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Economy of El Salvador vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 105/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

El Salvador vs Poland GDP by year

El Salvador
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Poland
2024 $35,364,960,000 $917,767,106,147
2023 $33,853,940,000 $812,451,193,396
2022 $31,870,120,000 $695,607,470,875
2021 $29,043,140,000 $689,170,230,665
2020 $24,921,190,000 $605,914,237,904
2019 $26,881,140,000 $602,683,770,145
2018 $26,020,850,000 $594,616,687,350
2017 $24,979,190,000 $528,356,676,667
2016 $24,191,430,000 $473,259,583,970
2015 $23,438,240,000 $480,054,118,583
2014 $22,593,470,000 $542,134,167,179
2013 $21,990,960,000 $518,179,836,405
2012 $21,386,150,000 $498,148,649,703
2011 $20,283,780,000 $527,848,543,023
2010 $18,447,920,000 $478,111,630,684
2009 $17,601,620,000 $440,891,472,247
2008 $17,986,890,000 $535,612,030,672
2007 $17,011,750,000 $429,715,132,138
2006 $15,999,890,000 $345,897,630,736
2005 $14,698,000,000 $306,999,913,151
2004 $13,724,810,900 $256,268,656,145
2003 $13,243,892,200 $218,561,225,998
2002 $12,664,190,300 $199,694,463,256
2001 $12,282,533,600 $191,823,200,371
2000 $11,784,927,700 $172,953,527,033
1999 $11,284,197,000 $170,704,452,715
1998 $10,936,669,900 $175,282,269,667
1997 $10,221,705,900 $159,893,964,917
1996 $9,586,327,800 $160,813,026,223
1995 $8,921,947,100 $142,838,527,115
1994 $7,679,384,000 $110,803,635,288
1993 $6,680,269,200 $96,043,157,273
1992 $5,813,399,300 $94,337,050,693
1991 $5,252,342,400 $85,500,935,935
1990 $4,817,542,204 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Poland by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $956 $2,945 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $892 $2,856 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Poland
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
6399793
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 31.1% 88% 43.6% 53%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 27.6% 77% 41% 48.2%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 27.4% 70% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 46% 53.7%
2009 26% 65.8% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 44% 46.6%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 22.6% 46% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 21% 29.6% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 19.7% 28% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 44% 38.7%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 21% 28.5% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 18.6% 28% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 18.9% 30.5% - 64.3%
1993 18.5% 31.9% - 83.9%
1992 20.8% 36.4% - 81.9%
1991 18.5% 43.3% - 76.9%
1990 15.9% - - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 36/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Poland
2024 -4.55% -6.59%
2023 -4.69% -5.27%
2022 -2.68% -3.44%
2021 -5.53% -1.75%
2020 -8.18% -6.85%
2019 -3.07% -0.73%
2018 -2.71% -0.24%
2017 -2.53% -1.49%
2016 -3.1% -2.38%
2015 -3.63% -2.59%
2014 -4.02% -3.66%
2013 -4.46% -4.25%
2012 -3.81% -3.8%
2011 -4.47% -4.97%
2010 -4.97% -7.43%
2009 -6.65% -7.24%
2008 -3.8% -3.6%
2007 -2.32% -1.88%
2006 -3.42% -3.53%
2005 -3.47% -3.93%
2004 -2.76% -4.99%
2003 -4.23% -6.02%
2002 -5.5% -4.8%
2001 -4.95% -4.73%
2000 -3.45% -4%
1999 -3.08% -2.3%
1998 -2.94% -4.25%
1997 -1.97% -4.61%
1996 -2.7% -4.84%
1995 -0.18% -4.39%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Poland
2024 0.85% 3.78%
2023 4.05% 11.5%
2022 7.2% 14.4%
2021 3.47% 5.06%
2020 -0.37% 3.37%
2019 0.08% 2.23%
2018 1.09% 1.81%
2017 1.01% 2.08%
2016 0.6% -0.66%
2015 -0.73% -0.87%
2014 1.14% 0.05%
2013 0.76% 0.99%
2012 1.73% 3.56%
2011 5.13% 4.24%
2010 1.18% 2.58%
2009 1.06% 3.8%
2008 6.71% 4.16%
2007 4.58% 2.46%
2006 4.04% 1.28%
2005 4.69% 2.18%
2004 4.45% 3.38%
2003 2.12% 0.68%
2002 1.87% 1.91%
2001 3.75% 5.41%
2000 2.27% 9.9%
1999 0.51% 7.15%
1998 2.55% 11.6%
1997 4.49% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $450K
Textiles & consumer goods $198K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $51K
Wood & paper products $6K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Weapons & explosives $3K
Miscellaneous $1K
Poland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $4.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.46M
Machinery & equipment $1.96M
Raw materials & minerals $525K
Textiles & consumer goods $521K
Raw agricultural goods $129K
Wood & paper products $67K
Metals $30K
Miscellaneous $25K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Poland
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Poland
Economic freedom 57.7 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 46/197
Property rights 42.7 71.8
Government integrity 31.5 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 62.5
Tax burden 76.8 72.7
Government spending 72.7 35.1
Fiscal health 59.4 74.8
Business freedom 65.7 77.5
Labor freedom 51.6 53.7
Monetary freedom 70.6 73.8
Trade freedom 76.4 79.4
Investment freedom 70 80
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Poland
2026 57.7 68.5
2025 56.6 67.1
2024 54.4 66
2023 56 67.7
2022 59.6 68.7
2021 61 69.7
2020 61.6 69.1
2019 61.8 67.8
2018 63.2 68.5
2017 64.1 68.3
2016 65.1 69.3
2015 65.7 68.6
2014 66.2 67
2013 66.7 66
2012 68.7 64.2
2011 68.8 64.1
2010 69.9 63.2
2009 69.8 60.3
2008 68.5 60.3
2007 68.9 58.1
2006 69.6 59.3
2005 71.5 59.6
2004 71.2 58.7
2003 71.5 61.8
2002 73 65
2001 73 61.8
2000 76.3 60
1999 75.1 59.6
1998 70.2 59.2
1997 70.5 56.8
1996 70.1 57.8
1995 69.1 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Poland
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
17.8%
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/poland | 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.