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Economy of El Salvador vs Montenegro compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $9.23B for Montenegro, ranking 108/197 and 155/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $6.19B (67.1% of GDP) in Montenegro.

El Salvador vs Montenegro GDP by year

El Salvador
Montenegro
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Montenegro
2025 $36,708,110,000 $9,232,801,465
2024 $34,879,730,000 $8,274,290,506
2023 $33,565,430,000 $7,643,318,276
2022 $31,870,110,000 $6,259,721,790
2021 $29,043,140,000 $5,822,908,964
2020 $24,921,190,000 $4,734,192,593
2019 $26,881,140,000 $5,483,622,632
2018 $26,020,850,000 $5,433,469,311
2017 $24,979,190,000 $4,803,964,684
2016 $24,191,430,000 $4,357,467,226
2015 $23,438,240,000 $4,010,884,107
2014 $22,593,470,000 $4,579,635,404
2013 $21,990,960,000 $4,422,097,042
2012 $21,386,150,000 $4,071,828,832
2011 $20,283,780,000 $4,507,127,585
2010 $18,447,920,000 $4,136,936,244
2009 $17,601,620,000 $4,159,063,347
2008 $17,986,890,000 $4,559,410,049
2007 $17,011,750,000 $3,682,586,459
2006 $15,999,890,000 $2,719,979,875
2005 $14,698,000,000 $2,258,016,380
2004 $13,724,810,900 $2,077,046,942
2003 $13,243,892,200 $1,708,196,981
2002 $12,664,190,300 $1,286,314,054
2001 $12,282,533,600 $1,159,869,246
2000 $11,784,927,700 $984,293,044
1999 $11,284,197,000 $828,950,327
1998 $10,936,669,900 $854,261,161
1997 $10,221,705,900 $838,288,806
1996 $9,586,327,800 -
1995 $8,921,947,100 -
1994 $7,679,384,000 -
1993 $6,680,269,200 -
1992 $5,813,399,300 -
1991 $5,252,342,400 -
1990 $4,817,542,204 -
1989 $4,372,215,300 -
1988 $4,189,880,000 -
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Montenegro by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Montenegro
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Montenegro
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $14,817 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $13,270 $34,063
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $12,258 $31,863
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $10,038 $28,050
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $9,316 $23,690
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $7,555 $20,625
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $8,749 $23,706
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $8,674 $21,084
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $7,674 $19,357
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $6,968 $18,030
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $6,421 $16,092
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $7,342 $15,276
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $7,103 $14,692
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $6,552 $13,793
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $7,266 $14,347
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $6,679 $13,612
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $6,727 $12,976
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $7,390 $13,802
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $5,979 $12,452
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $4,423 $10,440
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $3,676 $8,314
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $3,386 $7,841
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $2,790 $7,340
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $2,109 $7,100
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,910 $6,772
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $1,627 $6,004
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $1,368 $5,684
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $1,406 $6,170
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $1,375 $5,798
1996 $1,651 $3,880 - -
1995 $1,548 $3,808 - -
1994 $1,344 $3,591 - -
1993 $1,180 $3,390 - -
1992 $1,041 $3,171 - -
1991 $956 $2,945 - -
1990 $892 $2,856 - -
1989 $825 - - -
1988 $806 - - -
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $14,817 in Montenegro, ranking 71/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Montenegro ranks 65th at $34,063.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Montenegro
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$9.23B
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
155/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
2.74%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$14,817
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
71/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$34,063
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
65/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$6.19B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
67.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$9,942
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
61/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$12,768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.79B
2012
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
24.7%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
43.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
3.9%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
11.5%
2024
Population
6404781
613759

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Montenegro
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Montenegro
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 43.9% 67.1%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 44.1% 60.8%
2023 30.5% 85% 40.4% 59.6%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 42.2% 70.3%
2021 31.1% 88% 45.1% 86.2%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 54.9% 108.4%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 44.4% 79.6%
2018 27.6% 77% 47.8% 72.9%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 47.6% 66.9%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 47.7% 66.7%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 46.9% 69.5%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 44.3% 63.6%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 46.3% 59.2%
2012 27.4% 70% 45.9% 57.1%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 45.7% 49%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 46.7% 45.1%
2009 26% 65.8% 51.5% 43.9%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 51.2% 34.2%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 43.9% 31.8%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 42.6% 36.7%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 38.2% 38.6%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 40% 45.4%
2003 22.6% 46% 43.3% 48.6%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 37.5% 85.7%
2001 21.7% 37.8% - -
2000 21% 29.6% - -
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/montenegro | CC BY

