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Economy of El Salvador vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 105/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

El Salvador vs Ireland GDP by year

El Salvador
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Ireland
2024 $35,364,960,000 $609,157,459,747
2023 $33,853,940,000 $567,372,737,459
2022 $31,870,120,000 $548,341,794,599
2021 $29,043,140,000 $530,394,123,830
2020 $24,921,190,000 $436,009,027,819
2019 $26,881,140,000 $407,211,793,801
2018 $26,020,850,000 $395,780,319,817
2017 $24,979,190,000 $348,355,212,569
2016 $24,191,430,000 $305,431,252,709
2015 $23,438,240,000 $302,101,388,556
2014 $22,593,470,000 $266,490,442,124
2013 $21,990,960,000 $242,924,245,719
2012 $21,386,150,000 $226,921,827,888
2011 $20,283,780,000 $240,975,871,047
2010 $18,447,920,000 $221,732,824,603
2009 $17,601,620,000 $236,443,115,854
2008 $17,986,890,000 $275,447,471,451
2007 $17,011,750,000 $270,079,279,420
2006 $15,999,890,000 $232,180,617,162
2005 $14,698,000,000 $211,876,989,656
2004 $13,724,810,900 $194,372,115,041
2003 $13,243,892,200 $164,670,771,260
2002 $12,664,190,300 $128,596,035,288
2001 $12,282,533,600 $109,346,669,230
2000 $11,784,927,700 $100,207,610,430
1999 $11,284,197,000 $98,893,958,263
1998 $10,936,669,900 $90,199,410,116
1997 $10,221,705,900 $82,856,648,758
1996 $9,586,327,800 $75,790,786,290
1995 $8,921,947,100 $69,139,823,232
1994 $7,679,384,000 $57,097,656,066
1993 $6,680,269,200 $52,417,477,614
1992 $5,813,399,300 $55,918,538,121
1991 $5,252,342,400 $49,787,501,584
1990 $4,817,542,204 $49,305,632,408
1989 $4,372,215,300 $39,238,392,678
1988 $4,189,880,000 $37,772,896,221
1987 $3,958,045,800 $33,920,518,493
1986 $3,771,663,200 $28,714,571,852
1985 $3,800,368,600 $21,270,013,326
1984 $3,661,683,400 $20,106,648,455
1983 $3,506,347,800 $20,766,047,764
1982 $3,399,189,100 $21,474,752,962
1981 $3,437,200,200 $20,670,190,138
1980 $3,573,959,900 $21,747,855,640
1979 $3,463,639,900 $18,319,334,300
1978 $3,127,960,000 $14,647,996,074
1977 $2,941,640,100 $11,248,340,431
1976 $2,328,280,100 $9,453,756,015
1975 $1,884,120,100 $9,483,808,362
1974 $1,665,880,000 $7,896,860,615
1973 $1,442,320,000 $7,481,173,066
1972 $1,263,720,000 $6,318,060,582
1971 $1,186,120,000 $5,098,250,287
1970 $1,132,920,000 $4,395,995,086
1969 $1,049,400,000 $3,902,721,632
1968 $1,009,760,100 $3,378,701,147
1967 $976,200,000 $3,445,739,915
1966 $929,520,000 $3,198,820,904
1965 $877,720,000 $3,035,655,794
1964 - $2,851,091,646
1963 - $2,505,073,358
1962 - $2,329,372,972
1961 - $2,151,772,980
1960 - $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Ireland by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $956 $2,945 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $892 $2,856 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $825 - $11,176 -
1988 $806 - $10,716 -
1987 $777 - $9,582 -
1986 $755 - $8,112 -
1985 $776 - $6,012 -
1984 $763 - $5,692 -
1983 $745 - $5,915 -
1982 $735 - $6,161 -
1981 $752 - $5,986 -
1980 $787 - $6,372 -
1979 $773 - $5,430 -
1978 $712 - $4,400 -
1977 $684 - $3,427 -
1976 $553 - $2,920 -
1975 $457 - $2,973 -
1974 $413 - $2,517 -
1973 $366 - $2,424 -
1972 $329 - $2,080 -
1971 $316 - $1,704 -
1970 $309 - $1,487 -
1969 $293.4 - $1,331 -
1968 $290.1 - $1,159 -
1967 $288.4 - $1,187 -
1966 $282.4 - $1,107 -
1965 $274.3 - $1,055 -
1964 - - $995 -
1963 - - $878 -
1962 - - $821 -
1961 - - $762 -
1960 - - $707 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Ireland
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
4.27%
2024
Population
6399793
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 31.1% 88% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 27.6% 77% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 28.1% 74%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 27.4% 70% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 26% 65.8% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 33% 26.1%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 22.6% 46% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 21% 29.6% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 19.7% 28% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 21% 28.5% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 18.6% 28% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 44.2% 88%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 46.1% 93.8%
1990 15.9% - 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

