Current Account Balance: El Salvador

Analysis# El Salvador Current Account Balance El Salvador's current account balance stands at -1.8% of GDP in 2026, reflecting a modest deficit in its international trade and income flows. The country has experienced dramatic swings since 1980, ranging from a peak surplus of 5.7% of GDP in 1987 to a severe deficit of -8.5% in 2008. Overall, the metric has declined 134.6% from 1980 levels, indicating a structural shift toward persistent deficits over the past four decades. The most striking deterioration occurred between 2020 and 2022, when the balance plummeted from a surplus of 1.1% to a deficit of -6.7%—the worst reading in the period. Recovery has been partial but uneven; 2023 improved to -1.1%, though 2024 and 2026 returned to -1.8%. The recent volatility suggests ongoing external vulnerabilities, with the projected 2026 deficit indicating El Salvador continues managing structural trade imbalances despite intermittent improvements.