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Economy of El Salvador vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 105/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

El Salvador vs Namibia GDP by year

El Salvador
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Namibia
2024 $35,364,960,000 $13,372,354,512
2023 $33,853,940,000 $12,408,271,449
2022 $31,870,120,000 $12,569,449,123
2021 $29,043,140,000 $12,402,486,184
2020 $24,921,190,000 $10,583,748,542
2019 $26,881,140,000 $12,541,928,303
2018 $26,020,850,000 $13,682,019,076
2017 $24,979,190,000 $12,895,153,371
2016 $24,191,430,000 $10,722,018,732
2015 $23,438,240,000 $11,335,161,084
2014 $22,593,470,000 $12,435,430,970
2013 $21,990,960,000 $12,043,307,277
2012 $21,386,150,000 $13,042,053,592
2011 $20,283,780,000 $12,523,359,441
2010 $18,447,920,000 $11,431,412,421
2009 $17,601,620,000 $8,938,847,189
2008 $17,986,890,000 $8,607,431,497
2007 $17,011,750,000 $8,839,536,476
2006 $15,999,890,000 $8,001,779,551
2005 $14,698,000,000 $7,248,374,838
2004 $13,724,810,900 $6,609,205,995
2003 $13,243,892,200 $4,926,439,384
2002 $12,664,190,300 $3,349,169,826
2001 $12,282,533,600 $3,557,341,215
2000 $11,784,927,700 $3,922,232,165
1999 $11,284,197,000 $3,868,551,730
1998 $10,936,669,900 $3,873,109,866
1997 $10,221,705,900 $4,154,989,950
1996 $9,586,327,800 $3,989,163,197
1995 $8,921,947,100 $3,978,514,206
1994 $7,679,384,000 $3,666,503,530
1993 $6,680,269,200 $3,251,188,833
1992 $5,813,399,300 $3,429,521,699
1991 $5,252,342,400 $2,996,869,281
1990 $4,817,542,204 $2,789,921,854
1989 $4,372,215,300 $2,535,135,798
1988 $4,189,880,000 $2,495,094,746
1987 $3,958,045,800 $2,300,068,217
1986 $3,771,663,200 $1,809,048,527
1985 $3,800,368,600 $1,608,237,350
1984 $3,661,683,400 $1,951,260,038
1983 $3,506,347,800 $2,297,400,688
1982 $3,399,189,100 $2,118,710,248
1981 $3,437,200,200 $2,249,908,578
1980 $3,573,959,900 $2,421,990,338
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Namibia by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $956 $2,945 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $892 $2,856 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $825 - $1,967 -
1988 $806 - $2,063 -
1987 $777 - $1,969 -
1986 $755 - $1,599 -
1985 $776 - $1,466 -
1984 $763 - $1,830 -
1983 $745 - $2,214 -
1982 $735 - $2,097 -
1981 $752 - $2,267 -
1980 $787 - $2,468 -
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/namibia | CC BY

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Namibia
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
6399793
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 37% 67.2%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 31.1% 88% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 27.6% 77% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 27.4% 70% 35% 24.6%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 26% 65.8% 32% 15.9%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 22.6% 46% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 21% 29.6% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 19.7% 28% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 21% 28.5% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 18.6% 28% 29.6% 18%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 33% 11.8%
1990 15.9% - 30.2% 12.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 36/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Namibia
2024 -4.55% -3.59%
2023 -4.69% -3.14%
2022 -2.68% -6.33%
2021 -5.53% -8.68%
2020 -8.18% -8.07%
2019 -3.07% -5.49%
2018 -2.71% -5.09%
2017 -2.53% -4.99%
2016 -3.1% -9.3%
2015 -3.63% -8.3%
2014 -4.02% -6.44%
2013 -4.46% -4.69%
2012 -3.81% -3.1%
2011 -4.47% -7.09%
2010 -4.97% -4.98%
2009 -6.65% -0.4%
2008 -3.8% 3.48%
2007 -2.32% 6.01%
2006 -3.42% 3.41%
2005 -3.47% -0.31%
2004 -2.76% -2.67%
2003 -4.23% -4.47%
2002 -5.5% -1.38%
2001 -4.95% -2.01%
2000 -3.45% -0.79%
1999 -3.08% -1.88%
1998 -2.94% -2.76%
1997 -1.97% -2.38%
1996 -2.7% -3.7%
1995 -0.18% -1.74%
1994 -0.94% -0.57%
1993 -1.42% -2.73%
1992 -4.29% -2.55%
1991 -2.3% -1.59%
1990 -0.61% 1.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Namibia
2024 0.85% 4.2%
2023 4.05% 5.9%
2022 7.2% 6.1%
2021 3.47% 3.6%
2020 -0.37% 2.2%
2019 0.08% 3.7%
2018 1.09% 4.3%
2017 1.01% 6.1%
2016 0.6% 6.7%
2015 -0.73% 3.4%
2014 1.14% 5.3%
2013 0.76% 5.6%
2012 1.73% 6.7%
2011 5.13% 5%
2010 1.18% 4.9%
2009 1.06% 9.5%
2008 6.71% 9.1%
2007 4.58% 6.5%
2006 4.04% 5%
2005 4.69% 2.3%
2004 4.45% 4.1%
2003 2.12% 7.2%
2002 1.87% 12.7%
2001 3.75% 10.2%
2000 2.27% 10.2%
1999 0.51% 9.4%
1998 2.55% 6.6%
1997 4.49% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $22K
Namibia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

El Salvador Namibia
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Namibia
Economic freedom 57.7 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 95/197
Property rights 42.7 63.1
Government integrity 31.5 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 67.2
Tax burden 76.8 66.4
Government spending 72.7 57.1
Fiscal health 59.4 60.5
Business freedom 65.7 58
Labor freedom 51.6 62.7
Monetary freedom 70.6 76.1
Trade freedom 76.4 69.8
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Namibia
2026 57.7 60.2
2025 56.6 58.7
2024 54.4 57.5
2023 56 57.7
2022 59.6 59.2
2021 61 62.6
2020 61.6 60.9
2019 61.8 58.7
2018 63.2 58.5
2017 64.1 62.5
2016 65.1 61.9
2015 65.7 59.6
2014 66.2 59.4
2013 66.7 60.3
2012 68.7 61.9
2011 68.8 62.7
2010 69.9 62.2
2009 69.8 62.4
2008 68.5 61.4
2007 68.9 63.5
2006 69.6 60.7
2005 71.5 61.4
2004 71.2 62.4
2003 71.5 67.3
2002 73 65.1
2001 73 64.8
2000 76.3 66.7
1999 75.1 66.1
1998 70.2 66.1
1997 70.5 61.6
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/namibia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Namibia
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
25.6%
2024

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/namibia | 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 (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.