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Economy of El Salvador vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 105/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

El Salvador vs Tunisia GDP by year

El Salvador
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Tunisia
2024 $35,364,960,000 $51,332,285,657
2023 $33,853,940,000 $48,205,328,303
2022 $31,870,120,000 $44,929,920,093
2021 $29,043,140,000 $47,073,234,359
2020 $24,921,190,000 $42,491,780,918
2019 $26,881,140,000 $41,905,642,419
2018 $26,020,850,000 $42,686,504,460
2017 $24,979,190,000 $42,163,530,591
2016 $24,191,430,000 $44,360,072,680
2015 $23,438,240,000 $45,779,494,042
2014 $22,593,470,000 $50,271,812,921
2013 $21,990,960,000 $48,685,446,414
2012 $21,386,150,000 $47,311,401,813
2011 $20,283,780,000 $48,123,325,825
2010 $18,447,920,000 $46,206,091,938
2009 $17,601,620,000 $43,455,740,497
2008 $17,986,890,000 $44,859,439,902
2007 $17,011,750,000 $38,915,353,867
2006 $15,999,890,000 $34,376,664,601
2005 $14,698,000,000 $32,272,186,695
2004 $13,724,810,900 $31,183,885,241
2003 $13,243,892,200 $27,453,902,261
2002 $12,664,190,300 $23,141,616,605
2001 $12,282,533,600 $22,065,832,449
2000 $11,784,927,700 $21,473,528,161
1999 $11,284,197,000 $22,943,202,175
1998 $10,936,669,900 $21,802,893,587
1997 $10,221,705,900 $20,746,210,354
1996 $9,586,327,800 $19,587,161,807
1995 $8,921,947,100 $18,030,876,599
1994 $7,679,384,000 $15,633,174,304
1993 $6,680,269,200 $14,608,335,608
1992 $5,813,399,300 $15,496,708,060
1991 $5,252,342,400 $13,074,782,609
1990 $4,817,542,204 $12,290,568,182
1989 $4,372,215,300 $10,101,851,745
1988 $4,189,880,000 $10,096,245,762
1987 $3,958,045,800 $9,696,715,911
1986 $3,771,663,200 $9,017,806,654
1985 $3,800,368,600 $8,410,226,053
1984 $3,661,683,400 $8,254,541,195
1983 $3,506,347,800 $8,350,582,748
1982 $3,399,189,100 $8,133,580,052
1981 $3,437,200,200 $8,428,445,294
1980 $3,573,959,900 $8,744,134,354
1979 $3,463,639,900 $7,188,863,904
1978 $3,127,960,000 $5,968,460,080
1977 $2,941,640,100 $5,109,324,009
1976 $2,328,280,100 $4,508,191,942
1975 $1,884,120,100 $4,328,965,588
1974 $1,665,880,000 $3,545,868,575
1973 $1,442,320,000 $2,730,813,385
1972 $1,263,720,000 $2,237,556,149
1971 $1,186,120,000 $1,685,162,272
1970 $1,132,920,000 $1,439,238,095
1969 $1,049,400,000 $1,289,904,762
1968 $1,009,760,100 $1,214,666,667
1967 $976,200,000 $1,085,714,286
1966 $929,520,000 $1,040,952,381
1965 $877,720,000 $991,047,619
1964 - $1,025,866,792
1963 - $1,026,737,600
1962 - $880,027,733
1961 - $866,155,429

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Tunisia by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $956 $2,945 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $892 $2,856 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $825 - $1,239 -
1988 $806 - $1,266 -
1987 $777 - $1,245 -
1986 $755 - $1,187 -
1985 $776 - $1,135 -
1984 $763 - $1,143 -
1983 $745 - $1,184 -
1982 $735 - $1,177 -
1981 $752 - $1,247 -
1980 $787 - $1,324 -
1979 $773 - $1,113 -
1978 $712 - $946 -
1977 $684 - $830 -
1976 $553 - $752 -
1975 $457 - $741 -
1974 $413 - $624 -
1973 $366 - $493 -
1972 $329 - $415 -
1971 $316 - $320 -
1970 $309 - $280.5 -
1969 $293.4 - $257.7 -
1968 $290.1 - $248.9 -
1967 $288.4 - $228 -
1966 $282.4 - $223.8 -
1965 $274.3 - $217.3 -
1964 - - $228.5 -
1963 - - $231.9 -
1962 - - $201.4 -
1961 - - $200.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
15.1%
2023
Population
6399793
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 35.7% 84%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 36.5% 83%
2021 31.1% 88% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 27.6% 77% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 27.4% 70% 28.3% 49%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 24% 38.8%
2009 26% 65.8% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 23% 50%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 23% 51.6%
2003 22.6% 46% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 24% 52.2%
2000 21% 29.6% 24% 62.9%
1999 19.7% 28% 24% 61.9%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 21% 28.5% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 18.6% 28% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 27.6% 63.3%
1990 15.9% - - -

