Skip to content

Economy of El Salvador vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $136B for Kenya, ranking 108/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $94.3B (69.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

El Salvador vs Kenya GDP by year

El Salvador
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Kenya
2025 $36,708,110,000 $135,941,278,879
2024 $34,879,730,000 $120,397,537,850
2023 $33,565,430,000 $107,500,884,685
2022 $31,870,110,000 $114,448,978,153
2021 $29,043,140,000 $109,703,658,905
2020 $24,921,190,000 $100,657,505,751
2019 $26,881,140,000 $100,378,436,207
2018 $26,020,850,000 $92,202,979,985
2017 $24,979,190,000 $82,036,510,877
2016 $24,191,430,000 $74,815,144,164
2015 $23,438,240,000 $70,120,446,897
2014 $22,593,470,000 $68,285,796,514
2013 $21,990,960,000 $61,671,440,408
2012 $21,386,150,000 $56,396,704,672
2011 $20,283,780,000 $46,869,473,151
2010 $18,447,920,000 $45,405,615,064
2009 $17,601,620,000 $42,347,217,913
2008 $17,986,890,000 $35,895,153,328
2007 $17,011,750,000 $31,958,195,182
2006 $15,999,890,000 $25,825,512,284
2005 $14,698,000,000 $18,737,895,513
2004 $13,724,810,900 $16,095,337,094
2003 $13,243,892,200 $14,904,517,650
2002 $12,664,190,300 $13,147,736,899
2001 $12,282,533,600 $12,986,007,426
2000 $11,784,927,700 $12,705,350,098
1999 $11,284,197,000 $12,896,010,459
1998 $10,936,669,900 $14,093,998,844
1997 $10,221,705,900 $13,115,764,358
1996 $9,586,327,800 $12,045,865,396
1995 $8,921,947,100 $9,046,320,255
1994 $7,679,384,000 $7,148,148,564
1993 $6,680,269,200 $5,751,786,643
1992 $5,813,399,300 $8,209,120,763
1991 $5,252,342,400 $8,151,488,783
1990 $4,817,542,204 $8,572,359,038
1989 $4,372,215,300 $8,283,114,514
1988 $4,189,880,000 $8,355,380,879
1987 $3,958,045,800 $7,970,820,369
1986 $3,771,663,200 $7,239,126,568
1985 $3,800,368,600 $6,135,034,214
1984 $3,661,683,400 $6,191,437,070
1983 $3,506,347,800 $5,979,198,314
1982 $3,399,189,100 $6,431,579,357
1981 $3,437,200,200 $6,854,491,706
1980 $3,573,959,900 $7,265,315,820
1979 $3,463,639,900 $6,234,391,113
1978 $3,127,960,000 $5,303,735,111
1977 $2,941,640,100 $4,494,378,764
1976 $2,328,280,100 $3,474,542,392
1975 $1,884,120,100 $3,259,345,083
1974 $1,665,880,000 $2,969,958,812
1973 $1,442,320,000 $2,509,001,324
1972 $1,263,720,000 $2,107,279,157
1971 $1,186,120,000 $1,778,391,289
1970 $1,132,920,000 $1,603,447,359
1969 $1,049,400,000 $1,458,379,417
1968 $1,009,760,100 $1,353,295,459
1967 $976,200,000 $1,232,559,507
1966 $929,520,000 $1,164,519,674
1965 $877,720,000 $997,919,321
1964 - $998,759,334
1963 - $926,589,349
1962 - $868,111,401
1961 - $792,959,473
1960 - $791,265,459

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Kenya by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $2,363 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $2,133 $6,644
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $916 $2,459
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $840 $2,481
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $700 $2,330
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $523 $2,189
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $464 $2,066
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $443 $1,975
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $403 $1,940
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $411 $1,961
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $415 $1,907
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $434 $1,910
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $488 $1,895
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $467 $1,865
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $441 $1,875
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $340 $1,818
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $229 $1,723
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $337 $1,728
1991 $956 $2,945 $345 $1,756
1990 $892 $2,856 $374 $1,729
1989 $825 - $374 -
1988 $806 - $391 -
1987 $777 - $387 -
1986 $755 - $364 -
1985 $776 - $320 -
1984 $763 - $334 -
1983 $745 - $335 -
1982 $735 - $374 -
1981 $752 - $413 -
1980 $787 - $454 -
1979 $773 - $403 -
1978 $712 - $355 -
1977 $684 - $311 -
1976 $553 - $248.9 -
1975 $457 - $241.2 -
1974 $413 - $227.2 -
1973 $366 - $198.6 -
1972 $329 - $172.6 -
1971 $316 - $150.9 -
1970 $309 - $141 -
1969 $293.4 - $133.3 -
1968 $290.1 - $128.7 -
1967 $288.4 - $121.9 -
1966 $282.4 - $119.8 -
1965 $274.3 - $106.9 -
1964 - - $111.3 -
1963 - - $107.4 -
1962 - - $104.6 -
1961 - - $99.3 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $2,363 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Kenya
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$136B
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
4.63%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$2,363
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
154/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$94.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
69.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$1,638
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
126/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$2,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$22.8B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
30.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
4.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
8.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
5.44%
2022
Population
6404781
59218766

