Money sent home to Guatemala nearly quadrupled in ten years
Personal remittances received, US$ billion, 2015 and 2025: Latin America's nine biggest receivers with 2025 data, and Germany.
Guatemala received US$25.7 billion in remittances in 2025, against 6.5 billion in 2015.
Germany received less than Guatemala in 2025, the first year Guatemala passed it.
Remittances were equal to 20.8% of Guatemala's GDP in 2025, double the 10.4% of 2015.
the numbers & method
| 2015 (bn) | 2025 (bn) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 26.8 | 65.1 |
| Guatemala | 6.5 | 25.7 |
| Germany | 14.9 | 23.9 |
| Colombia | 5.0 | 13.1 |
| Dominican Republic | 5.2 | 12.4 |
| Honduras | 3.7 | 11.9 |
| El Salvador | 4.3 | 10.1 |
| Ecuador | 2.4 | 7.7 |
| Peru | 2.8 | 5.3 |
| Brazil | 2.9 | 4.8 |
Claim types Fact
Read on the World Bank API (api.worldbank.org/v2, indicator BX.TRF.PWKR.CD.DT, WDI last updated 2026-10-08), 4 Nov 2026. Personal remittances = personal transfers plus compensation of employees, current US$. US$ bn 2015 / 2025: Guatemala 6.482 / 25.675; Mexico 26.825 / 65.087; Germany 14.888 / 23.900; Colombia 5.002 / 13.129; Dominican Republic 5.196 / 12.411; Honduras 3.666 / 11.927; El Salvador 4.275 / 10.099; Ecuador 2.388 / 7.733; Peru 2.765 / 5.299; Brazil 2.897 / 4.758. These are Latin America's nine biggest receivers among countries with 2025 data; Nicaragua (5.246 bn in 2024) and Haiti (4.111 bn in 2024) have no 2025 value, Venezuela had 4.305 bn in 2025. Guatemala vs Germany: 19.98 vs 21.41 (2023), 21.64 vs 22.17 (2024), 25.68 vs 23.90 (2025), the first year Guatemala is ahead. Germany's receipts are mostly wages of cross-border and seasonal workers, not migrants' transfers. Remittances as % of GDP (BX.TRF.PWKR.DT.GD.ZS): Guatemala 10.42 (2015), 19.12 (2024), 20.82 (2025). Guatemala's growth (×3.96) and the comparison rows are progrss selections and calculations; Mexico's 2025 value fell from 67.91 bn in 2024. Latest-year values can be revised.
Published 4 Nov 2026
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