Country exposure · SV
El Salvador
Central America N Caribbean · San Salvador · presidential republic
What El Salvador means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$2.3B
U.S. imports, 2025
-1.3%
change in one year
$4.6B
U.S. exports, 2025
6M
Population
$35.4B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that El Salvador makes
America bought $2.3B in goods from El Salvador in 2025. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
Apparel, textiles, nonwool or cotton
synthetic and performance apparel
$691M30.3%
Apparel, household goods - cotton
cotton clothing and linens
$566M24.8%
U.s. goods returned, and reimports
$195M8.5%
Cane and beet sugar
cane and beet sugar
$115M5%
Other foods
$98M4.3%
Green coffee
green coffee for roasters
$93M4.1%
Other parts and accessories of vehicles
car parts and accessories
$82M3.6%
Electric apparatus
$50M2.2%
Bakery products
$40M1.8%
Furniture, household goods, etc.
furniture, mattresses, lamps
$32M1.4%
2026 so far (through April): $792M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to El Salvador
$4.6B in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Petroleum products, other
$1.0BFuel oil
$503MNatural gas liquids
$194MPassenger cars, new and used
$174Mnew and used cars
Minimum value shipments
$159MCorn
$157MManmade cloth
$149MCivilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts
$147MCell phones and other household goods, n.e.c.
$123Mcell phones and home electronics
Where you stand
U.S. tariff posture toward El Salvador
No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.
Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline)
10%
The universal 10% floor — a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — applies to nearly all U.S. imports. This country has no higher assigned rate of its own.
Policy in motion
Tariff status: a moving target
No U.S. tariff action names El Salvador. These are the universal measures — applied to every country without a country-specific arrangement — that set its treatment.
2026-04-06
Section 232 metals coverage expanded
In effectThe April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%.
91 FR 18201 →2026-02-24
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge
In effectExecutive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum).
91 FR 9437 →2025-11-13
Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs
In effectExecutive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff.
90 FR 54091 →2025-06-04
Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%
In effectThe June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025.
90 FR 24199 →2025-04-05
Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect
In effectExecutive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline.
Federal Register · 2025-06063 →2025-03-12
Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries
In effectProclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025.
90 FR 9817 →
Made for America
What El Salvador makes for America
El Salvador is a direct U.S. source of 12 essential goods Americans rely on — the items themselves, shipped finished off the line.
materials
2% of U.S.Clothing and apparel
$1.3B to the U.S.
food
6% of U.S.Sugar
$115M to the U.S.
food
1% of U.S.Coffee
$96M to the U.S.
materials
Auto parts and repairs
$82M to the U.S.
food
1% of U.S.Bread, grains, and flour
$49M to the U.S.
food
Soft drinks & juices
$29M to the U.S.
home
1% of U.S.Mattresses & bedding
$27M to the U.S.
home
Towels & home linens
$25M to the U.S.
materials
Copper and electrical wiring
$22M to the U.S.
food
Seafood and fish
$17M to the U.S.
health
OTC medicines
$16M to the U.S.
food
Snacks & confectionery
$15M to the U.S.
Go deeper
The supply chain view
El Salvador sits upstream of 6 essential American goods through 5 tracked inputs.
manufactured
14%Tantalum Capacitors
agricultural
5%Refined Sugar
chemical
2%Flexible Polyurethane Foam (Cushioning)
manufactured
1%Carpet BCF Face Fiber (Nylon/PET/PP)
manufactured
1%Decor Textiles (Throw Pillows, Curtains)
Reference
The country itself
Central America N Caribbean · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
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.
Geography
- Location
- Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
- Area
- 21,041 sq km
- Climate
- tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
- Terrain
- mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
- Natural resources
- hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
- Coastline
- 307 km
- 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
People & society
- Population
- 6,334,723 (2025 est.)
- Nationality
- Salvadoran(s)
- Ethnic groups
- Mestizo 86.3%, White 12.7%, Indigenous 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), Black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.)
- Languages
- Spanish (official), Nawat (among some indigenous)
- 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.)
- Median age
- 31.2 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 75.9 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy
- 89.8% (2024 est.)
