World · permanent entity record · ES

El Salvador

Thirty-second orientation

El Salvador at a glance

Capital: San Salvador; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 6,365,503; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 21,041 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Salvadoran(s); adjective: Salvadoran; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Spanish (official), Nawat (among some indigenous); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

El Salvador through time

1945-10-24
Admitted to the United Nations
El Salvador became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	6,365,503World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 6,334,723 (2025 est.) male: 3,026,645 female: 3,308,078CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $36.7 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $5,767; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 72.3 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 75.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 98.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 66.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: San Salvador; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 21,041 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 6,365,503; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: US dollar (USD); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Spanish (official), Nawat (among some indigenous); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Salvadoran(s); adjective: Salvadoran; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1945-10-24; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: North America; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Central America and the Caribbean.”
Coastline: 307 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Roman Catholic 43.9%, Protestant 39.6% (Evangelical - unspecified 38.2%, Evangelical - Methodist 1.3%, Evangelical - Baptist 0.1%), none 16.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: blue, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: turquoise-browed motmot (bird); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Cerro El Pital · 8,957 ft (2,730 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. El Salvador is beset by one of the world's highest homicide rates and pervasive criminal gangs.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 21,041 sq km land: 20,721 sq km water: 320 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: about the same size as New Jersey; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 590 km border countries (2): Guatemala 199 km; Honduras 391 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 307 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 442 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 57.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 34.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 7.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 15.2% (2023 est.) forest: 33% (2023 est.) other: 9.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 240 sq km (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes volcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (2,130 m) is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on the Caribbean Sea; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society36 fields

Population: total: 6,334,723 (2025 est.) male: 3,026,645 female: 3,308,078; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Mestizo 86.3%, White 12.7%, Indigenous 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), Black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Spanish (official), Nawat (among some indigenous) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Roman Catholic 43.9%, Protestant 39.6% (Evangelical - unspecified 38.2%, Evangelical - Methodist 1.3%, Evangelical - Baptist 0.1%), none 16.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.3% (male 855,841/female 818,642) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 2,077,745/female 2,317,416) 65 years and over: 8.4% (2024 est.) (male 238,658/female 320,400); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 43 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 29.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 13.1 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7.6 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 31.2 years (2025 est.) male: 28.2 years female: 31.2 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 0.34% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 12.46 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 5.93 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -3.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 75.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.116 million SAN SALVADOR (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.8 years (2008 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 39 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.9 years (2024 est.) male: 72.4 years female: 79.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.68 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 94.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 98.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 5.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 1.4% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 9.7% of GDP (2021) 21.2% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 1.62 physicians/1,000 population (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 1.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 24.6% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 2.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 7.8% (2025 est.) male: 14.7% (2025 est.) female: 1.7% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 5% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 50.7% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 4.3% (2021) women married by age 18: 19.7% (2021); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 15.9% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 89.8% (2024 est.) male: 91.6% (2024 est.) female: 88.2% (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years (2023 est.) male: 11 years (2023 est.) female: 12 years (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 57.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 34.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 7.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 15.2% (2023 est.) forest: 33% (2023 est.) other: 9.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 75.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 8.694 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 7.745 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 948,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 23.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.649 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.2% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 433.229 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 94.316 million cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 1.411 billion cubic meters (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 26.27 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government23 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: República de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador etymology: means "the Savior" in Spanish and is a shortened form of "the Divine Savior of the World" (el Divino Salvador del Mundo), referring to Jesus Christ; 16th-century Spanish colonists gave the name "San Salvador" to the fort located where the country's capital of San Salvador now stands, and the name was later used for the city and the surrounding region; the country was officially named El Salvador in 1824; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: San Salvador geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Spanish colonists founded the city in 1526 on the feast day of the Transfiguration of the Savior (Jesus Christ), and the name means "Holy Savior" in Spanish; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapán, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlán, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazán, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulután; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system with minor common law influence; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983 amendment process: proposals require agreement by absolute majority of the Legislative Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on basic principles, and citizen rights and freedoms cannot be amended; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019) head of government: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 4 February 2024 election results: 2024: Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez reelected president - Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (Nuevas Ideas) 84.7%, Manuel FLORES (FMLN) 6.4%, Joel SANCHEZ (ARENA) 5.6%, Luis PARADA (NT) 2%, other 1.3% 2019: Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez elected president - Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (GANA) 53.1%, Carlos CALLEJA Hakker (ARENA) 31.7%, Hugo MARTINEZ (FMLN) 14.4%, other 0.8% expected date of next election: 28 February 2027; note - on 31 July 2025, the Legislative Assembly voted to move the date of the next presidential election from 2029 to 2027 to bring the presidential election cycle in line with the three-year legislative and municipal election cycle note: the president is both chief of state and head of government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Asamblea legislativa) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 60 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 2/4/2024 parties elected and seats per party: New Ideas (N) (54); Other (6) percentage of women in chamber: 31.7% expected date of next election: February 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 15 judges, including its president, and 15 substitute judges organized into Constitutional, Civil, Penal, and Administrative Conflict Chambers) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of both the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly, and the Bar Association; judges elected for 9-year terms, with renewal of one third of membership every 3 years; consecutive reelection is allowed subordinate courts: Appellate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Christian Democratic Party or PDC Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA National Coalition Party or PCN Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA New Ideas (Nuevas Ideas) or NI Our Time (Nuestro Tiempo) or NT Vamos or V; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carmen Milena MAYORGA VALERA (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 595-7500 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3763 email address and website: infoEEUU@rree.gob.sv https://rree.gob.sv/embajadas-consulados-y-misiones-permanentes-de-la-republica-de-el-salvador/ consulate(s) general: Aurora (CO), Boston, Charlotte (NC), Chicago, Dallas, Doral (FL), Duluth (GA), El Paso (TX), Elizabeth (NJ), Fresno (CA), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Laredo (TX), Long Island (NY), Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), New York, Omaha (NE), San Bernardino (CA), San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Silver Spring (MD), Springdale (AR), St. Paul (MN), Tucson (AZ), Woodbridge (VA); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Naomi C. FELLOWS (since August 2025) embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 telephone: [503] 2501-2999 FAX: [503] 2501-2150 email address and website: ACSSanSal@state.gov https://sv.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACS, BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: three equal horizontal bands of cobalt blue (top), white, and cobalt blue, with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has a round emblem with the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL around it meaning: the blue bands stand for the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and the white for the land, as well as peace and prosperity history: the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America note: similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an "X" pattern and centered in the white band; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): turquoise-browed motmot (bird); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): blue, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador) lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE history: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at four minutes and 20 seconds, the anthem is one of the world's longest; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy32 fields

