El Salvador Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
El Salvador's budget deficit was -2.76% in 2025, ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 39.4% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's budget deficit stood at -2.76% in 2025, a rise of +1.79% from 2024. The IMF projects -2.76% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 92nd globally.
El Salvador’s general government budget deficit widened sharply from a modest –0.61 percent of GDP in 1990 to an all‑time trough of –8.18 percent in 2020, reflecting the fiscal strain of the COVID‑19 pandemic and heightened social spending. After a brief improvement to –0.18 percent in 1995, the deficit remained positive for most of the subsequent three decades before deepening again in the 2020s. The International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook records the latest 2025 deficit at –2.76 percent of GDP, placing El Salvador 92nd globally and virtually level with peers such as Angola (–2.76) and the Russian Federation (–2.74). Over the 36‑year series, the trajectory suggests a gradual return toward pre‑pandemic levels, yet any resurgence of external shocks or fiscal stimulus could reverse the modest consolidation observed in recent years. Continued revenue reforms and disciplined expenditure will be crucial to sustain the narrowing of the deficit.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -1.60% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -1.91% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -2.14% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -1.68% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -1.98% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -2.76% | - | - |
| 2025 | -2.76% | +1.79% | #92 |
| 2024 | -4.55% | +0.14% | #53 |
| 2023 | -4.69% | −2.00% | #51 |
| 2022 | -2.68% | +2.85% | #99 |
| 2021 | -5.53% | +2.65% | #68 |
| 2020 | -8.18% | −5.11% | #59 |
| 2019 | -3.07% | −0.36% | #67 |
| 2018 | -2.71% | −0.18% | #66 |
| 2017 | -2.53% | +0.58% | #87 |
| 2016 | -3.10% | +0.53% | #79 |
| 2015 | -3.63% | +0.39% | #74 |
| 2014 | -4.02% | +0.44% | #58 |
| 2013 | -4.46% | −0.65% | #50 |
| 2012 | -3.81% | +0.66% | #60 |
| 2011 | -4.47% | +0.50% | #50 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's budget deficit was -2.76% in 2025. Ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 39.4% increase from the previous year.
El Salvador's budget deficit peaked at -0.18% in 1995.
The lowest budget deficit in El Salvador was -8.18% in 2020.
El Salvador ranks 92nd globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
El Salvador's budget deficit is projected to reach -2.76% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of El Salvador in 2025 was -2.76%. This ranks 92nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_budget-deficit,
title = {El Salvador Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}