Economy
- 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
- Industries
- food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals
- Agricultural products
- sugarcane, maize, milk, chicken, sorghum, beans, oranges, coconuts, eggs, mangoes/guavas (2023)
- Exports - partners
- USA 36%, Guatemala 17%, Honduras 15%, Nicaragua 8%, Costa Rica 5% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- USA 28%, China 15%, Guatemala 11%, Mexico 8%, Honduras 5% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- presidential republic
- Capital
- San Salvador
- Independence
- 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
- Constitution
- many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983
- Executive branch
- President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019)
- Legislative branch
- Legislative Assembly (Asamblea legislativa)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
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.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to El Salvador due to crime. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not needed for tourists, but US citizens must purchase a tourist card (10 USD) upon arrival, which is valid for 90 days. If a US citizen’s passport shows they were born in El Salvador then they do not need to purchase tourist card.
US Embassy/Consulate
[503] 2501-2999; US Embassy in San Salvador, Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, El Salvador; https://sv.usembassy.gov/; ACSSanSal@state.gov
Telephone Code
503
Local Emergency Phone
911
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Currency (Code)
US $ (USD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B
Major Languages
Spanish, Nawat
Major Religions
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 36%, other 2%, none 12%
Time Difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in El Salvador, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Suchitoto; Ruta de las Flores; Lake Ilopango; Montecristo National Park; Puerta del Diablo; Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site
Major Sports
Soccer, beach soccer, cycling, basketball, boxing
Cultural Practices
After eating, it is considered polite to spend at least an hour conversing with your hosts instead of leaving right away.
Tipping Guidelines
At most upscale restaurants, the tip will be included in the bill. If you do leave a tip, 10% is appropriate. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip. Hotel staff, such as bellhops or porters would appreciate a $1 (USD) per bag tip.
Souvenirs
Sorpresa ceramic figurines, silk bahia band bracelets, wooden toys, wicker furniture, hammocks, native clothing, painted-wood household and decorative items
Traditional Cuisine
Pupusa — a thick griddle cake made with cornmeal or rice flour usually stuffed with ingredients such as cheese, chicharrón (fried pork skin), squash, or refried beans; typically served with curtido (spicy fermented cabbage slaw) and tomato salsa
CIA source last updated
Monday, July 25, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, July 25, 2022
Geography
Location
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
Geographic coordinates
13 50 N, 88 55 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area - total
21,041 sq km
Area - land
20,721 sq km
Area - water
320 sq km
Area - comparative
about the same size as New Jersey
Land boundaries - total
590 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Guatemala 199 km; Honduras 391 km
Coastline
307 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - contiguous zone
24 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Climate
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Terrain
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
Elevation - highest point
Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Elevation - lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Elevation - mean elevation
442 m
Natural resources
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
Land use - agricultural land
57.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 34.8% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 7.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 15.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
33% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
9.3% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
240 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador
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
Geography - note
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on the Caribbean Sea
People and Society
Population - total
6,334,723 (2025 est.)
Population - male
3,026,645
Population - female
3,308,078
Nationality - noun
Salvadoran(s)
Nationality - adjective
Salvadoran
Ethnic groups
Mestizo 86.3%, White 12.7%, Indigenous 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), Black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.)
Languages - Languages
Spanish (official), Nawat (among some indigenous)
Languages - 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.
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.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
25.3% (male 855,841/female 818,642)
Age structure - 15-64 years
66.3% (male 2,077,745/female 2,317,416)
Age structure - 65 years and over
8.4% (2024 est.) (male 238,658/female 320,400)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
43 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
29.9 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
13.1 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
7.6 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
31.2 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
28.2 years
Median age - female
31.2 years
Population growth rate
0.34% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
12.46 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.93 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-3.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador
Urbanization - urban population
75.4% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.116 million SAN SALVADOR (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.9 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.74 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.92 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.8 years (2008 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth - note
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio
39 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
10 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
13.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
10 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
75.9 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
72.4 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
79.5 years
Total fertility rate
1.4 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.68 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 94.4% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 98.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 5.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9.7% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
21.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.62 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 98.3% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 1.7% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
24.6% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
2.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
1.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
7.8% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
14.7% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
1.7% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
5% (2021 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.7% (2021 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
4.3% (2021)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
19.7% (2021)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
15.9% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy - total population
89.8% (2024 est.)
Literacy - male
91.6% (2024 est.)
