Guatemala: public finances

How much tax does Guatemala collect?

Guatemala's central government collected Q112,530 million in net tax revenue in 2025, equal to 11.9% of GDP, according to the statistical bulletin of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT). From January to July 2026, net tax revenue was Q73,672 million.

The tax-to-GDP ratio, called the net tax burden, has been between 11.6% and 12.0% since 2021, up from 10.0% in 2020. Net revenue is gross collection minus VAT credit refunds. Taxes on foreign trade, mostly VAT on imports, brought in Q21,649 million from January to July 2026. Debt and budget execution figures are published by the Ministry of Public Finance, whose site blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: statistical bulletin of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT)

What is Guatemala's budget deficit?

Guatemala's central government ran a budget deficit of Q17,790.3 million in 2025 (preliminary), up from Q8,434.3 million in 2024, according to Ministry of Public Finance figures republished on the Banco de Guatemala's annual budget results table. From January to August 2026 the deficit was Q8,242.2 million, according to the monthly table.

The figures compare total central government revenue with spending, before borrowing. Monthly results swing a lot: some months show a surplus because tax payments fall due, and the largest deficits usually come in December, when spending peaks. The largest deficit in the series was Q29,463.4 million in 2020, during the pandemic. Detailed budget execution is published by the Ministry of Public Finance, whose site blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: annual budget results table · monthly table

How much public debt does Guatemala have?

Guatemala's external public debt was US$14,242.5 million at the end of August 2026, and its domestic bonded debt was Q144,165.0 million, according to Ministry of Public Finance and central bank figures on the Banco de Guatemala's external debt and domestic debt pages (both preliminary).

At the end of 2025 the external debt stood at US$14,971.5 million, of which US$10,595.0 million was in bonds and US$4,369.4 million in loans, according to the annual external debt table. Almost all of it is owed by the central government. Domestic bonded debt is mostly treasury bonds sold in quetzales in the local market. Debt-to-GDP ratios are published by the Ministry of Public Finance.

Official sources: external debt · domestic debt · annual external debt table

What is Guatemala's national debt?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 26.7% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 31.5% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at 19.6% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 65.6% of GDP; Guatemala is 30th highest of 31. World rank, highest first: 163rd of 185.

Does Guatemala's government borrow more than it raises?

According to the IMF, general government net lending or borrowing in Guatemala was -1.9% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). The peak was -1.0% of GDP in 2024 and the low -4.9% of GDP in 2020. Latin America & Caribbean median: -2.8% of GDP; Guatemala is 11th highest of 32. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 72nd highest.

How much does Guatemala's government take in?

According to the IMF, general government revenue in Guatemala was 12.6% of GDP in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 31st highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 24.9% of GDP. Worldwide: 177th of 187.

How much does Guatemala's government spend?

The IMF puts general government spending in Guatemala at 14.5% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 15.6% of GDP; its low point was 2016, at 12.6% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 26.7% of GDP; Guatemala is 31st highest of 32. Worldwide: 178th of 186.

How much tax does Guatemala collect?

According to the IMF, central government tax revenue in Guatemala was 11.6% of GDP in 2024. The peak was 12.3% of GDP in 2007 and the low 10.0% of GDP in 2020. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 15.0% of GDP, and Guatemala placed 11th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 75th of 92.

What is Guatemala's defence spending?

0.5% of GDP: that is military spending in Guatemala for 2025, according to SIPRI. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 19th highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1.0% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 137th of 149.