El Salvador Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
El Salvador's government spending was 28.37% in 2025, ranked 65th globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1998–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's government spending stood at 28.37% in 2025, a rise of +0.69% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 28.37% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 65th globally.
El Salvador’s government spending as a share of GDP has risen sharply from an all‑time trough of 11.99 % in 1998 to a peak of 33.94 % in 2020, before easing to 28.37 % in 2025, placing the country 65th globally. The 27‑year coverage shows a sustained upward trajectory, driven by expanded social programs and infrastructure investment in the 2010s, which pushed the share above the 30 % threshold for the first time. By 2025, the level is marginally below Norway’s 28.56 % and Costa Rica’s 28.28 %, indicating convergence with higher‑spending peers while still lagging behind Ecuador’s 28.76 % and Albania’s 27.87 %. The post‑2020 moderation suggests fiscal consolidation, yet any resurgence in public‑sector wages or pandemic‑related outlays could lift the ratio again. Continued fiscal discipline and targeted growth‑oriented spending will be crucial to keep the upward pressure in check and sustain a stable trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 28.30% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 28.37% | - | - |
| 2025 | 28.37% | +0.69% | #65 |
| 2023 | 27.68% | +0.29% | #42 |
| 2022 | 27.39% | −2.11% | #49 |
| 2021 | 29.51% | −4.44% | #65 |
| 2020 | 33.94% | +9.19% | #84 |
| 2019 | 24.76% | +0.03% | #68 |
| 2018 | 24.73% | −0.12% | #71 |
| 2017 | 24.84% | +1.64% | #72 |
| 2016 | 23.21% | +0.44% | #61 |
| 2015 | 22.76% | −0.01% | #60 |
| 2014 | 22.77% | −0.23% | #57 |
| 2013 | 23.00% | +0.09% | #55 |
| 2012 | 22.90% | −1.99% | #56 |
| 2011 | 24.89% | +0.74% | #63 |
| 2010 | 24.15% | −1.71% | #56 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's government spending was 28.37% in 2025. Ranked 65th globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from the previous year.
El Salvador's government spending peaked at 33.94% in 2020.
The lowest government spending in El Salvador was 11.99% in 1998.
El Salvador ranks 65th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's government spending is projected to reach 28.37% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of El Salvador in 2025 was 28.37%. This ranks 65th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_government-spending,
title = {El Salvador Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}