Skip to content

Economy of Bahamas vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 140/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Bahamas vs El Salvador GDP by year

Bahamas
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas El Salvador
2024 $15,832,800,000 $35,364,960,000
2023 $15,271,300,000 $33,853,940,000
2022 $13,896,800,000 $31,870,120,000
2021 $12,037,000,000 $29,043,140,000
2020 $10,363,200,000 $24,921,190,000
2019 $13,277,000,000 $26,881,140,000
2018 $12,819,200,000 $26,020,850,000
2017 $12,446,900,000 $24,979,190,000
2016 $11,880,900,000 $24,191,430,000
2015 $11,837,600,000 $23,438,240,000
2014 $11,139,100,000 $22,593,470,000
2013 $10,475,300,000 $21,990,960,000
2012 $10,720,400,000 $21,386,150,000
2011 $10,070,450,000 $20,283,780,000
2010 $10,095,760,000 $18,447,920,000
2009 $9,981,960,000 $17,601,620,000
2008 $10,526,000,000 $17,986,890,000
2007 $10,618,340,000 $17,011,750,000
2006 $10,167,250,000 $15,999,890,000
2005 $9,836,200,000 $14,698,000,000
2004 $9,055,290,000 $13,724,810,900
2003 $8,870,090,000 $13,243,892,200
2002 $8,881,160,000 $12,664,190,300
2001 $8,317,830,000 $12,282,533,600
2000 $8,076,470,000 $11,784,927,700
1999 $7,683,870,000 $11,284,197,000
1998 $6,833,220,000 $10,936,669,900
1997 $6,332,360,000 $10,221,705,900
1996 $3,609,000,000 $9,586,327,800
1995 $3,429,000,000 $8,921,947,100
1994 $3,259,000,000 $7,679,384,000
1993 $3,092,000,000 $6,680,269,200
1992 $3,109,000,000 $5,813,399,300
1991 $3,111,160,000 $5,252,342,400
1990 $3,166,000,000 $4,817,542,204
1989 $3,062,000,000 $4,372,215,300
1988 $2,817,900,000 $4,189,880,000
1987 $2,713,999,900 $3,958,045,800
1986 $2,472,500,000 $3,771,663,200
1985 $2,320,699,900 $3,800,368,600
1984 $2,041,100,000 $3,661,683,400
1983 $1,732,800,000 $3,506,347,800
1982 $1,578,300,000 $3,399,189,100
1981 $1,426,500,000 $3,437,200,200
1980 $1,335,300,000 $3,573,959,900
1979 $1,139,800,100 $3,463,639,900
1978 $832,400,000 $3,127,960,000
1977 $713,000,000 $2,941,640,100
1976 $642,100,000 $2,328,280,100
1975 $596,200,000 $1,884,120,100
1974 $632,400,000 $1,665,880,000
1973 $670,900,000 $1,442,320,000
1972 $590,900,000 $1,263,720,000
1971 $573,400,000 $1,186,120,000
1970 $539,500,000 $1,132,920,000
1969 $538,700,000 $1,049,400,000
1968 $453,800,000 $1,009,760,100
1967 $398,000,000 $976,200,000
1966 $346,800,000 $929,520,000
1965 $300,272,048 $877,720,000
1964 $266,560,043 -
1963 $237,650,038 -
1962 $212,170,034 -
1961 $190,022,030 -
1960 $169,736,027 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/el-salvador | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs El Salvador by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $956 $2,945
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $892 $2,856
1989 $11,291 - $825 -
1988 $10,576 - $806 -
1987 $10,361 - $777 -
1986 $9,601 - $755 -
1985 $9,167 - $776 -
1984 $8,202 - $763 -
1983 $7,081 - $745 -
1982 $6,559 - $735 -
1981 $6,029 - $752 -
1980 $5,743 - $787 -
1979 $4,994 - $773 -
1978 $3,720 - $712 -
1977 $3,253 - $684 -
1976 $2,993 - $553 -
1975 $2,841 - $457 -
1974 $3,080 - $413 -
1973 $3,341 - $366 -
1972 $3,014 - $329 -
1971 $3,004 - $316 -
1970 $2,916 - $309 -
1969 $3,027 - $293.4 -
1968 $2,668 - $290.1 -
1967 $2,453 - $288.4 -
1966 $2,239 - $282.4 -
1965 $2,030 - $274.3 -
1964 $1,883 - - -
1963 $1,759 - - -
1962 $1,651 - - -
1961 $1,555 - - -
1960 $1,459 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/el-salvador | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Bahamas El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$4,768
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
2.71%
2024
Population
405203
