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Economy of El Salvador vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

El Salvador has a GDP of $35.4B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 105/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $30.9B in government debt (87.5% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

El Salvador vs Uruguay GDP by year

El Salvador
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Uruguay
2024 $35,364,960,000 $80,961,511,074
2023 $33,853,940,000 $77,991,666,838
2022 $31,870,120,000 $70,594,110,920
2021 $29,043,140,000 $60,739,084,241
2020 $24,921,190,000 $53,559,359,262
2019 $26,881,140,000 $62,222,313,619
2018 $26,020,850,000 $65,344,577,416
2017 $24,979,190,000 $65,005,997,963
2016 $24,191,430,000 $57,480,787,465
2015 $23,438,240,000 $57,680,327,999
2014 $22,593,470,000 $61,496,186,974
2013 $21,990,960,000 $61,337,621,934
2012 $21,386,150,000 $54,232,266,359
2011 $20,283,780,000 $50,342,406,067
2010 $18,447,920,000 $41,950,361,212
2009 $17,601,620,000 $32,708,319,078
2008 $17,986,890,000 $31,119,602,539
2007 $17,011,750,000 $23,797,773,024
2006 $15,999,890,000 $19,741,420,740
2005 $14,698,000,000 $17,362,857,684
2004 $13,724,810,900 $13,686,329,890
2003 $13,243,892,200 $12,045,638,352
2002 $12,664,190,300 $13,606,515,723
2001 $12,282,533,600 $20,898,761,742
2000 $11,784,927,700 $22,823,270,892
1999 $11,284,197,000 $23,983,945,191
1998 $10,936,669,900 $25,385,886,978
1997 $10,221,705,900 $23,969,739,234
1996 $9,586,327,800 $20,515,458,114
1995 $8,921,947,100 $19,297,663,097
1994 $7,679,384,000 $17,474,588,896
1993 $6,680,269,200 $15,002,136,971
1992 $5,813,399,300 $12,878,148,791
1991 $5,252,342,400 $11,206,176,651
1990 $4,817,542,204 $9,298,807,850
1989 $4,372,215,300 $8,438,951,476
1988 $4,189,880,000 $8,213,538,369
1987 $3,958,045,800 $7,367,494,080
1986 $3,771,663,200 $5,880,112,788
1985 $3,800,368,600 $4,732,017,873
1984 $3,661,683,400 $4,850,238,550
1983 $3,506,347,800 $5,102,276,308
1982 $3,399,189,100 $9,178,780,077
1981 $3,437,200,200 $11,048,301,421
1980 $3,573,959,900 $10,163,020,116
1979 $3,463,639,900 $7,181,182,224
1978 $3,127,960,000 $4,910,254,566
1977 $2,941,640,100 $4,114,670,014
1976 $2,328,280,100 $3,667,161,241
1975 $1,884,120,100 $3,538,278,047
1974 $1,665,880,000 $4,090,209,682
1973 $1,442,320,000 $3,964,296,443
1972 $1,263,720,000 $2,189,418,689
1971 $1,186,120,000 $2,807,258,065
1970 $1,132,920,000 $2,137,096,774
1969 $1,049,400,000 $2,004,435,484
1968 $1,009,760,100 $1,593,674,185
1967 $976,200,000 $1,597,713,469
1966 $929,520,000 $1,809,185,094
1965 $877,720,000 $1,890,767,156
1964 - $1,975,701,816
1963 - $1,539,681,491
1962 - $1,710,004,407
1961 - $1,547,388,781
1960 - $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Uruguay by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,580 $13,264 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $5,365 $12,680 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $956 $2,945 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $892 $2,856 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $825 - $2,734 -
1988 $806 - $2,677 -
1987 $777 - $2,416 -
1986 $755 - $1,939 -
1985 $776 - $1,568 -
1984 $763 - $1,615 -
1983 $745 - $1,707 -
1982 $735 - $3,085 -
1981 $752 - $3,728 -
1980 $787 - $3,443 -
1979 $773 - $2,443 -
1978 $712 - $1,678 -
1977 $684 - $1,414 -
1976 $553 - $1,268 -
1975 $457 - $1,232 -
1974 $413 - $1,433 -
1973 $366 - $1,397 -
1972 $329 - $776 -
1971 $316 - $1,000 -
1970 $309 - $766 -
1969 $293.4 - $723 -
1968 $290.1 - $579 -
1967 $288.4 - $585 -
1966 $282.4 - $668 -
1965 $274.3 - $705 -
1964 - - $745 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $659 -
1961 - - $604 -
1960 - - $491 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,580, ranking 116/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$35.4B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
105/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,580
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$30.9B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.5%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,883
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
81/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,768
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
8.21%
2024
Population
6399793
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.4% 87.5% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 30.5% 85.1% 30.5% 64%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 30% 59.9%
2021 31.1% 88% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 27.6% 77% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 28.8% 50%
