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Economy of Bulgaria vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 67/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Bulgaria vs El Salvador GDP by year

Bulgaria
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria El Salvador
2024 $113,343,355,780 $35,364,960,000
2023 $102,199,231,385 $33,853,940,000
2022 $90,506,153,294 $31,870,120,000
2021 $84,374,613,233 $29,043,140,000
2020 $70,486,877,546 $24,921,190,000
2019 $68,507,731,354 $26,881,140,000
2018 $66,097,226,262 $26,020,850,000
2017 $59,167,647,388 $24,979,190,000
2016 $53,929,397,039 $24,191,430,000
2015 $50,765,918,159 $23,438,240,000
2014 $57,080,897,012 $22,593,470,000
2013 $55,819,262,375 $21,990,960,000
2012 $54,297,052,002 $21,386,150,000
2011 $57,681,293,007 $20,283,780,000
2010 $50,689,051,382 $18,447,920,000
2009 $52,023,801,230 $17,601,620,000
2008 $54,480,684,188 $17,986,890,000
2007 $44,431,257,129 $17,011,750,000
2006 $34,380,536,496 $15,999,890,000
2005 $29,868,657,858 $14,698,000,000
2004 $26,157,743,369 $13,724,810,900
2003 $21,144,957,990 $13,243,892,200
2002 $16,403,043,850 $12,664,190,300
2001 $14,183,446,026 $12,282,533,600
2000 $13,245,990,274 $11,784,927,700
1999 $13,637,098,579 $11,284,197,000
1998 $15,031,055,047 $10,936,669,900
1997 $11,316,127,379 $10,221,705,900
1996 $12,294,964,838 $9,586,327,800
1995 $18,991,484,420 $8,921,947,100
1994 $9,709,240,034 $7,679,384,000
1993 $10,832,064,942 $6,680,269,200
1992 $8,602,887,623 $5,813,399,300
1991 $7,628,738,475 $5,252,342,400
1990 $20,632,090,909 $4,817,542,204
1989 $21,988,444,444 $4,372,215,300
1988 $22,555,941,176 $4,189,880,000
1987 $28,101,000,000 $3,958,045,800
1986 $20,249,294,118 $3,771,663,200
1985 $17,155,421,053 $3,800,368,600
1984 $17,594,944,444 $3,661,683,400
1983 $16,563,666,667 $3,506,347,800
1982 $19,342,000,000 $3,399,189,100
1981 $19,870,000,000 $3,437,200,200
1980 $19,839,230,769 $3,573,959,900
1979 - $3,463,639,900
1978 - $3,127,960,000
1977 - $2,941,640,100
1976 - $2,328,280,100
1975 - $1,884,120,100
1974 - $1,665,880,000
1973 - $1,442,320,000
1972 - $1,263,720,000
1971 - $1,186,120,000
1970 - $1,132,920,000
1969 - $1,049,400,000
1968 - $1,009,760,100
1967 - $976,200,000
1966 - $929,520,000
1965 - $877,720,000

