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Economy of El Salvador vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 105/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

El Salvador vs Thailand GDP by year

El Salvador
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Thailand
2024 $35,364,960,000 $526,517,658,842
2023 $33,853,940,000 $515,906,283,941
2022 $31,870,120,000 $495,644,697,588
2021 $29,043,140,000 $506,194,668,790
2020 $24,921,190,000 $500,461,898,480
2019 $26,881,140,000 $543,976,691,794
2018 $26,020,850,000 $506,754,208,404
2017 $24,979,190,000 $456,356,813,537
2016 $24,191,430,000 $413,366,349,748
2015 $23,438,240,000 $401,296,238,228
2014 $22,593,470,000 $407,339,040,198
2013 $21,990,960,000 $420,333,654,593
2012 $21,386,150,000 $397,558,325,279
2011 $20,283,780,000 $370,818,739,624
2010 $18,447,920,000 $341,104,766,329
2009 $17,601,620,000 $281,710,630,187
2008 $17,986,890,000 $291,382,982,431
2007 $17,011,750,000 $262,942,621,455
2006 $15,999,890,000 $221,758,296,022
2005 $14,698,000,000 $189,318,408,469
2004 $13,724,810,900 $172,895,685,155
2003 $13,243,892,200 $152,280,615,246
2002 $12,664,190,300 $134,300,904,400
2001 $12,282,533,600 $120,296,476,180
2000 $11,784,927,700 $126,392,224,254
1999 $11,284,197,000 $126,669,211,779
1998 $10,936,669,900 $113,675,596,788
1997 $10,221,705,900 $150,180,456,566
1996 $9,586,327,800 $183,035,237,429
1995 $8,921,947,100 $169,278,916,593
1994 $7,679,384,000 $146,683,778,959
1993 $6,680,269,200 $128,889,262,951
1992 $5,813,399,300 $111,452,746,518
1991 $5,252,342,400 $98,234,714,971
1990 $4,817,542,204 $85,343,190,719
1989 $4,372,215,300 $72,250,748,100
1988 $4,189,880,000 $61,667,253,471
1987 $3,958,045,800 $50,535,446,555
1986 $3,771,663,200 $43,096,773,981
1985 $3,800,368,600 $38,900,711,333
1984 $3,661,683,400 $41,797,647,776
1983 $3,506,347,800 $40,042,798,388
1982 $3,399,189,100 $36,589,772,404
1981 $3,437,200,200 $34,846,039,194
1980 $3,573,959,900 $32,353,514,989
1979 $3,463,639,900 $27,371,650,825
1978 $3,127,960,000 $24,006,566,637
1977 $2,941,640,100 $19,779,312,261
1976 $2,328,280,100 $16,985,208,648
1975 $1,884,120,100 $14,882,770,594
1974 $1,665,880,000 $13,702,998,512
1973 $1,442,320,000 $10,838,587,358
1972 $1,263,720,000 $8,177,873,151
1971 $1,186,120,000 $7,375,000,024
1970 $1,132,920,000 $7,086,538,438
1969 $1,049,400,000 $6,695,336,567
1968 $1,009,760,100 $6,081,009,428
1967 $976,200,000 $5,638,461,442
1966 $929,520,000 $5,279,230,817
1965 $877,720,000 $4,388,937,649
1964 - $3,889,129,942
1963 - $3,540,403,457
1962 - $3,308,912,797
1961 - $3,034,037,811
1960 - $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Thailand by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $956 $2,945 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $892 $2,856 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $825 - $1,342 -
1988 $806 - $1,164 -
1987 $777 - $970 -
1986 $755 - $842 -
1985 $776 - $774 -
1984 $763 - $847 -
1983 $745 - $827 -
1982 $735 - $770 -
1981 $752 - $748 -
1980 $787 - $709 -
1979 $773 - $612 -
1978 $712 - $548 -
1977 $684 - $462 -
1976 $553 - $405 -
1975 $457 - $364 -
1974 $413 - $343 -
1973 $366 - $278.3 -
1972 $329 - $215.6 -
1971 $316 - $199.7 -
1970 $309 - $197.1 -
1969 $293.4 - $191.4 -
1968 $290.1 - $178.8 -
1967 $288.4 - $170.7 -
1966 $282.4 - $164.5 -
1965 $274.3 - $140.9 -
1964 - - $128.6 -
1963 - - $120.7 -
1962 - - $116.2 -
1961 - - $109.7 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Thailand
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
0.78%
2024
Population
6399793
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 31.1% 88% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 27.6% 77% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 27.4% 70% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 22% 39.8%