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/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 36/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Ireland
2024 -4.55% 4.09%
2023 -4.69% 1.52%
2022 -2.68% 1.67%
2021 -5.53% -1.37%
2020 -8.18% -4.87%
2019 -3.07% 0.41%
2018 -2.71% 0.09%
2017 -2.53% -0.3%
2016 -3.1% -0.76%
2015 -3.63% -1.97%
2014 -4.02% -3.52%
2013 -4.46% -6.28%
2012 -3.81% -8.42%
2011 -4.47% -13.5%
2010 -4.97% -32.1%
2009 -6.65% -13.9%
2008 -3.8% -7.03%
2007 -2.32% 0.27%
2006 -3.42% 2.78%
2005 -3.47% 1.57%
2004 -2.76% 1.3%
2003 -4.23% 0.35%
2002 -5.5% -0.52%
2001 -4.95% 0.96%
2000 -3.45% 4.86%
1999 -3.08% 3.54%
1998 -2.94% 2.07%
1997 -1.97% 1.37%
1996 -2.7% -0.2%
1995 -0.18% -2.07%
1994 -0.94% -1.82%
1993 -1.42% -2.62%
1992 -4.29% -2.84%
1991 -2.3% -2.8%
1990 -0.61% -2.69%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Ireland
2024 0.85% 2.11%
2023 4.05% 6.3%
2022 7.2% 7.83%
2021 3.47% 2.34%
2020 -0.37% -0.33%
2019 0.08% 0.94%
2018 1.09% 0.47%
2017 1.01% 0.36%
2016 0.6% 0.02%
2015 -0.73% -0.33%
2014 1.14% 0.19%
2013 0.76% 0.52%
2012 1.73% 1.69%
2011 5.13% 2.55%
2010 1.18% -0.92%
2009 1.06% -4.45%
2008 6.71% 4.04%
2007 4.58% 4.89%
2006 4.04% 3.94%
2005 4.69% 2.46%
2004 4.45% 2.18%
2003 2.12% 3.49%
2002 1.87% 4.63%
2001 3.75% 4.85%
2000 2.27% 5.58%
1999 0.51% 1.63%
1998 2.55% 2.41%
1997 4.49% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $957K
Raw agricultural goods $659K
Textiles & consumer goods $146K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Miscellaneous $1K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.96M
Chemicals & pharma $3.17M
Machinery & equipment $1.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $946K
Animal & marine products $910K
Metals $42K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Ireland
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Ireland
Economic freedom 57.7 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 3/197
Property rights 42.7 94.4
Government integrity 31.5 84
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 95.4
Tax burden 76.8 77.7
Government spending 72.7 85.9
Fiscal health 59.4 97
Business freedom 65.7 85.5
Labor freedom 51.6 61.3
Monetary freedom 70.6 79.3
Trade freedom 76.4 79.4
Investment freedom 70 90
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Ireland
2026 57.7 83.3
2025 56.6 83.1
2024 54.4 82.6
2023 56 82
2022 59.6 82
2021 61 81.4
2020 61.6 80.9
2019 61.8 80.5
2018 63.2 80.4
2017 64.1 76.7
2016 65.1 77.3
2015 65.7 76.6
2014 66.2 76.2
2013 66.7 75.7
2012 68.7 76.9
2011 68.8 78.7
2010 69.9 81.3
2009 69.8 82.2
2008 68.5 82.5
2007 68.9 82.6
2006 69.6 82.2
2005 71.5 80.8
2004 71.2 80.3
2003 71.5 80.9
2002 73 80.5
2001 73 81.2
2000 76.3 76.1
1999 75.1 74.6
1998 70.2 73.7
1997 70.5 72.6
1996 70.1 68.5
1995 69.1 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Ireland
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
18.2%
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/ireland | 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 (1926–1989, 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.