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Economy of El Salvador vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 105/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

El Salvador vs Romania GDP by year

El Salvador
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Romania
2024 $35,364,960,000 $382,564,217,989
2023 $33,853,940,000 $347,757,995,759
2022 $31,870,120,000 $295,319,437,557
2021 $29,043,140,000 $285,071,280,114
2020 $24,921,190,000 $250,625,048,304
2019 $26,881,140,000 $250,080,428,512
2018 $26,020,850,000 $241,791,427,224
2017 $24,979,190,000 $210,147,385,855
2016 $24,191,430,000 $185,290,759,249
2015 $23,438,240,000 $177,885,131,240
2014 $22,593,470,000 $199,722,319,676
2013 $21,990,960,000 $189,798,603,751
2012 $21,386,150,000 $179,117,323,107
2011 $20,283,780,000 $192,623,977,894
2010 $18,447,920,000 $170,064,350,672
2009 $17,601,620,000 $174,110,532,659
2008 $17,986,890,000 $214,315,932,061
2007 $17,011,750,000 $174,588,782,939
2006 $15,999,890,000 $122,023,735,993
2005 $14,698,000,000 $98,454,380,120
2004 $13,724,810,900 $74,973,656,852
2003 $13,243,892,200 $57,806,384,143
2002 $12,664,190,300 $46,065,502,703
2001 $12,282,533,600 $40,395,116,581
2000 $11,784,927,700 $37,253,739,511
1999 $11,284,197,000 $35,953,156,754
1998 $10,936,669,900 $41,696,091,974
1997 $10,221,705,900 $35,575,214,078
1996 $9,586,327,800 $36,937,074,278
1995 $8,921,947,100 $37,430,162,103
1994 $7,679,384,000 $30,072,805,104
1993 $6,680,269,200 $26,361,160,450
1992 $5,813,399,300 $25,121,666,667
1991 $5,252,342,400 $28,850,634,900
1990 $4,817,542,204 $38,247,882,300
1989 $4,372,215,300 $41,450,777,202
1988 $4,189,880,000 $40,424,528,302
1987 $3,958,045,800 $38,067,567,568
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Romania by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $956 $2,945 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $892 $2,856 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $825 - $1,790 -
1988 $806 - $1,753 -
1987 $777 - $1,659 -
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/romania | CC BY

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Romania
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
6399793
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 31.1% 88% 37% 51.5%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 27.6% 77% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 31% 37.1%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 27.4% 70% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 35% 32.6%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 26% 65.8% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 35.3% 13%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 22.6% 46% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 21% 29.6% 35% 29.6%
1999 19.7% 28% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 33.5% 15%
1996 21% 28.5% 33.5% 11%
1995 18.6% 28% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 33.1% -
1993 18.5% 31.9% 33.5% -
1992 20.8% 36.4% 41.5% -
1991 18.5% 43.3% 38.3% -
1990 15.9% - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 36/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Romania
2024 -4.55% -8.68%
2023 -4.69% -5.61%
2022 -2.68% -5.83%
2021 -5.53% -6.7%
2020 -8.18% -9.54%
2019 -3.07% -4.55%
2018 -2.71% -2.74%
2017 -2.53% -2.86%
2016 -3.1% -2.5%
2015 -3.63% -1.35%
2014 -4.02% -1.76%
2013 -4.46% -2.44%
2012 -3.81% -2.39%
2011 -4.47% -4.14%
2010 -4.97% -6.22%
2009 -6.65% -6.86%
2008 -3.8% -4.6%
2007 -2.32% -3.05%
2006 -3.42% -1.36%
2005 -3.47% -0.69%
2004 -2.76% -3.39%
2003 -4.23% -2.29%
2002 -5.5% -2.59%
2001 -4.95% -3.2%
2000 -3.45% -3.99%
1999 -3.08% -3.58%
1998 -2.94% -5.33%
1997 -1.97% -5.19%
1996 -2.7% -4.74%
1995 -0.18% -3.32%
1994 -0.94% -2.2%
1993 -1.42% -0.35%
1992 -4.29% -4.55%
1991 -2.3% 3.23%
1990 -0.61% 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Romania
2024 0.85% 5.6%
2023 4.05% 10.4%
2022 7.2% 13.8%
2021 3.47% 5%
2020 -0.37% 2.6%
2019 0.08% 3.8%
2018 1.09% 4.6%
2017 1.01% 1.3%
2016 0.6% -1.6%
2015 -0.73% -0.6%
2014 1.14% 1.1%
2013 0.76% 4%
2012 1.73% 3.3%
2011 5.13% 5.8%
2010 1.18% 6.1%
2009 1.06% 5.6%
2008 6.71% 7.8%
2007 4.58% 4.8%
2006 4.04% 6.6%
2005 4.69% 9%
2004 4.45% 11.9%
2003 2.12% 15.4%
2002 1.87% 22.5%
2001 3.75% 34.5%
2000 2.27% 45.7%
1999 0.51% 45.8%
1998 2.55% 59.1%
1997 4.49% 154.8%

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/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $176K
Raw agricultural goods $152K
Textiles & consumer goods $65K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $100K
Machinery & equipment $72K
Raw materials & minerals $62K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $60K
Chemicals & pharma $19K
Wood & paper products $11K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Romania
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Romania
Economic freedom 57.7 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 64/197
Property rights 42.7 81
Government integrity 31.5 50
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 67
Tax burden 76.8 89.1
Government spending 72.7 56.7
Fiscal health 59.4 21.4
Business freedom 65.7 74.4
Labor freedom 51.6 63.6
Monetary freedom 70.6 72.7
Trade freedom 76.4 79.4
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Romania
2026 57.7 65.4
2025 56.6 66.5
2024 54.4 64.4
2023 56 64.5
2022 59.6 67.1
2021 61 69.5
2020 61.6 69.7
2019 61.8 68.6
2018 63.2 69.4
2017 64.1 69.7
2016 65.1 65.6
2015 65.7 66.6
2014 66.2 65.5
2013 66.7 65.1
2012 68.7 64.4
2011 68.8 64.7
2010 69.9 64.2
2009 69.8 63.2
2008 68.5 61.7
2007 68.9 61.2
2006 69.6 58.2
2005 71.5 52.1
2004 71.2 50
2003 71.5 50.6
2002 73 48.7
2001 73 50
2000 76.3 52.1
1999 75.1 50.1
1998 70.2 54.4
1997 70.5 50.8
1996 70.1 46.2
1995 69.1 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Romania
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
25%
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/romania | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, 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.