El Salvador External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
El Salvador's external debt to gni was 71.68% in 2025, ranked 21st globally. This represents a 4.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's external debt to gni stood at 71.68% in 2025, a decline of +3.72pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 71.68% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 21st globally.
El Salvador’s external debt-to‑GNI ratio has risen sharply from an early‑year low of 18.30% in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 78.51% in 2020, before easing slightly to 71.68% in 2025, placing the country 21st globally. The 56‑year span shows a persistent upward trajectory, driven by expanded borrowing to finance infrastructure, social programs and pandemic‑related fiscal shortfalls. Compared with peers of similar ranking, El Salvador’s ratio sits just below Cabo Verde’s 73.60% and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ 73.87%, but remains above Benin’s 70.23% and Paraguay’s 69.68%, indicating a relatively high external debt burden in the lower‑middle income cohort. The modest post‑2020 decline suggests some debt‑service adjustments, yet the level remains elevated relative to the 1970 trough. Continued fiscal consolidation, diversification of financing sources and stronger export growth will be crucial to reverse the upward trend and bring the ratio closer to the lower end of the peer group.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 69.97% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 70.83% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 71.68% | - | - |
| 2025 | 71.68% | −3.72pp | #21 |
| 2024 | 75.39% | +3.31pp | #90 |
| 2023 | 72.09% | +1.28pp | #91 |
| 2022 | 70.81% | −3.55pp | #91 |
| 2021 | 74.36% | −4.15pp | #91 |
| 2020 | 78.51% | +10.51pp | #90 |
| 2019 | 68.01% | +0.04pp | #90 |
| 2018 | 67.97% | −4.91pp | #91 |
| 2017 | 72.87% | +0.60pp | #91 |
| 2016 | 72.27% | +2.44pp | #93 |
| 2015 | 69.83% | −0.56pp | #93 |
| 2014 | 70.39% | +3.09pp | #96 |
| 2013 | 67.29% | +1.25pp | #93 |
| 2012 | 66.04% | +1.31pp | #93 |
| 2011 | 64.73% | +0.54pp | #97 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's external debt to gni was 71.68% in 2025. Ranked 21st globally. This represents a 4.9% decrease from the previous year.
El Salvador's external debt to gni peaked at 78.51% in 2020.
The lowest external debt to gni in El Salvador was 18.30% in 1970.
El Salvador ranks 21st globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's external debt to gni is projected to reach 71.68% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of El Salvador in 2025 was 71.68%. This ranks 21st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {El Salvador External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}