For the international organization, during 2020, Guatemala's economy showed resilience, since in the context of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, the GDP contracted only 1.5%.
According to the International Monetary Fund, in a context of favorable specialization of production and exports, resilience of remittances, and unprecedented support from monetary and fiscal policies, the drop in Guatemalan production was minimal compared to that reported in other Central American countries.
Although forecasts at the start of the pandemic were pessimistic, during 2020 the country received remittances of $11.34 billion, an amount that is 8% higher than the $10.58 billion recorded in 2019.
According to the most recent report from the Bank of Guatemala, only in December, remittances amounted to $1.164 billion, 24% more than those reported in the same month in 2019, when the figure was $941 million.
Due to the spread of the covid-19, family remittances sent to the country fell in March, April and May; however, the trend was reversed in June, when a 9% year-on-year variation was registered.
The most recent data from the Bank of Guatemala show that in the first six months of 2020 the country received remittances for $4.88 billion, an amount that is 1% lower than the $4.92 billion registered in the same period in 2019.
During the first two months of 2020, family remittances sent to the country amounted to Ch$1,643 million, 19% more than reported for the same period in 2019.
Official figures from the Bank of Guatemala detail that in February 2020 the country received remittances of $808 million, an amount that exceeds by 17% the $690 million registered in the same month of 2019.
During the first month of the year, family remittances sent to Guatemala registered a 22% year-on-year variation, a rise that exceeds the 8% increase registered in the same period in 2018.
According to the most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala, in January 2020 the country received remittances of $834 million, an amount that exceeds by $46 million that registered in the same month of 2019.
Last year, family remittances sent to Guatemala totaled $10.508 million, 13% more than what was reported in 2018.
According to the latest figures from the Bank of Guatemala, in December 2019 the country received remittances of $941 million, an amount that exceeds by 12% the $843 million registered in the same month in 2018.
Between 2013 and 2019 remittance income has almost doubled, as figures rose from $5,105 million in 2013 to $10,508 million in 2019.
From January to November 2019, family remittances sent to Guatemala totaled $9,567 million, 13% more than what was reported in the same period in 2018.
According to the most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala, in November 2019 the country received $819 million in remittances, 8% more than the $757 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
Between the first eleven months of 2013 and the same period in 2019, remittance income practically doubled, from $4.658 million in 2013 to $9.568 million in 2019.
According to the Central Bank, the constructive activity and consumption spending that Guatemalans make with the money received from abroad will boost the economy by the end of 2019, and this expansive cycle could extend until 2020.
During this year residential and commercial construction, together with public investment, have affected activities such as manufacturing, mining and quarrying, private services and commerce, informed representatives of the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat).
During October 2019, family remittances sent to the country totaled nearly $1 billion, the largest amount recorded in a single month.
The most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) show that in October 2019 the country received remittances of $999.96 million, 16% more than the $863 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
According to official data for the period from January to October 2019, family remittances sent to Guatemala totaled $8.747 million, 14% more than in the same period in 2018.
From January to September 2019, family remittances to Guatemala totaled $7.748 million, 14% more than in the same period in 2018.
The most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) indicate that in September 2019 the country received remittances of $892 million, 20% more than the $745 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
Between the first nine months of 2013 and the same period in 2019, remittance income practically doubled, from $3.801 billion in 2013 to $7.748 billion in 2019.
From January to August 2019, family remittances to Guatemala totaled $6.855 million, 13% more than in the same period in 2018.
The most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala indicate that in August 2019 the country received $981 million in remittances, 14% more than the $860 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
Between the first eight months of 2013 and the same period in 2019, remittance income practically doubled, from $3.380 million in 2013 to $6.855 million in 2019.
During the first seven months of 2019, family remittances to Guatemala totaled $5.875 million, 13% more than in the same period in 2018.
According to the most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala, in July 2019 the country received $948 million in remittances, 16% more than the $818 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
Between the first seven months of 2013 and the same period in 2019, remittance income practically doubled, from $2.924 million in 2013 to $5.875 million in 2019.
Guatemala's business sector responded with concern to President Trump's warning about imposing export tariffs and levies on remittances and transfers.
The announcement made by the president of the United States comes after the Guatemalan Constitutional Court issued a ruling in which it limits its foreign policy functions to the Executive, by granting a provisional injunction that prevents the negotiation or signing of any agreement.
During the first six months of 2019, family remittances sent to Guatemala totaled $4.927 million, 12% more than the same period last year, growth that is higher than the 9% reported from January to June 2018.
The latest figures from the Bank of Guatemala detail that in June 2019 the country received remittances of $882 million, amount that is 10% higher than the $801 million registered in the same month of 2018.
During the first five months of 2019, family remittances sent to Guatemala totaled $4.045 million, 12% more than the same period last year, growth that is higher than the 8% reported from January to May 2018.
The latest figures from the Bank of Guatemala show that in May 2019 the country received remittances of $974 million, 21% more than the $809 million recorded in the same month in 2018.