Skip to content

Economy of El Salvador vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $308M for Kiribati, ranking 105/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $30.5M (9.92% of GDP) in Kiribati.

El Salvador vs Kiribati GDP by year

El Salvador
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Kiribati
2024 $35,364,960,000 $307,862,564
2023 $33,853,940,000 $288,610,748
2022 $31,870,120,000 $270,040,453
2021 $29,043,140,000 $285,259,881
2020 $24,921,190,000 $220,898,020
2019 $26,881,140,000 $216,985,388
2018 $26,020,850,000 $233,514,717
2017 $24,979,190,000 $222,875,736
2016 $24,191,430,000 $206,467,819
2015 $23,438,240,000 $191,559,399
2014 $22,593,470,000 $200,287,282
2013 $21,990,960,000 $201,730,861
2012 $21,386,150,000 $207,001,546
2011 $20,283,780,000 $195,970,140
2010 $18,447,920,000 $165,458,433
2009 $17,601,620,000 $140,177,384
2008 $17,986,890,000 $147,017,895
2007 $17,011,750,000 $138,054,946
2006 $15,999,890,000 $112,338,353
2005 $14,698,000,000 $113,895,437
2004 $13,724,810,900 $104,085,892
2003 $13,243,892,200 $96,105,619
2002 $12,664,190,300 $74,743,869
2001 $12,282,533,600 $64,935,850
2000 $11,784,927,700 $74,910,527
1999 $11,284,197,000 $77,323,978
1998 $10,936,669,900 $74,905,706
1997 $10,221,705,900 $80,205,807
1996 $9,586,327,800 $81,456,854
1995 $8,921,947,100 $68,596,395
1994 $7,679,384,000 $67,055,334
1993 $6,680,269,200 $58,953,596
1992 $5,813,399,300 $61,491,369
1991 $5,252,342,400 $41,247,792
1990 $4,817,542,204 $36,534,295
1989 $4,372,215,300 $37,645,319
1988 $4,189,880,000 $38,278,810
1987 $3,958,045,800 $29,554,413
1986 $3,771,663,200 $25,993,009
1985 $3,800,368,600 $26,126,615
1984 $3,661,683,400 $34,394,167
1983 $3,506,347,800 $31,000,546
1982 $3,399,189,100 $32,742,713
1981 $3,437,200,200 $35,267,489
1980 $3,573,959,900 $33,157,723
1979 $3,463,639,900 $34,466,197
1978 $3,127,960,000 $36,563,965
1977 $2,941,640,100 $31,335,459
1976 $2,328,280,100 $33,246,817
1975 $1,884,120,100 $44,547,454
1974 $1,665,880,000 $69,256,489
1973 $1,442,320,000 $25,645,040
1972 $1,263,720,000 $15,314,346
1971 $1,186,120,000 $12,356,134
1970 $1,132,920,000 $11,560,877
1969 $1,049,400,000 -
1968 $1,009,760,100 -
1967 $976,200,000 -
1966 $929,520,000 -
1965 $877,720,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Kiribati by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $2,289 $3,702
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $2,178 $3,486
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $2,070 $3,329
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $2,222 $3,020
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $1,751 $2,763
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $1,913 $2,672
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $1,853 $2,562
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $810 $1,605
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $719 $1,591
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $845 $1,638
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $887 $1,526
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $874 $1,593
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $953 $1,535
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $986 $1,519
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $844 $1,518
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $838 $1,469
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $748 $1,431
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $792 $1,421
1991 $956 $2,945 $540 $1,139
1990 $892 $2,856 $488 $1,192
1989 $825 - $515 -
1988 $806 - $536 -
1987 $777 - $424 -
1986 $755 - $382 -
1985 $776 - $393 -
1984 $763 - $527 -
1983 $745 - $483 -
1982 $735 - $519 -
1981 $752 - $568 -
1980 $787 - $542 -
1979 $773 - $573 -
1978 $712 - $611 -
1977 $684 - $520 -
1976 $553 - $548 -
1975 $457 - $730 -
1974 $413 - $1,131 -
1973 $366 - $422 -
1972 $329 - $256.2 -
1971 $316 - $210.7 -
1970 $309 - $201 -
1969 $293.4 - - -
1968 $290.1 - - -
1967 $288.4 - - -
1966 $282.4 - - -
1965 $274.3 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $2,289 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$308M
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
192/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
5.27%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$2,289
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
152/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$30.5M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
9.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$226.9
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
181/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$1,967
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
22.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
98.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
2.79%
2023
Population
6399793
139020

