SLV
Data file updated Jun 27, 2026
El Salvador
Country profile covering economy, demographics, military, quality-of-life signals, and historical trends.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- San Salvador
- Currency
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Language
- Spanish
- Government
- Presidential republic
- Internet Users
- 70.5%
- Unemployment
- 6.8%
- Smoking (15+)
- 6.5%
Population
6.34M
GDP
$32.38B
GDP per Capita
$5,109.0
Area
21,041 km²
Life Expectancy
73.5 years
HDI
0.7
Economy
5 metrics| GDP (USD) | $32.38B |
|---|---|
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | $5,109.0 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 6.8% |
| GINI Index (Income Inequality) | 38.8 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
Trade (Import/Export)
3 metrics| Exports | $11.6B |
|---|---|
| Imports | $18.4B |
| Trade Balance | $-6.8B |
Gold Reserves
1 metrics| Gold Reserves | 1.4 tonnes |
|---|
Society & Demographics
4 metrics| Life Expectancy (years) | 73.5 |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate (%) | 89.0% |
| Internet Users (%) | 70.5% |
| Human Development Index | 0.7 |
Military Strength
9 metrics| Active Personnel | 25,000 |
|---|---|
| Reserve Personnel | 9,900 |
| Total Military Personnel | 34,900 |
| Defense Budget (USD) | $310M |
| Tanks | 0 |
| Armored Vehicles | 180 |
| Self-Propelled Artillery | 0 |
| Towed Artillery | 36 |
| Rocket Projectors | 0 |
Air Force
7 metrics| Total Aircraft | 35 |
|---|---|
| Fighters | 0 |
| Attack Aircraft | 12 |
| Transport Aircraft | 8 |
| Trainer Aircraft | 5 |
| Helicopters | 10 |
| Attack Helicopters | 0 |
Education
4 metrics| Education Expenditure (% of GDP) | 3.8% |
|---|---|
| Universities | 25 |
| Primary Enrollment (%) | 94.5% |
| Secondary Enrollment (%) | 68.2% |
Healthcare
5 metrics| Healthcare Expenditure (% of GDP) | 7.2% |
|---|---|
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 1.6 |
| Hospital Beds per 1,000 people | 1.3 |
| Life Expectancy (Male) | 70.2 |
| Life Expectancy (Female) | 77.0 |
Cost of Living
12 metrics| Cost of Living Index | 38.5 |
|---|---|
| Rent Index | 12.8 |
| Groceries Index | 35.2 |
| Restaurant Price Index | 28.4 |
| Local Purchasing Power | 22.1 |
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant (USD) | $5.0 |
| Three-Course Meal for 2 (USD) | $25.0 |
| Monthly Rent - City Center (USD) | $450.0 |
| Monthly Rent - Outside Center (USD) | $280.0 |
| Monthly Utilities (USD) | $85.0 |
| Internet (60 Mbps, USD) | $28.0 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (USD) | $35.0 |
Historical Data
Compare El Salvador
Religious Composition
- Roman Catholic 50.0%
- Protestant 36.0%
- No Religion 10.0%
- Other Christian 2.0%
- Other 2.0%
Beverages per Person
- Coffee 2.5 kg/yr
- Tea 0.1 kg/yr
- Beer 23.7 L/yr
- Wine 0.6 L/yr
- Alcohol 3.6 L pure/yr
Per-capita — consumption where available, else FAOSTAT supply · alcohol = litres of pure alcohol (WHO)
Age Demographics
29.2
Median Age