El Salvador
Region
🌍 Americas
Population
👥 6
Currency
💱 United States dollar
Languages
🗣️ Spanish
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Official NameSource: REST Countries
Republic of El Salvador
Continent
America
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Salvadoran
Independence
September 15, 1821 (from Spain)
Top-Level Domain
.sv
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+503
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC-06:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
San Salvador
ISO Alpha-2
SV
ISO Alpha-3
SLV
UN Code
222
Geographic Coordinates
13.83333333,-88.91666666
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
21,041#153 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
6,029,976#115 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
304.52
Highest Point (m)
2,730 meters (Cerro El Pital)
Lowest Point (m)
0 meters (Pacific Ocean)
Land Use
Agricultural land: 63.8%; forest: 35.8%; other: 0.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated Land
260 sq km (2012)
Coastline Length
307 km
Climate
Tropical; rainy season (May to October), dry season (November to April)
Natural Resources
Hydropower, geothermal energy, gold, silver, copper, iron ore, petroleum
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Guatemala, Honduras
Major Rivers
Lempa River
Major Lakes
Lake Ilopango
Government Type
Presidential republic
Administrative Divisions
14 departments
Legal System
Civil law system based on Spanish law
Chief of State
President Nayib Bukele
Head of Government
President Nayib Bukele
Cabinet
The Cabinet is appointed by the President.
Elections
Presidential and National Assembly elections are held every 5 years.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court of Justice
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
Major Political Parties
New Ideas, Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN)
CurrencySource: REST Countries
United States dollar
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
36.71#110 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
89.76#108 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
5,766.73#133 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
4.4
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
24.48
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
58.87
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.26#172 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2,989,409
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3.3#135 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Central government debt, total (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
107.28
Budget
The annual budget is approximately $7 billion.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
11.76#105 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
20.6#92 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Approximately $3 billion.
Currency Exchange
El Salvador uses the US dollar as its official currency. Currency exchange information can be found at any bank or currency exchange service.
GDP by Sector
Services, manufacturing, and agriculture are the main sectors.
Major Industries
Food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, textiles, apparel.
Major Export Partners
United States, Guatemala, Honduras.
Major Import Partners
United States, China, Mexico.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
89.77#101 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
15.6
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
7.5
Net Migration Rate
Slightly negative, indicating more emigration than immigration.
Median Age
Approximately 30 years.
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
75.52#72 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Approximately 0.5% annual rate of change.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
72.3#133 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Less than 1%.
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
9.29
Ethnic Groups
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) is the largest group, with smaller communities of European and Amerindian descent.
Religions
Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic) is the main religion.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
Spanish
Education
Education System
El Salvador's education system is structured with primary, secondary, and higher education levels.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2018)Checked September 29, 2026
11.6
Government Education Spending
Government expenditure on education in El Salvador is around 3-4% of GDP.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
Major universities include the University of El Salvador and Universidad Francisco Gavidia.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Salvadoran culture is a mix of indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial influences, and modern trends.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- Día del Trabajo (2026-05-01)
- Día de la Cru (2026-05-03)
- Día del Soldado (2026-05-07)
- Día de las Madres (2026-05-10)
- Día del Padre (2026-05-10)
- Fiestas de agosto (2026-08-01)
- Fiestas de agosto (2026-08-02)
- Fiestas de agosto (2026-08-03)
- Fiestas de agosto (2026-08-04)
- Fiestas de agosto (2026-08-05)
- Fiestas de agosto (2026-08-06)
- Fiestas de agosto (2026-08-07)
Popular Music
Popular music genres include cumbia, reggaeton, and Salvadoran folk music.
Traditional Food
Traditional foods include pupusas, tamales, and horchata.
Sports
Soccer is the most popular sport in El Salvador.
Major Festivals
Major festivals include the Festival of San Salvador in August.
Famous People
Famous people include artists like Fernando Llort and writers like Horacio Castellanos Moya.
Cultural Heritage Sites
El Salvador has several sites of cultural heritage, including historical towns and archaeological ruins.
UNESCO Sites
El Salvador has UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site.
Annual Tourist Visits
Receives a moderate number of annual tourist visits, growing over time.
Tourism Overview
Tourism is growing, with a focus on surfing, beaches, and cultural sites.
Top Tourist Attractions
Beaches (e.g., El Tunco), Mayan ruins (e.g., Joya de Cerén), Santa Ana Volcano, and the capital San Salvador.
Famous Cities
San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Miguel.
National Parks
Several national parks, including El Imposible National Park.
Protected Areas
Significant protected areas to safeguard biodiversity.
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
Visa-free entry for citizens of many countries; requirements vary.
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
Travel advisories exist, often related to crime.
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
The healthcare quality index is moderate.
Medical Cost
Medical costs are relatively affordable compared to developed nations, but can vary.
Number of Hospitals
There are approximately 80 hospitals.
Universal Healthcare
El Salvador has a public healthcare system, but it faces challenges in terms of access and quality.
Medical Services Overview
Access to medical services varies with both public and private options.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency services are available, but response times can vary depending on location.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
The emergency number for the police is 911.
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
The emergency number for ambulances is 911.
Emergency Number (Fire)
The emergency number for the fire department is 911.
Crime Rate
El Salvador has a moderate to high crime rate.
Safety Index
The safety index is relatively low compared to other countries in the region.
Military Expenditure
Military expenditure accounts for a percentage of the national budget.
Emergency Services Overview
Emergency services include police, ambulance, and fire departments, accessible via 911.
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
El Salvador's military branches include the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
Electricity access is generally available across most of the country.
Water Access
Access to clean water is available, but may vary by location and quality.
Sanitation Access
Sanitation access is variable; improvements are ongoing.
Railways
El Salvador's railway system is limited and primarily used for freight.
Roadways
El Salvador has a network of roadways, including highways and local roads.
Transportation System
The transportation system includes a mix of roads, buses, and limited rail.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
El Salvador International Airport Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (SAL), Ilopango International Airport (ILS)
Ports
The country has ports on the Pacific coast, like Acajutla.
Public Transit
Public transit primarily relies on buses and microbuses.
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
66.48#141 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
Approximately 120 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.
Tech Startups
Growing tech startup scene, particularly in fintech and software development.
Innovation Index
Scores moderately on global innovation indexes; improving.
ICT Development Index
ICT Development Index is moderate, showing ongoing development.
TV Broadcast Stations
Limited number of TV broadcast stations.
Radio Broadcast Stations
Numerous radio broadcast stations.
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
1.51#126 of 202
Air Quality Index
Air quality is a concern, with pollution levels varying by location.
Water Pollution Level
High levels of water pollution, particularly from industrial waste and sewage.
Renewable Energy Usage
Limited but growing renewable energy usage, primarily geothermal and hydroelectric.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and air pollution.
Natural Hazards
Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, and droughts.
Waste Management
Inadequate waste management infrastructure, leading to open dumping and environmental problems.
Environmental Agreements
Party to international agreements on climate change, biodiversity, and pollution.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Maintains diplomatic missions in various countries worldwide.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
Member of the WTO, IMF, World Bank, and other regional organizations.
Major Treaties
Participates in various international treaties on human rights, trade, and the environment.
Visa-Free Countries
Citizens can travel visa-free to numerous countries.