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Economy of El Salvador vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 105/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

El Salvador vs Nigeria GDP by year

El Salvador
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Nigeria
2024 $35,364,960,000 $252,261,880,141
2023 $33,853,940,000 $487,387,801,881
2022 $31,870,120,000 $646,950,257,578
2021 $29,043,140,000 $609,147,716,973
2020 $24,921,190,000 $598,586,817,819
2019 $26,881,140,000 $668,219,992,691
2018 $26,020,850,000 $421,739,251,509
2017 $24,979,190,000 $375,745,731,053
2016 $24,191,430,000 $404,649,125,252
2015 $23,438,240,000 $493,026,682,801
2014 $22,593,470,000 $574,183,763,412
2013 $21,990,960,000 $520,117,180,314
2012 $21,386,150,000 $463,971,018,239
2011 $20,283,780,000 $414,466,676,831
2010 $18,447,920,000 $366,990,417,129
2009 $17,601,620,000 $295,008,835,381
2008 $17,986,890,000 $339,476,276,258
2007 $17,011,750,000 $278,260,846,800
2006 $15,999,890,000 $238,454,997,161
2005 $14,698,000,000 $175,670,569,969
2004 $13,724,810,900 $135,764,731,646
2003 $13,243,892,200 $104,738,954,264
2002 $12,664,190,300 $95,054,059,303
2001 $12,282,533,600 $73,557,840,064
2000 $11,784,927,700 $69,171,451,627
1999 $11,284,197,000 $59,145,077,039
1998 $10,936,669,900 $218,416,200,673
1997 $10,221,705,900 $200,850,397,618
1996 $9,586,327,800 $185,730,236,700
1995 $8,921,947,100 $140,919,776,986
1994 $7,679,384,000 $80,399,613,064
1993 $6,680,269,200 $56,721,051,402
1992 $5,813,399,300 $52,058,181,854
1991 $5,252,342,400 $59,526,833,412
1990 $4,817,542,204 $54,035,795,388
1989 $4,372,215,300 $44,003,061,108
1988 $4,189,880,000 $49,648,470,440
1987 $3,958,045,800 $52,676,041,931
1986 $3,771,663,200 $54,805,852,581
1985 $3,800,368,600 $73,745,821,158
1984 $3,661,683,400 $73,484,359,521
1983 $3,506,347,800 $97,094,911,792
1982 $3,399,189,100 $142,769,363,314
1981 $3,437,200,200 $164,475,209,516
1980 $3,573,959,900 $64,201,788,123
1979 $3,463,639,900 $47,259,911,894
1978 $3,127,960,000 $36,527,862,209
1977 $2,941,640,100 $36,035,407,725
1976 $2,328,280,100 $36,308,883,249
1975 $1,884,120,100 $27,778,934,625
1974 $1,665,880,000 $24,846,641,318
1973 $1,442,320,000 $15,162,871,287
1972 $1,263,720,000 $12,274,416,018
1971 $1,186,120,000 $9,181,769,912
1970 $1,132,920,000 $12,546,094,982
1969 $1,049,400,000 $6,634,317,346
1968 $1,009,760,100 $5,200,997,920
1967 $976,200,000 $5,203,237,919
1966 $929,520,000 $6,366,917,453
1965 $877,720,000 $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Nigeria by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $962 $4,381
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $763 $4,015
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $712 $3,770
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $566 $3,309
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $547 $3,139
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $481 $3,002
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $745 $2,853
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $540 $2,921
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $509 $2,991
1991 $956 $2,945 $597 $2,870
1990 $892 $2,856 $556 $2,840
1989 $825 - $465 -
1988 $806 - $540 -
1987 $777 - $588 -
1986 $755 - $628 -
1985 $776 - $869 -
1984 $763 - $890 -
1983 $745 - $1,207 -
1982 $735 - $1,822 -
1981 $752 - $2,162 -
1980 $787 - $870 -
1979 $773 - $661 -
1978 $712 - $527 -
1977 $684 - $536 -
1976 $553 - $556 -
1975 $457 - $438 -
1974 $413 - $403 -
1973 $366 - $252.4 -
1972 $329 - $209.5 -
1971 $316 - $160.5 -
1970 $309 - $224.5 -
1969 $293.4 - $121.4 -
1968 $290.1 - $97.3 -
1967 $288.4 - $99.5 -
1966 $282.4 - $124.4 -
1965 $274.3 - $117.3 -
1964 - - $113.3 -
1963 - - $107.7 -
1962 - - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
6399793
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 31.1% 88% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 27.6% 77% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 8.51% 18%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 10% 13%
2012 27.4% 70% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 26% 65.8% 11% 6.12%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 13% 25.2%
2003 22.6% 46% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 21% 29.6% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 19.7% 28% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 21% 28.5% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 18.6% 28% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 20% 50.4%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 15.9% - 14.2% 50.9%

