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Economy of China vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 2/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

China vs El Salvador GDP by year

China
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
China El Salvador
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $35,364,960,000
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $33,853,940,000
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $31,870,120,000
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $29,043,140,000
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $24,921,190,000
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $26,881,140,000
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $26,020,850,000
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $24,979,190,000
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $24,191,430,000
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $23,438,240,000
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $22,593,470,000
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $21,990,960,000
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $21,386,150,000
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $20,283,780,000
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $18,447,920,000
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $17,601,620,000
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $17,986,890,000
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $17,011,750,000
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $15,999,890,000
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $14,698,000,000
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $13,724,810,900
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $13,243,892,200
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $12,664,190,300
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $12,282,533,600
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $11,784,927,700
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $11,284,197,000
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $10,936,669,900
1997 $967,753,570,435 $10,221,705,900
1996 $868,523,936,530 $9,586,327,800
1995 $738,190,896,228 $8,921,947,100
1994 $566,929,539,493 $7,679,384,000
1993 $446,557,291,212 $6,680,269,200
1992 $428,502,354,788 $5,813,399,300
1991 $384,510,452,962 $5,252,342,400
1990 $361,560,229,446 $4,817,542,204
1989 $348,380,566,802 $4,372,215,300
1988 $312,888,888,889 $4,189,880,000
1987 $273,455,156,951 $3,958,045,800
1986 $301,310,144,928 $3,771,663,200
1985 $310,064,625,850 $3,800,368,600
1984 $260,442,857,143 $3,661,683,400
1983 $231,130,268,199 $3,506,347,800
1982 $205,480,916,031 $3,399,189,100
1981 $196,218,253,968 $3,437,200,200
1980 $191,487,500,000 $3,573,959,900
1979 $178,573,913,043 $3,463,639,900
1978 $149,788,617,886 $3,127,960,000
1977 $175,226,595,860 $2,941,640,100
1976 $154,196,810,059 $2,328,280,100
1975 $163,687,619,736 $1,884,120,100
1974 $144,418,433,058 $1,665,880,000
1973 $138,764,340,892 $1,442,320,000
1972 $113,871,930,714 $1,263,720,000
1971 $99,959,013,880 $1,186,120,000
1970 $92,752,930,873 $1,132,920,000
1969 $79,847,786,729 $1,049,400,000
1968 $70,980,323,819 $1,009,760,100
1967 $73,011,350,596 $976,200,000
1966 $76,854,053,259 $929,520,000
1965 $70,565,994,356 $877,720,000
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs El Salvador by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $881 $2,690 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $835 $2,483 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $787 $2,297 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $713 $2,088 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $613 $1,884 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $476 $1,680 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $334 $1,105 $956 $2,945
1990 $319 $991 $892 $2,856
1989 $311 - $825 -
1988 $284 - $806 -
1987 $252.3 - $777 -
1986 $282.4 - $755 -
1985 $295 - $776 -
1984 $251.2 - $763 -
1983 $225.9 - $745 -
1982 $203.7 - $735 -
1981 $197.4 - $752 -
1980 $195.1 - $787 -
1979 $184.3 - $773 -
1978 $156.7 - $712 -
1977 $185.7 - $684 -
1976 $165.7 - $553 -
1975 $178.6 - $457 -
1974 $160.4 - $413 -
1973 $157.3 - $366 -
1972 $132.1 - $329 -
1971 $118.8 - $316 -
1970 $113.3 - $309 -
1969 $100.3 - $293.4 -
1968 $91.6 - $290.1 -
1967 $96.8 - $288.4 -
1966 $104.5 - $282.4 -
1965 $98.7 - $274.3 -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

