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Economy of El Salvador vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 108/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

El Salvador vs Serbia GDP by year

El Salvador
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Serbia
2025 $36,708,110,000 $99,953,324,473
2024 $34,879,730,000 $90,088,366,320
2023 $33,565,430,000 $81,343,999,280
2022 $31,870,110,000 $66,809,895,701
2021 $29,043,140,000 $66,159,884,073
2020 $24,921,190,000 $55,874,017,669
2019 $26,881,140,000 $53,864,693,665
2018 $26,020,850,000 $52,787,520,249
2017 $24,979,190,000 $45,972,834,714
2016 $24,191,430,000 $42,225,495,910
2015 $23,438,240,000 $41,297,410,635
2014 $22,593,470,000 $49,114,321,280
2013 $21,990,960,000 $50,455,529,604
2012 $21,386,150,000 $45,103,269,969
2011 $20,283,780,000 $51,251,098,408
2010 $18,447,920,000 $43,536,629,233
2009 $17,601,620,000 $46,955,984,410
2008 $17,986,890,000 $54,220,641,202
2007 $17,011,750,000 $44,888,028,946
2006 $15,999,890,000 $33,298,057,362
2005 $14,698,000,000 $28,334,256,181
2004 $13,724,810,900 $26,845,632,342
2003 $13,243,892,200 $23,593,044,418
2002 $12,664,190,300 $17,930,583,571
2001 $12,282,533,600 $13,599,378,662
2000 $11,784,927,700 $7,326,373,882
1999 $11,284,197,000 $20,878,694,851
1998 $10,936,669,900 $21,004,077,441
1997 $10,221,705,900 $27,153,408,995
1996 $9,586,327,800 $23,277,430,168
1995 $8,921,947,100 $17,921,892,655
1994 $7,679,384,000 -
1993 $6,680,269,200 -
1992 $5,813,399,300 -
1991 $5,252,342,400 -
1990 $4,817,542,204 -
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Serbia by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $15,262 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $13,678 $32,832
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $975 $6,416
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $1,344 $3,591 - -
1993 $1,180 $3,390 - -
1992 $1,041 $3,171 - -
1991 $956 $2,945 - -
1990 $892 $2,856 - -
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Serbia
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$100B
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
76/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
7.3%
2025
Population
6404781
6500256

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 43.2% 42.4%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 42.2% 44.1%
2023 30.5% 85% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 31.1% 88% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 46% 54.3%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 27.6% 77% 39% 51.1%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 40.3% 65%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 41% 67.1%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 27.4% 70% 43.3% 58%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 40% 46%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 26% 65.8% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 40.6% 30%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 41.3% 37%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 22.6% 46% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 21% 29.6% 28% 200.6%
1999 19.7% 28% - -
1998 19.3% 25.7% - -
1997 18.6% 27.8% - -
1996 21% 28.5% - -
1995 18.6% 28% - -
1994 18.9% 30.5% - -
1993 18.5% 31.9% - -
1992 20.8% 36.4% - -
1991 18.5% 43.3% - -
1990 15.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 32/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Serbia
2025 -2.82% -2.21%
2024 -4.55% -1.73%
2023 -4.69% -1.21%
2022 -2.68% -0.14%
2021 -5.53% -3.16%
2020 -8.14% -6.91%
2019 -3.07% -0.004%
2018 -2.71% 0.78%
2017 -2.53% 1.32%
2016 -3.1% -1.08%
2015 -3.63% -3.25%
2014 -4.02% -5.61%
2013 -4.46% -4.79%
2012 -3.81% -6.11%
2011 -4.47% -3.75%
2010 -4.97% -3.35%
2009 -6.65% -3.3%
2008 -3.8% -4.25%
2007 -2.32% -0.8%
2006 -3.42% -0.9%
2005 -3.47% 1.02%
2004 -2.76% 0.06%
2003 -4.23% -2.39%
2002 -5.5% -2.33%
2001 -4.95% 0.32%
2000 -3.45% -0.15%
1999 -3.08% -
1998 -2.94% -
1997 -1.97% -
1996 -2.7% -
1995 -0.18% -
1994 -0.94% -
1993 -1.42% -
1992 -4.29% -
1991 -2.3% -
1990 -0.61% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.03B, equivalent to 2.82% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $2.21B, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 4.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Serbia
2025 0.26% 3.89%
2024 0.85% 4.67%
2023 4.05% 12.4%
2022 7.2% 12%
2021 3.47% 4.09%
2020 -0.37% 1.58%
2019 0.08% 1.85%
2018 1.09% 1.96%
2017 1.01% 3.13%
2016 0.6% 1.12%
2015 -0.73% 1.39%
2014 1.14% 2.08%
2013 0.76% 7.69%
2012 1.73% 7.33%
2011 5.13% 11.1%
2010 1.18% 6.14%
2009 1.06% 8.12%
2008 6.71% 12.4%
2007 4.58% 6.39%
2006 4.04% 11.7%
2005 4.69% 16.1%
2004 4.45% 11%
2003 2.12% 9.88%
2002 1.87% 19.5%
2001 3.75% 95%
2000 2.27% 71.1%
1999 0.51% 42.5%
1998 2.55% 30.2%
1997 4.49% 23.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.43%, compared with 15.2% in Serbia. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Serbia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $445K
Machinery & equipment $194K
Chemicals & pharma $124K
Wood & paper products $78K
Raw materials & minerals $30K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Serbia
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
54.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Serbia
Economic freedom 57.7 65
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 68/197
Property rights 42.7 57.2
Government integrity 31.5 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 50.1
Tax burden 76.8 88
Government spending 72.7 48.2
Fiscal health 59.4 94.3
Business freedom 65.7 73.6
Labor freedom 51.6 61.8
Monetary freedom 70.6 73
Trade freedom 76.4 76.6
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Serbia
2026 57.7 65
2025 56.6 64.4
2024 54.4 62.7
2023 56 63.5
2022 59.6 65.2
2021 61 67.2
2020 61.6 66
2019 61.8 63.9
2018 63.2 62.5
2017 64.1 58.9
2016 65.1 62.1
2015 65.7 60
2014 66.2 59.4
2013 66.7 58.6
2012 68.7 58
2011 68.8 58
2010 69.9 56.9
2009 69.8 56.6
2008 68.5 -
2007 68.9 -
2006 69.6 -
2005 71.5 -
2004 71.2 -
2003 71.5 43.5
2002 73 46.6
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 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Serbia
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$2.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
23.4%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.