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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

multiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio broadcast stations and 1 government-owned radio broadcast station (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.sv

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

24,070 (2012) country comparison to the world: 113

Internet users [time series]

746,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 107

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2011 teledensity exceeded 135 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.06 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 74

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

8.65 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 88

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.683 billion expenditures: $5.666 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

$NA (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 5.6% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.331 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 -$1.257 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$14.44 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $13.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

46.9 (2007) country comparison to the world: 30 52.5 (2001)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2013. Remittances accounted for 16% of GDP in 2013 and were received by about a third of all households. In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during post-war reconstruction and reconstruction following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's external debt has been growing over the last several years, amounting to some 57% of GDP in 2013. In September 2013, El Salvador was awarded a $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) - a United States Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy, 1 (2013 est.) 1 (2012 est.)

Exports [time series]

$5.112 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $5.447 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures

Exports - partners [time series]

US 47.3%, Guatemala 13.8%, Honduras 9.6%, Nicaragua 5.4% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$24.67 billion (2013 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$47.47 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $46.72 billion (2012 est.) $45.84 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 93.9% government consumption: 11.1% investment in fixed capital: 14.5% investment in inventories: 0% exports of goods and services: 29% imports of goods and services: -48.5% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 10.3% industry: 29.5% services: 60.1% (2013 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$7,500 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $7,400 (2012 est.) $7,300 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 1.9% (2012 est.) 2.2% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

9% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 8.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 9.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 37% (2009 est.)

Imports [time series]

$10.03 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $9.912 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity

Imports - partners [time series]

US 35.4%, Guatemala 12.7%, Mexico 7%, China 5.6%, Germany 4.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Industries [time series]

food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.9% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 1.8% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.738 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 21% industry: 20% services: 58% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$10.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $5.474 billion (31 December 2011) $NA (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

36.5% (2010 est.)

Public debt [time series]

62% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 59.2% of GDP (2012 est.) note: El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.855 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $3.176 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$10.12 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $9.847 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$5.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $5.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$8.879 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $8.635 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$11.16 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $10.51 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$2.914 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $2.796 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

19% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 6.1% (2012 est.) note: data are official rates; but underemployment is high

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

6.713 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Crude oil - imports [time series]

16,160 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Electricity - consumption [time series]

5.756 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Electricity - exports [time series]

101.6 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

52.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

31.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

15.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity - imports [time series]

251 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

1.491 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Electricity - production [time series]

5.728 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

44,040 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

2,425 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

29,020 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

16,620 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 21,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 153 land: 20,721 sq km water: 320 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate [time series]

tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands

Coastline [time series]

307 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 1.84 cu km/yr (22%/14%/64%) per capita: 301.9 cu m/yr (2007)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 50 N, 88 55 W

Geography - note [time series]

smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea

Irrigated land [time series]

449.9 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 590 km border countries: Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 31.61% permanent crops: 10.93% other: 57.46% (2011)

Location [time series]

Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes volcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (elev. 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 (elev. 2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

Total renewable water resources [time series]

25.23 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan

Capital [time series]

name: San Salvador geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: none scheduled for 2014

Constitution [time series]

many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983; amended many times, last in 2009 (2012)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Mari Carmen APONTE (since 22 September 2010) embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 telephone: [503] 2501-2999 FAX: [503] 2501-2150

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Ruben Ignacio ZAMORA Rivas (since 12 April 2013) chancery: Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 595-7500 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3763 consulate(s) general: Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Coral Gables (FL), Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Santa Ana (CA), Seattle, Tucson, Woodbridge (VA), Woodstock (GA) consulate(s): Elizabeth (NJ)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in February 2019) election results: percent of vote - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president; first-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO 39%, Antonio SACA 11.4%; second-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.11%, Norman QUIJANO 49.89%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity note: similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation [time series]

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, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of 15 judges assigned to constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict divisions) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly; judges elected for single, 9-year terms with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years. subordinate courts: Chambers of Second Instance; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace

Legal system [time series]

civil law system with minor common law influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held on 11 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 33, FMLN 31, GANA 11, CN 7, PES 1, PCD 1; note - changes in party affiliation now reflect the following seat distribution: as of 28 March 2014 - FMLN 31, ARENA 28, GANA 11, CN 7, Unidos por El Salvador 5, CD 1, PDC 1

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador)

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s) [time series]

turquoise-browed motmot (bird)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Change (Cambio Democratico) or CD [Douglas AVILES] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU) Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ] Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Jose Andres ROVIRA Caneles] National Coalition (Concertation Nacional) or CN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] (formerly the National Conciliation Party or PCN) Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Jorge VELADO] Party of Hope or PES [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto] (formerly the Christian Democratic Party or PCD) Unidos por El Salvador [Manuel Rigoberto SOTO Lazo]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

labor organizations: Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL business organizations: National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,449,214 females age 16-49: 1,611,248 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,079,038 females age 16-49: 1,373,368 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 71,530 female: 68,971 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Salvadoran Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Salvadoran Army (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Salvadoran Navy (Fuerza Naval de El Slavador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2013)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.99% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 102 1.11% of GDP (2011) 0.99% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation is 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 28.1% (male 882,185/female 837,646) 15-24 years: 20.8% (male 640,322/female 635,409) 25-54 years: 37.5% (male 1,056,779/female 1,243,220) 55-64 years: 6.6% (male 182,937/female 224,019) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 187,664/female 235,331) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

16.79 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 179,303 percentage: 4 % note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

6.6% (2008) country comparison to the world: 78

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

72.5% note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)

Death rate [time series]

5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Demographic profile [time series]

El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing. Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty.

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 57.6 % youth dependency ratio: 46.2 % elderly dependency ratio: 11.4 % potential support ratio: 8.8 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 95% of population rural: 81% of population total: 90.1% of population unimproved: urban: 5.8% of population rural: 19% of population total: 9.9% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 129

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 86.3%, white 12.7%, Amerindian 1% (2007 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

24,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

6.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 87

Hospital bed density [time series]

1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 18.44 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 97 male: 20.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Nahua (among some Amerindians)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.18 years country comparison to the world: 114 male: 70.9 years female: 77.62 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.5% male: 87.1% female: 82.3% (2010 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2013)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

SAN SALVADOR (capital) 1.605 million (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

81 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 81

Median age [time series]

total: 25.6 years male: 24.1 years female: 27.1 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

20.8 note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran

Net migration rate [time series]

-8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

25.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 51

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.6 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

6,125,512 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Population growth rate [time series]

0.27% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 79.5% of population rural: 53.4% of population total: 70.5% of population unimproved: urban: 20.5% of population rural: 46.6% of population total: 29.5% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2012)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.95 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 12.4% country comparison to the world: 97 male: 12.8% female: 11.7% (2012)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 64.8% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.35% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine

Transportation

Airports [time series]

68 (2013) country comparison to the world: 73

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 63 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 51 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Puerto Cutuco oil/gas terminal(s): Acajutla offshore terminal

Railways [time series]

total: 283 km country comparison to the world: 121 narrow gauge: 283 km 0.600-m gauge note: railways have been inoperable since 2005 because of disuse and high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 6,918 km country comparison to the world: 147 paved: 3,247 km (includes 341 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,671 km (2010)

Waterways [time series]

(Rio Lempa is partially navigable for small craft) (2011)