China El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$4,768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
2.71%
2024
Population
1402578808
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 32.7% 82% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 31.1% 88%
2020 34.8% 69% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 27.6% 77%
2017 32% 53.9% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 31% 40.8% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 27.4% 70%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 25.2% 34% 26% 65.8%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 18% 25.9% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 17.6% 26% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 18% 26.4% 22.6% 46%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 21% 29.6%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 19.7% 28%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 11% 21.2% 21% 28.5%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 18.6% 28%
1994 12.4% - 18.9% 30.5%
1993 13.4% - 18.5% 31.9%
1992 14.6% - 20.8% 36.4%
1991 16.5% - 18.5% 43.3%
1990 18.2% - 15.9% -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 34/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China El Salvador
2024 -7.34% -4.55%
2023 -6.71% -4.69%
2022 -7.32% -2.68%
2021 -5.9% -5.53%
2020 -9.56% -8.18%
2019 -6% -3.07%
2018 -4.2% -2.71%
2017 -3.34% -2.53%
2016 -3.33% -3.1%
2015 -2.5% -3.63%
2014 -0.67% -4.02%
2013 -0.82% -4.46%
2012 -0.3% -3.81%
2011 -0.1% -4.47%
2010 -0.36% -4.97%
2009 -1.72% -6.65%
2008 -0.02% -3.8%
2007 0.06% -2.32%
2006 -1.13% -3.42%
2005 -1.38% -3.47%
2004 -1.49% -2.76%
2003 -2.36% -4.23%
2002 -2.84% -5.5%
2001 -2.56% -4.95%
2000 -2.81% -3.45%
1999 -2.3% -3.08%
1998 -1.08% -2.94%
1997 -0.73% -1.97%
1996 -0.73% -2.7%
1995 -0.94% -0.18%
1994 -1.68% -0.94%
1993 -0.89% -1.42%
1992 -1.22% -4.29%
1991 -1.04% -2.3%
1990 -0.72% -0.61%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.52% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China El Salvador
2024 0.2% 0.85%
2023 0.2% 4.05%
2022 2% 7.2%
2021 0.9% 3.47%
2020 2.5% -0.37%
2019 2.9% 0.08%
2018 2.1% 1.09%
2017 1.6% 1.01%
2016 2% 0.6%
2015 1.5% -0.73%
2014 2% 1.14%
2013 2.7% 0.76%
2012 2.6% 1.73%
2011 5.4% 5.13%
2010 3.3% 1.18%
2009 -0.7% 1.06%
2008 5.9% 6.71%
2007 4.7% 4.58%
2006 1.5% 4.04%
2005 1.8% 4.69%
2004 3.9% 4.45%
2003 1.1% 2.12%
2002 -0.8% 1.87%
2001 0.7% 3.75%
2000 0.4% 2.27%
1999 -1.4% 0.51%
1998 -0.8% 2.55%
1997 2.8% 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/china/el-salvador | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $613M
Textiles & consumer goods $399M
Metals $296M
Chemicals & pharma $290M
Raw materials & minerals $82.1M
Wood & paper products $48.1M
Miscellaneous $35.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.3M
Raw agricultural goods $11.4M
Precious metals & jewellery $4.79M
El Salvador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.82M
Machinery & equipment $2.7M
Metals $2.3M
Raw agricultural goods $453K
Raw materials & minerals $338K
Chemicals & pharma $215K
Wood & paper products $43K
Miscellaneous $18K

Balance of trade

China El Salvador
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
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.

China El Salvador
Economic freedom 48.3 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 114/197
Property rights 40.9 42.7
Government integrity 42.3 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 15.3
Tax burden 69.3 76.8
Government spending 67.8 72.7
Fiscal health 4.4 59.4
Business freedom 68.7 65.7
Labor freedom 57.9 51.6
Monetary freedom 76.1 70.6
Trade freedom 73.4 76.4
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China El Salvador
2026 48.3 57.7
2025 49 56.6
2024 48.5 54.4
2023 48.3 56
2022 48 59.6
2021 58.4 61
2020 59.5 61.6
2019 58.4 61.8
2018 57.8 63.2
2017 57.4 64.1
2016 52 65.1
2015 52.7 65.7
2014 52.5 66.2
2013 51.9 66.7
2012 51.2 68.7
2011 52 68.8
2010 51 69.9
2009 53.2 69.8
2008 53.1 68.5
2007 52 68.9
2006 53.6 69.6
2005 53.7 71.5
2004 52.5 71.2
2003 52.6 71.5
2002 52.8 73
2001 52.6 73
2000 56.4 76.3
1999 54.8 75.1
1998 53.1 70.2
1997 51.7 70.5
1996 51.3 70.1
1995 52 69.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
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/china/el-salvador | CC BY

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.