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Economy of El Salvador vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 105/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

El Salvador vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

El Salvador
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Saint Lucia
2024 $35,364,960,000 $2,549,062,963
2023 $33,853,940,000 $2,430,166,667
2022 $31,870,120,000 $2,342,714,815
2021 $29,043,140,000 $1,867,185,185
2020 $24,921,190,000 $1,499,274,074
2019 $26,881,140,000 $2,095,344,444
2018 $26,020,850,000 $2,060,955,556
2017 $24,979,190,000 $1,998,503,704
2016 $24,191,430,000 $1,868,544,444
2015 $23,438,240,000 $1,807,640,741
2014 $22,593,470,000 $1,749,185,185
2013 $21,990,960,000 $1,660,392,593
2012 $21,386,150,000 $1,598,207,407
2011 $20,283,780,000 $1,568,370,370
2010 $18,447,920,000 $1,482,385,185
2009 $17,601,620,000 $1,401,507,889
2008 $17,986,890,000 $1,437,731,111
2007 $17,011,750,000 $1,336,088,815
2006 $15,999,890,000 $1,268,319,185
2005 $14,698,000,000 $1,135,555,556
2004 $13,724,810,900 $1,066,666,667
2003 $13,243,892,200 $987,407,407
2002 $12,664,190,300 $900,000,000
2001 $12,282,533,600 $892,592,593
2000 $11,784,927,700 $932,592,593
1999 $11,284,197,000 $921,851,852
1998 $10,936,669,900 $877,407,407
1997 $10,221,705,900 $805,925,926
1996 $9,586,327,800 $788,888,889
1995 $8,921,947,100 $762,962,963
1994 $7,679,384,000 $713,703,704
1993 $6,680,269,200 $684,814,815
1992 $5,813,399,300 $674,074,074
1991 $5,252,342,400 $613,703,704
1990 $4,817,542,204 $579,629,630
1989 $4,372,215,300 $486,666,667
1988 $4,189,880,000 $429,629,630
1987 $3,958,045,800 $375,555,556
1986 $3,771,663,200 $340,000,000
1985 $3,800,368,600 $284,444,444
1984 $3,661,683,400 $251,481,481
1983 $3,506,347,800 $197,037,037
1982 $3,399,189,100 $183,333,333
1981 $3,437,200,200 $194,444,444
1980 $3,573,959,900 $170,370,370
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Saint Lucia by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $956 $2,945 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $892 $2,856 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $825 - $3,565 -
1988 $806 - $3,182 -
1987 $777 - $2,819 -
1986 $755 - $2,591 -
1985 $776 - $2,202 -
1984 $763 - $1,979 -
1983 $745 - $1,576 -
1982 $735 - $1,489 -
1981 $752 - $1,605 -
1980 $787 - $1,428 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
10.1%
2024
Population
6399793
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 23% 74.4%
2021 31.1% 88% 27.4% 87%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 34.9% 100%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 27.6% 77% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 23% 61.3%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 27.4% 70% 28% 60.8%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 27% 55.2%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 26% 53%
2009 26% 65.8% 24.5% 51%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 26% 51.9%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 22.6% 46% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 21% 29.6% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 19.7% 28% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 21% 28.5% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 18.6% 28% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 19.1% 23.8%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 21.8% 22.9%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 18.4% 22.2%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 18.4% 19.8%
1990 15.9% - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 36/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Saint Lucia
2024 -4.55% -2.13%
2023 -4.69% -3.09%
2022 -2.68% -1.67%
2021 -5.53% -5.1%
2020 -8.18% -12%
2019 -3.07% -3.51%
2018 -2.71% -1.03%
2017 -2.53% -1.14%
2016 -3.1% -0.79%
2015 -3.63% -2.35%
2014 -4.02% -3.08%
2013 -4.46% -4.84%
2012 -3.81% -7.62%
2011 -4.47% -5.38%
2010 -4.97% -4.17%
2009 -6.65% -2.67%
2008 -3.8% -0.72%
2007 -2.32% -1.62%
2006 -3.42% -5.07%
2005 -3.47% -6.18%
2004 -2.76% -2.63%
2003 -4.23% -3.23%
2002 -5.5% -3.1%
2001 -4.95% -3.08%
2000 -3.45% -1.16%
1999 -3.08% 1.62%
1998 -2.94% 2.25%
1997 -1.97% -1.13%
1996 -2.7% -0.58%
1995 -0.18% -0.13%
1994 -0.94% -0.02%
1993 -1.42% -0.26%
1992 -4.29% -0.66%
1991 -2.3% -0.43%
1990 -0.61% 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.47% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Saint Lucia
2024 0.85% -0.11%
2023 4.05% 4.07%
2022 7.2% 6.38%
2021 3.47% 2.41%
2020 -0.37% -1.76%
2019 0.08% 0.54%
2018 1.09% 1.94%
2017 1.01% 0.1%
2016 0.6% -3.08%
2015 -0.73% -0.98%
2014 1.14% 3.52%
2013 0.76% 1.47%
2012 1.73% 4.18%
2011 5.13% 2.77%
2010 1.18% 3.25%
2009 1.06% -0.16%
2008 6.71% 5.55%
2007 4.58% 2.82%
2006 4.04% 2.4%
2005 4.69% 3.9%
2004 4.45% 1.46%
2003 2.12% 1.03%
2002 1.87% -0.26%
2001 3.75% 5.31%
2000 2.27% 3.71%
1999 0.51% 3.5%
1998 2.55% 3.2%
1997 4.49% -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $141K
Textiles & consumer goods $34K
Chemicals & pharma $11K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Wood & paper products $3K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $18K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 57.7 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 57/197
Property rights 42.7 64.3
Government integrity 31.5 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 77.3
Tax burden 76.8 77.7
Government spending 72.7 82.6
Fiscal health 59.4 80
Business freedom 65.7 71.9
Labor freedom 51.6 65.2
Monetary freedom 70.6 81
Trade freedom 76.4 60
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Saint Lucia
2026 57.7 67.5
2025 56.6 67
2024 54.4 62.2
2023 56 60.7
2022 59.6 64.3
2021 61 67.5
2020 61.6 68.2
2019 61.8 68.7
2018 63.2 67.6
2017 64.1 65
2016 65.1 70
2015 65.7 70.2
2014 66.2 70.7
2013 66.7 70.4
2012 68.7 71.3
2011 68.8 70.8
2010 69.9 70.5
2009 69.8 68.8
2008 68.5 -
2007 68.9 -
2006 69.6 -
2005 71.5 -
2004 71.2 -
2003 71.5 -
2002 73 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.