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Economy of El Salvador vs Haiti compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $25.2B for Haiti, ranking 105/197 and 117/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $3.91B (15.5% of GDP) in Haiti.

El Salvador vs Haiti GDP by year

El Salvador
Haiti
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Haiti
2024 $35,364,960,000 $25,224,154,991
2023 $33,853,940,000 $19,850,585,722
2022 $31,870,120,000 $20,253,551,921
2021 $29,043,140,000 $20,944,387,976
2020 $24,921,190,000 $14,508,222,518
2019 $26,881,140,000 $15,016,090,930
2018 $26,020,850,000 $16,403,864,618
2017 $24,979,190,000 $15,093,357,161
2016 $24,191,430,000 $14,069,277,526
2015 $23,438,240,000 $14,849,629,309
2014 $22,593,470,000 $15,146,883,498
2013 $21,990,960,000 $14,902,488,604
2012 $21,386,150,000 $13,708,925,477
2011 $20,283,780,000 $13,008,746,039
2010 $18,447,920,000 $11,859,312,725
2009 $17,601,620,000 $11,597,002,835
2008 $17,986,890,000 $10,432,962,635
2007 $17,011,750,000 $9,228,637,768
2006 $15,999,890,000 $7,638,739,123
2005 $14,698,000,000 $7,030,149,730
2004 $13,724,810,900 $6,087,360,684
2003 $13,243,892,200 $5,071,947,798
2002 $12,664,190,300 $6,205,847,214
2001 $12,282,533,600 $6,331,970,324
2000 $11,784,927,700 $6,813,566,099
1999 $11,284,197,000 $4,153,725,884
1998 $10,936,669,900 $3,723,903,724
1997 $10,221,705,900 $3,338,949,152
1996 $9,586,327,800 $2,907,517,604
1995 $8,921,947,100 $2,813,313,279
1994 $7,679,384,000 $2,167,569,046
1993 $6,680,269,200 $1,878,253,767
1992 $5,813,399,300 $2,257,129,792
1991 $5,252,342,400 $3,473,562,628
1990 $4,817,542,204 $3,096,289,800
1989 $4,372,215,300 $2,736,243,800
1988 $4,189,880,000 $2,613,926,800
1987 $3,958,045,800 $2,047,200,000
1986 $3,771,663,200 $2,318,000,000
1985 $3,800,368,600 $2,009,400,000
1984 $3,661,683,400 $1,816,200,000
1983 $3,506,347,800 $1,623,600,000
1982 $3,399,189,100 $1,474,200,000
1981 $3,437,200,200 $1,479,400,000
1980 $3,573,959,900 $1,383,800,000
1979 $3,463,639,900 $1,080,600,000
1978 $3,127,960,000 $974,200,000
1977 $2,941,640,100 $947,000,000
1976 $2,328,280,100 $879,000,000
1975 $1,884,120,100 $681,400,000
1974 $1,665,880,000 $565,399,322
1973 $1,442,320,000 $466,798,973
1972 $1,263,720,000 $371,998,958
1971 $1,186,120,000 $362,800,000
1970 $1,132,920,000 $331,200,000
1969 $1,049,400,000 $391,820,400
1968 $1,009,760,100 $367,968,800
1967 $976,200,000 $369,124,200
1966 $929,520,000 $368,948,600
1965 $877,720,000 $353,251,800
1964 - $325,281,200
1963 - $294,883,400
1962 - $281,896,800
1961 - $271,066,000
1960 - $273,187,200

