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Economy of El Salvador vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 105/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

El Salvador vs Lebanon GDP by year

El Salvador
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Lebanon
2024 $35,364,960,000 -
2023 $33,853,940,000 $20,078,620,357
2022 $31,870,120,000 $20,992,421,949
2021 $29,043,140,000 $23,131,941,557
2020 $24,921,190,000 $31,712,128,254
2019 $26,881,140,000 $51,605,959,131
2018 $26,020,850,000 $54,901,519,156
2017 $24,979,190,000 $53,027,680,686
2016 $24,191,430,000 $51,147,308,774
2015 $23,438,240,000 $49,929,337,837
2014 $22,593,470,000 $48,095,213,747
2013 $21,990,960,000 $46,880,103,081
2012 $21,386,150,000 $44,016,799,516
2011 $20,283,780,000 $39,927,125,962
2010 $18,447,920,000 $38,443,907,042
2009 $17,601,620,000 $35,399,582,929
2008 $17,986,890,000 $29,118,916,105
2007 $17,011,750,000 $24,827,355,015
2006 $15,999,890,000 $22,022,709,851
2005 $14,698,000,000 $21,497,336,499
2004 $13,724,810,900 $21,159,827,992
2003 $13,243,892,200 $20,082,918,740
2002 $12,664,190,300 $19,152,238,806
2001 $12,282,533,600 $17,649,751,244
2000 $11,784,927,700 $17,260,364,842
1999 $11,284,197,000 $17,391,056,369
1998 $10,936,669,900 $17,247,179,006
1997 $10,221,705,900 $15,751,867,489
1996 $9,586,327,800 $13,690,217,334
1995 $8,921,947,100 $11,718,795,529
1994 $7,679,384,000 $9,599,127,050
1993 $6,680,269,200 $7,941,744,492
1992 $5,813,399,300 $5,843,579,161
1991 $5,252,342,400 $4,690,415,093
1990 $4,817,542,204 $2,838,485,354
1989 $4,372,215,300 $2,717,998,688
1988 $4,189,880,000 $3,313,540,068
1987 $3,958,045,800 -
1986 $3,771,663,200 -
1985 $3,800,368,600 -
1984 $3,661,683,400 -
1983 $3,506,347,800 -
1982 $3,399,189,100 -
1981 $3,437,200,200 -
1980 $3,573,959,900 -
1979 $3,463,639,900 -
1978 $3,127,960,000 -
1977 $2,941,640,100 -
1976 $2,328,280,100 -
1975 $1,884,120,100 -
1974 $1,665,880,000 -
1973 $1,442,320,000 -
1972 $1,263,720,000 -
1971 $1,186,120,000 -
1970 $1,132,920,000 -
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/lebanon | CC BY

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Lebanon by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 - -
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $956 $2,945 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $892 $2,856 $790 $2,990
1989 $825 - $771 -
1988 $806 - $959 -
1987 $777 - - -
1986 $755 - - -
1985 $776 - - -
1984 $763 - - -
1983 $745 - - -
1982 $735 - - -
1981 $752 - - -
1980 $787 - - -
1979 $773 - - -
1978 $712 - - -
1977 $684 - - -
1976 $553 - - -
1975 $457 - - -
1974 $413 - - -
1973 $366 - - -
1972 $329 - - -
1971 $316 - - -
1970 $309 - - -
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/lebanon | CC BY

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
105/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
6399793
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 31.1% 88% 10.9% 358%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 27.6% 77% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 30.6% 150%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 27.4% 70% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 26% 65.8% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 22.6% 46% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 21% 29.6% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 19.7% 28% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 21% 28.5% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 18.6% 28% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 23% 50.5%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 15.9% - 40% 99.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 36/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Lebanon
2024 -4.55% -0.19%
2023 -4.69% -1.7%
2022 -2.68% -7.77%
2021 -5.53% -2.67%
2020 -8.18% -7.37%
2019 -3.07% -10.5%
2018 -2.71% -11.3%
2017 -2.53% -8.65%
2016 -3.1% -8.88%
2015 -3.63% -7.48%
2014 -4.02% -6.22%
2013 -4.46% -8.82%
2012 -3.81% -8.43%
2011 -4.47% -5.94%
2010 -4.97% -7.47%
2009 -6.65% -8.1%
2008 -3.8% -9.86%
2007 -2.32% -10.9%
2006 -3.42% -10.6%
2005 -3.47% -8.57%
2004 -2.76% -9.83%
2003 -4.23% -14%
2002 -5.5% -16.2%
2001 -4.95% -21%
2000 -3.45% -23.9%
1999 -3.08% -16.7%
1998 -2.94% -17.3%
1997 -1.97% -24.5%
1996 -2.7% -25.7%
1995 -0.18% -13.6%
1994 -0.94% -29.1%
1993 -1.42% -7.19%
1992 -4.29% -24%
1991 -2.3% -19.5%
1990 -0.61% -30.2%

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

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

In 2023, El Salvador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.59B, equivalent to 4.69% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Lebanon
2024 0.85% 45.2%
2023 4.05% 221.3%
2022 7.2% 171.2%
2021 3.47% 154.8%
2020 -0.37% 84.9%
2019 0.08% 2.9%
2018 1.09% 6.1%
2017 1.01% 4.5%
2016 0.6% -0.8%
2015 -0.73% -3.8%
2014 1.14% 1.1%
2013 0.76% 5.6%
2012 1.73% 6.6%
2011 5.13% 5%
2010 1.18% 4%
2009 1.06% 1.2%
2008 6.71% 10.7%
2007 4.58% 4.1%
2006 4.04% 4.1%
2005 4.69% -1.4%
2004 4.45% 1.7%
2003 2.12% 1.3%
2002 1.87% 1.8%
2001 3.75% -0.4%
2000 2.27% -0.4%
1999 0.51% 0.2%
1998 2.55% 4.5%
1997 4.49% 7.7%

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/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $36K
Miscellaneous $10K
Metals $5K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Lebanon
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$6B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Lebanon
Economic freedom 57.7 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 183/197
Property rights 42.7 21.8
Government integrity 31.5 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 23.8
Tax burden 76.8 90.3
Government spending 72.7 93.3
Fiscal health 59.4 63.4
Business freedom 65.7 47.6
Labor freedom 51.6 48.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 0
Trade freedom 76.4 65.6
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Lebanon
2026 57.7 43.1
2025 56.6 44.1
2024 54.4 48.3
2023 56 45.6
2022 59.6 47.3
2021 61 51.4
2020 61.6 51.7
2019 61.8 51.1
2018 63.2 53.2
2017 64.1 53.3
2016 65.1 59.5
2015 65.7 59.3
2014 66.2 59.4
2013 66.7 59.5
2012 68.7 60.1
2011 68.8 60.1
2010 69.9 59.5
2009 69.8 58.1
2008 68.5 60
2007 68.9 60.4
2006 69.6 57.5
2005 71.5 57.2
2004 71.2 56.9
2003 71.5 56.7
2002 73 57.1
2001 73 61
2000 76.3 56.1
1999 75.1 59.1
1998 70.2 59
1997 70.5 63.9
1996 70.1 63.2
1995 69.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
1.9%
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/lebanon | CC BY

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.