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

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 36/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Nigeria
2024 -4.55% -1.57%
2023 -4.69% -3.12%
2022 -2.68% -4%
2021 -5.53% -3.97%
2020 -8.18% -4.03%
2019 -3.07% -3.31%
2018 -2.71% -3.06%
2017 -2.53% -3.85%
2016 -3.1% -3.3%
2015 -3.63% -2.7%
2014 -4.02% -1.72%
2013 -4.46% -1.89%
2012 -3.81% -0.09%
2011 -4.47% 0.31%
2010 -4.97% -2.96%
2009 -6.65% -3.78%
2008 -3.8% 4.05%
2007 -2.32% -0.79%
2006 -3.42% 6.22%
2005 -3.47% 3.49%
2004 -2.76% 3.9%
2003 -4.23% -1.56%
2002 -5.5% 0.95%
2001 -4.95% -2.29%
2000 -3.45% 2.89%
1999 -3.08% -1.39%
1998 -2.94% -3.47%
1997 -1.97% 1.14%
1996 -2.7% 3.37%
1995 -0.18% 2.52%
1994 -0.94% -2.96%
1993 -1.42% -6.07%
1992 -4.29% 0.94%
1991 -2.3% -1.18%
1990 -0.61% -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Nigeria
2024 0.85% 33.2%
2023 4.05% 24.7%
2022 7.2% 18.8%
2021 3.47% 17%
2020 -0.37% 13.2%
2019 0.08% 11.4%
2018 1.09% 12.1%
2017 1.01% 16.5%
2016 0.6% 15.7%
2015 -0.73% 9.01%
2014 1.14% 8.05%
2013 0.76% 8.5%
2012 1.73% 12.2%
2011 5.13% 10.8%
2010 1.18% 13.7%
2009 1.06% 12.5%
2008 6.71% 11.6%
2007 4.58% 5.39%
2006 4.04% 8.23%
2005 4.69% 17.9%
2004 4.45% 15%
2003 2.12% 14%
2002 1.87% 12.9%
2001 3.75% 18.9%
2000 2.27% 6.93%
1999 0.51% 6.62%
1998 2.55% 10%
1997 4.49% 8.53%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $57K
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Miscellaneous $8K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.05M
Textiles & consumer goods $223K
Chemicals & pharma $96K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Nigeria
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Nigeria
Economic freedom 57.7 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 132/197
Property rights 42.7 29.7
Government integrity 31.5 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 34.4
Tax burden 76.8 84.6
Government spending 72.7 96.3
Fiscal health 59.4 83.5
Business freedom 65.7 50.3
Labor freedom 51.6 75.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 56.1
Trade freedom 76.4 64.4
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Nigeria
2026 57.7 54.8
2025 56.6 53.4
2024 54.4 53.1
2023 56 53.9
2022 59.6 54.4
2021 61 58.7
2020 61.6 57.2
2019 61.8 57.3
2018 63.2 58.5
2017 64.1 57.1
2016 65.1 57.5
2015 65.7 55.6
2014 66.2 54.3
2013 66.7 55.1
2012 68.7 56.3
2011 68.8 56.7
2010 69.9 56.8
2009 69.8 55.1
2008 68.5 55.1
2007 68.9 55.6
2006 69.6 48.7
2005 71.5 48.4
2004 71.2 49.2
2003 71.5 49.5
2002 73 50.9
2001 73 49.6
2000 76.3 53.1
1999 75.1 55.7
1998 70.2 52.3
1997 70.5 52.8
1996 70.1 47.4
1995 69.1 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
n/a

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/nigeria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.