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Economy of El Salvador vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 105/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

El Salvador vs North Macedonia GDP by year

El Salvador
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador North Macedonia
2024 $35,364,960,000 $16,951,682,245
2023 $33,853,940,000 $15,855,131,189
2022 $31,870,120,000 $13,932,436,550
2021 $29,043,140,000 $14,000,283,827
2020 $24,921,190,000 $12,361,036,914
2019 $26,881,140,000 $12,606,338,449
2018 $26,020,850,000 $12,683,068,114
2017 $24,979,190,000 $11,307,067,070
2016 $24,191,430,000 $10,672,467,073
2015 $23,438,240,000 $10,064,519,963
2014 $22,593,470,000 $11,362,265,253
2013 $21,990,960,000 $10,817,702,346
2012 $21,386,150,000 $9,745,261,301
2011 $20,283,780,000 $10,494,626,768
2010 $18,447,920,000 $9,407,170,321
2009 $17,601,620,000 $9,401,736,825
2008 $17,986,890,000 $9,909,552,435
2007 $17,011,750,000 $8,336,474,974
2006 $15,999,890,000 $6,861,226,972
2005 $14,698,000,000 $6,258,602,873
2004 $13,724,810,900 $5,682,784,472
2003 $13,243,892,200 $4,946,296,599
2002 $12,664,190,300 $4,018,365,747
2001 $12,282,533,600 $3,709,636,031
2000 $11,784,927,700 $3,772,859,034
1999 $11,284,197,000 $3,863,619,285
1998 $10,936,669,900 $3,765,745,023
1997 $10,221,705,900 $3,912,986,091
1996 $9,586,327,800 $4,642,021,256
1995 $8,921,947,100 $4,707,041,315
1994 $7,679,384,000 $3,559,608,640
1993 $6,680,269,200 $2,682,456,897
1992 $5,813,399,300 $2,436,849,342
1991 $5,252,342,400 $4,938,775,510
1990 $4,817,542,204 $4,699,646,643
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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs North Macedonia by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $956 $2,945 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $892 $2,856 $2,277 $5,348
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 (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/north-macedonia | CC BY

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

El Salvador North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$17B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$7,534
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
12.3%
2024
Population
6399793
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 36.7% 54.8%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 35.5% 50.8%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 35% 50.4%
2021 31.1% 88% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 27.6% 77% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 32.2% 38%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 31.7% 38%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 31.7% 34%
2012 27.4% 70% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 26% 65.8% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 22.6% 46% 36% 36.5%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 21% 29.6% 32% 45.6%
1999 19.7% 28% 33.2% 30.4%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 32.8% 33.1%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 32.9% 29.3%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 36/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador North Macedonia
2024 -4.55% -4.45%
2023 -4.69% -4.61%
2022 -2.68% -5.23%
2021 -5.53% -5.32%
2020 -8.18% -8.05%
2019 -3.07% -1.97%
2018 -2.71% -1.76%
2017 -2.53% -2.73%
2016 -3.1% -2.7%
2015 -3.63% -3.48%
2014 -4.02% -4.19%
2013 -4.46% -3.84%
2012 -3.81% -3.81%
2011 -4.47% -2.47%
2010 -4.97% -2.41%
2009 -6.65% -2.63%
2008 -3.8% -0.93%
2007 -2.32% 0.58%
2006 -3.42% -0.51%
2005 -3.47% 0.21%
2004 -2.76% 0.37%
2003 -4.23% -0.07%
2002 -5.5% -5.24%
2001 -4.95% -5.88%
2000 -3.45% 2.37%
1999 -3.08% 0.03%
1998 -2.94% -1.63%
1997 -1.97% -0.36%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $754M, or 4.45% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.52% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador North Macedonia
2024 0.85% 3.5%
2023 4.05% 9.4%
2022 7.2% 14.2%
2021 3.47% 3.2%
2020 -0.37% 1.2%
2019 0.08% 0.8%
2018 1.09% 1.5%
2017 1.01% 1.4%
2016 0.6% -0.2%
2015 -0.73% -0.3%
2014 1.14% -0.3%
2013 0.76% 2.8%
2012 1.73% 3.3%
2011 5.13% 3.9%
2010 1.18% 1.5%
2009 1.06% -0.7%
2008 6.71% 8.3%
2007 4.58% 2.3%
2006 4.04% 3.2%
2005 4.69% 0.5%
2004 4.45% -0.4%
2003 2.12% 0.9%
2002 1.87% 1.1%
2001 3.75% 5.2%
2000 2.27% 6.6%
1999 0.51% -1.3%
1998 2.55% 0.5%
1997 4.49% 1.3%

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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 2.62% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $145K
Raw agricultural goods $26K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

El Salvador North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador North Macedonia
Economic freedom 57.7 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 81/197
Property rights 42.7 56.2
Government integrity 31.5 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 49.5
Tax burden 76.8 94.9
Government spending 72.7 61.7
Fiscal health 59.4 57.7
Business freedom 65.7 72.2
Labor freedom 51.6 51.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 69.6
Trade freedom 76.4 77.8
Investment freedom 70 65
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador North Macedonia
2026 57.7 63.3
2025 56.6 63.2
2024 54.4 61.4
2023 56 63.7
2022 59.6 65.7
2021 61 68.6
2020 61.6 69.5
2019 61.8 71.1
2018 63.2 71.3
2017 64.1 70.7
2016 65.1 67.5
2015 65.7 67.1
2014 66.2 68.6
2013 66.7 68.2
2012 68.7 68.5
2011 68.8 66
2010 69.9 65.7
2009 69.8 61.2
2008 68.5 61.1
2007 68.9 60.6
2006 69.6 59.2
2005 71.5 56.1
2004 71.2 56.8
2003 71.5 60.1
2002 73 58
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 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | 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. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.