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Economy of El Salvador vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 105/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

El Salvador vs Iceland GDP by year

El Salvador
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Iceland
2024 $35,364,960,000 $33,255,181,469
2023 $33,853,940,000 $31,677,891,897
2022 $31,870,120,000 $29,166,102,877
2021 $29,043,140,000 $26,234,872,402
2020 $24,921,190,000 $22,034,665,041
2019 $26,881,140,000 $24,985,687,022
2018 $26,020,850,000 $26,677,652,544
2017 $24,979,190,000 $25,060,086,488
2016 $24,191,430,000 $21,083,713,310
2015 $23,438,240,000 $17,700,486,957
2014 $22,593,470,000 $18,052,183,515
2013 $21,990,960,000 $16,244,319,959
2012 $21,386,150,000 $14,943,757,823
2011 $20,283,780,000 $15,394,005,872
2010 $18,447,920,000 $13,922,711,577
2009 $17,601,620,000 $13,212,543,838
2008 $17,986,890,000 $18,247,921,360
2007 $17,011,750,000 $21,960,110,030
2006 $15,999,890,000 $17,671,649,843
2005 $14,698,000,000 $17,146,410,561
2004 $13,724,810,900 $13,963,943,244
2003 $13,243,892,200 $11,564,687,742
2002 $12,664,190,300 $9,416,199,700
2001 $12,282,533,600 $8,323,401,820
2000 $11,784,927,700 $9,140,168,922
1999 $11,284,197,000 $9,107,644,691
1998 $10,936,669,900 $8,637,732,542
1997 $10,221,705,900 $7,716,781,803
1996 $9,586,327,800 $7,686,566,105
1995 $8,921,947,100 $7,372,640,169
1994 $7,679,384,000 $6,612,804,056
1993 $6,680,269,200 $6,435,952,174
1992 $5,813,399,300 $7,328,497,599
1991 $5,252,342,400 $7,151,260,062
1990 $4,817,542,204 $6,694,851,159
1989 $4,372,215,300 $5,870,854,233
1988 $4,189,880,000 $6,320,093,411
1987 $3,958,045,800 $5,713,281,235
1986 $3,771,663,200 $4,129,080,094
1985 $3,800,368,600 $3,088,359,967
1984 $3,661,683,400 $2,964,568,006
1983 $3,506,347,800 $2,862,634,164
1982 $3,399,189,100 $3,318,714,326
1981 $3,437,200,200 $3,615,094,820
1980 $3,573,959,900 $3,499,616,683
1979 $3,463,639,900 $2,953,176,971
1978 $3,127,960,000 $2,599,627,089
1977 $2,941,640,100 $2,285,707,749
1976 $2,328,280,100 $1,727,845,419
1975 $1,884,120,100 $1,456,052,700
1974 $1,665,880,000 $1,568,154,077
1973 $1,442,320,000 $1,194,794,186
1972 $1,263,720,000 $869,002,946
1971 $1,186,120,000 $693,679,545
1970 $1,132,920,000 $545,115,909
1969 $1,049,400,000 $435,659,610
1968 $1,009,760,100 $498,365,200
1967 $976,200,000 $652,609,076
1966 $929,520,000 $660,663,763
1965 $877,720,000 $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Iceland by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $956 $2,945 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $892 $2,856 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $825 - $23,219 -
1988 $806 - $25,307 -
1987 $777 - $23,238 -
1986 $755 - $16,980 -
1985 $776 - $12,793 -
1984 $763 - $12,378 -
1983 $745 - $12,080 -
1982 $735 - $14,191 -
1981 $752 - $15,666 -
1980 $787 - $15,340 -
1979 $773 - $13,082 -
1978 $712 - $11,630 -
1977 $684 - $10,305 -
1976 $553 - $7,848 -
1975 $457 - $6,680 -
1974 $413 - $7,287 -
1973 $366 - $5,627 -
1972 $329 - $4,155 -
1971 $316 - $3,366 -
1970 $309 - $2,666 -
1969 $293.4 - $2,142 -
1968 $290.1 - $2,473 -
1967 $288.4 - $3,284 -
1966 $282.4 - $3,378 -
1965 $274.3 - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Iceland
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
3.56%
2024
Population
6399793
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 45% 61.5%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 31.1% 88% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 43% 65.7%
2018 27.6% 77% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 43% 96.3%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 27.4% 70% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 50% 136.6%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 26% 65.8% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 22.6% 46% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 45% 81.3%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 21% 29.6% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 19.7% 28% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 21% 28.5% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 18.6% 28% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 45% 54.8%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 42.8% 37.6%
1990 15.9% - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

