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Economy of El Salvador vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 105/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

El Salvador vs Pakistan GDP by year

El Salvador
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Pakistan
2024 $35,364,960,000 $371,570,000,121
2023 $33,853,940,000 $336,686,348,609
2022 $31,870,120,000 $374,890,295,667
2021 $29,043,140,000 $348,516,647,445
2020 $24,921,190,000 $300,425,609,818
2019 $26,881,140,000 $320,909,472,771
2018 $26,020,850,000 $356,128,166,705
2017 $24,979,190,000 $339,205,534,861
2016 $24,191,430,000 $313,630,000,130
2015 $23,438,240,000 $299,963,590,535
2014 $22,593,470,000 $271,390,474,858
2013 $21,990,960,000 $258,657,231,672
2012 $21,386,150,000 $250,106,966,105
2011 $20,283,780,000 $230,586,581,060
2010 $18,447,920,000 $196,709,621,850
2009 $17,601,620,000 $187,337,783,856
2008 $17,986,890,000 $202,203,748,584
2007 $17,011,750,000 $184,140,869,997
2006 $15,999,890,000 $161,871,385,506
2005 $14,698,000,000 $145,208,562,961
2004 $13,724,810,900 $132,216,048,339
2003 $13,243,892,200 $112,371,913,741
2002 $12,664,190,300 $97,923,302,809
2001 $12,282,533,600 $97,145,618,480
2000 $11,784,927,700 $99,484,802,345
1999 $11,284,197,000 $62,973,857,069
1998 $10,936,669,900 $62,191,955,814
1997 $10,221,705,900 $62,433,340,468
1996 $9,586,327,800 $63,320,170,084
1995 $8,921,947,100 $60,636,071,684
1994 $7,679,384,000 $52,293,470,813
1993 $6,680,269,200 $51,809,999,353
1992 $5,813,399,300 $48,884,671,947
1991 $5,252,342,400 $45,625,336,680
1990 $4,817,542,204 $40,010,423,970
1989 $4,372,215,300 $40,171,106,279
1988 $4,189,880,000 $38,472,742,808
1987 $3,958,045,800 $33,351,529,275
1986 $3,771,663,200 $31,899,070,056
1985 $3,800,368,600 $31,144,920,844
1984 $3,661,683,400 $31,151,825,467
1983 $3,506,347,800 $28,691,889,764
1982 $3,399,189,100 $30,725,971,564
1981 $3,437,200,200 $28,100,606,061
1980 $3,573,959,900 $23,654,444,444
1979 $3,463,639,900 $19,688,383,838
1978 $3,127,960,000 $17,811,515,152
1977 $2,941,640,100 $15,126,060,606
1976 $2,328,280,100 $13,168,080,808
1975 $1,884,120,100 $11,230,606,061
1974 $1,665,880,000 $8,899,191,919
1973 $1,442,320,000 $6,383,429,490
1972 $1,263,720,000 $9,415,016,360
1971 $1,186,120,000 $10,665,896,682
1970 $1,132,920,000 $10,027,509,450
1969 $1,049,400,000 $8,683,116,338
1968 $1,009,760,100 $8,041,999,160
1967 $976,200,000 $7,464,510,710
1966 $929,520,000 $6,561,108,778
1965 $877,720,000 $5,929,231,415
1964 - $5,204,955,901
1963 - $4,630,827,383
1962 - $4,310,163,797
1961 - $4,118,647,627
1960 - $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Pakistan by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $987 $3,786
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $964 $3,777
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $998 $3,672
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $901 $3,515
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $828 $3,293
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $772 $3,048
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $672 $2,822
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $600 $2,688
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $610 $2,644
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $642 $2,565
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $418 $2,475
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $424 $2,419
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $438 $2,398
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $457 $2,401
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $451 $2,315
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $400 $2,224
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $408 $2,160
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $396 $2,132
1991 $956 $2,945 $380 $1,992
1990 $892 $2,856 $344 $1,895
1989 $825 - $358 -
1988 $806 - $354 -
1987 $777 - $317 -
1986 $755 - $314 -
1985 $776 - $317 -
1984 $763 - $327 -
1983 $745 - $311 -
1982 $735 - $345 -
1981 $752 - $328 -
1980 $787 - $287.4 -
1979 $773 - $249.2 -
1978 $712 - $233.4 -
1977 $684 - $204.7 -
