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Economy of El Salvador vs Gambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $2.4B for the Gambia, ranking 105/197 and 174/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $1.92B (80% of GDP) in the Gambia.

El Salvador vs Gambia GDP by year

El Salvador
Gambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Gambia
2024 $35,364,960,000 $2,404,888,749
2023 $33,853,940,000 $2,382,262,185
2022 $31,870,120,000 $2,204,734,528
2021 $29,043,140,000 $2,014,158,842
2020 $24,921,190,000 $1,812,170,891
2019 $26,881,140,000 $1,813,609,692
2018 $26,020,850,000 $1,670,671,328
2017 $24,979,190,000 $1,504,909,463
2016 $24,191,430,000 $1,484,578,886
2015 $23,438,240,000 $1,378,176,609
2014 $22,593,470,000 $1,229,461,721
2013 $21,990,960,000 $1,375,609,453
2012 $21,386,150,000 $1,415,004,738
2011 $20,283,780,000 $1,409,693,597
2010 $18,447,920,000 $1,543,294,927
2009 $17,601,620,000 $1,450,142,509
2008 $17,986,890,000 $1,561,766,956
2007 $17,011,750,000 $1,279,703,047
2006 $15,999,890,000 $1,054,112,488
2005 $14,698,000,000 $1,027,701,068
2004 $13,724,810,900 $961,900,651
2003 $13,243,892,200 $487,038,685
2002 $12,664,190,300 $578,235,309
2001 $12,282,533,600 $687,410,645
2000 $11,784,927,700 $782,913,872
1999 $11,284,197,000 $814,724,032
1998 $10,936,669,900 $840,285,265
1997 $10,221,705,900 $803,633,342
1996 $9,586,327,800 $848,239,446
1995 $8,921,947,100 $785,999,865
1994 $7,679,384,000 $746,493,952
1993 $6,680,269,200 $755,040,974
1992 $5,813,399,300 $714,254,256
1991 $5,252,342,400 $690,311,081
1990 $4,817,542,204 $317,083,695
1989 $4,372,215,300 $284,120,329
1988 $4,189,880,000 $266,672,212
1987 $3,958,045,800 $220,626,484
1986 $3,771,663,200 $185,646,987
1985 $3,800,368,600 $225,726,359
1984 $3,661,683,400 $177,340,880
1983 $3,506,347,800 $213,448,585
1982 $3,399,189,100 $216,050,552
1981 $3,437,200,200 $218,767,743
1980 $3,573,959,900 $241,083,090
1979 $3,463,639,900 $207,112,628
1978 $3,127,960,000 $171,833,086
1977 $2,941,640,100 $138,093,099
1976 $2,328,280,100 $112,190,829
1975 $1,884,120,100 $115,179,719
1974 $1,665,880,000 $95,796,022
1973 $1,442,320,000 $75,187,749
1972 $1,263,720,000 $59,160,569
1971 $1,186,120,000 $55,728,663
1970 $1,132,920,000 $52,296,084
1969 $1,049,400,000 $45,168,072
1968 $1,009,760,100 $41,160,066
1967 $976,200,000 $46,695,007
1966 $929,520,000 $44,212,081
1965 $877,720,000 -

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Gambia by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Gambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $871 $3,476
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $883 $3,289
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $836 $3,067
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $782 $2,778
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $720 $2,531
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $738 $2,422
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $696 $2,277
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $643 $2,039
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $650 $2,013
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $620 $1,990
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $568 $1,934
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $654 $2,007
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $693 $2,065
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $711 $2,064
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $801 $2,267
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $775 $2,177
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $859 $2,088
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $725 $1,985
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $615 $1,931
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $616 $1,938
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $593 $1,979
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $309 $1,850
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $377 $1,744
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $460 $1,823
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $538 $1,731
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $575 $1,649
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $610 $1,572
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $600 $1,544
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $652 $1,489
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $622 $1,472
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $608 $1,473
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $635 $1,487
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $623 $1,462
1991 $956 $2,945 $628 $1,440
1990 $892 $2,856 $301 $1,409
1989 $825 - $280.9 -
1988 $806 - $274.9 -
1987 $777 - $237 -
1986 $755 - $207.7 -
1985 $776 - $262.8 -
1984 $763 - $214.8 -
1983 $745 - $268.6 -
1982 $735 - $282.1 -
1981 $752 - $296 -
1980 $787 - $338 -
1979 $773 - $300 -
1978 $712 - $257.6 -
1977 $684 - $213.8 -
1976 $553 - $179.3 -
1975 $457 - $189.8 -
1974 $413 - $162.6 -
1973 $366 - $131.4 -
1972 $329 - $106.5 -
1971 $316 - $103.3 -
1970 $309 - $99.8 -
1969 $293.4 - $88.7 -
1968 $290.1 - $83.1 -
1967 $288.4 - $97 -
1966 $282.4 - $94.4 -
1965 $274.3 - - -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $871 in the Gambia, ranking 183/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Gambia
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$2.4B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
5.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$871
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
183/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$3,476
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
172/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$1.92B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
80%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$697
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
155/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$741
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.6%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
25.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
11.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
17%
2023
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
6.48%
2023
Population
6399793
2902554

