El Salvador: public finances

What is El Salvador's national debt?

El Salvador's general government debt was 87.6% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook, which projects 85.0% for 2026. It was 87.7% in 2024.

The Ministry of Finance publishes fiscal and debt data on its fiscal transparency portal, but the portal loads its data in a way that could not be read on 15 October 2026, so the IMF figure is given. IMF figures for recent years are estimates and may be revised.

Official sources: IMF: general government gross debt, % of GDP, El Salvador · Ministry of Finance: fiscal transparency portal

What is El Salvador's budget deficit?

El Salvador's general government deficit was 2.9% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook, down from 4.6% in 2024. The IMF projects a deficit of 2.3% of GDP for 2026.

The deficit is the gap between what the government spends and what it collects, including interest payments. It is shown as a negative net lending figure in IMF data. National fiscal results are published by the Ministry of Finance, whose portal could not be read on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: IMF: general government net lending/borrowing, % of GDP, El Salvador

What is El Salvador's government debt?

According to the IMF, general government gross debt in El Salvador was 87.6% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 95.4% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 46.3% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 65.6% of GDP; El Salvador is 6th highest of 31. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 34th highest.

What is El Salvador's budget deficit?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in El Salvador at -2.9% of GDP in 2025, which is a deficit. Since 2005 it has ranged from -8.1% of GDP (2020) to -2.3% of GDP (2007). Latin America & Caribbean median: -2.8% of GDP; El Salvador is 17th highest of 32. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 99th highest.

How much revenue does El Salvador's government raise?

The IMF puts general government revenue in El Salvador at 27.8% of GDP in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 12th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 24.9% of GDP. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 88th highest.

How much does El Salvador's government spend?

30.7% of GDP: that is general government spending in El Salvador for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 32.7% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 22.4% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 26.7% of GDP; El Salvador is 13th highest of 32. Worldwide: 94th of 186.

What is El Salvador's tax to GDP ratio?

In 2024, central government tax revenue in El Salvador was 21.8% of GDP, according to the IMF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 1st highest of 14 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 15.0% of GDP. Of 92 countries with 2024 data, 30th highest.

What is El Salvador's defence spending?

According to SIPRI, military spending in El Salvador was 1.3% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.9% of GDP (2006) to 1.4% of GDP (2022). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 1.0% of GDP, and El Salvador placed 7th highest of 22. Worldwide: 90th of 149.