The flow of direct foreign investment (FDI) During 2024 it stood at US $ 1,694 million, which meant a growth rate of 5.1% in relation to 2023, when it was US $ 1,610 million, according to recently updated official figures.
This figure represents 5.2%, that is, US $ 84 million more than admitted in the previous year, and was confirmed by the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat), when updating the numbers, which has a delay of a quarter.
By 2025 it is estimated that Guatemala will be attracting US $ 1,815 million for FDI, which is equivalent to a 7.1% growth compared to 2024, in case of reaching the estimated.
By sector
Official statistics indicate that three economic activities lead the Attraction of resourcesconsidering that they have shown dynamic behavior in the previous quarters.
In the financial sector and insurance, the amount recorded during the past year is US $ 722.1 million; in manufacturing industry, US $ 266.8 million; and in commerce and vehicle repair, US $ 251.2 million.
These sectors, Together, they total US $ 1,240 million, equivalent to 73% of the total.
In percentage terms, insurance activity recorded an increase of 29.5%; manufacturing industry, a slight fall of -1%; and trade and vehicle repair, of -18%, when comparing the figures with 2023. Meanwhile, the information and communications sector captured US $ 195 million; other activities, US $ 78.8 million; transport and storage, US $ 55.2 million; and agriculture, US $ 54.6 million.
Supply of electricity and water caught US $ 41.6 million; construction, US $ 22.7 million; Accommodation and food services, US $ 3 million; and exploitation of mines and quarries, US $ 32.8 million.
Countries that invest more
The report makes a classification by countries of origin, and from Central America and the Dominican Republic were US $ 749.3 million, representing 38.8%; of the rest of the world, US $ 945.2 million, that is, 61.1%.
The main investors in Guatemala in 2024 were Panama, with US $ 541.9 million; Mexico, US $ 217.9 million; United States, US $ 193 million; Luxembourg, US $ 127.9 million; Honduras, US $ 115.7 million; Netherlands, US $ 115.1 million, which, together, reach US $ 1,311,5 million of the total, with a 77.3%share.
Other countries that appear on the list are South Korea, with US $ 62.1 million; El Salvador, US $ 53.6 million; Costa Rica, US $ 44.5 million; Spain, US $ 44.3 million; Switzerland, US $ 29.3 million; and Germany, US $ 29.3 million. In addition, Peru, with US $ 27 million; England, US $ 12 million; Sweden, US $ 7.7 million; and Israel, US $ 7.4 million.
Country profile
Guatemala maintains a macroeconomic stability history profile, low level of public indebtedness and moderate fiscal deficit, as well as solidity in the performance of monetary policy and a robust regional external position that offers potential investors.
Among the main indicators, a 4% GDP growth estimate is projected, and last March the remittance income was 20.5% for US $ 2 billion. It is projected that exports grow 5% and imports, 7%. Banking credit to the private sector reports, as of March 31, a 10.3%growth.