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Economy of El Salvador vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

El Salvador has a GDP of $36.7B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 108/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

El Salvador has $32B in government debt (87.2% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

El Salvador vs Zambia GDP by year

El Salvador
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
El Salvador Zambia
2025 $36,708,110,000 $28,879,806,220
2024 $34,879,730,000 $25,303,185,342
2023 $33,565,430,000 $27,577,956,471
2022 $31,870,110,000 $29,163,782,140
2021 $29,043,140,000 $22,096,416,932
2020 $24,921,190,000 $18,137,764,931
2019 $26,881,140,000 $23,308,667,781
2018 $26,020,850,000 $26,311,507,274
2017 $24,979,190,000 $25,873,601,261
2016 $24,191,430,000 $20,958,412,538
2015 $23,438,240,000 $21,251,216,799
2014 $22,593,470,000 $27,141,023,558
2013 $21,990,960,000 $28,037,239,463
2012 $21,386,150,000 $25,503,060,420
2011 $20,283,780,000 $23,459,515,276
2010 $18,447,920,000 $20,265,559,484
2009 $17,601,620,000 $15,328,342,304
2008 $17,986,890,000 $17,910,858,638
2007 $17,011,750,000 $14,056,957,976
2006 $15,999,890,000 $12,756,858,899
2005 $14,698,000,000 $8,331,870,169
2004 $13,724,810,900 $6,221,110,219
2003 $13,243,892,200 $4,901,869,764
2002 $12,664,190,300 $4,193,850,445
2001 $12,282,533,600 $4,094,441,301
2000 $11,784,927,700 $3,600,632,111
1999 $11,284,197,000 $3,404,284,891
1998 $10,936,669,900 $3,537,741,942
1997 $10,221,705,900 $4,303,288,480
1996 $9,586,327,800 $3,597,220,962
1995 $8,921,947,100 $3,806,983,413
1994 $7,679,384,000 $3,656,806,166
1993 $6,680,269,200 $3,273,505,344
1992 $5,813,399,300 $3,182,810,841
1991 $5,252,342,400 $3,376,806,697
1990 $4,817,542,204 $3,288,381,797
1989 $4,372,215,300 $3,994,673,161
1988 $4,189,880,000 $3,728,878,149
1987 $3,958,045,800 $2,265,250,972
1986 $3,771,663,200 $1,664,413,508
1985 $3,800,368,600 $2,252,454,500
1984 $3,661,683,400 $2,719,518,933
1983 $3,506,347,800 $3,321,048,451
1982 $3,399,189,100 $3,871,117,093
1981 $3,437,200,200 $4,008,126,497
1980 $3,573,959,900 $3,884,530,854
1979 $3,463,639,900 $3,353,445,378
1978 $3,127,960,000 $2,811,032,473
1977 $2,941,640,100 $2,515,296,940
1976 $2,328,280,100 $2,742,859,263
1975 $1,884,120,100 $2,442,672,141
1974 $1,665,880,000 $2,910,981,262
1973 $1,442,320,000 $2,434,255,237
1972 $1,263,720,000 $1,872,416,680
1971 $1,186,120,000 $1,653,259,341
1970 $1,132,920,000 $1,788,779,285
1969 $1,049,400,000 $1,926,399,230
1968 $1,009,760,100 $1,573,739,371
1967 $976,200,000 $1,340,639,464
1966 $929,520,000 $1,238,999,505
1965 $877,720,000 $1,061,199,576
1964 - $822,639,671
1963 - $704,339,719
1962 - $679,279,729
1961 - $682,359,727
1960 - $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in El Salvador vs Zambia by year

