surplus of US$4,573.3 million in the same period of 2025, as purchases of foreign currency for imports and private capital grew faster than inflows. The central bank publishes a daily reserves table and a page on international reserves.

Official sources: short-term economic indicators · daily reserves table · international reserves

How fast is Guatemala's economy growing?

In 2025, real GDP growth in Guatemala was 4.3%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 8.0% in 2021 and the low -1.8% in 2020. It is 9th highest of 31 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.7%. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 180.

What is GDP per capita in Guatemala?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $6,598. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 25th highest of 31 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $10,989. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 98th highest.

How does Guatemala's income per person compare after prices?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $15,197 in international dollars. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: $22,756 in international dollars; Guatemala is 23rd highest of 30. Worldwide: 106th of 179.

What share of Guatemala's economy is exports?

In 2025, exports of goods and services in Guatemala was 15.6% of GDP, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been lower. Latin America & Caribbean median: 30.0% of GDP; Guatemala is 13th highest of 17. Of 133 countries with 2025 data, 117th highest.

Does Guatemala earn more abroad than it spends?

In 2025, the current account balance in Guatemala was 4.7% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 5.0% of GDP; its low point was 2007, at -5.3% of GDP. It is 3rd highest of 27 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is -1.2% of GDP. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 24th highest.

How much foreign investment does Guatemala receive?

1.4% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Guatemala for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.3% of GDP (2018) to 4.2% of GDP (2021). It is 22nd highest of 31 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.5% of GDP. Worldwide: 112th of 179.

What are bank lending rates in Guatemala?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 12.9%. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 13.8%; its low point was 2022, at 11.9%. It is 7th highest of 23 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 8.8%. Of 73 countries with 2025 data, 22nd highest.