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Haiti by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Haiti
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $2,143 $3,194
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $1,706 $3,292
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $1,761 $3,275
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $1,841 $3,145
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $1,290 $3,103
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $1,352 $3,237
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $1,496 $3,197
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $1,395 $3,339
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $1,318 $3,253
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $1,411 $3,026
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $1,460 $3,076
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $1,458 $3,042
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $1,361 $2,830
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $1,312 $2,858
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $1,210 $2,695
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $1,197 $2,855
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $1,095 $2,724
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $985 $2,647
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $829 $2,504
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $776 $2,427
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $683 $2,322
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $579 $2,331
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $721 $2,248
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $749 $2,230
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $821 $2,229
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $510 $2,201
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $465 $2,152
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $425 $2,122
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $377 $2,070
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $372 $1,989
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $292.1 $1,807
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $258.1 $2,048
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $316 $2,158
1991 $956 $2,945 $497 $2,273
1990 $892 $2,856 $452 $2,202
1989 $825 - $407 -
1988 $806 - $397 -
1987 $777 - $318 -
1986 $755 - $367 -
1985 $776 - $325 -
1984 $763 - $299.2 -
1983 $745 - $272.8 -
1982 $735 - $252.6 -
1981 $752 - $258.5 -
1980 $787 - $246.5 -
1979 $773 - $196.2 -
1978 $712 - $180.3 -
1977 $684 - $178.7 -
1976 $553 - $169.1 -
1975 $457 - $133.6 -
1974 $413 - $113 -
1973 $366 - $95.1 -
1972 $329 - $77.3 -
1971 $316 - $76.8 -
1970 $309 - $71.5 -
1969 $293.4 - $86.1 -
1968 $290.1 - $82.4 -
1967 $288.4 - $84.2 -
1966 $282.4 - $85.7 -
1965 $274.3 - $83.6 -
1964 - - $78.5 -
1963 - - $72.4 -
1962 - - $70.4 -
1961 - - $69 -
1960 - - $70.8 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $2,143 in Haiti, ranking 153/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Haiti
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
-4.17%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$2,143
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$3,194
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
177/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$3.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
15.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$332
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
176/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$1,896
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
31.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.1%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
5.25%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
26.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
14.1%
2012
Population
6399793
12076663

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Haiti
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Haiti
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 5.25% 15.5%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 6.46% 28.5%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 8.33% 29.5%
2021 31.1% 88% 9.42% 28.9%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 9.86% 22.3%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 9.59% 26.5%
2018 27.6% 77% 11.3% 24.1%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 10.2% 22.5%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 10.5% 24.4%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 12.7% 23.9%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 14.6% 21.4%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 15.9% 25.1%
2012 27.4% 70% 16.4% 24.1%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 14.1% 22.3%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 12.6% 24.9%
2009 26% 65.8% 11.6% 19.4%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 11.2% 33.9%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 11.1% 24.4%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 9.67% 32.2%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 8.75% 29.7%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 7.38% 30.4%
2003 22.6% 46% 7.83% 37.8%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 6.64% 32%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 6.11% 28.8%
2000 21% 29.6% 6.25% 32.5%
1999 19.7% 28% 6.91% 24.1%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 5.4% 24%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 5.46% 26.2%
1996 21% 28.5% - 26.2%
1995 18.6% 28% - 26.2%
1994 18.9% 30.5% - 35.3%
1993 18.5% 31.9% - 98%
1992 20.8% 36.4% - 118.9%
1991 18.5% 43.3% - 80.7%
1990 15.9% - - 85.1%
1989 - - - 98.7%
1988 - - - 90.9%
1987 - - 32.4% 58.6%
1986 - - 15.1% 26.5%
1985 - - 17.4% 25.6%
1984 - - 16.9% 27.3%
1983 - - 21.9% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.7% 25.5%
1981 - - 17.4% 23.7%
1980 - - 17.2% 20.3%
1979 - - 13.1% 19.8%
1978 - - 18.9% 20.1%
1977 - - 16.7% 18.5%
1976 - - 13.4% 14.9%
1975 - - 12.8% 14.2%
1974 - - 9.24% 13.3%
1973 - - 9.4% 8.92%
1972 - - 11.2% 11.1%
1971 - - 11.2% 11%
1970 - - 11.4% 12.5%
1969 - - 10.1% -
1968 - - 10.3% -
1967 - - 7.52% -
1966 - - 7.2% -
1965 - - 7.91% -
1964 - - - -
1963 - - 8.95% -
1962 - - - -
1961 - - - -
1960 - - 7.34% 21.6%

