Policy Interest Rate in Guatemala
The Policy Interest Rate (%, eop) ended 2024 at 4.50%, down from the 5.00% end-2024 value and up from the reading of 4.00% a decade earlier. For reference, the average interest rate in Central America and Caribbean was 4.95% at end-2024. For more information on interest rate, visit our dedicated page.
Guatemala Interest Rate Chart
Note: This chart displays Policy Interest Rate (%) for Guatemala from 2014 to 2025.
Source: Macrobond.
Guatemala Interest Rate Data
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Interest Rate (%, eop) | 1.75 | 1.75 | 3.75 | 5.00 | 4.50 |
Banguat reduces rates in November
Easing cycle continues at last 2025 meeting: On 26 November, the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) reduced its policy interest rate by a further 25 basis points to 3.75%—the lowest since December 2022—mirroring both September and August’s decisions.
Muted inflation makes room for more cuts: Banguat deemed it had room to cut rates for a third consecutive meeting as available data suggested that economic growth remains on track this year and next, in line with market expectations, and inflation remained below the 3.0–5.0% target. The cut therefore aims to anchor inflation expectations and support the inflation rate’s convergence toward the midpoint of the target range ahead.
Further reductions expected next year: In the absence of forward guidance regarding future decisions, our panelists expect Banguat to resume rate cuts next year, ending 2026 25–50 basis points below current levels. As the Central Bank seeks to minimize the interest rate differential with the U.S., it may wait until after Fed meetings before further easing. Lower-than-expected economic growth in Guatemala, linked to evolving U.S. trade and immigration policy, is a downside risk.
How should you choose a forecaster if some are too optimistic while others are too pessimistic? FocusEconomics collects Guatemalan interest rate projections for the next ten years from a panel of 3 analysts at the leading national, regional and global forecast institutions. These projections are then validated by our in-house team of economists and data analysts and averaged to provide one Consensus Forecast you can rely on for each indicator. By averaging all forecasts, upside and downside forecasting errors tend to cancel each other out, leading to the most reliable interest rate forecast available for Guatemalan interest rate.
Download one of our sample reports to visualize what a Consensus Forecast is and see our Guatemalan interest rate projections.
Want to get access to the full dataset of Guatemalan interest rate forecasts? Send an email to info@focus-economics.com.
Latest Global Monetary Policy News
-
Russia: Bank of Russia decreases rates in December Bank cuts as expected: At its meeting on 19 December, the Bank of Russia decided to cut the policy interest... -
United Kingdom: Central Bank cuts rates in December Bank resumes rate cuts after brief pause: In mid-December, the Central Bank voted to cut the bank rate to 3.75%,... -
Mexico: Central Bank decreases rates in December Latest bank decision: At its meeting on 18 December, the Central Bank decided to lower the target for the overnight... -
Czech Republic: Central Bank stands pat at final 2025 meeting CNB holds for fifth consecutive meeting: On 18 December, the Czech National Bank (CNB) opted to leave its two-week repo... -
Thailand: Central Bank cuts rates in December Latest bank decision: At its meeting on 17 December, the Central Bank (BOT) unanimously decided to cut the policy rate... -
Taiwan: Central Bank leaves rates unchanged in December Wait-and-see approach continues: At its meeting on 18 December, Taiwan’s Central Bank decided to keep the discount rate unchanged at... -
Hungary: Central Bank leaves rates unchanged in December Latest bank decision: At its meeting on 16 December, the Hungarian National Bank (MNB) decided to leave the base rate...