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Economy of El Salvador vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $30.1B for Mali, ranking 108/197 and 114/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $12.6B (41.9% of GDP) in Mali.

El Salvador vs Mali GDP by year

El Salvador
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Mali
2025 $36,708,110,000 $30,069,148,581
2024 $34,879,730,000 $26,761,281,077
2023 $33,565,430,000 $24,777,941,861
2022 $31,870,110,000 $22,539,987,719
2021 $29,043,140,000 $22,999,245,263
2020 $24,921,190,000 $20,698,560,939
2019 $26,881,140,000 $20,477,421,885
2018 $26,020,850,000 $20,368,015,381
2017 $24,979,190,000 $18,308,362,040
2016 $24,191,430,000 $16,743,796,800
2015 $23,438,240,000 $15,583,181,170
2014 $22,593,470,000 $17,081,681,993
2013 $21,990,960,000 $15,747,192,681
2012 $21,386,150,000 $14,795,114,603
2011 $20,283,780,000 $15,452,791,789
2010 $18,447,920,000 $12,710,739,160
2009 $17,601,620,000 $12,155,217,833
2008 $17,986,890,000 $11,462,490,840
2007 $17,011,750,000 $9,699,047,443
2006 $15,999,890,000 $8,212,007,554
2005 $14,698,000,000 $7,429,066,952
2004 $13,724,810,900 $6,485,774,930
2003 $13,243,892,200 $5,605,613,011
2002 $12,664,190,300 $4,647,238,257
2001 $12,282,533,600 $4,124,281,594
2000 $11,784,927,700 $3,521,570,876
1999 $11,284,197,000 $4,091,446,054
1998 $10,936,669,900 $3,894,433,432
1997 $10,221,705,900 $3,414,879,486
1996 $9,586,327,800 $3,743,103,420
1995 $8,921,947,100 $3,373,322,735
1994 $7,679,384,000 $2,655,768,636
1993 $6,680,269,200 $3,632,801,877
1992 $5,813,399,300 $3,680,775,037
1991 $5,252,342,400 $3,576,562,682
1990 $4,817,542,204 $3,248,417,791
1989 $4,372,215,300 $2,824,822,489
1988 $4,189,880,000 $2,712,207,901
1987 $3,958,045,800 $2,437,004,680
1986 $3,771,663,200 $2,132,938,007
1985 $3,800,368,600 $1,594,347,021
1984 $3,661,683,400 $1,387,809,615
1983 $3,506,347,800 $1,496,616,127
1982 $3,399,189,100 $1,680,304,773
1981 $3,437,200,200 $2,234,583,940
1980 $3,573,959,900 $2,704,362,789
1979 $3,463,639,900 $1,595,422,956
1978 $3,127,960,000 $1,222,702,573
1977 $2,941,640,100 $1,049,838,548
1976 $2,328,280,100 $939,228,017
1975 $1,884,120,100 $830,710,615
1974 $1,665,880,000 $538,747,340
1973 $1,442,320,000 $563,683,703
1972 $1,263,720,000 $486,617,280
1971 $1,186,120,000 $395,218,629
1970 $1,132,920,000 $359,772,315
1969 $1,049,400,000 $339,913,867
1968 $1,009,760,100 $343,771,973
1967 $976,200,000 $275,494,478
1966 $929,520,000 -
1965 $877,720,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Mali by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $1,193 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $1,093 $3,315
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $1,042 $3,175
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $977 $3,014
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $953 $2,724
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $972 $2,820
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $996 $2,684
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $924 $2,607
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $872 $2,532
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $838 $2,330
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $948 $2,185
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $902 $2,059
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $873 $1,990
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $938 $2,046
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $797 $2,012
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $787 $1,945
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $767 $1,893
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $671 $1,852
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $587 $1,832
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $549 $1,771
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $495 $1,730
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $442 $1,715
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $378 $1,581
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $346 $1,559
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $305 $1,357
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $364 $1,376
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $357 $1,332
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $321 $1,267
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $360 $1,224
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $331 $1,154
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $372 $1,087
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $385 $1,039
1991 $956 $2,945 $382 $1,091
1990 $892 $2,856 $354 $956
1989 $825 - $314 -
1988 $806 - $307 -
1987 $777 - $280.7 -
1986 $755 - $250 -
1985 $776 - $190.4 -
1984 $763 - $169.1 -
1983 $745 - $186.3 -
1982 $735 - $213.8 -
1981 $752 - $290.5 -
1980 $787 - $359 -
1979 $773 - $216.3 -
1978 $712 - $169.1 -
1977 $684 - $148.1 -
1976 $553 - $134.9 -
1975 $457 - $121.5 -
1974 $413 - $80.2 -
1973 $366 - $85.4 -
1972 $329 - $75.1 -
1971 $316 - $62 -
1970 $309 - $57.3 -
1969 $293.4 - $55 -
1968 $290.1 - $56.5 -
1967 $288.4 - $46 -
1966 $282.4 - - -
1965 $274.3 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $1,193 in Mali, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Mali
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$30.1B
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
114/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
5.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$1,193
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
174/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$12.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
41.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$500
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
168/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$1,949
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
4.5%
2024
Population
6404781
26322576

