El Salvador Current Account Balance
Current account balance as % of GDP BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS
El Salvador's current account balance was -0.80% in 2025, ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 55.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1976–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's current account balance stood at -0.80% in 2025, a rise of +0.99% from 2024. The IMF projects -0.80% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 73rd globally.
El Salvador’s current‑account balance has been negative for most of the 50‑year series, standing at –0.80 percent of GDP in 2025, which places the country 73rd globally. The balance reached its highest surplus in 1987 at 3.43 percent, a brief episode of external strength that was followed by a sharp reversal; the deepest deficit occurred in 1978 at –8.91 percent, marking the all‑time trough. Since the early 2000s the account has hovered near breakeven, with occasional modest deficits that reflect a combination of trade‑inflow volatility, remittance dependence and limited export diversification. Compared with peers of similar rank, Poland recorded a smaller deficit of –0.69 percent and Cabo Verde a slightly larger shortfall of –0.87 percent in the same year, underscoring that El Salvador’s position is typical for small, open economies in the region. Continued efforts to broaden export markets and reduce reliance on remittances could gradually narrow the deficit and shift the trajectory toward a modest surplus.
Data & projection
| Year | Current Account Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -1.38% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -1.39% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -1.37% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -1.43% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -1.82% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -0.80% | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.80% | +0.99% | #73 |
| 2024 | -1.79% | −0.70% | #85 |
| 2023 | -1.09% | +5.64% | #97 |
| 2022 | -6.73% | −2.42% | #60 |
| 2021 | -4.31% | −5.42% | #68 |
| 2020 | 1.11% | +1.53% | #133 |
| 2019 | -0.42% | +2.88% | #121 |
| 2018 | -3.30% | −1.44% | #83 |
| 2017 | -1.86% | +0.41% | #101 |
| 2016 | -2.27% | +0.94% | #110 |
| 2015 | -3.22% | +2.16% | #91 |
| 2014 | -5.37% | +1.53% | #67 |
| 2013 | -6.90% | −1.11% | #58 |
| 2012 | -5.80% | −0.32% | #72 |
| 2011 | -5.48% | −2.59% | #76 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw current account balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's current account balance was -0.80% in 2025. Ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 55.4% increase from the previous year.
El Salvador's current account balance peaked at 3.43% in 1987.
The lowest current account balance in El Salvador was -8.91% in 1978.
El Salvador ranks 73rd globally in current account balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's current account balance is projected to reach -0.80% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The current account balance of El Salvador in 2025 was -0.80%. This ranks 73rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_current-account,
title = {El Salvador Current Account Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/current-account/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}