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Economy of El Salvador vs Seychelles compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $2.39B for the Seychelles, ranking 108/197 and 177/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $1.23B (51.5% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

El Salvador vs Seychelles GDP by year

El Salvador
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Seychelles
2025 $36,708,110,000 $2,387,022,853
2024 $34,879,730,000 $2,228,608,684
2023 $33,565,430,000 $2,171,547,935
2022 $31,870,110,000 $1,999,888,599
2021 $29,043,140,000 $1,487,173,795
2020 $24,921,190,000 $1,382,551,752
2019 $26,881,140,000 $1,868,690,097
2018 $26,020,850,000 $1,784,313,927
2017 $24,979,190,000 $1,675,370,641
2016 $24,191,430,000 $1,568,513,348
2015 $23,438,240,000 $1,432,403,352
2014 $22,593,470,000 $1,387,577,870
2013 $21,990,960,000 $1,333,160,407
2012 $21,386,150,000 $1,089,407,839
2011 $20,283,780,000 $1,058,918,707
2010 $18,447,920,000 $981,616,542
2009 $17,601,620,000 $850,901,620
2008 $17,986,890,000 $979,597,394
2007 $17,011,750,000 $1,077,308,814
2006 $15,999,890,000 $1,081,441,283
2005 $14,698,000,000 $977,899,382
2004 $13,724,810,900 $893,012,218
2003 $13,243,892,200 $750,847,230
2002 $12,664,190,300 $742,134,838
2001 $12,282,533,600 $662,064,156
2000 $11,784,927,700 $654,212,394
1999 $11,284,197,000 $662,838,615
1998 $10,936,669,900 $647,287,376
1997 $10,221,705,900 $598,966,982
1996 $9,586,327,800 $535,250,347
1995 $8,921,947,100 $540,733,048
1994 $7,679,384,000 $517,570,058
1993 $6,680,269,200 $504,230,621
1992 $5,813,399,300 $461,409,399
1991 $5,252,342,400 $398,307,170
1990 $4,817,542,204 $392,163,561
1989 $4,372,215,300 $324,333,367
1988 $4,189,880,000 $301,985,618
1987 $3,958,045,800 $265,212,957
1986 $3,771,663,200 $221,147,061
1985 $3,800,368,600 $179,691,483
1984 $3,661,683,400 $160,992,921
1983 $3,506,347,800 $156,098,237
1982 $3,399,189,100 $157,211,790
1981 $3,437,200,200 $163,750,728
1980 $3,573,959,900 $156,783,830
1979 $3,463,639,900 $127,261,099
1978 $3,127,960,000 $85,552,366
1977 $2,941,640,100 $64,526,401
1976 $2,328,280,100 $49,278,982
1975 $1,884,120,100 $47,803,146
1974 $1,665,880,000 $43,134,496
1973 $1,442,320,000 $36,896,280
1972 $1,263,720,000 $30,645,123
1971 $1,186,120,000 $21,965,951
1970 $1,132,920,000 $18,432,032
1969 $1,049,400,000 $16,452,028
1968 $1,009,760,100 $16,074,028
1967 $976,200,000 $16,632,032
1966 $929,520,000 $16,443,034
1965 $877,720,000 $15,603,032
1964 - $15,393,032
1963 - $13,923,029
1962 - $12,642,026
1961 - $11,592,024
1960 - $12,012,025

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Seychelles by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $19,449 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $18,365 $33,239
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $18,131 $31,781
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $16,683 $29,973
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $956 $2,945 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $892 $2,856 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $825 - $4,689 -
1988 $806 - $4,392 -
1987 $777 - $3,872 -
1986 $755 - $3,368 -
1985 $776 - $2,754 -
1984 $763 - $2,488 -
1983 $745 - $2,426 -
1982 $735 - $2,441 -
1981 $752 - $2,557 -
1980 $787 - $2,478 -
1979 $773 - $2,030 -
1978 $712 - $1,377 -
1977 $684 - $1,044 -
1976 $553 - $814 -
1975 $457 - $806 -
1974 $413 - $745 -
1973 $366 - $649 -
1972 $329 - $547 -
1971 $316 - $402 -
1970 $309 - $344 -
1969 $293.4 - $314 -
1968 $290.1 - $314 -
1967 $288.4 - $333 -
1966 $282.4 - $338 -
1965 $274.3 - $328 -
1964 - - $332 -
1963 - - $308 -
1962 - - $287 -
1961 - - $270.3 -
1960 - - $288.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $19,449 in the Seychelles, ranking 64/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$2.39B
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
177/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
5.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$19,449
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
64/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$1.23B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
51.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$10,019
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
59/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$11,537
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$646M
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
32.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
2.59%
2024
Population
6404781
125859