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 20.9% 41.9%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 21% 44%
2023 30.5% 85% 21.2% 44.3%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 20.8% 42.9%
2021 31.1% 88% 22.5% 43.2%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 22% 39.8%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 19.5% 34.3%
2018 27.6% 77% 17% 31.4%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 19.2% 30.1%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 18.6% 30.1%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 17.6% 25.8%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 16.8% 22.6%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 16.6% 22.2%
2012 27.4% 70% 13.1% 21.3%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 17.3% 20.1%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 17.4% 21.8%
2009 26% 65.8% 19.6% 18.8%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 16.2% 17.3%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 18.1% 15.6%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 18.9% 15.4%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 18.3% 39.5%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 18.5% 36.1%
2003 22.6% 46% 17.8% 37.7%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 16.8% 36%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 15.7% 66.3%
2000 21% 29.6% 16.5% 77%
1999 19.7% 28% - -
1998 19.3% 25.7% - -
1997 18.6% 27.8% - -
1996 21% 28.5% - -
1995 18.6% 28% - -
1994 18.9% 30.5% - -
1993 18.5% 31.9% - -
1992 20.8% 36.4% - -
1991 18.5% 43.3% - -
1990 15.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.29B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 41.9% in Mali, ranking 32/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Mali
2025 -2.82% -1.59%
2024 -4.55% -2.16%
2023 -4.69% -3.05%
2022 -2.68% -4.05%
2021 -5.53% -4.12%
2020 -8.14% -4.56%
2019 -3.07% -1.42%
2018 -2.71% -3.97%
2017 -2.53% -2.4%
2016 -3.1% -3.3%
2015 -3.63% -1.53%
2014 -4.02% -2.43%
2013 -4.46% -1.99%
2012 -3.81% -0.8%
2011 -4.47% -2.87%
2010 -4.97% -2.21%
2009 -6.65% -3.19%
2008 -3.8% -1.69%
2007 -2.32% -2.35%
2006 -3.42% 23.7%
2005 -3.47% -2.34%
2004 -2.76% -2.01%
2003 -4.23% -1.01%
2002 -5.5% -2.61%
2001 -4.95% -2.39%
2000 -3.45% -2.25%
1999 -3.08% -
1998 -2.94% -
1997 -1.97% -
1996 -2.7% -
1995 -0.18% -
1994 -0.94% -
1993 -1.42% -
1992 -4.29% -
1991 -2.3% -
1990 -0.61% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $478M, or 1.59% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 4.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.48% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Mali
2025 0.26% 2.3%
2024 0.85% 3.2%
2023 4.05% 2.1%
2022 7.2% 9.7%
2021 3.47% 3.8%
2020 -0.37% 0.5%
2019 0.08% -3%
2018 1.09% 1.9%
2017 1.01% 2.4%
2016 0.6% -1.8%
2015 -0.73% 1.4%
2014 1.14% 0.9%
2013 0.76% -0.6%
2012 1.73% 5.3%
2011 5.13% 3%
2010 1.18% 1.2%
2009 1.06% 2.4%
2008 6.71% 9.2%
2007 4.58% 1.4%
2006 4.04% 1.6%
2005 4.69% 6.4%
2004 4.45% -3.1%
2003 2.12% -1.3%
2002 1.87% 5%
2001 3.75% 5.2%
2000 2.27% -0.8%
1999 0.51% -1.2%
1998 2.55% 4.1%
1997 4.49% -0.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.43%, compared with 2.09% in Mali. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 2.3% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $68K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Metals $12K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Mali
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

El Salvador Mali
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
-$1.16B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
122/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
-4.33%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$5.49B
2024
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$5.48B
2024
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$1.8B
2024
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$516M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
26.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
22.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Mali
Economic freedom 57.7 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 150/197
Property rights 42.7 13.8
Government integrity 31.5 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 23.3
Tax burden 76.8 67.9
Government spending 72.7 81.8
Fiscal health 59.4 73.6
Business freedom 65.7 40.8
Labor freedom 51.6 54.1
Monetary freedom 70.6 78.2
Trade freedom 76.4 64
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Mali
2026 57.7 52.1
2025 56.6 52.6
2024 54.4 52.5
2023 56 54.5
2022 59.6 55.9
2021 61 55.6
2020 61.6 55.9
2019 61.8 58.1
2018 63.2 57.6
2017 64.1 58.6
2016 65.1 56.5
2015 65.7 56.4
2014 66.2 55.5
2013 66.7 56.4
2012 68.7 55.8
2011 68.8 56.3
2010 69.9 55.6
2009 69.8 55.6
2008 68.5 55.6
2007 68.9 54.7
2006 69.6 54.1
2005 71.5 57.3
2004 71.2 56.6
2003 71.5 58.6
2002 73 61.1
2001 73 60.1
2000 76.3 60.3
1999 75.1 58.4
1998 70.2 57.3
1997 70.5 56.4
1996 70.1 57
1995 69.1 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Mali
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
23.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
33%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$28.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$3,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$843M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
20%
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/mali | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, 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. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.