Government gross debt in El Salvador

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 84.5% 2027: 82.2% 2028: 80.3% 2029: 78.4% 2030: 76.6% 2031: 74.4%

28.0 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	28.0
Jan 1998	25.7
Jan 1997	27.8
Jan 1996	28.5
Jan 1995	28.0
Jan 1994	30.5
Jan 1993	31.9
Jan 1992	36.4
Jan 1991	43.3

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Measures the total gross debt owed by El Salvador's general government to its domestic and external creditors. It is usually reported in absolute terms and, above all, as a share of GDP to gauge sustainability.

How it's calculated

It adds up the liabilities of the whole general government (debt securities, loans and deposits), consolidated across subsectors. For El Salvador the usual benchmark is the general government gross debt compiled by the IMF and the national authorities, with the debt-to-GDP ratio setting that stock against the size of the economy.

Market implications

A high or rising debt level weighs on the sustainability of El Salvador's public finances, its borrowing costs and its fiscal room for manoeuvre. It is a key variable for emerging-market debt investors, the IMF and the rating agencies.

Limitations

This is a low-frequency figure revised alongside the national accounts. The debt-to-GDP ratio depends on both the debt stock and nominal GDP, so it can shift with no change in borrowing; it is worth watching the share denominated in foreign currency and the maturity profile as well.