Country Profile: El Salvador

El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, is located between Guatemala and Honduras along the North Pacific Ocean. With a population of approximately 6.6 million, it has a predominantly Mestizo demographic and operates under a presidential republic government. The economy is characterized as upper-middle-income, largely dollarized, and reliant on remittances from abroad, especially from the United States, while facing challenges like high poverty rates and security issues stemming from criminal gangs.

Geography

El Salvador is situated in Central America, bordered by the North Pacific Ocean, with a total area of 21,041 square kilometers, roughly comparable to New Jersey. The country features a mountainous terrain with a narrow coastal belt and a significant central plateau, while its climate is primarily tropical, marked by distinct rainy and dry seasons.

• Area: 21,041 sq km
• Coastline: 307 km
• Highest Point: Cerro El Pital, 2,730 m
• Natural Hazards: Known as the "Land of Volcanoes," it experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

People and Society

El Salvador has an estimated population of 6.6 million in 2024, with a high urbanization rate of 75.4% living in cities, predominantly around the capital, San Salvador. The ethnic composition is primarily Mestizo (86.3%), and Spanish is the official language. The country faces social challenges, including a high homicide rate and significant levels of gang violence.

• Population: 6,628,702 (2024 est.)
• Urban Population: 75.4%
• Life Expectancy: 75.9 years (2024 est.)
• Literacy Rate: 89.8% (2024 est.)

Economy

El Salvador's economy is classified as upper-middle-income and relies heavily on remittances, which constitute about 24% of GDP. The country has seen recent economic growth driven by infrastructure investments and consumption, despite persistent fiscal challenges. Bitcoin has been adopted as legal tender, representing a unique approach to economic modernization.

• GDP (PPP): $73.961 billion (2024 est.)
• GDP per Capita: $11,700 (2024 est.)
• Unemployment Rate: 2.9% (2024 est.)
• Inflation Rate: 0.9% (2024 est.)

Government

El Salvador operates as a presidential republic, with a unicameral Legislative Assembly consisting of 60 directly elected members. The political landscape is dominated by several parties, including the New Ideas party, currently led by President Nayib Bukele. The country has a history of civil strife, but democratic governance has been maintained since the end of the civil war in 1992.

• Capital: San Salvador
• Government Type: Presidential Republic
• Current President: Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since June 2019)
• Next Election Date: February 2027

Military and Security

El Salvador's Armed Forces are tasked with both national defense and internal security duties, particularly in the face of gang violence and organized crime. The military budget is approximately 1.2% of GDP, and as of 2025, the active personnel count is around 25,000.

• Active Personnel: approximately 25,000 (2025 est.)
• Military Expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
• Compulsory Service Age: 18-30 years

Energy

El Salvador has made significant strides in electricity access, achieving 100% electrification in 2022. The energy infrastructure relies heavily on geothermal and hydroelectric sources, underscoring the country's commitment to renewables.

• Installed Capacity: 2.803 million kW (2023 est.)
• Electricity Consumption: 6.335 billion kWh (2023 est.)
• Renewable Sources: Hydroelectricity: 31%, Geothermal: 24.5% of total capacity (2023 est.)

Environment

The country faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution. El Salvador is a party to multiple international environmental agreements and is actively working to address these issues through sustainable practices.

• Forested Area: 33% (2023 est.)
• Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 8.694 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
• Waste Recycling Rate: 15.2% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)

Transportation

El Salvador has a modest transportation infrastructure, consisting of 27 airports and limited railway services. The country's ports primarily serve small vessels and include important terminals like Acajutla and La Union.

• Airports: 27 (2025 est.)
• Railways: 12.5 km (2014)
• Merchant Marine: 5 vessels (2023)

Communications

The communication sector in El Salvador is growing, with a high rate of mobile phone subscriptions and internet access among the population. Approximately 68% of people use the internet, and there are multiple media outlets available.

• Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 11.5 million (2022 est.)
• Internet Users: 68% (2023 est.)
• Fixed Line Subscriptions: 863,000 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,628,702 (2024 est.)
Area	21,041 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$73.961 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.9% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	75.9 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	89.8% (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)
Urban Population	75.4% (2023 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	8.694 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)