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Economy of El Salvador vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 108/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

El Salvador vs Malta GDP by year

El Salvador
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Malta
2025 $36,708,110,000 $27,771,821,561
2024 $34,879,730,000 $25,042,712,191
2023 $33,565,430,000 $22,625,329,776
2022 $31,870,110,000 $18,938,869,147
2021 $29,043,140,000 $19,730,119,031
2020 $24,921,190,000 $16,404,655,808
2019 $26,881,140,000 $16,337,788,881
2018 $26,020,850,000 $16,153,785,817
2017 $24,979,190,000 $14,161,374,599
2016 $24,191,430,000 $12,025,777,078
2015 $23,438,240,000 $11,340,789,706
2014 $22,593,470,000 $11,888,029,752
2013 $21,990,960,000 $10,796,780,874
2012 $21,386,150,000 $9,609,530,619
2011 $20,283,780,000 $9,789,363,086
2010 $18,447,920,000 $9,097,044,301
2009 $17,601,620,000 $8,769,897,418
2008 $17,986,890,000 $9,172,399,573
2007 $17,011,750,000 $7,908,412,374
2006 $15,999,890,000 $6,749,838,862
2005 $14,698,000,000 $6,393,234,965
2004 $13,724,810,900 $6,104,141,501
2003 $13,243,892,200 $5,418,315,225
2002 $12,664,190,300 $4,455,127,398
2001 $12,282,533,600 $4,070,867,153
2000 $11,784,927,700 $4,036,809,767
1999 $11,284,197,000 $4,111,857,836
1998 $10,936,669,900 $4,010,111,652
1997 $10,221,705,900 $3,787,023,655
1996 $9,586,327,800 $3,822,547,151
1995 $8,921,947,100 $3,709,396,089
1994 $7,679,384,000 $2,998,505,428
1993 $6,680,269,200 $2,709,193,538
1992 $5,813,399,300 $3,021,942,759
1991 $5,252,342,400 $2,750,216,747
1990 $4,817,542,204 $2,547,328,748
1989 $4,372,215,300 $2,118,655,677
1988 $4,189,880,000 $2,019,503,068
1987 $3,958,045,800 $1,751,293,461
1986 $3,771,663,200 $1,435,038,441
1985 $3,800,368,600 $1,117,797,439
1984 $3,661,683,400 $1,101,807,023
1983 $3,506,347,800 $1,165,729,707
1982 $3,399,189,100 $1,234,474,404
1981 $3,437,200,200 $1,243,509,394
1980 $3,573,959,900 $1,250,198,601
1979 $3,463,639,900 $1,001,288,847
1978 $3,127,960,000 $793,673,402
1977 $2,941,640,100 $625,563,171
1976 $2,328,280,100 $527,936,989
1975 $1,884,120,100 $474,618,321
1974 $1,665,880,000 $376,081,124
1973 $1,442,320,000 $345,616,106
1972 $1,263,720,000 $295,106,628
1971 $1,186,120,000 $264,578,485
1970 $1,132,920,000 $250,728,796
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Malta by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $47,907 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $956 $2,945 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $892 $2,856 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $825 - $6,041 -
1988 $806 - $5,814 -
1987 $777 - $5,084 -
1986 $755 - $4,195 -
1985 $776 - $3,322 -
1984 $763 - $3,333 -
1983 $745 - $3,527 -
1982 $735 - $3,788 -
1981 $752 - $3,898 -
1980 $787 - $3,948 -
1979 $773 - $3,196 -
1978 $712 - $2,559 -
1977 $684 - $2,038 -
1976 $553 - $1,727 -
1975 $457 - $1,560 -
1974 $413 - $1,245 -
1973 $366 - $1,144 -
1972 $329 - $976 -
1971 $316 - $874 -
1970 $309 - $828 -
1969 $293.4 - - -
1968 $290.1 - - -
1967 $288.4 - - -
1966 $282.4 - - -
1965 $274.3 - - -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Malta
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
3.1%
2025
Population
6404781
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 37% 46.8%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 37.4% 46%
2023 30.5% 85% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 31.1% 88% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 27.6% 77% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 37.8% 55%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 27.4% 70% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 40.1% 65%
2009 26% 65.8% 41.1% 66%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 41.2% 62%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 42% 70.4%
2003 22.6% 46% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 44.4% 70%
2000 21% 29.6% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 19.7% 28% - 69.8%
1998 19.3% 25.7% - 66.4%
1997 18.6% 27.8% - 60.8%
1996 21% 28.5% - 51.5%
1995 18.6% 28% - 45.3%
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/malta | CC BY