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs El Salvador by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $884 $7,215 $956 $2,945
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $892 $2,856
1989 $2,477 - $825 -
1988 $2,511 - $806 -
1987 $3,132 - $777 -
1986 $2,260 - $755 -
1985 $1,915 - $776 -
1984 $1,964 - $763 -
1983 $1,853 - $745 -
1982 $2,169 - $735 -
1981 $2,235 - $752 -
1980 $2,239 - $787 -
1979 - - $773 -
1978 - - $712 -
1977 - - $684 -
1976 - - $553 -
1975 - - $457 -
1974 - - $413 -
1973 - - $366 -
1972 - - $329 -
1971 - - $316 -
1970 - - $309 -
1969 - - $293.4 -
1968 - - $290.1 -
1967 - - $288.4 -
1966 - - $282.4 -
1965 - - $274.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$4,768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
2.71%
2024
Population
6359449
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 31.1% 88%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 36% 18.4% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 27.6% 77%
2017 32% 22.9% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 32.7% 27% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 27.4% 70%
2011 32% 14.3% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 26% 65.8%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 34% 28.5% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 22.6% 46%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 21% 29.6%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 19.7% 28%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 44% 113.8% 21% 28.5%
1995 45.4% 72% 18.6% 28%
1994 - - 18.9% 30.5%
1993 - - 18.5% 31.9%
1992 - - 20.8% 36.4%
1991 - - 18.5% 43.3%
1990 - - 15.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 169/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria El Salvador
2024 -3.04% -4.55%
2023 -3.03% -4.69%
2022 -0.8% -2.68%
2021 -2.8% -5.53%
2020 -2.92% -8.18%
2019 -0.96% -3.07%
2018 0.12% -2.71%
2017 0.82% -2.53%
2016 1.54% -3.1%
2015 -2.77% -3.63%
2014 -3.65% -4.02%
2013 -1.75% -4.46%
2012 -0.43% -3.81%
2011 -1.83% -4.47%
2010 -3.77% -4.97%
2009 -0.86% -6.65%
2008 2.73% -3.8%
2007 3.09% -2.32%
2006 3.22% -3.42%
2005 2.19% -3.47%
2004 1.59% -2.76%
2003 0.003% -4.23%
2002 -0.61% -5.5%
2001 -0.58% -4.95%
2000 -0.6% -3.45%
1999 0.15% -3.08%
1998 1.08% -2.94%
1997 0.83% -1.97%
1996 -10.1% -2.7%
1995 -7.98% -0.18%
1994 - -0.94%
1993 - -1.42%
1992 - -4.29%
1991 - -2.3%
1990 - -0.61%
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 -0.3% -
1941 3.96% -
1940 0.75% -
1939 0.72% -
1938 1% -
1937 1.41% -
1936 1.17% -
1935 1.34% -
1934 -0.12% -
1933 -0.56% -
1932 -2.14% -
1931 -3.07% -
1930 -5.48% -
1929 -6.67% -
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.44B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.79% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria El Salvador
2024 2.6% 0.85%
2023 8.6% 4.05%
2022 13% 7.2%
2021 2.8% 3.47%
2020 1.2% -0.37%
2019 2.5% 0.08%
2018 2.6% 1.09%
2017 1.2% 1.01%
2016 -1.3% 0.6%
2015 -1.1% -0.73%
2014 -1.6% 1.14%
2013 0.4% 0.76%
2012 2.4% 1.73%
2011 3.4% 5.13%
2010 3% 1.18%
2009 2.5% 1.06%
2008 12% 6.71%
2007 7.6% 4.58%
2006 7.4% 4.04%
2005 6% 4.69%
2004 6.1% 4.45%
2003 2.3% 2.12%
2002 5.8% 1.87%
2001 7.4% 3.75%
2000 10.3% 2.27%
1999 2.6% 0.51%
1998 18.7% 2.55%
1997 1,061% 4.49%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.29M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $172K
Textiles & consumer goods $154K
Raw agricultural goods $32K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
Miscellaneous $10K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Wood & paper products $5K
Metals $2K
El Salvador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $434K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Raw agricultural goods $13K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria El Salvador
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
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.

Bulgaria El Salvador
Economic freedom 68.9 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 114/197
Property rights 75.8 42.7
Government integrity 48.4 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 15.3
Tax burden 89.1 76.8
Government spending 58.4 72.7
Fiscal health 90.4 59.4
Business freedom 78.2 65.7
Labor freedom 62.4 51.6
Monetary freedom 75.8 70.6
Trade freedom 79.4 76.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria El Salvador
2026 68.9 57.7
2025 68.8 56.6
2024 68.5 54.4
2023 69.3 56
2022 71 59.6
2021 70.4 61
2020 70.2 61.6
2019 69 61.8
2018 68.3 63.2
2017 67.9 64.1
2016 65.9 65.1
2015 66.8 65.7
2014 65.7 66.2
2013 65 66.7
2012 64.7 68.7
2011 64.9 68.8
2010 62.3 69.9
2009 64.6 69.8
2008 63.7 68.5
2007 62.7 68.9
2006 64.1 69.6
2005 62.3 71.5
2004 59.2 71.2
2003 57 71.5
2002 57.1 73
2001 51.9 73
2000 47.3 76.3
1999 46.2 75.1
1998 45.7 70.2
1997 47.6 70.5
1996 48.6 70.1
1995 50 69.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, 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

Bulgaria El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
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/bulgaria/el-salvador | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.