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Gambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Gambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 25.8% 80%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 24.9% 80.2%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 24.6% 83.9%
2021 31.1% 88% 21.5% 83.1%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 25.3% 85.9%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 23.9% 83%
2018 27.6% 77% 19% 83.6%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 23.6% 87%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 19.4% 80.7%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 19.6% 69.4%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 19% 71.1%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 17.2% 58.2%
2012 27.4% 70% 19.1% 49.5%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 16.5% 49.2%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 14.6% 42.9%
2009 26% 65.8% 14.4% 38.9%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 11.6% 39.5%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 11.2% 38%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 14% 87.3%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 12.9% 82.6%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 12.4% 81.3%
2003 22.6% 46% 9.3% 91.7%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 8.59% 93.9%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 9.68% 75.2%
2000 21% 29.6% 9.54% 73.3%
1999 19.7% 28% - -
1998 19.3% 25.7% - -
1997 18.6% 27.8% - -
1996 21% 28.5% - -
1995 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).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while the Gambia spent $621M, or 25.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 80% in the Gambia, ranking 36/185 and 45/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Gambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Gambia
2024 -4.55% -4.08%
2023 -4.69% -3.69%
2022 -2.68% -5.72%
2021 -5.53% -4.77%
2020 -8.18% -2.37%
2019 -3.07% -2.75%
2018 -2.71% -3.92%
2017 -2.53% -4.35%
2016 -3.1% -6.22%
2015 -3.63% -5.38%
2014 -4.02% -3.94%
2013 -4.46% -5.11%
2012 -3.81% -2.85%
2011 -4.47% -3.03%
2010 -4.97% -2.93%
2009 -6.65% -1.65%
2008 -3.8% -0.45%
2007 -2.32% 0.27%
2006 -3.42% -3.19%
2005 -3.47% -3.33%
2004 -2.76% -1.77%
2003 -4.23% -1.73%
2002 -5.5% 0.06%
2001 -4.95% -2.52%
2000 -3.45% -0.09%
1999 -3.08% -
1998 -2.94% -
1997 -1.97% -
1996 -2.7% -
1995 -0.18% -
1994 -0.94% -
1993 -1.42% -
1992 -4.29% -
1991 -2.3% -
1990 -0.61% -

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

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.61B, equivalent to 4.55% of GDP. This compares to the Gambia's deficit of $98.2M, or 4.08% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while the Gambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 4.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.02% of GDP for the Gambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Gambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Gambia
2024 0.85% 11.6%
2023 4.05% 17%
2022 7.2% 11.5%
2021 3.47% 7.37%
2020 -0.37% 5.93%
2019 0.08% 7.12%
2018 1.09% 6.52%
2017 1.01% 8.03%
2016 0.6% 7.23%
2015 -0.73% 6.81%
2014 1.14% 5.95%
2013 0.76% 5.7%
2012 1.73% 4.25%
2011 5.13% 4.8%
2010 1.18% 5.05%
2009 1.06% 4.56%
2008 6.71% 4.44%
2007 4.58% 5.37%
2006 4.04% 2.06%
2005 4.69% 4.84%
2004 4.45% 14.2%
2003 2.12% 17%
2002 1.87% 8.61%
2001 3.75% 4.49%
2000 2.27% 0.84%
1999 0.51% 3.81%
1998 2.55% 1.11%
1997 4.49% 2.78%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 6.75% in the Gambia. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 11.6% in the Gambia.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13K
Gambia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $30K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Gambia
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$99.8M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
88/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$363M
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$485M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
33.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
8.75%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Gambia
Economic freedom 57.7 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 123/197
Property rights 42.7 55.4
Government integrity 31.5 40.5
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 45.8
Tax burden 76.8 79.2
Government spending 72.7 81.1
Fiscal health 59.4 54.8
Business freedom 65.7 50.1
Labor freedom 51.6 46.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 57.3
Trade freedom 76.4 64.8
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Gambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Gambia
2026 57.7 56.3
2025 56.6 56.8
2024 54.4 58.2
2023 56 57.9
2022 59.6 58
2021 61 58.8
2020 61.6 56.3
2019 61.8 52.4
2018 63.2 52.3
2017 64.1 53.4
2016 65.1 57.1
2015 65.7 57.5
2014 66.2 59.5
2013 66.7 58.8
2012 68.7 58.8
2011 68.8 57.4
2010 69.9 55.1
2009 69.8 55.8
2008 68.5 56.9
2007 68.9 57.7
2006 69.6 57.3
2005 71.5 56.5
2004 71.2 55.3
2003 71.5 56.3
2002 73 57.7
2001 73 56.6
2000 76.3 52.7
1999 75.1 52.1
1998 70.2 53.4
1997 70.5 52.9
1996 70.1 -
1995 69.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 56.3 for the Gambia, ranking 123/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Gambia
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
15.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
20.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$2.43B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$3,430
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$629M
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
151/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$232M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$232M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
-$665K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
3.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
53.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
29.9%
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/el-salvador/gambia | 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. 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)

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.