Economic overview: upper-middle-income, dollarized Central American economy; reliant on remittances from US; recent growth linked to infrastructure investment, consumption, and crime reduction; $1.3 billion IMF loan to address fiscal imbalances; Bitcoin adopted as legal tender; persistent poverty and large informal sector; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $73.961 billion (2024 est.) $72.085 billion (2023 est.) $69.621 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 2.6% (2024 est.) 3.5% (2023 est.) 3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $11,700 (2024 est.) $11,400 (2023 est.) $11,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $35.365 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2024 est.) 4% (2023 est.) 7.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.4% (2024 est.) industry: 22.4% (2024 est.) services: 61% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 79.6% (2024 est.) government consumption: 19.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.2% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: -1.9% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 32.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: sugarcane, maize, milk, chicken, sorghum, beans, oranges, coconuts, eggs, mangoes/guavas (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 0.4% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 2.89 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 2.9% (2024 est.) 3% (2023 est.) 3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 6.7% (2024 est.) male: 5.2% (2024 est.) female: 9.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 26.6% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39.8 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 26.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 0.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 29.7% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 24% of GDP (2024 est.) 24.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 24.6% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $9.359 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $10.313 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 102.2% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 20.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$632.549 million (2024 est.) -$367.831 million (2023 est.) -$2.144 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $11.586 billion (2024 est.) $10.629 billion (2023 est.) $10.164 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: USA 36%, Guatemala 17%, Honduras 15%, Nicaragua 8%, Costa Rica 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: garments, plastic products, electrical capacitors, raw sugar, toilet paper (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $18.354 billion (2024 est.) $17.034 billion (2023 est.) $18.181 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: USA 28%, China 15%, Guatemala 11%, Mexico 8%, Honduras 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, garments, packaged medicine, plastics (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.705 billion (2024 est.) $3.079 billion (2023 est.) $2.695 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $12.668 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.803 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 6.335 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 140 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 750.096 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 770.613 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 9.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 19.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 2.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 31% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 24.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 14% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: consumption: 500 metric tons (2022 est.) imports: 2,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 3 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 56,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: consumption: 486.291 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 486.291 million cubic meters (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 24.421 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 885,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 11.2 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 177 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: multiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio stations and 2 government-owned radio stations; transition to digital transmission was set to begin in 2018, along with adoption of the Japanese-Brazilian Digital Standard (ISDB-T) (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .sv; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 68% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 671,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YS; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 27 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 12.5 km (2014) narrow gauge: 12.5 km (2014) 0.914-mm gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 5 (2023) by type: other 5; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Acajutla, Acajutla Offshore Terminal, La Union; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: The Armed Forces of El Salvador (La Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Army of El Salvador (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Naval Force of El Salvador (Fuerza Naval de El Salvador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña, FAS) Ministry of Justice and Public Safety: National Civil Police (Policia Nacional Civil, PNC) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 25,000 active FAES (2025) note: El Salvador has pledged to increase the size of the military to 40,000 troops by 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAES is lightly armed with an inventory of mostly older or secondhand arms and equipment, largely provided by the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (17-22 for military schools); men are subject to selective compulsory military service; service obligation up to 18 months (2025) note: in 2024, women comprised over 11% of the active military; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Armed Force of El Salvador (FAES) is responsible for defending national sovereignty and ensuring territorial integrity but also has considerable domestic security responsibilities; while the National Civil Police (PNC) are responsible for maintaining public security, the country’s constitution allows the president to use the FAES “in exceptional circumstances” to maintain internal peace and public security; in 2016, the government created a special joint unit of Army commandos and police to fight criminal gangs; more military personnel were devoted to internal security beginning in 2019 when President BUKELE signed a decree authorizing military involvement in police duties to combat rising gang violence, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking, as well as assisting with border security the military led the country for much of the 20th century; from 1980 to 1992, it fought a bloody civil war against guerrillas from the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front or FMLN, the paramilitary arm of the Democratic Revolutionary Front (Frente Democrático Revolucionario), a coalition of left-wing dissident political groups backed by Cuba and the Soviet Union; the FAES received considerable US support during the conflict; significant human rights violations occurred during the war and approximately 75,000 Salvadorans, mostly civilians, were killed (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 392 (2024 est.) IDPs: 35,391 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Illicit drugs: USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

El Salvador at a glance

El Salvador through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile