Introduction
Background
El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms.
Geography
Area
total: 21,041 sq km
land: 20,721 sq km
water: 320 sq km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Natural resources
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
People and Society
Population
6,602,370 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Mestizo 86.3%, White 12.7%, Amerindian 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), Black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official), Nawat (among some Amerindians)
Religions
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 36%, other 2%, none 12% (2014 est.)
Population growth rate
0.46% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: San Salvador
Executive branch
chief of state: Acting President Claudia Juana RODRÍGUEZ de Guevara (since 1 December 2023); note - parliament granted a six-month leave of absence to President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez and Vice President Félix Augusto Antonio ULLOA Garay (to allow them to participate in the 4 February 2024 presidential election) and approved the appointment of Claudia Juana RODRÍGUEZ de Guevara as acting president from 1 December 2023 to 1 June 2024
head of government: Acting President Claudia Juana RODRÍGUEZ de Guevara (since 1 December 2023)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies and a single nationwide constituency by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 3-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
growth-challenged Central American economy buttressed via remittances; dense labor force; fairly aggressive COVID-19 stimulus plan; new and lower banking reserve requirements; earthquake, tropical storm, and crime disruptions; widespread corruption
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$57.371 billion (2021 est.)
$52.024 billion (2020 est.)
$56.657 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$9,100 (2021 est.)
$8,300 (2020 est.)
$9,000 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
sugar cane, maize, milk, poultry, sorghum, beans, coconuts, eggs, apples, oranges
Industries
food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals
Remittances
26.06% of GDP (2021 est.)
24.15% of GDP (2020 est.)
21.04% of GDP (2019 est.)
Exports
$8.491 billion (2021 est.)
$6.295 billion (2020 est.)
$8.057 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
United States 40%, Guatemala 15%, Honduras 15%, Nicaragua 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
clothing, electrical capacitors, plastic lids, sugar, packaged medicines, toilet paper (2021)
Imports
$15.754 billion (2021 est.)
$10.764 billion (2020 est.)
$12.469 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
United States 30%, China 14%, Guatemala 13%, Mexico 8%, Honduras 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, packaged medicines, clothing, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2019)
Exchange rates
note: the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy
Exchange rates:
1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)
1 (2019 est.)
1 (2018 est.)
1 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Thursday, December 21, 2023
