Guyana economy shows strong growth driven by oil, IMF reports

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its Article IV Consultation with Guyana, noting that prudent macroeconomic policies and strong oil production are driving rapid economic expansion. Guyana’s economy grew by more than 19 percent in 2025, supported by oil production exceeding 900,000 barrels per day and robust non-oil activity.

The IMF highlighted that Guyana maintains one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the Western Hemisphere and faces a low risk of external or overall debt distress. The country’s fiscal position improved in 2025, with the overall deficit narrowing to 5.5 percent of GDP. Additionally, the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) accumulated approximately US$3.3 billion by the end of 2025, representing over 12 percent of GDP.

President Irfaan Ali noted that the expansion of oil production has significantly reduced the nation’s debt burden, with publicly guaranteed debt falling from 47.4 percent of GDP in 2020 to 24.3 percent in 2024. This fiscal strength is expected to provide more resources for investments in health, education, social welfare, and infrastructure.