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 32/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Malta
2025 -2.82% -3.1%
2024 -4.55% -3.51%
2023 -4.69% -4.43%
2022 -2.68% -5.33%
2021 -5.53% -6.96%
2020 -8.14% -8.71%
2019 -3.07% 0.72%
2018 -2.71% 1.86%
2017 -2.53% 3.4%
2016 -3.1% 1.1%
2015 -3.63% -0.84%
2014 -4.02% -1.49%
2013 -4.46% -2.19%
2012 -3.81% -3.31%
2011 -4.47% -2.99%
2010 -4.97% -2.22%
2009 -6.65% -3.11%
2008 -3.8% -4.06%
2007 -2.32% -2.05%
2006 -3.42% -2.46%
2005 -3.47% -2.83%
2004 -2.76% -4.28%
2003 -4.23% -9.04%
2002 -5.5% -5.62%
2001 -4.95% -6.5%
2000 -3.45% -5.83%
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/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 4.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Malta
2025 0.26% 2.36%
2024 0.85% 1.65%
2023 4.05% 5.09%
2022 7.2% 6.15%
2021 3.47% 1.5%
2020 -0.37% 0.64%
2019 0.08% 1.64%
2018 1.09% 1.16%
2017 1.01% 1.36%
2016 0.6% 0.64%
2015 -0.73% 1.1%
2014 1.14% 0.31%
2013 0.76% 1.18%
2012 1.73% 2.38%
2011 5.13% 2.96%
2010 1.18% 1.52%
2009 1.06% 2.08%
2008 6.71% 4.26%
2007 4.58% 1.25%
2006 4.04% 2.77%
2005 4.69% 3.01%
2004 4.45% 2.79%
2003 2.12% 1.3%
2002 1.87% 2.19%
2001 3.75% 2.93%
2000 2.27% 2.37%
1999 0.51% 2.13%
1998 2.55% 2.39%
1997 4.49% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.43%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Malta
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

El Salvador Malta
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Malta
Economic freedom 57.7 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 49/197
Property rights 42.7 85.5
Government integrity 31.5 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 80.2
Tax burden 76.8 68.5
Government spending 72.7 58.4
Fiscal health 59.4 63.2
Business freedom 65.7 83.2
Labor freedom 51.6 62.6
Monetary freedom 70.6 73.1
Trade freedom 76.4 79.4
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Malta
2026 57.7 68.2
2025 56.6 66.8
2024 54.4 64.5
2023 56 67.5
2022 59.6 71.5
2021 61 70.2
2020 61.6 69.5
2019 61.8 68.6
2018 63.2 68.5
2017 64.1 67.7
2016 65.1 66.7
2015 65.7 66.5
2014 66.2 66.4
2013 66.7 67.5
2012 68.7 67
2011 68.8 65.7
2010 69.9 67.2
2009 69.8 66.1
2008 68.5 66
2007 68.9 66.1
2006 69.6 67.3
2005 71.5 68.9
2004 71.2 63.3
2003 71.5 61.1
2002 73 62.2
2001 73 62.9
2000 76.3 58.3
1999 75.1 59.3
1998 70.2 61.2
1997 70.5 57.9
1996 70.1 55.8
1995 69.1 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Malta
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
18.7%
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/malta | 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 (2020–2025, 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.