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 24% 69.3%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 23.2% 67.3%
2023 30.5% 85% 22.6% 73.4%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 23.1% 67.8%
2021 31.1% 88% 24% 68.2%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 24.8% 68%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 27.6% 77% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 25.3% 50.4%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 27.4% 70% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 26% 65.8% 20.3% 36%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 22.6% 46% 16% 43.8%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 15.7% 42%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 21% 29.6% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 19.7% 28% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 15.6% 36%
1996 21% 28.5% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 18.6% 28% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 18.8% 57%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 18.9% 61.6%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 17.6% 41.2%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 16.4% 43%
1990 15.9% - 17.2% 37.6%
1989 - - 16.3% 33.4%
1988 - - 15.9% 33.9%
1987 - - 15.5% 36.3%
1986 - - 15.3% 31.3%
1985 - - 15.6% 28.8%
1984 - - 14.9% 25.6%
1983 - - 14.6% 26.1%
1982 - - 16.2% 26.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $32.6B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 69.3% in Kenya, ranking 32/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Kenya
2025 -2.82% -6.41%
2024 -4.55% -5.74%
2023 -4.69% -5.61%
2022 -2.68% -6.01%
2021 -5.53% -7.2%
2020 -8.14% -8.13%
2019 -3.07% -7.4%
2018 -2.71% -6.91%
2017 -2.53% -7.37%
2016 -3.1% -7.45%
2015 -3.63% -6.68%
2014 -4.02% -5.75%
2013 -4.46% -5.25%
2012 -3.81% -5.29%
2011 -4.47% -3.64%
2010 -4.97% -3.67%
2009 -6.65% -3.12%
2008 -3.8% -1.95%
2007 -2.32% -0.95%
2006 -3.42% -0.43%
2005 -3.47% -0.19%
2004 -2.76% 0.5%
2003 -4.23% -0.73%
2002 -5.5% -1.29%
2001 -4.95% -0.53%
2000 -3.45% 0.38%
1999 -3.08% 0.84%
1998 -2.94% -0.03%
1997 -1.97% -0.91%
1996 -2.7% -0.49%
1995 -0.18% -0.23%
1994 -0.94% -4.14%
1993 -1.42% -8.57%
1992 -4.29% -8.28%
1991 -2.3% -6.56%
1990 -0.61% -3.28%
1989 - -2.39%
1988 - -1.97%
1987 - -2.27%
1986 - -2.98%
1985 - -3.05%
1984 - -2.55%
1983 - -2.17%
1982 - -3.07%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.03B, equivalent to 2.82% of GDP. This compares to Kenya's deficit of $8.72B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.85% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Kenya
2025 0.26% 4.07%
2024 0.85% 4.49%
2023 4.05% 7.67%
2022 7.2% 7.66%
2021 3.47% 6.11%
2020 -0.37% 5.41%
2019 0.08% 5.24%
2018 1.09% 4.69%
2017 1.01% 8.01%
2016 0.6% 6.3%
2015 -0.73% 6.58%
2014 1.14% 6.88%
2013 0.76% 5.72%
2012 1.73% 9.38%
2011 5.13% 14%
2010 1.18% 3.96%
2009 1.06% 9.23%
2008 6.71% 26.2%
2007 4.58% 9.76%
2006 4.04% 14.5%
2005 4.69% 10.3%
2004 4.45% 11.6%
2003 2.12% 9.82%
2002 1.87% 1.96%
2001 3.75% 5.74%
2000 2.27% 9.98%
1999 0.51% 5.74%
1998 2.55% 6.72%
1997 4.49% 11.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.43%, compared with 8.25% in Kenya. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 4.07% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $34K
Wood & paper products $8K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $19K
Animal & marine products $9K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Kenya
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
21.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Kenya
Economic freedom 57.7 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 128/197
Property rights 42.7 40.2
Government integrity 31.5 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 47
Tax burden 76.8 76.3
Government spending 72.7 84.1
Fiscal health 59.4 36.2
Business freedom 65.7 61.5
Labor freedom 51.6 56.5
Monetary freedom 70.6 75.1
Trade freedom 76.4 52
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Kenya
2026 57.7 55.5
2025 56.6 54.8
2024 54.4 53.6
2023 56 52.5
2022 59.6 52.6
2021 61 54.9
2020 61.6 55.3
2019 61.8 55.1
2018 63.2 54.7
2017 64.1 53.5
2016 65.1 57.5
2015 65.7 55.6
2014 66.2 57.1
2013 66.7 55.9
2012 68.7 57.5
2011 68.8 57.4
2010 69.9 57.5
2009 69.8 58.7
2008 68.5 59.3
2007 68.9 59.6
2006 69.6 59.7
2005 71.5 57.9
2004 71.2 57.7
2003 71.5 58.6
2002 73 58.2
2001 73 57.6
2000 76.3 59.7
1999 75.1 58.2
1998 70.2 58.4
1997 70.5 60.1
1996 70.1 56.4
1995 69.1 54.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Kenya
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
55.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
16.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
23.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$127B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$6,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
$12.4B
2025
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
76/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
4.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
17%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.