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Economy of El Salvador vs Honduras compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $37.1B for Honduras, ranking 105/197 and 104/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $17.5B (47.1% of GDP) in Honduras.

El Salvador vs Honduras GDP by year

El Salvador
Honduras
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Honduras
2024 $35,364,960,000 $37,093,565,854
2023 $33,853,940,000 $34,355,805,528
2022 $31,870,120,000 $31,426,041,807
2021 $29,043,140,000 $28,144,331,507
2020 $24,921,190,000 $23,352,232,484
2019 $26,881,140,000 $24,882,225,742
2018 $26,020,850,000 $24,067,750,760
2017 $24,979,190,000 $23,136,247,991
2016 $24,191,430,000 $21,717,604,952
2015 $23,438,240,000 $20,979,791,685
2014 $22,593,470,000 $19,756,533,972
2013 $21,990,960,000 $18,499,729,215
2012 $21,386,150,000 $18,528,554,398
2011 $20,283,780,000 $17,710,275,685
2010 $18,447,920,000 $15,839,344,592
2009 $17,601,620,000 $14,587,496,229
2008 $17,986,890,000 $13,881,731,876
2007 $17,011,750,000 $12,361,257,681
2006 $15,999,890,000 $10,917,477,066
2005 $14,698,000,000 $9,757,012,697
2004 $13,724,810,900 $8,869,299,234
2003 $13,243,892,200 $8,230,391,347
2002 $12,664,190,300 $7,858,255,413
2001 $12,282,533,600 $7,651,162,302
2000 $11,784,927,700 $7,186,638,029
1999 $11,284,197,000 $6,394,090,592
1998 $10,936,669,900 $6,163,707,533
1997 $10,221,705,900 $5,569,178,707
1996 $9,586,327,800 $4,798,834,459
1995 $8,921,947,100 $4,672,346,194
1994 $7,679,384,000 $4,105,686,899
1993 $6,680,269,200 $4,190,773,622
1992 $5,813,399,300 $4,122,846,905
1991 $5,252,342,400 $3,699,381,195
1990 $4,817,542,204 $3,734,460,117
1989 $4,372,215,300 $4,375,896,552
1988 $4,189,880,000 $4,892,660,944
1987 $3,958,045,800 $5,024,800,000
1986 $3,771,663,200 $4,706,100,000
1985 $3,800,368,600 $4,328,300,000
1984 $3,661,683,400 $4,029,900,000
1983 $3,506,347,800 $3,840,550,000
1982 $3,399,189,100 $3,619,500,000
1981 $3,437,200,200 $3,501,800,000
1980 $3,573,959,900 $3,184,400,000
1979 $3,463,639,900 $2,778,900,000
1978 $3,127,960,000 $2,393,650,000
1977 $2,941,640,100 $1,900,700,000
1976 $2,328,280,100 $1,589,300,000
1975 $1,884,120,100 $1,330,050,000
1974 $1,665,880,000 $1,243,000,000
1973 $1,442,320,000 $1,128,299,436
1972 $1,263,720,000 $1,030,645,362
1971 $1,186,120,000 $958,450,000
1970 $1,132,920,000 $904,400,000
1969 $1,049,400,000 $844,400,000
1968 $1,009,760,100 $815,450,000
1967 $976,200,000 $750,950,000
1966 $929,520,000 $692,150,000
1965 $877,720,000 $651,050,000
1964 - $591,100,000
1963 - $553,500,000
1962 - $532,450,000
1961 - $503,300,000
1960 - $475,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Honduras by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Honduras
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Honduras
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $3,426 $7,486
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $3,227 $7,178
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $3,003 $6,805
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $2,735 $6,203
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $2,308 $5,385
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $2,502 $5,785
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $2,465 $5,633
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $2,413 $5,621
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $2,307 $5,186
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $2,271 $4,846
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $2,180 $4,460
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $2,081 $4,137
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $2,126 $4,016
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $2,074 $3,901
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $1,893 $3,758
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $1,781 $3,656
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $1,732 $3,806
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $1,578 $3,664
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $1,426 $3,438
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $1,305 $3,204
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $1,215 $3,001
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $1,156 $2,821
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $1,132 $2,715
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,132 $2,645
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $1,093 $2,587
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $999 $2,372
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $989 $2,152
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $917 $1,959
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $813 $1,617
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $814 $1,329
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $736 $1,074
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $773 $838
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $782 $741
1991 $956 $2,945 $722 $684
1990 $892 $2,856 $750 $540
1989 $825 - $904 -
1988 $806 - $1,039 -
1987 $777 - $1,098 -
1986 $755 - $1,058 -
1985 $776 - $1,001 -
1984 $763 - $960 -
1983 $745 - $942 -
1982 $735 - $914 -
1981 $752 - $912 -
1980 $787 - $854 -
1979 $773 - $769 -
1978 $712 - $683 -
1977 $684 - $559 -
1976 $553 - $482 -
1975 $457 - $417 -
1974 $413 - $401 -
1973 $366 - $375 -
1972 $329 - $353 -
1971 $316 - $338 -
1970 $309 - $329 -
1969 $293.4 - $316 -
1968 $290.1 - $314 -
1967 $288.4 - $298.2 -
1966 $282.4 - $282.9 -
1965 $274.3 - $273.9 -
1964 - - $255.9 -
1963 - - $246.6 -
1962 - - $244 -
1961 - - $237.3 -
1960 - - $230.7 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $3,426 in Honduras, ranking 136/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Honduras ranks 146th at $7,486.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Honduras
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$37.1B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
104/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$3,426
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
136/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$7,486
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
146/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$17.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
47.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$1,613
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
126/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$4,901
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
32.3%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
25.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
4.61%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
4.91%
2024
Population
6399793
11237619

