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Economy of El Salvador vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 105/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

El Salvador vs Suriname GDP by year

El Salvador
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Suriname
2024 $35,364,960,000 $4,416,775,112
2023 $33,853,940,000 $3,472,693,412
2022 $31,870,120,000 $3,791,603,200
2021 $29,043,140,000 $3,107,923,198
2020 $24,921,190,000 $2,911,807,496
2019 $26,881,140,000 $4,016,040,575
2018 $26,020,850,000 $3,996,198,867
2017 $24,979,190,000 $3,591,679,431
2016 $24,191,430,000 $3,317,421,648
2015 $23,438,240,000 $5,126,237,646
2014 $22,593,470,000 $5,240,606,061
2013 $21,990,960,000 $5,145,757,576
2012 $21,386,150,000 $4,980,000,000
2011 $20,283,780,000 $4,422,276,622
2010 $18,447,920,000 $4,368,370,998
2009 $17,601,620,000 $3,875,409,836
2008 $17,986,890,000 $3,532,969,035
2007 $17,011,750,000 $2,936,612,022
2006 $15,999,890,000 $2,626,380,435
2005 $14,698,000,000 $1,793,410,397
2004 $13,724,810,900 $1,484,092,538
2003 $13,243,892,200 $1,274,190,311
2002 $12,664,190,300 $1,093,574,468
2001 $12,282,533,600 $834,279,358
2000 $11,784,927,700 $947,671,970
1999 $11,284,197,000 $886,290,698
1998 $10,936,669,900 $1,110,850,000
1997 $10,221,705,900 $926,422,500
1996 $9,586,327,800 $861,372,806
1995 $8,921,947,100 $691,590,498
1994 $7,679,384,000 $605,492,537
1993 $6,680,269,200 $428,764,706
1992 $5,813,399,300 $404,600,000
1991 $5,252,342,400 $448,100,000
1990 $4,817,542,204 $388,400,000
1989 $4,372,215,300 $542,600,000
1988 $4,189,880,000 $1,161,000,000
1987 $3,958,045,800 $980,000,000
1986 $3,771,663,200 $891,000,000
1985 $3,800,368,600 $873,000,000
1984 $3,661,683,400 $864,000,000
1983 $3,506,347,800 $883,500,000
1982 $3,399,189,100 $915,000,000
1981 $3,437,200,200 $889,000,000
1980 $3,573,959,900 $795,000,000
1979 $3,463,639,900 $782,500,000
1978 $3,127,960,000 $735,500,000
1977 $2,941,640,100 $641,500,000
1976 $2,328,280,100 $505,500,000
1975 $1,884,120,100 $465,500,000
1974 $1,665,880,000 $409,850,000
1973 $1,442,320,000 $339,450,000
1972 $1,263,720,000 $311,950,000
1971 $1,186,120,000 $301,000,000
1970 $1,132,920,000 $274,900,000
1969 $1,049,400,000 $259,650,000
1968 $1,009,760,100 $241,350,000
1967 $976,200,000 $220,700,000
1966 $929,520,000 $190,350,000
1965 $877,720,000 $154,150,000
1964 - $134,400,000
1963 - $125,950,000
1962 - $116,150,000
1961 - $107,700,000
1960 - $99,650,000