2012 27.4% 70% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 26% 65.8% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 22.6% 46% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 21% 29.6% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 19.7% 28% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 19.3% 25.7% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 18.6% 27.8% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 21% 28.5% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 18.6% 28% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 18.9% 30.5% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 18.5% 31.9% 27.7% 20%
1992 20.8% 36.4% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 18.5% 43.3% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 15.9% - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 31.4% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.5% in El Salvador and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 36/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Uruguay
2024 -4.55% -3.22%
2023 -4.69% -3.13%
2022 -2.68% -2.52%
2021 -5.53% -2.61%
2020 -8.18% -4.64%
2019 -3.07% -2.71%
2018 -2.71% -1.89%
2017 -2.53% -2.51%
2016 -3.1% -2.68%
2015 -3.63% -1.86%
2014 -4.02% -2.6%
2013 -4.46% -1.72%
2012 -3.81% -2.17%
2011 -4.47% -0.33%
2010 -4.97% -0.39%
2009 -6.65% -1.39%
2008 -3.8% -1.31%
2007 -2.32% -0.16%
2006 -3.42% -0.64%
2005 -3.47% -0.28%
2004 -2.76% -0.87%
2003 -4.23% -2.19%
2002 -5.5% -3.19%
2001 -4.95% -2.85%
2000 -3.45% -2.76%
1999 -3.08% -2.76%
1998 -2.94% -0.76%
1997 -1.97% -0.97%
1996 -2.7% -1.32%
1995 -0.18% -1.08%
1994 -0.94% -2.37%
1993 -1.42% -0.47%
1992 -4.29% 0.6%
1991 -2.3% 0.88%
1990 -0.61% 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 3.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.67% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Uruguay
2024 0.85% 4.85%
2023 4.05% 5.87%
2022 7.2% 9.1%
2021 3.47% 7.75%
2020 -0.37% 9.76%
2019 0.08% 7.88%
2018 1.09% 7.61%
2017 1.01% 6.22%
2016 0.6% 9.64%
2015 -0.73% 8.67%
2014 1.14% 8.88%
2013 0.76% 8.58%
2012 1.73% 8.1%
2011 5.13% 8.09%
2010 1.18% 6.7%
2009 1.06% 7.06%
2008 6.71% 7.88%
2007 4.58% 8.11%
2006 4.04% 6.4%
2005 4.69% 4.7%
2004 4.45% 9.16%
2003 2.12% 19.4%
2002 1.87% 14%
2001 3.75% 4.36%
2000 2.27% 4.76%
1999 0.51% 5.66%
1998 2.55% 10.8%
1997 4.49% 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.51%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 0.85% in El Salvador and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $137K
Chemicals & pharma $87K
Textiles & consumer goods $52K
Machinery & equipment $47K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13K
Metals $6K
Wood & paper products $5K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Miscellaneous $1K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.93M
Chemicals & pharma $1.2M
Animal & marine products $285K
Raw agricultural goods $282K
Metals $118K
Machinery & equipment $45K
Wood & paper products $32K
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Uruguay
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
110/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.79%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$15.1B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$5.59B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$3.26B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$6B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.9%
2024
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Uruguay
Economic freedom 57.7 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 39/197
Property rights 42.7 87.4
Government integrity 31.5 79
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 80.9
Tax burden 76.8 73.3
Government spending 72.7 72
Fiscal health 59.4 76.6
Business freedom 65.7 83.8
Labor freedom 51.6 61.7
Monetary freedom 70.6 70.2
Trade freedom 76.4 73.2
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Uruguay
2026 57.7 69.8
2025 56.6 70.2
2024 54.4 69.8
2023 56 70.2
2022 59.6 70
2021 61 69.3
2020 61.6 69.1
2019 61.8 68.6
2018 63.2 69.2
2017 64.1 69.7
2016 65.1 68.8
2015 65.7 68.6
2014 66.2 69.3
2013 66.7 69.7
2012 68.7 69.9
2011 68.8 70
2010 69.9 69.8
2009 69.8 69.1
2008 68.5 67.9
2007 68.9 68.4
2006 69.6 65.3
2005 71.5 66.9
2004 71.2 66.7
2003 71.5 69.8
2002 73 68.7
2001 73 70.7
2000 76.3 69.3
1999 75.1 68.5
1998 70.2 68.6
1997 70.5 67.5
1996 70.1 63.7
1995 69.1 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
61%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.38%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$32.5B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.7B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2024
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$636M
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$924M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$288M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
15.6%
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/uruguay | 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 (1955–1998, 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.