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/el-salvador/haiti | CC BY

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Haiti spent $1.32B, or 5.25% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 15.5% in Haiti, ranking 36/185 and 177/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Haiti
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Haiti
2024 -4.55% 6.96%
2023 -4.69% 0.77%
2022 -2.68% -1.75%
2021 -5.53% -2.45%
2020 -8.18% -1.96%
2019 -3.07% -1.99%
2018 -2.71% -1.13%
2017 -2.53% -0.32%
2016 -3.1% 0.12%
2015 -3.63% -1.47%
2014 -4.02% -3.64%
2013 -4.46% -3.98%
2012 -3.81% -2.71%
2011 -4.47% -1.43%
2010 -4.97% -1.5%
2009 -6.65% -2%
2008 -3.8% -1.8%
2007 -2.32% -1.55%
2006 -3.42% -0.91%
2005 -3.47% -0.83%
2004 -2.76% -1.34%
2003 -4.23% -2.24%
2002 -5.5% -1.8%
2001 -4.95% -1.55%
2000 -3.45% -1.36%
1999 -3.08% -1.54%
1998 -2.94% 0.21%
1997 -1.97% 0.37%
1996 -2.7% -
1995 -0.18% -
1994 -0.94% -
1993 -1.42% -
1992 -4.29% -
1991 -2.3% -
1990 -0.61% -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -4.94%
1986 - -1.4%
1985 - -0.97%
1984 - -3.52%
1983 - -5.72%
1982 - -3.93%
1981 - -4.38%
1980 - -5.68%
1979 - -2.21%
1978 - -3.24%
1977 - -2.85%
1976 - -1.16%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 0.23%
1973 - 0.03%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.08%
1970 - -0.19%
1969 - -0.39%
1968 - -0.46%
1967 - 0%
1966 - 0%
1965 - 0%
1964 - -
1963 - 0%
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - 0.006%
1959 - -1.11%
1958 - -2.21%
1957 - 0.28%
1956 - -2.18%
1955 - -0.86%
1954 - -0.81%
1953 - -1.01%
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -0.12%
1948 - 0.21%
1947 - 1.06%
1946 - 0.51%
1945 - 0.47%
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -0.21%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - -0.16%
1938 - 0.15%
1937 - -0.08%
1936 - -0.06%
1935 - -0.2%
1934 - -1.23%
1933 - 0%
1932 - 0.4%
1931 - -0.49%
1930 - -0.52%
1929 - -0.32%
1928 - -0.25%
1927 - 0.73%
1926 - -0.45%
1925 - 0.05%
1924 - -0.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1987, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/haiti | 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 Haiti's surplus of $1.76B, or 6.96% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Haiti ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.17% of GDP for Haiti.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Haiti
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Haiti
2024 0.85% 26.9%
2023 4.05% 36.8%
2022 7.2% 34%
2021 3.47% 16.8%
2020 -0.37% 22.8%
2019 0.08% 18.7%
2018 1.09% 12.5%
2017 1.01% 10.7%
2016 0.6% 11.5%
2015 -0.73% 6.73%
2014 1.14% 3.44%
2013 0.76% 4.77%
2012 1.73% 5.02%
2011 5.13% 6.33%
2010 1.18% 4.83%
2009 1.06% 0.39%
2008 6.71% 15.3%
2007 4.58% 6.56%
2006 4.04% 11.3%
2005 4.69% 14%
2004 4.45% 21%
2003 2.12% 28.7%
2002 1.87% 7.03%
2001 3.75% 13.3%
2000 2.27% 9.33%
1999 0.51% 3%
1998 2.55% 5.27%
1997 4.49% 20.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 13.5% in Haiti. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 26.9% in Haiti.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.68M
Raw materials & minerals $2.51M
Chemicals & pharma $708K
Metals $588K
Textiles & consumer goods $241K
Machinery & equipment $205K
Wood & paper products $191K
Miscellaneous $101K
Haiti
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Haiti
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$145M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
92/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-0.58%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$4.27B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$767M
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$518M
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$96.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
18.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
3.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Haiti
Economic freedom 57.7 46.1
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 178/197
Property rights 42.7 6.6
Government integrity 31.5 13
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 17.3
Tax burden 76.8 81.7
Government spending 72.7 98.7
Fiscal health 59.4 99.5
Business freedom 65.7 30.7
Labor freedom 51.6 54.7
Monetary freedom 70.6 45.1
Trade freedom 76.4 66.4
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Haiti
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Haiti
2026 57.7 46.1
2025 56.6 46.1
2024 54.4 48.2
2023 56 49.9
2022 59.6 50
2021 61 50.8
2020 61.6 52.3
2019 61.8 52.7
2018 63.2 55.8
2017 64.1 49.6
2016 65.1 51.3
2015 65.7 51.3
2014 66.2 48.9
2013 66.7 48.1
2012 68.7 50.7
2011 68.8 52.1
2010 69.9 50.8
2009 69.8 50.5
2008 68.5 49
2007 68.9 51.4
2006 69.6 49.2
2005 71.5 48.4
2004 71.2 51.2
2003 71.5 50.6
2002 73 47.9
2001 73 47.1
2000 76.3 45.7
1999 75.1 45.9
1998 70.2 45.7
1997 70.5 45.8
1996 70.1 41
1995 69.1 43

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 46.1 for Haiti, ranking 178/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Haiti
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
48.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
33.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
15.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$2.72B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
121/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$20M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$20M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
2.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
58.5%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
9.94%
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/haiti | 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 (1924–1996, 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 (2017–2024, 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.