Population

El SalvadorvsGuatemala
This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
The biggest differences first
Surface area
Guatemala is higher
Nominal GDP
Guatemala is higher
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
Guatemala’s population is 190% larger than that of El Salvador, a difference of 12,068,166.
Surface area
Guatemala’s surface area is 418% larger than that of El Salvador, a difference of 87,850 km².
Population density
El Salvador’s population density is 78% higher than that of Guatemala, a difference of 132 /km².
Nominal GDP
Guatemala’s nominal GDP is 220% larger than that of El Salvador, a difference of $77.83 billion.
GDP per capita
Guatemala’s GDP per capita is 10% higher than that of El Salvador, a difference of $570.
Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.
Full side-by-side comparison
Capital
San Salvador
Guatemala City
Population
6,338,193
18,406,359
Surface area
21,040 km²
108,890 km²
Population density
301 /km²
169 /km²
Nominal GDP
$35.36 billion · 2024
$113.20 billion · 2024
GDP per capita
$5,580 · 2024
$6,150 · 2024
Region
Americas
Americas
Subregion
Central America
Central America
Currency
United States dollar · USD · $
Guatemalan quetzal · GTQ · Q
Nationality
Salvadoran
Guatemalan
Phone code
+503
+502
Internet domain
.sv
.gt
ISO codes
SV / SLV
GT / GTM
Time zone
America/El_Salvador
America/Guatemala
Native name
El Salvador
Guatemala
| Measure | El Salvador | Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | San Salvador | Guatemala City |
| Population | 6,338,193 | 18,406,359 |
| Surface area | 21,040 km² | 108,890 km² |
| Population density | 301 /km² | 169 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $35.36 billion · 2024 | $113.20 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $5,580 · 2024 | $6,150 · 2024 |
| Region | Americas | Americas |
| Subregion | Central America | Central America |
| Currency | United States dollar · USD · $ | Guatemalan quetzal · GTQ · Q |
| Nationality | Salvadoran | Guatemalan |
| Phone code | +503 | +502 |
| Internet domain | .sv | .gt |
| ISO codes | SV / SLV | GT / GTM |
| Time zone | America/El_Salvador | America/Guatemala |
| Native name | El Salvador | Guatemala |
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout El Salvador
El Salvador, the smallest yet most densely populated nation in Central America, packs a vibrant mix of volcanic landscapes, colonial heritage, and a warm, resilient people into a compact 21,000‑square‑kilometer canvas.
Full El Salvador profile →About Guatemala
Guatemala, nestled between Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, blends highland mystique with lush lowland tropics, making it a focal point of Central American culture and history.
Full Guatemala profile →El Salvador & Guatemala: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of El Salvador?
The capital of El Salvador is San Salvador.
What is the population of El Salvador?
El Salvador has a recorded population of approximately 6,338,193 people.
How big is El Salvador?
El Salvador covers an area of about 21,040 km².
What is the population density of El Salvador?
El Salvador has a population density of roughly 301 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of El Salvador?
El Salvador has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $35.36 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of El Salvador?
El Salvador has a GDP per capita of approximately $5,580.
What currency is used in El Salvador?
El Salvador uses the United States dollar (USD), with the symbol $.
Where is El Salvador located?
El Salvador is located in Central America, Americas.
What are people from El Salvador called?
People from El Salvador are referred to as Salvadoran.
What is the phone calling code for El Salvador?
The international dialing code for El Salvador is +503.
What is the internet domain for El Salvador?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for El Salvador is .sv.
What time zone is El Salvador in?
El Salvador uses the America/El_Salvador time zone.
What is El Salvador known for?
El Salvador, the smallest yet most densely populated nation in Central America, packs a vibrant mix of volcanic landscapes, colonial heritage, and a warm, resilient people into a compact 21,000‑square‑kilometer canvas.
What is the capital of Guatemala?
The capital of Guatemala is Guatemala City.
What is the population of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a recorded population of approximately 18,406,359 people.
How big is Guatemala?
Guatemala covers an area of about 108,890 km².
What is the population density of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a population density of roughly 169 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $113.20 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a GDP per capita of approximately $6,150.
What currency is used in Guatemala?
Guatemala uses the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ), with the symbol Q.
Where is Guatemala located?
Guatemala is located in Central America, Americas.
What are people from Guatemala called?
People from Guatemala are referred to as Guatemalan.
What is the phone calling code for Guatemala?
The international dialing code for Guatemala is +502.
What is the internet domain for Guatemala?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Guatemala is .gt.
What time zone is Guatemala in?
Guatemala uses the America/Guatemala time zone.
What is Guatemala known for?
Guatemala, nestled between Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, blends highland mystique with lush lowland tropics, making it a focal point of Central American culture and history.