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Suriname by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $969 $6,992
1991 $956 $2,945 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $892 $2,856 $942 $6,493
1989 $825 - $1,329 -
1988 $806 - $2,886 -
1987 $777 - $2,469 -
1986 $755 - $2,271 -
1985 $776 - $2,256 -
1984 $763 - $2,261 -
1983 $745 - $2,333 -
1982 $735 - $2,430 -
1981 $752 - $2,368 -
1980 $787 - $2,118 -
1979 $773 - $2,072 -
1978 $712 - $1,928 -
1977 $684 - $1,666 -
1976 $553 - $1,302 -
1975 $457 - $1,190 -
1974 $413 - $1,041 -
1973 $366 - $858 -
1972 $329 - $785 -
1971 $316 - $768 -
1970 $309 - $724 -
1969 $293.4 - $708 -
1968 $290.1 - $681 -
1967 $288.4 - $644 -
1966 $282.4 - $575 -
1965 $274.3 - $482 -
1964 - - $435 -
1963 - - $424 -
1962 - - $409 -
1961 - - $395 -
1960 - - $378 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Suriname
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
7.92%
2016
Population
6399793
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 29% 98.2%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 31.1% 88% 32% 115.8%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 40.5% 84%
2018 27.6% 77% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 28.7% 73%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 27.4% 70% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 21% 18.7%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 21% 17.3%
2009 26% 65.8% 24% 14.6%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 22.6% 46% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 21% 29.6% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 19.7% 28% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 21% 28.5% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 18.6% 28% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 15.9% - 22.7% 72.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 36/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Suriname
2024 -4.55% -2.42%
2023 -4.69% -1.68%
2022 -2.68% -2.69%
2021 -5.53% -5.66%
2020 -8.18% -12%
2019 -3.07% -20.2%
2018 -2.71% -8.56%
2017 -2.53% -8.62%
2016 -3.1% -10.2%
2015 -3.63% -8.29%
2014 -4.02% -2.65%
2013 -4.46% -2.64%
2012 -3.81% -0.38%
2011 -4.47% 2.32%
2010 -4.97% -0.15%
2009 -6.65% 2.03%
2008 -3.8% 2.39%
2007 -2.32% 5.01%
2006 -3.42% 0.59%
2005 -3.47% -3.39%
2004 -2.76% -1.2%
2003 -4.23% -0.11%
2002 -5.5% -3.3%
2001 -4.95% 3.49%
2000 -3.45% -7.76%
1999 -3.08% -4.92%
1998 -2.94% -6.39%
1997 -1.97% -0.32%
1996 -2.7% 3.42%
1995 -0.18% 1.17%
1994 -0.94% -1.89%
1993 -1.42% -4.68%
1992 -4.29% -6.45%
1991 -2.3% -9.8%
1990 -0.61% -3.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Suriname
2024 0.85% 16.2%
2023 4.05% 51.6%
2022 7.2% 52.4%
2021 3.47% 59.1%
2020 -0.37% 34.9%
2019 0.08% -
2018 1.09% -
2017 1.01% 22%
2016 0.6% 55.4%
2015 -0.73% 6.89%
2014 1.14% 3.38%
2013 0.76% 1.92%
2012 1.73% 5.01%
2011 5.13% 17.7%
2010 1.18% 6.94%
2009 1.06% -0.13%
2008 6.71% 14.7%
2007 4.58% 6.43%
2006 4.04% 11.3%
2005 4.69% 9.9%
2004 4.45% 9.99%
2003 2.12% 23%
2002 1.87% 15.5%
2001 3.75% 38.6%
2000 2.27% 59.4%
1999 0.51% 98.8%
1998 2.55% 19%
1997 4.49% 7.15%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $774K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $234K
Textiles & consumer goods $147K
Miscellaneous $104K
Machinery & equipment $23K
Wood & paper products $8K
Metals $1K
Suriname
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

El Salvador Suriname
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Suriname
Economic freedom 57.7 53
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 143/197
Property rights 42.7 40.5
Government integrity 31.5 41
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 46.5
Tax burden 76.8 69.1
Government spending 72.7 74.3
Fiscal health 59.4 76.6
Business freedom 65.7 56.9
Labor freedom 51.6 69
Monetary freedom 70.6 56.4
Trade freedom 76.4 65.2
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Suriname
2026 57.7 53
2025 56.6 50.9
2024 54.4 46.7
2023 56 46.1
2022 59.6 48.1
2021 61 46.4
2020 61.6 49.5
2019 61.8 48.1
2018 63.2 48.1
2017 64.1 48
2016 65.1 53.8
2015 65.7 54.2
2014 66.2 54.2
2013 66.7 52
2012 68.7 52.6
2011 68.8 53.1
2010 69.9 52.5
2009 69.8 54.1
2008 68.5 54.3
2007 68.9 54.8
2006 69.6 55.1
2005 71.5 51.9
2004 71.2 47.9
2003 71.5 46.9
2002 73 48
2001 73 44.3
2000 76.3 45.8
1999 75.1 40.1
1998 70.2 39.9
1997 70.5 35.9
1996 70.1 36.7
1995 69.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Suriname
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.