El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
El Salvador Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,767 - $1,318 -
2024 $5,503 $13,264 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $5,320 $12,680 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $5,075 $11,876 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $4,643 $10,810 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $3,997 $9,393 $952 $3,157
2019 $4,320 $9,757 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $4,184 $9,204 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $4,020 $8,965 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $3,901 $8,456 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $3,790 $7,934 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $3,666 $7,504 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $3,582 $7,093 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $3,498 $6,708 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $3,331 $6,594 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $3,040 $6,248 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $2,910 $6,063 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $2,983 $6,175 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $2,831 $5,949 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $2,666 $5,695 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $2,447 $5,292 $711 $2,213
2004 $2,286 $4,998 $549 $2,068
2003 $2,208 $4,829 $446 $1,942
2002 $2,115 $4,672 $394 $1,837
2001 $2,058 $4,543 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,983 $4,422 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,908 $4,298 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,860 $4,171 $373 $1,601
1997 $1,749 $4,043 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,651 $3,880 $400 $1,585
1995 $1,548 $3,808 $433 $1,501
1994 $1,344 $3,591 $426 $1,464
1993 $1,180 $3,390 $391 $1,607
1992 $1,041 $3,171 $389 $1,505
1991 $956 $2,945 $423 $1,534
1990 $892 $2,856 $422 $1,522
1989 $825 - $526 -
1988 $806 - $504 -
1987 $777 - $315 -
1986 $755 - $238.2 -
1985 $776 - $332 -
1984 $763 - $413 -
1983 $745 - $520 -
1982 $735 - $627 -
1981 $752 - $670 -
1980 $787 - $669 -
1979 $773 - $595 -
1978 $712 - $514 -
1977 $684 - $474 -
1976 $553 - $533 -
1975 $457 - $490 -
1974 $413 - $601 -
1973 $366 - $518 -
1972 $329 - $410 -
1971 $316 - $372 -
1970 $309 - $414 -
1969 $293.4 - $459 -
1968 $290.1 - $387 -
1967 $288.4 - $341 -
1966 $282.4 - $325 -
1965 $274.3 - $287.4 -
1964 - - $230 -
1963 - - $203.2 -
1962 - - $202.3 -
1961 - - $209.7 -
1960 - - $221.6 -

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

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

El Salvador's GDP per capita is $5,767, ranking 117/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

El Salvador Zambia
Gross domestic product
$36.7B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
108/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
3.91%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,767
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$13,264
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
120/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$32B
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.2%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,030
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
86/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,010
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$14.9B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.7%
2023
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2023
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.26%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.71%
2024
5.67%
2024
Population
6404781
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

El Salvador
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
El Salvador Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.2% 87.2% 29.7% 86%
2024 31.4% 87.4% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 30.5% 85% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 28.7% 83.7% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 31.1% 88% 30.5% 111%
2020 32.7% 95.4% 34% 140%
2019 27.8% 77.9% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 27.6% 77% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 28.1% 77.1% 25% 66.6%
2016 27.5% 75.2% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 27.1% 73.5% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 27.6% 71.8% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 28.5% 69.7% 24% 25.9%
2012 27.4% 70% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 25.3% 65.6% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 25.6% 66.8% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 26% 65.8% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 24.5% 54.2% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 22.8% 52.2% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 23.4% 52.6% 19.7% 25%
2005 22.4% 46.3% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 21.5% 46.8% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 22.6% 46% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 22.5% 43.8% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 21.7% 37.8% 28% 210.2%
2000 21% 29.6% 21.4% 261%
1999 19.7% 28% - -
1998 19.3% 25.7% - -
1997 18.6% 27.8% - -
1996 21% 28.5% - -
1995 18.6% 28% - -
1994 18.9% 30.5% - -
1993 18.5% 31.9% - -
1992 20.8% 36.4% - -
1991 18.5% 43.3% - -
1990 15.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, El Salvador's government spending was $11.1B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.2% in El Salvador and 86% in Zambia, ranking 32/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
El Salvador