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

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 36/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Tunisia
2024 -4.55% -5.92%
2023 -4.69% -7.03%
2022 -2.68% -6.91%
2021 -5.53% -7.6%
2020 -8.18% -9.06%
2019 -3.07% -3.6%
2018 -2.71% -4.27%
2017 -2.53% -5.61%
2016 -3.1% -5.87%
2015 -3.63% -4.95%
2014 -4.02% -3.11%
2013 -4.46% -7.05%
2012 -3.81% -4.9%
2011 -4.47% -3.19%
2010 -4.97% -0.46%
2009 -6.65% -2.59%
2008 -3.8% -0.62%
2007 -2.32% -2.47%
2006 -3.42% -2.33%
2005 -3.47% -2.59%
2004 -2.76% -2.1%
2003 -4.23% -2.64%
2002 -5.5% -2.55%
2001 -4.95% -2.87%
2000 -3.45% -3.22%
1999 -3.08% -3.05%
1998 -2.94% -2.84%
1997 -1.97% -3.7%
1996 -2.7% -5.18%
1995 -0.18% -4.53%
1994 -0.94% -2.87%
1993 -1.42% -3.22%
1992 -4.29% -3.45%
1991 -2.3% -5.25%
1990 -0.61% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Tunisia
2024 0.85% 7%
2023 4.05% 9.3%
2022 7.2% 8.3%
2021 3.47% 5.7%
2020 -0.37% 5.6%
2019 0.08% 6.7%
2018 1.09% 7.3%
2017 1.01% 5.3%
2016 0.6% 3.6%
2015 -0.73% 4.4%
2014 1.14% 4.6%
2013 0.76% 5.3%
2012 1.73% 4.6%
2011 5.13% 3.2%
2010 1.18% 4.4%
2009 1.06% 3.5%
2008 6.71% 4.9%
2007 4.58% 3.4%
2006 4.04% 4.1%
2005 4.69% 2%
2004 4.45% 3.7%
2003 2.12% 2.7%
2002 1.87% 2.7%
2001 3.75% 1.9%
2000 2.27% 2.8%
1999 0.51% 2.8%
1998 2.55% 3.1%
1997 4.49% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $54K
Miscellaneous $10K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $52K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Tunisia
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Tunisia
Economic freedom 57.7 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 172/197
Property rights 42.7 55.7
Government integrity 31.5 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 39.7
Tax burden 76.8 68.5
Government spending 72.7 62.5
Fiscal health 59.4 16
Business freedom 65.7 59.4
Labor freedom 51.6 55.8
Monetary freedom 70.6 72.4
Trade freedom 76.4 54.6
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Tunisia
2026 57.7 48.1
2025 56.6 49.1
2024 54.4 48.8
2023 56 52.9
2022 59.6 54.2
2021 61 56.6
2020 61.6 55.8
2019 61.8 55.4
2018 63.2 58.9
2017 64.1 55.7
2016 65.1 57.6
2015 65.7 57.7
2014 66.2 57.3
2013 66.7 57
2012 68.7 58.6
2011 68.8 58.5
2010 69.9 58.9
2009 69.8 58
2008 68.5 60.1
2007 68.9 60.3
2006 69.6 57.5
2005 71.5 55.4
2004 71.2 58.4
2003 71.5 58.1
2002 73 60.2
2001 73 60.8
2000 76.3 61.3
1999 75.1 61.1
1998 70.2 63.9
1997 70.5 63.8
1996 70.1 63.9
1995 69.1 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
7.86%
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/tunisia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.