Guatemala is best at investing public funds

With few leaks, and little waste in public spending, including personnel cost, Guatemala is the most efficient country in the isthmus in investing public funds, according to the Inter-American Development Bank.

Waste represents 3 percent of GDP, compared to 6% in El Salvador, which is last in the ranking for Central America.

In Latin America Chile is first in efficiency, while Argentina is last.

The index is based on public purchases from governments, money transfers to citizens and wages of public workers from 16 countries (numbers in brackets indicate waste as percentage of GDP).

1 Guatemala (3)

2 Panama (4)

3 Honduras (5)

4 Costa Rica (5)

5 Nicaragua (5)

6 El Salvador (6)