El Salvador: economy and key statistics
El Salvador is number 109 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $36.7 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $5,767. The economy grew by 3.9% in 2025. Unemployment is 3.3%. The economy is 59% services, 24% industry, 4% agriculture.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
El Salvador is number 102 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 31.4 out of 100: economic 50, technology 12, military 20 and human capital 51.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $36.7 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $89.8 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $5,767 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +3.9% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 0.3% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 3.3% | 2025 |
| Population | 6.4 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 3.0 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 59% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 24% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 13% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 4% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 32% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 2.1% of GDP | 2025 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 5% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 0.10% of GDP | 2023 |
| Internet users | 66% of people | 2024 |
Main export industries
El Salvador exported goods worth about $6.3bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Apparel and clothing accessories: $1.5bn (24.4% of goods exports)
- Plastics and articles thereof: $0.5bn (8.5% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $0.4bn (5.9% of goods exports)
- Paper and paperboard: $0.4bn (5.7% of goods exports)
- Sugars and sugar confectionery: $0.3bn (5.2% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in North America
- United States (#1)
- Canada (#10)
- Mexico (#14)
- Puerto Rico (US) (#65)
- Dominican Republic (#66)
- Guatemala (#68)
- Costa Rica (#74)
- Panama (#82)
- Honduras (#105)
- Haiti (#112)
- Trinidad and Tobago (#122)
- Jamaica (#125)
- Nicaragua (#128)
- Bahamas (#142)
- Bermuda (#153)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of El Salvador?
El Salvador had a GDP of $36.7 billion in 2025, ranking number 109 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in El Salvador?
GDP per person in El Salvador was $5,767 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of El Salvador growing?
The economy of El Salvador grew by 3.9% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
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