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Economy of Dominican Republic vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Dominican Republic has a GDP of $124B compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 63/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has $73.1B in government debt (58.8% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Dominican Republic vs El Salvador GDP by year

Dominican Republic
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Dominican Republic El Salvador
2024 $124,282,245,639 $35,364,960,000
2023 $120,456,239,154 $33,853,940,000
2022 $113,478,087,135 $31,870,120,000
2021 $94,850,719,517 $29,043,140,000
2020 $78,546,672,407 $24,921,190,000
2019 $89,146,130,745 $26,881,140,000
2018 $84,994,732,049 $26,020,850,000
2017 $79,070,274,743 $24,979,190,000
2016 $75,552,902,636 $24,191,430,000
2015 $70,966,782,572 $23,438,240,000
2014 $67,014,329,100 $22,593,470,000
2013 $62,555,417,415 $21,990,960,000
2012 $60,561,635,556 $21,386,150,000
2011 $57,948,261,616 $20,283,780,000
2010 $53,801,053,353 $18,447,920,000
2009 $48,223,781,477 $17,601,620,000
2008 $48,091,433,554 $17,986,890,000
2007 $43,965,458,509 $17,011,750,000
2006 $37,879,830,084 $15,999,890,000
2005 $35,777,560,684 $14,698,000,000
2004 $22,322,387,382 $13,724,810,900
2003 $21,403,167,848 $13,243,892,200
2002 $27,137,440,786 $12,664,190,300
2001 $25,601,823,688 $12,282,533,600
2000 $24,305,780,629 $11,784,927,700
1999 $22,136,579,397 $11,284,197,000
1998 $21,672,215,547 $10,936,669,900
1997 $20,017,450,041 $10,221,705,900
1996 $18,241,622,548 $9,586,327,800
1995 $16,637,370,839 $8,921,947,100
1994 $14,644,734,599 $7,679,384,000
1993 $13,081,042,400 $6,680,269,200
1992 $11,605,382,504 $5,813,399,300
1991 $9,824,483,340 $5,252,342,400
1990 $7,073,675,545 $4,817,542,204
1989 $6,686,593,060 $4,372,215,300
1988 $5,374,299,981 $4,189,880,000
1987 $5,827,050,753 $3,958,045,800
1986 $6,122,128,558 $3,771,663,200
1985 $5,044,579,979 $3,800,368,600
1984 $11,594,000,000 $3,661,683,400
1983 $9,220,600,000 $3,506,347,800
1982 $8,267,400,000 $3,399,189,100
1981 $7,561,300,000 $3,437,200,200
1980 $6,761,300,000 $3,573,959,900
1979 $5,498,800,000 $3,463,639,900
1978 $4,734,400,000 $3,127,960,000
1977 $4,587,100,000 $2,941,640,100
1976 $3,951,500,000 $2,328,280,100
1975 $3,599,200,000 $1,884,120,100
1974 $2,925,700,000 $1,665,880,000
1973 $2,344,800,000 $1,442,320,000
1972 $1,987,400,000 $1,263,720,000
1971 $1,666,500,000 $1,186,120,000
1970 $1,485,500,000 $1,132,920,000
1969 $1,230,500,000 $1,049,400,000
1968 $1,079,100,000 $1,009,760,100
1967 $1,034,800,000 $976,200,000
1966 $983,900,000 $929,520,000
1965 $888,100,000 $877,720,000
1964 $1,025,599,900 -
1963 $940,799,900 -
1962 $824,100,000 -
1961 $654,100,200 -
1960 $672,399,700 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/el-salvador | CC BY

GDP per capita in Dominican Republic vs El Salvador by year

Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Dominican Republic El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,876 $27,542 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $10,630 $25,840 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $10,104 $24,626 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $8,527 $22,053 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $7,135 $18,998 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $8,183 $19,767 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $7,883 $17,995 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $7,413 $16,846 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $7,160 $16,282 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $6,801 $14,804 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $6,496 $13,465 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $6,137 $12,414 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $6,014 $11,777 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $5,827 $11,695 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $5,479 $11,246 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $4,974 $10,382 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $5,024 $10,346 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $4,650 $9,951 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $4,055 $9,130 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $3,878 $8,215 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $2,452 $7,375 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $2,383 $7,098 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $3,066 $7,158 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $2,936 $6,848 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $2,831 $6,639 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $2,621 $6,305 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $2,608 $5,963 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $2,449 $5,618 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $2,271 $5,161 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $2,109 $4,871 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $1,892 $4,599 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $1,722 $4,474 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $1,558 $4,151 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $1,346 $3,722 $956 $2,945
1990 $989 $3,641 $892 $2,856
1989 $955 - $825 -
1988 $784 - $806 -
1987 $868 - $777 -
1986 $932 - $755 -
1985 $784 - $776 -
1984 $1,844 - $763 -
1983 $1,500 - $745 -
1982 $1,376 - $735 -
1981 $1,288 - $752 -
1980 $1,180 - $787 -
1979 $984 - $773 -
1978 $868 - $712 -
1977 $863 - $684 -
1976 $763 - $553 -
1975 $713 - $457 -
1974 $595 - $413 -
1973 $490 - $366 -
1972 $427 - $329 -
1971 $368 - $316 -
1970 $338 - $309 -
1969 $287.7 - $293.4 -
1968 $259.6 - $290.1 -
1967 $256.2 - $288.4 -
1966 $250.9 - $282.4 -
1965 $233.2 - $274.3 -
1964 $277.3 - - -
1963 $262.2 - - -
1962 $236.8 - - -
1961 $193.9 - - -
1960 $205.7 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/el-salvador | CC BY

