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Economy of El Salvador vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 105/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

El Salvador vs Paraguay GDP by year

El Salvador
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Paraguay
2024 $35,364,960,000 $44,458,118,397
2023 $33,853,940,000 $43,118,053,175
2022 $31,870,120,000 $41,952,910,858
2021 $29,043,140,000 $39,950,899,939
2020 $24,921,190,000 $35,432,178,068
2019 $26,881,140,000 $37,925,338,329
2018 $26,020,850,000 $40,225,448,341
2017 $24,979,190,000 $38,997,129,474
2016 $24,191,430,000 $36,089,700,223
2015 $23,438,240,000 $36,211,447,840
2014 $22,593,470,000 $40,377,929,296
2013 $21,990,960,000 $38,501,122,141
2012 $21,386,150,000 $33,271,921,136
2011 $20,283,780,000 $33,756,238,766
2010 $18,447,920,000 $27,260,886,405
2009 $17,601,620,000 $22,355,151,162
2008 $17,986,890,000 $24,615,267,664
2007 $17,011,750,000 $17,856,393,235
2006 $15,999,890,000 $13,429,430,050
2005 $14,698,000,000 $10,737,500,188
2004 $13,724,810,900 $9,624,440,836
2003 $13,243,892,200 $7,691,367,471
2002 $12,664,190,300 $7,196,260,657
2001 $12,282,533,600 $8,495,806,432
2000 $11,784,927,700 $8,855,705,140
1999 $11,284,197,000 $8,837,070,236
1998 $10,936,669,900 $9,260,481,572
1997 $10,221,705,900 $9,965,225,678
1996 $9,586,327,800 $9,788,391,781
1995 $8,921,947,100 $9,062,131,475
1994 $7,679,384,000 $7,870,982,005
1993 $6,680,269,200 $7,249,533,620
1992 $5,813,399,300 $7,157,424,031
1991 $5,252,342,400 $6,984,367,763
1990 $4,817,542,204 $5,812,114,523
1989 $4,372,215,300 $4,757,732,200
1988 $4,189,880,000 $4,255,683,528
1987 $3,958,045,800 $3,971,044,724
1986 $3,771,663,200 $3,723,993,943
1985 $3,800,368,600 $3,282,449,236
1984 $3,661,683,400 $4,502,462,807
1983 $3,506,347,800 $5,673,248,726
1982 $3,399,189,100 $5,419,411,765
1981 $3,437,200,200 $5,624,515,873
1980 $3,573,959,900 $4,448,087,302
1979 $3,463,639,900 $3,416,777,778
1978 $3,127,960,000 $2,559,857,143
1977 $2,941,640,100 $2,092,158,730
1976 $2,328,280,100 $1,698,960,317
1975 $1,884,120,100 $1,511,420,635
1974 $1,665,880,000 $1,333,475,397
1973 $1,442,320,000 $995,531,746
1972 $1,263,720,000 $769,039,683
1971 $1,186,120,000 $664,571,429
1970 $1,132,920,000 $594,611,111
1969 $1,049,400,000 $556,293,651
1968 $1,009,760,100 $517,650,794
1967 $976,200,000 $492,674,603
1966 $929,520,000 $465,888,889
1965 $877,720,000 $443,587,302
1964 - $408,349,206
1963 - $383,904,762
1962 - $360,698,413
1961 - $322,053,713
1960 - $288,884,368