1976 $553 - $183.9 -
1975 $457 - $161.7 -
1974 $413 - $132 -
1973 $366 - $97.5 -
1972 $329 - $148.1 -
1971 $316 - $172.5 -
1970 $309 - $166.7 -
1969 $293.4 - $148.5 -
1968 $290.1 - $141.6 -
1967 $288.4 - $135.2 -
1966 $282.4 - $122.2 -
1965 $274.3 - $113.6 -
1964 - - $102.5 -
1963 - - $93.7 -
1962 - - $89.5 -
1961 - - $87.8 -
1960 - - $82 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
6.96%
2025
Population
6399793
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 20% 77.3%
2021 31.1% 88% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 27.6% 77% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 27.4% 70% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 26% 65.8% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 18% 49.5%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 13% 47.9%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 22.6% 46% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 21% 29.6% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 19.7% 28% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 21% 28.5% 15% 52.5%
1995 18.6% 28% 14% 52.3%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 17% 57.9%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 15.9% - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 36/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Pakistan
2024 -4.55% -6.81%
2023 -4.69% -7.76%
2022 -2.68% -7.84%
2021 -5.53% -6.04%
2020 -8.18% -7.03%
2019 -3.07% -7.79%
2018 -2.71% -5.67%
2017 -2.53% -5.17%
2016 -3.1% -3.92%
2015 -3.63% -4.74%
2014 -4.02% -4.37%
2013 -4.46% -7.48%
2012 -3.81% -7.74%
2011 -4.47% -6.23%
2010 -4.97% -5.42%
2009 -6.65% -4.53%
2008 -3.8% -5.94%
2007 -2.32% -4.23%
2006 -3.42% -2.79%
2005 -3.47% -2.29%
2004 -2.76% -1.29%
2003 -4.23% -0.12%
2002 -5.5% -2.64%
2001 -4.95% -2.45%
2000 -3.45% -3.21%
1999 -3.08% -3.07%
1998 -2.94% -4.46%
1997 -1.97% -3.87%
1996 -2.7% -4.33%
1995 -0.18% -3.9%
1994 -0.94% -3.63%
1993 -1.42% -5.53%
1992 -4.29% -11.3%
1991 -2.3% -10.8%
1990 -0.61% -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.32% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Pakistan
2024 0.85% 12.6%
2023 4.05% 30.8%
2022 7.2% 19.9%
2021 3.47% 9.5%
2020 -0.37% 9.74%
2019 0.08% 10.6%
2018 1.09% 5.08%
2017 1.01% 4.09%
2016 0.6% 3.77%
2015 -0.73% 2.53%
2014 1.14% 7.19%
2013 0.76% 7.69%
2012 1.73% 9.68%
2011 5.13% 11.9%
2010 1.18% 12.9%
2009 1.06% 13.6%
2008 6.71% 20.3%
2007 4.58% 7.6%
2006 4.04% 7.92%
2005 4.69% 9.06%
2004 4.45% 7.44%
2003 2.12% 2.91%
2002 1.87% 3.29%
2001 3.75% 3.15%
2000 2.27% 4.37%
1999 0.51% 4.14%
1998 2.55% 6.23%
1997 4.49% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $165K
Metals $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Wood & paper products $4K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5.66M
Machinery & equipment $394K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $86K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Metals $7K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Pakistan
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Pakistan
Economic freedom 57.7 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 168/197
Property rights 42.7 25.7
Government integrity 31.5 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 27.6
Tax burden 76.8 78.2
Government spending 72.7 88.5
Fiscal health 59.4 10.1
Business freedom 65.7 54.4
Labor freedom 51.6 51.7
Monetary freedom 70.6 54.1
Trade freedom 76.4 70.4
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Pakistan
2026 57.7 48.9
2025 56.6 49.1
2024 54.4 49.5
2023 56 49.4
2022 59.6 48.8
2021 61 51.7
2020 61.6 54.8
2019 61.8 55
2018 63.2 54.4
2017 64.1 52.8
2016 65.1 55.9
2015 65.7 55.6
2014 66.2 55.2
2013 66.7 55.1
2012 68.7 54.7
2011 68.8 55.1
2010 69.9 55.2
2009 69.8 57
2008 68.5 55.6
2007 68.9 57.2
2006 69.6 57.9
2005 71.5 53.3
2004 71.2 54.9
2003 71.5 55
2002 73 55.8
2001 73 56
2000 76.3 56.4
1999 75.1 53
1998 70.2 53.2
1997 70.5 56
1996 70.1 58.4
1995 69.1 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
13.2%
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/pakistan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.