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

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 36/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Iceland
2024 -4.55% -3.51%
2023 -4.69% -2.28%
2022 -2.68% -3.93%
2021 -5.53% -8.33%
2020 -8.18% -8.73%
2019 -3.07% -1.57%
2018 -2.71% 0.94%
2017 -2.53% 0.97%
2016 -3.1% 12.4%
2015 -3.63% -0.39%
2014 -4.02% 0.29%
2013 -4.46% -1.24%
2012 -3.81% -2.59%
2011 -4.47% -6.46%
2010 -4.97% -6.58%
2009 -6.65% -8.54%
2008 -3.8% -12%
2007 -2.32% 5.52%
2006 -3.42% 6.37%
2005 -3.47% 4.92%
2004 -2.76% 0.28%
2003 -4.23% -2.3%
2002 -5.5% -2.25%
2001 -4.95% -0.28%
2000 -3.45% 1.43%
1999 -3.08% 1.3%
1998 -2.94% -0.56%
1997 -1.97% 0.04%
1996 -2.7% -1.52%
1995 -0.18% -2.87%
1994 -0.94% -4.59%
1993 -1.42% -4.36%
1992 -4.29% -1.86%
1991 -2.3% -0.66%
1990 -0.61% -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.6% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Iceland
2024 0.85% 5.86%
2023 4.05% 8.74%
2022 7.2% 8.31%
2021 3.47% 4.44%
2020 -0.37% 2.85%
2019 0.08% 3.01%
2018 1.09% 2.68%
2017 1.01% 1.76%
2016 0.6% 1.7%
2015 -0.73% 1.63%
2014 1.14% 2.04%
2013 0.76% 3.87%
2012 1.73% 5.19%
2011 5.13% 4%
2010 1.18% 5.4%
2009 1.06% 12%
2008 6.71% 12.7%
2007 4.58% 5.05%
2006 4.04% 6.69%
2005 4.69% 3.99%
2004 4.45% 3.16%
2003 2.12% 2.06%
2002 1.87% 5.2%
2001 3.75% 6.41%
2000 2.27% 5.14%
1999 0.51% 3.23%
1998 2.55% 1.66%
1997 4.49% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Iceland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $50K
Raw materials & minerals $5K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Iceland
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Iceland
Economic freedom 57.7 75
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 19/197
Property rights 42.7 94.9
Government integrity 31.5 85
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 95.2
Tax burden 76.8 72.2
Government spending 72.7 37
Fiscal health 59.4 76.2
Business freedom 65.7 86.8
Labor freedom 51.6 59.3
Monetary freedom 70.6 73.5
Trade freedom 76.4 79.8
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Iceland
2026 57.7 75
2025 56.6 72.8
2024 54.4 70.5
2023 56 72.2
2022 59.6 77
2021 61 77.4
2020 61.6 77.1
2019 61.8 77.1
2018 63.2 77
2017 64.1 74.4
2016 65.1 73.3
2015 65.7 72
2014 66.2 72.4
2013 66.7 72.1
2012 68.7 70.9
2011 68.8 68.2
2010 69.9 73.7
2009 69.8 75.9
2008 68.5 75.8
2007 68.9 76
2006 69.6 75.8
2005 71.5 76.6
2004 71.2 72.1
2003 71.5 73.5
2002 73 73.1
2001 73 73.4
2000 76.3 74
1999 75.1 71.4
1998 70.2 71.2
1997 70.5 70.5
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/iceland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Iceland
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
26.1%
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/iceland | 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 (1909–1989, 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 (2021–2024, 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.