The Dominican Republic's GDP per capita is $10,876, ranking 83/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Dominican Republic El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$124B
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
63/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
4.95%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,876
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
83/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,542
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
76/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$73.1B
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.8%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,394
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,547
2026
$4,768
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2024
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2024
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.31%
2024
2.71%
2024
Population
11637906
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Dominican Republic El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 58.8% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 19.1% 60.5% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 18.5% 59.6% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 18.4% 62.8% 31.1% 88%
2020 22.2% 71.8% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 17.8% 53.5% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 16.5% 50.8% 27.6% 77%
2017 17.3% 49.5% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 17% 46.7% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 16.7% 44.8% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 17% 45% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 18.5% 46.8% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 19.8% 42.4% 27.4% 70%
2011 16% 39.1% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 16.1% 37.4% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 16.2% 36.8% 26% 65.8%
2008 18.5% 33.6% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 16.3% 32.9% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 17% 36% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 15.5% 38.3% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 17.3% 34.3% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 17.2% 48.2% 22.6% 46%
2002 16.5% 21.5% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 14.9% 20.4% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 14.1% 16.7% 21% 29.6%
1999 13.4% 16% 19.7% 28%
1998 12.6% 13.2% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 13.2% 13.8% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 11.4% 23% 21% 28.5%
1995 11% 25.7% 18.6% 28%
1994 12.1% 28.5% 18.9% 30.5%
1993 13% 36.1% 18.5% 31.9%
1992 10.4% 38.5% 20.8% 36.4%
1991 8.65% 47.3% 18.5% 43.3%
1990 9.1% 84.7% 15.9% -
1989 11.3% 62.5% - -
1988 12.8% 77% - -
1987 11.2% 86.9% - -
1986 10.4% 63.8% - -
1985 9.8% 66.3% - -
1984 9.32% 28.9% - -
1983 10.2% 32.9% - -
1982 10.2% 33.1% - -
1981 12.1% 29.8% - -
1980 12.8% 15.2% - -
1979 13.8% 24% - -
1978 12.3% 20.9% - -
1977 11.4% 16.4% - -
1976 12.5% 15.6% - -
1975 13.7% 13.1% - -
1974 14.6% 14.6% - -
1973 13.7% 14.6% - -
1972 14.1% 16.4% - -
1971 13.8% 17.8% - -
1970 13.3% 18% - -
1969 15.5% 17.4% - -
1968 15.5% 18.1% - -
1967 15% 16.2% - -
1966 15.2% 14.5% - -
1965 12.8% - - -
1964 16.7% - - -
1963 15.1% - - -
1962 15.7% - - -
1961 20% - - -
1960 20.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government spending was $24.2B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.8% in the Dominican Republic and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 83/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Dominican Republic