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
El Salvador Zambia
2025 -2.82% -3.83%
2024 -4.55% -3.46%
2023 -4.69% -5.48%
2022 -2.68% -7.82%
2021 -5.53% -8.13%
2020 -8.14% -13.8%
2019 -3.07% -9.41%
2018 -2.71% -8.31%
2017 -2.53% -7.5%
2016 -3.1% -5.69%
2015 -3.63% -8.88%
2014 -4.02% -5.43%
2013 -4.46% -6.4%
2012 -3.81% -3.16%
2011 -4.47% -1.78%
2010 -4.97% -2.43%
2009 -6.65% -2.06%
2008 -3.8% -0.67%
2007 -2.32% -1.04%
2006 -3.42% 16.9%
2005 -3.47% -2.37%
2004 -2.76% -2.51%
2003 -4.23% -5.31%
2002 -5.5% -4.5%
2001 -4.95% -5.89%
2000 -3.45% 1.16%
1999 -3.08% -
1998 -2.94% -
1997 -1.97% -
1996 -2.7% -
1995 -0.18% -
1994 -0.94% -
1993 -1.42% -
1992 -4.29% -
1991 -2.3% -
1990 -0.61% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/el-salvador/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, El Salvador recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, El Salvador posted an annual deficit equal to 4.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
El Salvador

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
El Salvador Zambia
2025 0.26% 13.9%
2024 0.85% 15%
2023 4.05% 10.9%
2022 7.2% 11%
2021 3.47% 22%
2020 -0.37% 15.7%
2019 0.08% 9.2%
2018 1.09% 7.5%
2017 1.01% 6.6%
2016 0.6% 17.9%
2015 -0.73% 10.1%
2014 1.14% 7.8%
2013 0.76% 7%
2012 1.73% 6.6%
2011 5.13% 8.7%
2010 1.18% 8.5%
2009 1.06% 13.4%
2008 6.71% 12.4%
2007 4.58% 10.7%
2006 4.04% 9%
2005 4.69% 18.3%
2004 4.45% 18%
2003 2.12% 21.4%
2002 1.87% 22.2%
2001 3.75% 21.4%
2000 2.27% 24.1%
1999 0.51% 23.9%
1998 2.55% 22.7%
1997 4.49% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, El Salvador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.43%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 0.26% in El Salvador and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

El Salvador
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Metals $1K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

El Salvador Zambia
Current account balance
-$1.3B
2025
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2025
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.54%
2025
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$5.55B
2025
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$3.94B
2025
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$6.21B
2025
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.1%
2025
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

El Salvador Zambia
Economic freedom 57.7 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 114/197 152/197
Property rights 42.7 43.9
Government integrity 31.5 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.3 45
Tax burden 76.8 74.3
Government spending 72.7 78.1
Fiscal health 59.4 30.9
Business freedom 65.7 53.4
Labor freedom 51.6 48.8
Monetary freedom 70.6 66.6
Trade freedom 76.4 62.8
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

El Salvador
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
El Salvador Zambia
2026 57.7 51.9
2025 56.6 50.9
2024 54.4 48.4
2023 56 47.8
2022 59.6 48.7
2021 61 50.4
2020 61.6 53.5
2019 61.8 53.6
2018 63.2 54.3
2017 64.1 55.8
2016 65.1 58.8
2015 65.7 58.7
2014 66.2 60.4
2013 66.7 58.7
2012 68.7 58.3
2011 68.8 59.7
2010 69.9 58
2009 69.8 56.6
2008 68.5 56.2
2007 68.9 56.2
2006 69.6 56.8
2005 71.5 55
2004 71.2 54.9
2003 71.5 55.3
2002 73 59.6
2001 73 59.5
2000 76.3 62.8
1999 75.1 64.2
1998 70.2 62.7
1997 70.5 62.1
1996 70.1 59.6
1995 69.1 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for El Salvador is 57.7, ranking 114/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

El Salvador Zambia
Services, % of GDP
58.9%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.4%
2025
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$34.4B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,140
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.82B
2025
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2025
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$445M
2025
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.05B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$310M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
35.5%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.2%
2023
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
2025
23.8%
2024

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/zambia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.