Published: 3rd of March 2026 by Patrick Carpen
Last updated: March 5, 2026 at 3:21 amThere was a time when people were ashamed to say they are Guyanese; now they shout it from the rooftops!
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the news lately, you’ve probably heard that Guyana is “booming.” But while most people focus on the new highways or the oil rigs out at sea, there is a quieter, equally important engine running in the background: Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund. The enormous deposits of oil revenues into Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund translates to Guyana now having one of the lowest external debt levels in the world.
Economists track debt using a “Debt-to-GDP ratio.” This compares what a country owes to what it earns (its Gross Domestic Product).
- The Global Average: Many developed countries have debt-to-GDP ratios of over 100% (meaning they owe more than they earn in a year).
- Guyana’s Stats: As of late 2024, Guyana’s external debt-to-GDP ratio plummeted to approximately 9.1%.
Because Guyana’s economy is growing so fast due to oil production, its debt has become a tiny fraction of its total wealth. In fact, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently upgraded Guyana’s status to “Low Risk” of debt distress which is the equivalent of a perfect credit score.
To get an idea of how impressive this is, look at how Guyana compares to other countries (based on recent Debt-to-GDP estimates):
| Country | Debt-to-GDP Ratio (Approx.) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Guyana | ~28.6% (Total) / 9.1% (External) | Very Low |
| Saudi Arabia | ~27% | Low |
| United States | ~123% | Very High |
| Japan | ~255% | Extremely High |
| Barbados | ~105% | High |
Guyana’s low debt to GDP ratio means that the majority of the country’s revenues can be channeled to development instead of paying back debt. This includes projects such as:
- Innovation: Fast internet and tech hubs.
- Education: Scholarships and world-class university facilities.
- Sustainability: Protecting our rainforests while building green energy.
- Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, and housing.
Guyana is in a rare position to prosper. While many countries are struggling to pay their bills, we are sitting on a “clean slate.” By keeping debt low and using oil revenue wisely through the Natural Resource Fund, Guyana is making sure that the future generation inherits a wealthy nation, and not a bill. That being said, the mission now is to make sure that “low debt” translates into “high opportunity” for every Guyanese.
This article has been featured in the Guyana GY Weekly Newsletter for the 1st week of March 2026.