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Dominican Republic El Salvador
2024 -3.09% -4.55%
2023 -3.28% -4.69%
2022 -3.25% -2.68%
2021 -2.92% -5.53%
2020 -7.94% -8.18%
2019 -3.46% -3.07%
2018 -2.17% -2.71%
2017 -3.12% -2.53%
2016 -3.11% -3.1%
2015 -0.03% -3.63%
2014 -2.76% -4.02%
2013 -4.41% -4.46%
2012 -6.26% -3.81%
2011 -3.07% -4.47%
2010 -2.97% -4.97%
2009 -2.9% -6.65%
2008 -3.43% -3.8%
2007 0.28% -2.32%
2006 -1.69% -3.42%
2005 -0.71% -3.47%
2004 -3.6% -2.76%
2003 -4.24% -4.23%
2002 -2.28% -5.5%
2001 -0.73% -4.95%
2000 -0.86% -3.45%
1999 -0.79% -3.08%
1998 -0.29% -2.94%
1997 -0.64% -1.97%
1996 0.14% -2.7%
1995 0.82% -0.18%
1994 -0.39% -0.94%
1993 -0.16% -1.42%
1992 2.35% -4.29%
1991 0.11% -2.3%
1990 0.39% -0.61%
1989 -0.09% -
1988 -1.68% -
1987 -0.75% -
1986 -0.57% -
1985 -1.27% -
1984 -0.95% -
1983 -1.74% -
1982 -2.4% -
1981 -1.92% -
1980 -1.82% -
1979 -3.26% -
1978 -0.82% -
1977 0.15% -
1976 -0.22% -
1975 1.37% -
1974 -0.93% -
1973 -0.53% -
1972 -1.73% -
1971 -0.85% -
1970 -0.68% -
1969 -0.99% -
1968 -0.99% -
1967 -1.68% -
1966 -2.14% -
1965 -1.84% -
1964 -1.36% -
1963 -0.39% -
1962 -1.17% -
1961 -3% -
1960 -0.61% -
1959 -0.29% -
1958 -1.29% -
1957 0.21% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 1.47% -
1954 1.43% -
1953 2.79% -
1952 0% -
1951 -2.58% -
1950 -3.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.84B, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Dominican Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, the Dominican Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.52% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Dominican Republic

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Dominican Republic El Salvador
2024 3.3% 0.85%
2023 4.79% 4.05%
2022 8.81% 7.2%
2021 8.24% 3.47%
2020 3.78% -0.37%
2019 1.81% 0.08%
2018 3.56% 1.09%
2017 3.28% 1.01%
2016 1.61% 0.6%
2015 0.84% -0.73%
2014 3% 1.14%
2013 4.83% 0.76%
2012 3.69% 1.73%
2011 5.8% 5.13%
2010 6.33% 1.18%
2009 1.44% 1.06%
2008 10.6% 6.71%
2007 6.14% 4.58%
2006 7.57% 4.04%
2005 4.19% 4.69%
2004 51.5% 4.45%
2003 27.4% 2.12%
2002 5.22% 1.87%
2001 8.88% 3.75%
2000 7.72% 2.27%
1999 6.47% 0.51%
1998 4.83% 2.55%
1997 8.3% 4.49%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/el-salvador | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Dominican Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.64%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in the Dominican Republic and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Top exports between countries

Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $7.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.76M
Machinery & equipment $1.75M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Raw materials & minerals $689K
Raw agricultural goods $494K
Animal & marine products $391K
Wood & paper products $277K
Metals $214K
Miscellaneous $186K
El Salvador
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $32.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $11.8M
Metals $11.7M
Wood & paper products $10.7M
Raw materials & minerals $9.1M
Miscellaneous $3.42M
Machinery & equipment $3.16M
Raw agricultural goods $1.36M
Animal & marine products $56K

Balance of trade

Dominican Republic El Salvador
Current account balance
-$4.17B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
163/190
2024
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.35%
2024
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$29.8B
2024
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$13.9B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$6.34B
2024
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$14.7B
2024
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
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.

Dominican Republic El Salvador
Economic freedom 63.8 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 77/197 114/197
Property rights 53.9 42.7
Government integrity 39.8 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 58 15.3
Tax burden 84.4 76.8
Government spending 89.1 72.7
Fiscal health 76.6 59.4
Business freedom 71.4 65.7
Labor freedom 53.2 51.6
Monetary freedom 72.1 70.6
Trade freedom 67.4 76.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Dominican Republic
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Dominican Republic El Salvador
2026 63.8 57.7
2025 64.3 56.6
2024 62.9 54.4
2023 62.6 56
2022 63 59.6
2021 62.1 61
2020 60.9 61.6
2019 61 61.8
2018 61.6 63.2
2017 62.9 64.1
2016 61 65.1
2015 61 65.7
2014 61.3 66.2
2013 59.7 66.7
2012 60.2 68.7
2011 60 68.8
2010 60.3 69.9
2009 59.2 69.8
2008 57.7 68.5
2007 56.8 68.9
2006 56.3 69.6
2005 55.1 71.5
2004 54.6 71.2
2003 57.8 71.5
2002 58.6 73
2001 59.1 73
2000 59 76.3
1999 58.1 75.1
1998 58.1 70.2
1997 53.5 70.5
1996 58.1 70.1
1995 55.8 69.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/el-salvador | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Dominican Republic is 63.8, ranking 77/197, 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

Dominican Republic El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.45%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,050
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$13.5B
2024
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
71/177
2024
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.48B
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$47.3M
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2024
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/dominican-republic/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.