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 98.1% 9.92%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 95.3% 11.4%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 87.5% 16.3%
2021 31.1% 88% 84% 17.3%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 102.2% 21%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 108.3% 19%
2018 27.6% 77% 108.8% 19%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 99% 21.2%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 78% 8.86%
2012 27.4% 70% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 26% 65.8% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 22.6% 46% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 101.3% 17%
2000 21% 29.6% 66% 12.7%
1999 19.7% 28% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 21% 28.5% 68.4% 11%
1995 18.6% 28% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 54.6% 12.3%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 55.3% 10.9%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 65.9% 7.31%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 82.1% 8.43%
1990 15.9% - 105.5% 7.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $302M, or 98.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 9.92% in Kiribati, ranking 36/185 and 180/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Kiribati
2024 -4.55% -22%
2023 -4.69% 0.13%
2022 -2.68% -18.3%
2021 -5.53% -10.8%
2020 -8.18% 3.57%
2019 -3.07% 10.8%
2018 -2.71% 5.18%
2017 -2.53% 34.1%
2016 -3.1% 20.1%
2015 -3.63% 42.5%
2014 -4.02% 35%
2013 -4.46% 11.8%
2012 -3.81% -5.43%
2011 -4.47% -17.6%
2010 -4.97% -7.8%
2009 -6.65% -8.56%
2008 -3.8% -15.8%
2007 -2.32% -12.5%
2006 -3.42% -12.3%
2005 -3.47% -9.96%
2004 -2.76% -19.2%
2003 -4.23% -8.93%
2002 -5.5% 3.13%
2001 -4.95% -10.9%
2000 -3.45% -0.03%
1999 -3.08% -1.81%
1998 -2.94% 14.6%
1997 -1.97% 5.92%
1996 -2.7% -20.2%
1995 -0.18% -5.14%
1994 -0.94% 0.74%
1993 -1.42% 6.27%
1992 -4.29% 0.79%
1991 -2.3% 3.87%
1990 -0.61% -4.62%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/kiribati | 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 Kiribati's deficit of $67.7M, or 22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.38% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Kiribati
2024 0.85% 2.5%
2023 4.05% 9.3%
2022 7.2% 5.3%
2021 3.47% 2.1%
2020 -0.37% 2.6%
2019 0.08% -1.8%
2018 1.09% 0.6%
2017 1.01% 0.4%
2016 0.6% 1.9%
2015 -0.73% 0.6%
2014 1.14% 2.1%
2013 0.76% -1.5%
2012 1.73% -3%
2011 5.13% 1.5%
2010 1.18% -3.9%
2009 1.06% 9.8%
2008 6.71% 13.7%
2007 4.58% 3.6%
2006 4.04% -1%
2005 4.69% -0.4%
2004 4.45% -0.7%
2003 2.12% 1.6%
2002 1.87% 3.2%
2001 3.75% 6%
2000 2.27% 0.4%
1999 0.51% 1.8%
1998 2.55% 3.7%
1997 4.49% 2.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 2.25% in Kiribati. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 2.5% in Kiribati.

Balance of trade

El Salvador Kiribati
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$59.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
85/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-19.3%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$227M
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$8.49M
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$108M
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$7M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
94.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
6.27%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Kiribati
Economic freedom 57.7 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 158/197
Property rights 42.7 69.6
Government integrity 31.5 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 54.6
Tax burden 76.8 72.6
Government spending 72.7 0
Fiscal health 59.4 19.8
Business freedom 65.7 60.2
Labor freedom 51.6 65.3
Monetary freedom 70.6 76.7
Trade freedom 76.4 80
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Kiribati
2026 57.7 50.8
2025 56.6 50.9
2024 54.4 51.3
2023 56 58.8
2022 59.6 59.2
2021 61 44.4
2020 61.6 45.2
2019 61.8 47.3
2018 63.2 50.8
2017 64.1 50.9
2016 65.1 46.2
2015 65.7 46.4
2014 66.2 46.3
2013 66.7 45.9
2012 68.7 46.9
2011 68.8 44.8
2010 69.9 43.7
2009 69.8 45.7
2008 68.5 -
2007 68.9 -
2006 69.6 -
2005 71.5 -
2004 71.2 -
2003 71.5 -
2002 73 -
2001 73 -
2000 76.3 -
1999 75.1 -
1998 70.2 -
1997 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/kiribati | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 50.8 for Kiribati, ranking 158/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
67.1%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
11.5%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
27.2%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$493M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$6,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$8.06M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$16.4K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
25.8%
2023

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/kiribati | 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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.