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Economy of El Salvador vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $1.6T for Turkey, ranking 108/197 and 16/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $375B (23.5% of GDP) in Turkey.

El Salvador vs Turkey GDP by year

El Salvador
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Turkey
2025 $36,708,110,000 $1,597,293,229,287
2024 $34,879,730,000 $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $33,565,430,000 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $31,870,110,000 $926,097,476,914
2021 $29,043,140,000 $839,938,668,172
2020 $24,921,190,000 $733,628,247,119
2019 $26,881,140,000 $775,853,144,223
2018 $26,020,850,000 $788,356,985,774
2017 $24,979,190,000 $863,874,522,365
2016 $24,191,430,000 $870,818,016,910
2015 $23,438,240,000 $865,460,050,684
2014 $22,593,470,000 $942,343,431,929
2013 $21,990,960,000 $962,167,643,589
2012 $21,386,150,000 $885,327,622,479
2011 $20,283,780,000 $844,192,507,381
2010 $18,447,920,000 $782,545,664,268
2009 $17,601,620,000 $653,894,449,921
2008 $17,986,890,000 $775,415,944,333
2007 $17,011,750,000 $685,228,481,017
2006 $15,999,890,000 $559,668,118,237
2005 $14,698,000,000 $508,314,210,213
2004 $13,724,810,900 $410,156,784,496
2003 $13,243,892,200 $315,392,899,922
2002 $12,664,190,300 $240,778,008,474
2001 $12,282,533,600 $202,195,080,239
2000 $11,784,927,700 $274,748,463,179
1999 $11,284,197,000 $256,673,939,248
1998 $10,936,669,900 $276,035,372,655
1997 $10,221,705,900 $263,817,553,748
1996 $9,586,327,800 $250,366,965,174
1995 $8,921,947,100 $234,699,627,004
1994 $7,679,384,000 $130,650,447,499
1993 $6,680,269,200 $180,415,757,852
1992 $5,813,399,300 $159,104,772,992
1991 $5,252,342,400 $151,034,731,544
1990 $4,817,542,204 $150,655,500,192
1989 $4,372,215,300 $107,127,191,329
1988 $4,189,880,000 $90,875,175,809
1987 $3,958,045,800 $87,190,081,680
1986 $3,771,663,200 $75,673,037,037
1985 $3,800,368,600 $67,232,758,621
1984 $3,661,683,400 $59,937,602,180
1983 $3,506,347,800 $61,803,555,556
1982 $3,399,189,100 $64,369,325,153
1981 $3,437,200,200 $71,180,180,180
1980 $3,573,959,900 $68,823,684,211
1979 $3,463,639,900 $89,616,129,032
1978 $3,127,960,000 $65,912,500,000
1977 $2,941,640,100 $58,683,333,333
1976 $2,328,280,100 $51,450,000,000
1975 $1,884,120,100 $46,042,857,143
1974 $1,665,880,000 $35,414,285,714
1973 $1,442,320,000 $26,000,000,000
1972 $1,263,720,000 $20,650,000,000
1971 $1,186,120,000 $16,166,666,667
1970 $1,132,920,000 $17,863,636,364
1969 $1,049,400,000 $19,466,666,667
1968 $1,009,760,100 $17,500,000,000
1967 $976,200,000 $15,644,444,444
1966 $929,520,000 $14,100,000,000
1965 $877,720,000 $11,966,666,667
1964 - $11,177,777,778
1963 - $10,355,555,556
1962 - $8,922,222,222
1961 - $7,988,888,889
1960 - $7,566,666,667

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Turkey by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $18,599 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $15,893 $45,639
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $956 $2,945 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $892 $2,856 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $825 - $1,949 -
1988 $806 - $1,686 -
1987 $777 - $1,650 -
1986 $755 - $1,461 -
1985 $776 - $1,326 -
1984 $763 - $1,209 -
1983 $745 - $1,276 -
1982 $735 - $1,360 -
1981 $752 - $1,537 -
1980 $787 - $1,516 -
1979 $773 - $2,013 -
1978 $712 - $1,510 -
1977 $684 - $1,372 -
1976 $553 - $1,228 -
1975 $457 - $1,122 -
1974 $413 - $881 -
1973 $366 - $661 -
1972 $329 - $537 -
1971 $316 - $431 -
1970 $309 - $488 -
1969 $293.4 - $544 -
1968 $290.1 - $501 -
1967 $288.4 - $459 -
1966 $282.4 - $425 -
1965 $274.3 - $370 -
1964 - - $354 -
1963 - - $337 -
1962 - - $298.2 -
1961 - - $274.4 -
1960 - - $267.1 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $18,599 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Turkey
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$1.6T
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
16/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
3.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$18,599
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$375B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
23.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$4,367
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
92/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$12,616
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$404B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
93,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
34.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
34.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
37%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
8.4%
2025
Population
6404781
86225430