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 32.7% 51.5%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 33% 56.1%
2023 30.5% 85% 33.1% 55.1%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 31.6% 60.6%
2021 31.1% 88% 38.8% 71%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 27.6% 77% 33% 51.3%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 34.5% 64.3%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 31.5% 75.4%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 27.4% 70% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 26% 65.8% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 27% 192.1%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 41.9% 144%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 39% 144.1%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 22.6% 46% 44.6% 177%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 21% 29.6% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 19.7% 28% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 54.7% 143%
1996 21% 28.5% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 18.6% 28% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 60.4% 82.2%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 50.7% 79.9%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 52.1% 89.2%
1990 15.9% - 46.1% 80.4%
1989 - - 51.7% 39.9%
1988 - - 46.7% 41.3%
1987 - - 49.7% 37%
1986 - - 58% 31.5%
1985 - - 53% 26.5%
1984 - - 50.5% 15.3%
1983 - - 47.9% 12.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $781M, or 32.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 51.5% in the Seychelles, ranking 32/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Seychelles
2025 -2.82% -0.99%
2024 -4.55% -0.68%
2023 -4.69% -1.15%
2022 -2.68% -0.77%
2021 -5.53% -5.76%
2020 -8.14% -15.7%
2019 -3.07% 0.42%
2018 -2.71% -0.8%
2017 -2.53% -1.67%
2016 -3.1% 0.02%
2015 -3.63% 1.39%
2014 -4.02% 2.87%
2013 -4.46% 0.33%
2012 -3.81% 2.93%
2011 -4.47% 3.36%
2010 -4.97% 0.52%
2009 -6.65% 4.84%
2008 -3.8% 7.88%
2007 -2.32% -9.93%
2006 -3.42% -2.54%
2005 -3.47% 0.42%
2004 -2.76% 0.44%
2003 -4.23% 3.4%
2002 -5.5% -16.3%
2001 -4.95% -8.93%
2000 -3.45% -14.7%
1999 -3.08% -10.3%
1998 -2.94% -16.7%
1997 -1.97% -5.91%
1996 -2.7% -9.69%
1995 -0.18% -2.58%
1994 -0.94% -6.95%
1993 -1.42% -3.62%
1992 -4.29% 6.44%
1991 -2.3% 3.15%
1990 -0.61% 11.9%
1989 - 8.26%
1988 - 11.8%
1987 - 2.77%
1986 - -10.1%
1985 - -4.86%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -3.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/seychelles | 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 the Seychelles' deficit of $23.5M, or 0.99% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.37% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Seychelles
2025 0.26% 0.3%
2024 0.85% 0.31%
2023 4.05% -1.04%
2022 7.2% 2.63%
2021 3.47% 9.77%
2020 -0.37% 1.2%
2019 0.08% 1.81%
2018 1.09% 3.7%
2017 1.01% 2.86%
2016 0.6% -1.02%
2015 -0.73% 4.04%
2014 1.14% 1.39%
2013 0.76% 4.34%
2012 1.73% 7.11%
2011 5.13% 2.56%
2010 1.18% -2.4%
2009 1.06% 31.8%
2008 6.71% 37%
2007 4.58% 5.32%
2006 4.04% -0.35%
2005 4.69% 0.91%
2004 4.45% 3.86%
2003 2.12% 3.3%
2002 1.87% 0.18%
2001 3.75% 5.97%
2000 2.27% 6.27%
1999 0.51% 6.35%
1998 2.55% 2.58%
1997 4.49% 0.62%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.43%, compared with 4.87% in the Seychelles. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 0.3% in the Seychelles.

Balance of trade

El Salvador Seychelles
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
-$166M
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
90/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
-7.46%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$1.38B
2024
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$595M
2024
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$1B
2024
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
92.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
79.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Seychelles
Economic freedom 57.7 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 60/197
Property rights 42.7 82.6
Government integrity 31.5 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 61.7
Tax burden 76.8 77.3
Government spending 72.7 68
Fiscal health 59.4 92.2
Business freedom 65.7 71.3
Labor freedom 51.6 52
Monetary freedom 70.6 79.8
Trade freedom 76.4 81.2
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Seychelles
2026 57.7 66.5
2025 56.6 66.4
2024 54.4 60.4
2023 56 59.5
2022 59.6 61.1
2021 61 66.3
2020 61.6 64.3
2019 61.8 61.4
2018 63.2 61.6
2017 64.1 61.8
2016 65.1 62.2
2015 65.7 57.5
2014 66.2 56.2
2013 66.7 54.9
2012 68.7 53
2011 68.8 51.2
2010 69.9 47.9
2009 69.8 47.8
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 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
67.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
14.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
2.61%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$2.36B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$34,930
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
146/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$268M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
-$41.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
18.7%
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/seychelles | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, 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.