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Montenegro spent $4.05B, or 43.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 67.1% in Montenegro, ranking 32/185 and 63/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Montenegro
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Montenegro
2025 -2.82% -3.61%
2024 -4.55% -3.44%
2023 -4.69% 0.38%
2022 -2.68% -4.05%
2021 -5.53% -1.37%
2020 -8.14% -10.9%
2019 -3.07% -1.74%
2018 -2.71% -6.3%
2017 -2.53% -6.89%
2016 -3.1% -6.21%
2015 -3.63% -6.03%
2014 -4.02% -0.7%
2013 -4.46% -4.54%
2012 -3.81% -5.87%
2011 -4.47% -6.79%
2010 -4.97% -4.88%
2009 -6.65% -6.74%
2008 -3.8% -2.3%
2007 -2.32% 8.44%
2006 -3.42% 4.34%
2005 -3.47% -1.42%
2004 -2.76% -2.45%
2003 -4.23% -4.06%
2002 -5.5% -1.44%
2001 -4.95% -
2000 -3.45% -
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/montenegro | 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 Montenegro's deficit of $334M, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Montenegro ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 4.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.27% of GDP for Montenegro.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Montenegro
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Montenegro
2025 0.26% 3.9%
2024 0.85% 3.3%
2023 4.05% 8.6%
2022 7.2% 13%
2021 3.47% 2.4%
2020 -0.37% -0.3%
2019 0.08% 0.4%
2018 1.09% 2.6%
2017 1.01% 2.4%
2016 0.6% -0.3%
2015 -0.73% 1.5%
2014 1.14% -0.7%
2013 0.76% 2.2%
2012 1.73% 4.1%
2011 5.13% 3.5%
2010 1.18% 0.4%
2009 1.06% 3.6%
2008 6.71% 9%
2007 4.58% 3.4%
2006 4.04% 2.1%
2005 4.69% 3.4%
2004 4.45% 3.1%
2003 2.12% 7.5%
2002 1.87% 19.7%
2001 3.75% 23.7%
2000 2.27% 29.9%
1999 0.51% -
1998 2.55% -
1997 4.49% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.42%, compared with 5.86% in Montenegro. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 3.9% in Montenegro.

Balance of trade

El Salvador Montenegro
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
-$1.88B
2025
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
140/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
-20.4%
2025
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$4.91B
2025
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$663M
2025
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$1.24B
2025
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$3.07B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
65.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
40.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Montenegro
Economic freedom 57.7 63.8
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 78/197
Property rights 42.7 60.9
Government integrity 31.5 49.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 51.5
Tax burden 76.8 88.7
Government spending 72.7 47.6
Fiscal health 59.4 86.2
Business freedom 65.7 68.4
Labor freedom 51.6 59.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 75.2
Trade freedom 76.4 78.4
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Montenegro
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Montenegro
2026 57.7 63.8
2025 56.6 63.8
2024 54.4 59.7
2023 56 60.9
2022 59.6 57.8
2021 61 63.4
2020 61.6 61.5
2019 61.8 60.5
2018 63.2 64.3
2017 64.1 62
2016 65.1 64.9
2015 65.7 64.7
2014 66.2 63.6
2013 66.7 62.6
2012 68.7 62.5
2011 68.8 62.5
2010 69.9 63.6
2009 69.8 58.2
2008 68.5 -
2007 68.9 -
2006 69.6 -
2005 71.5 -
2004 71.2 -
2003 71.5 43.5
2002 73 46.6
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 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 63.8 for Montenegro, ranking 78/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Montenegro
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
63.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
11.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
3.37%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$8.82B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$35,700
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
$2.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
126/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$601M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$599M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
$67.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
20%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
26.9%
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/montenegro | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.