2009 26% 65.8% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 20% 36%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 22.6% 46% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 21% 29.6% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 19.7% 28% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 21% 28.5% 18% 15.2%
1995 18.6% 28% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 16% 6.69%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 17% 14.1%
1990 15.9% - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 36/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Thailand
2024 -4.55% -1.29%
2023 -4.69% -1.98%
2022 -2.68% -4.61%
2021 -5.53% -6.74%
2020 -8.18% -4.47%
2019 -3.07% 0.43%
2018 -2.71% 0.2%
2017 -2.53% -0.42%
2016 -3.1% 0.41%
2015 -3.63% 0.19%
2014 -4.02% -0.7%
2013 -4.46% 0.6%
2012 -3.81% -0.86%
2011 -4.47% 0.09%
2010 -4.97% -1.07%
2009 -6.65% -2.21%
2008 -3.8% 0.8%
2007 -2.32% 0.22%
2006 -3.42% 1.87%
2005 -3.47% 2.17%
2004 -2.76% 1.11%
2003 -4.23% 1.98%
2002 -5.5% -6.72%
2001 -4.95% -1.77%
2000 -3.45% -1.79%
1999 -3.08% -9.02%
1998 -2.94% -6.29%
1997 -1.97% -1.68%
1996 -2.7% 2.75%
1995 -0.18% 3.05%
1994 -0.94% 2.78%
1993 -1.42% 6.67%
1992 -4.29% -0.18%
1991 -2.3% 1.6%
1990 -0.61% 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.67% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Thailand
2024 0.85% 1.37%
2023 4.05% 8.48%
2022 7.2% -1.61%
2021 3.47% 1.23%
2020 -0.37% -0.85%
2019 0.08% 0.71%
2018 1.09% 1.06%
2017 1.01% 0.67%
2016 0.6% 0.19%
2015 -0.73% -0.9%
2014 1.14% 1.9%
2013 0.76% 2.18%
2012 1.73% 3.01%
2011 5.13% 3.81%
2010 1.18% 3.25%
2009 1.06% -0.85%
2008 6.71% 5.47%
2007 4.58% 2.24%
2006 4.04% 4.64%
2005 4.69% 4.54%
2004 4.45% 2.76%
2003 2.12% 1.8%
2002 1.87% 0.7%
2001 3.75% 1.63%
2000 2.27% 1.59%
1999 0.51% 0.28%
1998 2.55% 7.99%
1997 4.49% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Metals $952K
Wood & paper products $124K
Textiles & consumer goods $98K
Raw agricultural goods $76K
Machinery & equipment $58K
Chemicals & pharma $16K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K
Miscellaneous $2K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $76.7M
Raw agricultural goods $24.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.69M
Raw materials & minerals $3.95M
Metals $3.2M
Chemicals & pharma $2.45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.82M
Wood & paper products $72K
Precious metals & jewellery $39K
Miscellaneous $8K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Thailand
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Thailand
Economic freedom 57.7 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 88/197
Property rights 42.7 41.8
Government integrity 31.5 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 35
Tax burden 76.8 80.8
Government spending 72.7 83.6
Fiscal health 59.4 81
Business freedom 65.7 69.9
Labor freedom 51.6 56.4
Monetary freedom 70.6 73.3
Trade freedom 76.4 70.2
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Thailand
2026 57.7 62.2
2025 56.6 60.6
2024 54.4 59
2023 56 60.6
2022 59.6 63.2
2021 61 69.7
2020 61.6 69.4
2019 61.8 68.3
2018 63.2 67.1
2017 64.1 66.2
2016 65.1 63.9
2015 65.7 62.4
2014 66.2 63.3
2013 66.7 64.1
2012 68.7 64.9
2011 68.8 64.7
2010 69.9 64.1
2009 69.8 63
2008 68.5 62.3
2007 68.9 63.5
2006 69.6 63.3
2005 71.5 62.5
2004 71.2 63.7
2003 71.5 65.8
2002 73 69.1
2001 73 68.9
2000 76.3 66.6
1999 75.1 66.9
1998 70.2 67.3
1997 70.5 66.1
1996 70.1 71
1995 69.1 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Thailand
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
21.6%
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/thailand | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, 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 (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.