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 31.1% 88%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 27.6% 77%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 19.4% 51% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 27.4% 70%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 26% 65.8%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 13.3% 23% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 13% 22.8% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 12.3% 22% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 22.6% 46%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 21% 29.6%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 19.7% 28%
1998 11.6% 20% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 21% 28.5%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 18.6% 28%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 18.9% 30.5%
1993 11.5% 19.8% 18.5% 31.9%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 20.8% 36.4%
1991 12% 15.4% 18.5% 43.3%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 15.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 53/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas El Salvador
2024 -1.18% -4.55%
2023 -3.49% -4.69%
2022 -5.16% -2.68%
2021 -11.1% -5.53%
2020 -8.09% -8.18%
2019 -1.65% -3.07%
2018 -3.24% -2.71%
2017 -5.92% -2.53%
2016 -2.61% -3.1%
2015 -3.24% -3.63%
2014 -4.38% -4.02%
2013 -5.16% -4.46%
2012 -3.15% -3.81%
2011 -2.87% -4.47%
2010 -2.56% -4.97%
2009 -2.45% -6.65%
2008 -0.83% -3.8%
2007 -0.76% -2.32%
2006 -0.43% -3.42%
2005 -1.11% -3.47%
2004 -1.93% -2.76%
2003 -1.63% -4.23%
2002 -1.62% -5.5%
2001 0.3% -4.95%
2000 0.09% -3.45%
1999 1.68% -3.08%
1998 -0.41% -2.94%
1997 -1.56% -1.97%
1996 -0.15% -2.7%
1995 0.18% -0.18%
1994 -0.39% -0.94%
1993 -1.05% -1.42%
1992 -2.23% -4.29%
1991 -2.29% -2.3%
1990 -2.64% -0.61%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.52% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas El Salvador
2024 0.41% 0.85%
2023 3.05% 4.05%
2022 5.61% 7.2%
2021 2.9% 3.47%
2020 0.04% -0.37%
2019 2.49% 0.08%
2018 2.27% 1.09%
2017 1.52% 1.01%
2016 -0.35% 0.6%
2015 1.86% -0.73%
2014 1.51% 1.14%
2013 0.72% 0.76%
2012 1.97% 1.73%
2011 3.2% 5.13%
2010 1.34% 1.18%
2009 2.06% 1.06%
2008 4.49% 6.71%
2007 2.49% 4.58%
2006 2.39% 4.04%
2005 1.59% 4.69%
2004 0.98% 4.45%
2003 3.03% 2.12%
2002 2.17% 1.87%
2001 2.04% 3.75%
2000 1.61% 2.27%
1999 1.25% 0.51%
1998 1.34% 2.55%
1997 0.54% 4.49%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/el-salvador | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
El Salvador
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $152K
Chemicals & pharma $109K
Metals $22K
Machinery & equipment $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Bahamas El Salvador
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
32.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahamas El Salvador
Economic freedom 65.1 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 114/197
Property rights 62.7 42.7
Government integrity 67.1 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 15.3
Tax burden 96.1 76.8
Government spending 83.8 72.7
Fiscal health 9.1 59.4
Business freedom 69.4 65.7
Labor freedom 66.5 51.6
Monetary freedom 77.2 70.6
Trade freedom 59.4 76.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas El Salvador
2026 65.1 57.7
2025 63.2 56.6
2024 62.5 54.4
2023 62.6 56
2022 68.7 59.6
2021 64.6 61
2020 64.5 61.6
2019 62.9 61.8
2018 63.3 63.2
2017 61.1 64.1
2016 70.9 65.1
2015 68.7 65.7
2014 69.8 66.2
2013 70.1 66.7
2012 68 68.7
2011 68 68.8
2010 67.3 69.9
2009 70.3 69.8
2008 71.1 68.5
2007 72 68.9
2006 72.3 69.6
2005 72.6 71.5
2004 72.1 71.2
2003 73.5 71.5
2002 74.4 73
2001 74.8 73
2000 73.9 76.3
1999 74.7 75.1
1998 74.5 70.2
1997 74.5 70.5
1996 74 70.1
1995 71.8 69.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/el-salvador | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 57.7 for El Salvador, ranking 114/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
20.3%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/el-salvador | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.