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Paraguay by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $956 $2,945 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $892 $2,856 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $825 - $1,211 -
1988 $806 - $1,114 -
1987 $777 - $1,069 -
1986 $755 - $1,031 -
1985 $776 - $935 -
1984 $763 - $1,319 -
1983 $745 - $1,710 -
1982 $735 - $1,680 -
1981 $752 - $1,793 -
1980 $787 - $1,457 -
1979 $773 - $1,149 -
1978 $712 - $883 -
1977 $684 - $740 -
1976 $553 - $616 -
1975 $457 - $562 -
1974 $413 - $508 -
1973 $366 - $389 -
1972 $329 - $308 -
1971 $316 - $272.1 -
1970 $309 - $249 -
1969 $293.4 - $238.2 -
1968 $290.1 - $226.8 -
1967 $288.4 - $220.9 -
1966 $282.4 - $213.9 -
1965 $274.3 - $208.7 -
1964 - - $197 -
1963 - - $189.9 -
1962 - - $182.8 -
1961 - - $167.1 -
1960 - - $153.4 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
5.69%
2024
Population
6399793
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 21% 44.8%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 31.1% 88% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 27.6% 77% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 18% 18.6%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 27.4% 70% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 13.3% 13%
2009 26% 65.8% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 11.8% 16%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 14.1% 21%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 14% 28.3%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 14% 36%
2003 22.6% 46% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 19% 37.1%
2000 21% 29.6% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 19.7% 28% 19.2% 32%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 18% 22.1%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 18.1% 18%
1996 21% 28.5% 16.9% 16.8%
1995 18.6% 28% 15.7% 17.6%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 14.5% 18.7%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 12.9% 26.6%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 13% 34.4%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 11.4% 49.4%
1990 15.9% - 10.5% 67%
1989 - - 11.8% 52.9%
1988 - - 9.75% 58.9%
1987 - - 10.1% 68.7%
1986 - - 9.25% 57.1%
1985 - - 11.4% 54.7%
1984 - - 13% 31%
1983 - - 13% 22.6%
1982 - - 13.2% 21.3%
1981 - - 13.3% 17.4%
1980 - - 11.6% 17.4%
1979 - - 11.7% 19.7%
1978 - - 11.9% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.2% 18.8%
1976 - - 9.8% 14.1%
1975 - - 10.5% 12.6%
1974 - - 9.44% 12.5%
1973 - - 11.2% 15.4%
1972 - - 12.5% 18.2%
1971 - - 12.3% 18.9%
1970 - - 13.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 14% -
1968 - - 13.5% -
1967 - - 12.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 36/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Paraguay
2024 -4.55% -2.12%
2023 -4.69% -3.81%
2022 -2.68% -2.64%
2021 -5.53% -3.39%
2020 -8.18% -5.72%
2019 -3.07% -2.44%
2018 -2.71% -1.01%
2017 -2.53% -0.44%
2016 -3.1% -0.37%
2015 -3.63% -0.44%
2014 -4.02% -0.27%
2013 -4.46% -1.16%
2012 -3.81% -0.58%
2011 -4.47% 1.29%
2010 -4.97% 1.54%
2009 -6.65% 0.59%
2008 -3.8% 2.29%
2007 -2.32% 1.27%
2006 -3.42% 0.91%
2005 -3.47% 0.74%
2004 -2.76% 1.33%
2003 -4.23% -0.07%
2002 -5.5% -1.89%
2001 -4.95% 0.07%
2000 -3.45% -0.55%
1999 -3.08% 2.67%
1998 -2.94% 4.28%
1997 -1.97% 3%
1996 -2.7% 2.43%
1995 -0.18% 2.78%
1994 -0.94% 4.59%
1993 -1.42% 4.27%
1992 -4.29% 3.1%
1991 -2.3% 3.41%
1990 -0.61% 7.56%
1989 - 5.48%
1988 - 3.01%
1987 - 2.68%
1986 - 3.08%
1985 - 0.85%
1984 - -0.42%
1983 - 0.27%
1982 - 1.52%
1981 - 0.15%
1980 - 3.4%
1979 - 4.13%
1978 - -3.42%
1977 - -0.19%
1976 - -0.06%
1975 - -1.24%
1974 - 1.67%
1973 - -0.91%
1972 - -2.51%
1971 - -1.25%
1970 - -1.26%
1969 - -1.62%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -1.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/paraguay | 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 Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.61% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Paraguay
2024 0.85% 3.84%
2023 4.05% 4.63%
2022 7.2% 9.77%
2021 3.47% 4.79%
2020 -0.37% 1.77%
2019 0.08% 2.76%
2018 1.09% 3.98%
2017 1.01% 3.6%
2016 0.6% 4.09%
2015 -0.73% 3.13%
2014 1.14% 5.03%
2013 0.76% 2.68%
2012 1.73% 3.68%
2011 5.13% 8.25%
2010 1.18% 4.65%
2009 1.06% 2.59%
2008 6.71% 10.2%
2007 4.58% 8.13%
2006 4.04% 9.59%
2005 4.69% 6.81%
2004 4.45% 4.32%
2003 2.12% 14.2%
2002 1.87% 10.5%
2001 3.75% 7.27%
2000 2.27% 8.98%
1999 0.51% 6.75%
1998 2.55% 11.6%
1997 4.49% 6.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 6.23% in Paraguay. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $203K
Machinery & equipment $82K
Chemicals & pharma $73K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $67K
Raw agricultural goods $52K
Wood & paper products $8K
Metals $5K
Miscellaneous $3K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.4M
Raw agricultural goods $2M
Chemicals & pharma $860K
Machinery & equipment $143K
Wood & paper products $61K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Paraguay
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Paraguay
Economic freedom 57.7 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 61/197
Property rights 42.7 44.2
Government integrity 31.5 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 38.4
Tax burden 76.8 95.9
Government spending 72.7 86.9
Fiscal health 59.4 83
Business freedom 65.7 72
Labor freedom 51.6 44.1
Monetary freedom 70.6 76.5
Trade freedom 76.4 78.4
Investment freedom 70 80
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Paraguay
2026 57.7 66.4
2025 56.6 65.2
2024 54.4 60.1
2023 56 61
2022 59.6 62.9
2021 61 62.6
2020 61.6 63
2019 61.8 61.8
2018 63.2 62.1
2017 64.1 62.4
2016 65.1 61.5
2015 65.7 61.1
2014 66.2 62
2013 66.7 61.1
2012 68.7 61.8
2011 68.8 62.3
2010 69.9 61.3
2009 69.8 61
2008 68.5 60
2007 68.9 58.3
2006 69.6 55.6
2005 71.5 53.4
2004 71.2 56.7
2003 71.5 58.2
2002 73 59.6
2001 73 60.3
2000 76.3 64
1999 75.1 63.7
1998 70.2 65.2
1997 70.5 67.3
1996 70.1 67.1
1995 69.1 65.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
22.8%
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/paraguay | 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 (1967–1989, 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.