Literacy - female
88.2% (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
11 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
11 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
12 years (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of El Salvador
Country name - conventional short form
El Salvador
Country name - local long form
República de El Salvador
Country name - local short form
El Salvador
Country name - 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
Government type
presidential republic
Capital - name
San Salvador
Capital - geographic coordinates
13 42 N, 89 12 W
Capital - time difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - 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
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
Legal system
civil law system with minor common law influence; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
Constitution - history
many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983
Constitution - 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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
yes
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
yes
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019)
Executive branch - head of government
President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers selected by the president
Executive branch - 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)
Executive branch - most recent election date
4 February 2024
Executive branch - 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%
Executive branch - 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
Executive branch - note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch - legislature name
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea legislativa)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
unicameral
Legislative branch - number of seats
60 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - term in office
3 years
Legislative branch - most recent election date
2/4/2024
Legislative branch - parties elected and seats per party
New Ideas (N) (54); Other (6)
Legislative branch - percentage of women in chamber
31.7%
Legislative branch - expected date of next election
February 2027
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)
Judicial branch - 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
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Appellate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace
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
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Carmen Milena MAYORGA VALERA (since 23 December 2020)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 595-7500
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 232-3763
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation in the US - 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)
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Naomi C. FELLOWS (since August 2025)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[503] 2501-2999
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[503] 2501-2150
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
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
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
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
Flag - note
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
National symbol(s)
turquoise-browed motmot (bird)
National color(s)
blue, white
National anthem(s) - title
"Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE
National anthem(s) - history
officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at four minutes and 20 seconds, the anthem is one of the world's longest
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$73.961 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$72.085 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$69.621 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
2.6% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$11,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$11,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$11,100 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$35.365 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
0.9% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
7.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
4.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
22.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
61% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
79.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
19.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
22.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
-1.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
32.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-51.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugarcane, maize, milk, chicken, sorghum, beans, oranges, coconuts, eggs, mangoes/guavas (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals
Industrial production growth rate
0.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
2.89 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
2.9% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
6.7% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
5.2% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
9.5% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
26.6% (2022 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
39.8 (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
26.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
0.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
1.9% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
29.7% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2024
24% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2023
24.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
24.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$9.359 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$10.313 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2023
102.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
20.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2024
-$632.549 million (2024 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$367.831 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$2.144 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2024
$11.586 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$10.629 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$10.164 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
USA 36%, Guatemala 17%, Honduras 15%, Nicaragua 8%, Costa Rica 5% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
garments, plastic products, electrical capacitors, raw sugar, toilet paper (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$18.354 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$17.034 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$18.181 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
USA 28%, China 15%, Guatemala 11%, Mexico 8%, Honduras 5% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, garments, packaged medicine, plastics (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$3.705 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$3.079 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$2.695 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$12.668 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
2.803 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
6.335 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - exports
140 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
750.096 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
770.613 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
9.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
19.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
2.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
31% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - geothermal
24.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
14% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
500 metric tons (2022 est.)
Coal - imports
2,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
3 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
56,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
486.291 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - imports
486.291 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
24.421 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
885,000 (2024 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
14 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
11.2 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
177 (2024 est.)
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)
Internet country code
.sv
Internet users - percent of population
68% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
671,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
11 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YS
Airports
27 (2025)
Railways - total
12.5 km (2014)
Railways - narrow gauge
12.5 km (2014) 0.914-mm gauge
Merchant marine - total
5 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
other 5
Ports - total ports
3 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
0
Ports - small
0
Ports - very small
3
Ports - ports with oil terminals
3
Ports - key ports
Acajutla, Acajutla Offshore Terminal, La Union
Military and Security
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)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 25,000 active FAES (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths - note
note: El Salvador has pledged to increase the size of the military to 40,000 troops by 2026
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)
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)
Military service age and obligation - note
note: in 2024, women comprised over 11% of the active military
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)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
Terrorist group(s) - note
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
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
392 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - IDPs
35,391 (2024 est.)
Illicit drugs - USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
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
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
Law of the Sea
Climate
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Land use - agricultural land
57.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 34.8% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 7.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 15.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
33% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
9.3% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
75.4% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
8.694 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
7.745 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
948,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
23.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
1.649 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.2% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
433.229 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
94.316 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
1.411 billion cubic meters (2022)
Total renewable water resources
26.27 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)