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Honduras
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Honduras
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 25.7% 47.1%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 27.2% 47.9%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 24% 51%
2021 31.1% 88% 28.8% 50.3%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 28.4% 52.5%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 25.9% 44.1%
2018 27.6% 77% 26.2% 43.5%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 26.9% 43.6%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 27.4% 40.3%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 26% 42.3%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 26.4% 43%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 28% 42.1%
2012 27.4% 70% 26.4% 32.4%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 25.9% 31.5%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 26.5% 28.9%
2009 26% 65.8% 28.4% 23.8%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 26.4% 22.3%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 24.4% 24%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 24.4% 39.2%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 23.6% 55.6%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 25.5% 60.9%
2003 22.6% 46% 26.4% 67.8%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 26.8% 64.2%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 25.1% 63.4%
2000 21% 29.6% 22.1% 65.8%
1999 19.7% 28% 23.3% 75.8%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 19.4% 67.4%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 19.4% 70.8%
1996 21% 28.5% 18.7% 64.6%
1995 18.6% 28% 17.2% 65.4%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 19.2% 86.4%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 23.7% 108%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 20.5% 116.5%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 18.8% 122.2%
1990 15.9% - 16.4% 200.3%
1989 - - 10.2% 68.4%
1988 - - 16% 71.7%
1987 - - 17.2% 73.6%
1986 - - 19.8% 69.9%
1985 - - 22.5% 65.7%
1984 - - 22.4% 60.5%
1983 - - 20.8% 57.6%
1982 - - 18.7% 54.3%
1981 - - 15.3% 48.1%
1980 - - 16.2% 41%
1979 - - 14.4% 36.1%
1978 - - 13.1% 32.8%
1977 - - 14.6% 28.2%
1976 - - 11.5% 26.5%
1975 - - 11.9% 24%
1974 - - 11.7% 18.5%
1973 - - 11.1% 16.6%
1972 - - 12.6% 16.8%
1971 - - 15.2% 19.8%
1970 - - 15.2% 17.2%
1969 - - 13.6% 13%
1968 - - 11.6% 9.75%
1967 - - 11.4% 9.72%
1966 - - 11.4% 9.47%
1965 - - 10.6% 8.97%
1964 - - 11.4% 9.78%
1963 - - 10.1% 9.02%
1962 - - 10.5% 8.54%
1961 - - 11.2% 8.22%
1960 - - 12.2% 8.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Honduras spent $9.52B, or 25.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 47.1% in Honduras, ranking 36/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Honduras
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Honduras
2024 -4.55% -1.12%
2023 -4.69% -1.96%
2022 -2.68% 1.57%
2021 -5.53% -3.17%
2020 -8.18% -4.58%
2019 -3.07% 0.09%
2018 -2.71% 0.2%
2017 -2.53% -0.41%
2016 -3.1% -0.4%
2015 -3.63% -0.78%
2014 -4.02% -2.81%
2013 -4.46% -5.48%
2012 -3.81% -3.48%
2011 -4.47% -2.94%
2010 -4.97% -3.37%
2009 -6.65% -4.86%
2008 -3.8% -0.27%
2007 -2.32% -0.25%
2006 -3.42% -1.36%
2005 -3.47% -0.03%
2004 -2.76% -2.48%
2003 -4.23% -5.09%
2002 -5.5% -5.02%
2001 -4.95% -3.12%
2000 -3.45% 1.51%
1999 -3.08% 1.38%
1998 -2.94% 2.89%
1997 -1.97% 0.08%
1996 -2.7% 0.13%
1995 -0.18% -0.24%
1994 -0.94% -0.98%
1993 -1.42% -5.03%
1992 -4.29% -1.41%
1991 -2.3% -1.95%
1990 -0.61% -1.82%
1989 - 2.08%
1988 - -2.65%
1987 - -3.23%
1986 - -5.92%
1985 - -8.58%
1984 - -9.33%
1983 - -9.1%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -2.5%
1980 - -2.52%
1979 - -1.55%
1978 - -0.68%
1977 - -2.55%
1976 - -0.93%
1975 - -1.78%
1974 - -0.27%
1973 - -0.71%
1972 - -2.37%
1971 - -3.51%
1970 - -3.24%
1969 - -2.16%
1968 - -0.38%
1967 - -0.73%
1966 - -0.45%
1965 - 0.19%
1964 - -1.77%
1963 - -0.39%
1962 - -0.71%
1961 - -1.05%
1960 - -1.22%
1959 - -1.31%
1958 - -1.16%
1957 - -1.01%
1956 - -1.81%
1955 - -0.42%
1954 - -2.91%
1953 - -2.96%
1952 - -3.21%
1951 - -1.04%
1950 - -0.44%
1949 - -1.92%
1948 - 0.52%
1947 - -0.83%
1946 - 0.32%
1945 - 0%
1944 - -0.82%
1943 - -0.48%
1942 - 0%
1941 - -0.26%
1940 - -0.43%
1939 - -0.52%
1938 - -0.74%
1937 - -1.37%
1936 - -0.76%
1935 - 0%
1934 - 0.06%
1933 - 2.06%
1932 - -2.13%
1931 - -0.94%
1930 - -1.15%
1929 - -0.38%
1928 - 0.72%
1927 - 0.37%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/honduras | 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 Honduras' deficit of $415M, or 1.12% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Honduras ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.62% of GDP for Honduras.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Honduras
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Honduras
2024 0.85% 4.61%
2023 4.05% 6.66%
2022 7.2% 9.09%
2021 3.47% 4.48%
2020 -0.37% 3.47%
2019 0.08% 4.37%
2018 1.09% 4.35%
2017 1.01% 3.93%
2016 0.6% 2.72%
2015 -0.73% 3.16%
2014 1.14% 6.13%
2013 0.76% 5.16%
2012 1.73% 5.2%
2011 5.13% 6.76%
2010 1.18% 4.7%
2009 1.06% 5.5%
2008 6.71% 11.4%
2007 4.58% 6.94%
2006 4.04% 5.58%
2005 4.69% 8.81%
2004 4.45% 8.11%
2003 2.12% 7.67%
2002 1.87% 7.69%
2001 3.75% 9.67%
2000 2.27% 11%
1999 0.51% 11.7%
1998 2.55% 13.7%
1997 4.49% 20.2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 7.24% in Honduras. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 4.61% in Honduras.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $326M
Chemicals & pharma $223M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $162M
Wood & paper products $93.3M
Metals $70.9M
Raw materials & minerals $62.5M
Raw agricultural goods $45.7M
Machinery & equipment $41.2M
Animal & marine products $8.62M
Miscellaneous $7.94M
Honduras
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $149M
Chemicals & pharma $116M
Metals $47.8M
Animal & marine products $41.3M
Raw agricultural goods $31.9M
Wood & paper products $29.9M
Machinery & equipment $25.3M
Raw materials & minerals $19.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.43M
Miscellaneous $1.88M

Balance of trade

El Salvador Honduras
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$1.65B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
137/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-4.45%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$14.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$5.67B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$3.67B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$3.75B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
57.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
33.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Honduras
Economic freedom 57.7 59.1
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 105/197
Property rights 42.7 35.7
Government integrity 31.5 24.6
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 27.6
Tax burden 76.8 83.1
Government spending 72.7 80.3
Fiscal health 59.4 95.2
Business freedom 65.7 59.4
Labor freedom 51.6 37.9
Monetary freedom 70.6 70.1
Trade freedom 76.4 69.8
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Honduras
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Honduras
2026 57.7 59.1
2025 56.6 59.6
2024 54.4 58.6
2023 56 58.7
2022 59.6 59.5
2021 61 59.8
2020 61.6 61.1
2019 61.8 60.2
2018 63.2 60.6
2017 64.1 58.8
2016 65.1 57.7
2015 65.7 57.4
2014 66.2 57.1
2013 66.7 58.4
2012 68.7 58.8
2011 68.8 58.6
2010 69.9 58.3
2009 69.8 58.7
2008 68.5 58.9
2007 68.9 59.1
2006 69.6 57.4
2005 71.5 55.3
2004 71.2 55.3
2003 71.5 60.4
2002 73 58.7
2001 73 57
2000 76.3 57.6
1999 75.1 56.7
1998 70.2 56.2
1997 70.5 56
1996 70.1 56.6
1995 69.1 57

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 59.1 for Honduras, ranking 105/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Honduras
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
58.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
26.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
11.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$32.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$6,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$8.04B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
84/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$620M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$1.31B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$689M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
5.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
62.9%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
22.5%
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/honduras | 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 (1927–1989, 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 (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.