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 32.4% 23.5%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 32.9% 23.6%
2023 30.5% 85% 32.7% 28.2%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 26.8% 29.4%
2021 31.1% 88% 30.5% 38.9%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 34% 38.3%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 34.8% 31.2%
2018 27.6% 77% 33.9% 28.8%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 32.4% 26.9%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 33.8% 27%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 32.4% 26.5%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 32.5% 27.4%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 33.5% 29.5%
2012 27.4% 70% 34% 30.8%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 32.6% 34.8%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 35.2% 38.6%
2009 26% 65.8% 37% 42.4%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 33.5% 37%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 32.7% 37.1%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 33.4% 44.2%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 32% 50.2%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 34.5% 57%
2003 22.6% 46% 38.3% 63.6%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 40.9% 71.2%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 43.9% 75.6%
2000 21% 29.6% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 19.7% 28% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 26.4% 32.5%
1996 21% 28.5% 24.5% 35.5%
1995 18.6% 28% 19.4% 34.6%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 20.5% 39.2%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 22% 29.1%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 18.6% 29.2%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 18.2% 28.4%
1990 15.9% - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $517B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 23.5% in Turkey, ranking 32/185 and 169/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Turkey
2025 -2.82% -2.78%
2024 -4.55% -4.51%
2023 -4.69% -5.19%
2022 -2.68% -1.1%
2021 -5.53% -2.98%
2020 -8.14% -4.64%
2019 -3.07% -4.69%
2018 -2.71% -3.1%
2017 -2.53% -1.87%
2016 -3.1% -1.68%
2015 -3.63% -0.51%
2014 -4.02% -0.96%
2013 -4.46% -1.21%
2012 -3.81% -1.78%
2011 -4.47% -0.35%
2010 -4.97% -2.99%
2009 -6.65% -5.14%
2008 -3.8% -2.13%
2007 -2.32% -1.37%
2006 -3.42% -0.22%
2005 -3.47% -0.75%
2004 -2.76% -4.11%
2003 -4.23% -7.55%
2002 -5.5% -11.3%
2001 -4.95% -11.6%
2000 -3.45% -8.36%
1999 -3.08% -13.8%
1998 -2.94% -9.84%
1997 -1.97% -10.1%
1996 -2.7% -10.7%
1995 -0.18% -5.95%
1994 -0.94% -6.04%
1993 -1.42% -8.84%
1992 -4.29% -6.73%
1991 -2.3% -6.86%
1990 -0.61% -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $44.4B, or 2.78% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.87% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Turkey
2025 0.26% 34.9%
2024 0.85% 58.5%
2023 4.05% 53.9%
2022 7.2% 72.3%
2021 3.47% 19.6%
2020 -0.37% 12.3%
2019 0.08% 15.2%
2018 1.09% 16.3%
2017 1.01% 11.1%
2016 0.6% 7.78%
2015 -0.73% 7.67%
2014 1.14% 8.85%
2013 0.76% 7.49%
2012 1.73% 8.89%
2011 5.13% 6.47%
2010 1.18% 8.57%
2009 1.06% 6.25%
2008 6.71% 10.4%
2007 4.58% 8.76%
2006 4.04% 9.6%
2005 4.69% 8.18%
2004 4.45% 8.6%
2003 2.12% 21.6%
2002 1.87% 45%
2001 3.75% 54.4%
2000 2.27% 54.9%
1999 0.51% 64.9%
1998 2.55% 84.6%
1997 4.49% 85.7%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.43%, compared with 28% in Turkey. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 34.9% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $548K
Textiles & consumer goods $185K
Machinery & equipment $92K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $50K
Wood & paper products $15K
Animal & marine products $3K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Metals $1K
Turkey
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $23.1M
Chemicals & pharma $3.69M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.61M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.34M
Metals $1.12M
Raw agricultural goods $500K
Raw materials & minerals $255K
Wood & paper products $216K
Weapons & explosives $134K
Precious metals & jewellery $28K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Turkey
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
-$10.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
175/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
-0.77%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$313B
2024
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$257B
2024
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$55.8B
2024
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$117B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
25.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
24.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Turkey
Economic freedom 57.7 55
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 129/197
Property rights 42.7 36.4
Government integrity 31.5 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 23.5
Tax burden 76.8 72
Government spending 72.7 71.8
Fiscal health 59.4 77.8
Business freedom 65.7 61.6
Labor freedom 51.6 44.3
Monetary freedom 70.6 36.5
Trade freedom 76.4 71
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Turkey
2026 57.7 55
2025 56.6 56.1
2024 54.4 56.2
2023 56 56.9
2022 59.6 56.9
2021 61 64
2020 61.6 64.4
2019 61.8 64.6
2018 63.2 65.4
2017 64.1 65.2
2016 65.1 62.1
2015 65.7 63.2
2014 66.2 64.9
2013 66.7 62.9
2012 68.7 62.5
2011 68.8 64.2
2010 69.9 63.8
2009 69.8 61.6
2008 68.5 59.9
2007 68.9 57.4
2006 69.6 57
2005 71.5 50.6
2004 71.2 52.8
2003 71.5 51.9
2002 73 54.2
2001 73 60.6
2000 76.3 63.4
1999 75.1 59.2
1998 70.2 60.9
1997 70.5 60.8
1996 70.1 56.7
1995 69.1 58.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Turkey
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
59.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
24%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
5.21%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$1.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$44,630
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
$186B
2025
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
20/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$5.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
6.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
13%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
31.7%
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/turkey | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.