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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 442,727 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2017 est.)

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; transition to digital transmission to begin in 2018 along with adaptation of the Japanese-Brazilian Digital Standard (ISDB-T)

Internet country code [time series]

.sv

Internet users [time series]

total: 1,785,254 | percent of population: 29% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular began rolling out Long Term Evolution (LTE) data services in late-2016; Internet usage grew almost 400% between 2007 and 2015; 6% of phones are fixed while 94% are mobile (2018) | domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; growth in fixed-line services 11 per 100, has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competitionat at 162 per 100 (2018) | international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 677,599 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2017 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 9,982,186 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 162 (2017 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: 5.886 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 6.517 billion (2017 est.)

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

-2.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

6.47% (31 December 2017 est.) | 6.37% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$501 million (2017 est.) | -$500 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$15.51 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $16.32 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

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

36 (2016 est.) | 38 (2014)

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 2014, but recovered somewhat in 2015-17 with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. Remittances accounted for approximately 18% of GDP in 2017 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, which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. In September 2015, El Salvador kicked off a five-year $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation - a US Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during reconstruction and rebuilding following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's public debt, estimated at 59.3% of GDP in 2017, has been growing over the last several years.

Exchange rates [time series]

note: the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy | 1 (2017 est.)

Exports [time series]

$4.662 billion (2017 est.) | $5.42 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US 45.7%, Honduras 13.9%, Guatemala 13.5%, Nicaragua 6.7%, Costa Rica 4.6% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$24.81 billion (2017 est.)

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

$51.17 billion (2017 est.) | $50.01 billion (2016 est.) | $48.75 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 84.5% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 15.8% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 27.6% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -44.9% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 12% (2017 est.) | industry: 27.7% (2017 est.) | services: 60.3% (2017 est.)

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

$8,000 (2017 est.) | $7,900 (2016 est.) | $7,700 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

2.3% (2017 est.) | 2.6% (2016 est.) | 2.4% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

14.9% of GDP (2017 est.) | 13% of GDP (2016 est.) | 12.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.2% | highest 10%: 32.3% (2014 est.)

Imports [time series]

$9.499 billion (2017 est.) | $8.954 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

US 36.7%, Guatemala 10.5%, China 8.7%, Mexico 7.4%, Honduras 6.7% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.6% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1% (2017 est.) | 0.6% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.774 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$2.64 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $4.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.816 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

32.7% (2016 est.)

Public debt [time series]

67.9% of GDP (2017 est.) | 66.4% of GDP (2016 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]

$3.567 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.238 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$3.653 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.129 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$678.7 million (31 December 2017 est.) | $976.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)

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

$10.28 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $9.197 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$14.22 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $13.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$3.653 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.129 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

23.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7% (2017 est.) | 6.9% (2016 est.) | note: data are official rates; but underemployment is high

Energy

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

7.331 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

5.928 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

89.6 million kWh (2017 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

49% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

23% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.066 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

1.983 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

5.83 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 400,000 (2016) | electrification - total population: 98.6% (2016) | electrification - urban areas: 98.6% (2016) | electrification - rural areas: 98.8% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

52,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

347 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

49,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 21,041 sq km | land: 20,721 sq km | water: 320 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about the same size as New Jersey | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Central America :: El Salvador Print Image Description about the same size as New Jersey

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 [time series]

mean elevation: 442 m | 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

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 the Caribbean Sea

Irrigated land [time series]

452 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 590 km | border countries (2): Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 74.7% (2011 est.) | arable land: 33.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 10.9% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 30.7% (2011 est.) | forest: 13.6% (2011 est.) | other: 11.7% (2011 est.)

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 | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | contiguous zone: 24 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 (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 (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

Population distribution [time series]

athough it is the smallest country in land area in Central America, El Salvador has a population that is 18 times larger than Belize; at least 20% of the population lives abroad; high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

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) | etymology: Spanish for "Holy Saviour" (referring to Jesus Christ)

Citizenship [time series]

citizenship by birth: yes | citizenship by descent only: yes | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution [time series]

history: many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983 | amendments: proposals require agreement by absolute majority of the Legislative Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on basic principles, and citizen rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2018 (2018)

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 | etymology: name is an abbreviation of the original Spanish conquistador designation for the area "Provincia de Nuestro Senor Jesus Cristo, el Salvador del Mundo" (Province of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World), which became simply "El Salvador" (The Savior)

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David GOSNEY (since August 2019) | telephone: [503] 2501-2999 | 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 | FAX: [503] 2501-2150

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Werner Matias ROMERO Guerra (since 9 June 2019) | chancery: 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036 | telephone: [1] (202) 595-7500 | FAX: [1] (202) 232-1928 | consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Dallas, Doral (FL), Doraville (GA), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), New York, Nogales (AZ), San Francisco, Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ), Washington, DC, Woodbridge (VA) | consulate(s): Elizabeth (NJ), Newark (NJ), Seattle, Woodbridge (VA)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019); Vice President Felix Augusto Antonio ULLOA Garay (since 1 June 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019); Vice President Felix Augusto Antonio ULLOA Garay (since 1 June 2019) | cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president | elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 5-year term; election last held on 3 February 2019 (next to be held on February 2024) | election results: Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez elected president - Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (GANA) 53.1%, Carlos CALLEJA Hakker (ARENA) 31.72%, Hugo MARTINEZ (FMLN) 14.41%, other 0.77%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of cobalt blue (top), white, and cobalt 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; 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]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

highest courts: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 16 judges and 16 substitutes judges organized into Constitutional, Civil, Penal, and Administrative Conflict Chambers) | judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of both the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly, and the Bar Association; judges elected for 9-year terms, with renewal of one-third of membership every 3 years; consecutive reelection is allowed | subordinate courts: Appellate Courts; 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]

description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies and a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 3-year terms) | elections: last held on 4 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2021) | election results: percent of vote by party - ARENA 42.3%, FMLN 24.4%, GANA 11.5%, PCN 10.8%, PDC 3.2%, CD 0.9%, Independent 0.7%, other 6.2%; seats by party - ARENA 37, FMLN 23, GANA 11, PCN 8, PDC 3, CD 1, independent 1; composition -men 58, women 26, percent of women 31%

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

name: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador) | lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE | note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at 4:20 minutes, the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s) [time series]

turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors: blue, white

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

Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto] 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 Party or PCN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Mauricio INTERIANO] Nuevas Ideas [Federico Gerardo ANLIKER]

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. El Salvador is beset by one of the world's highest homicide rates and pervasive criminal gangs.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

Supporting the National Police in countering gang violence and drug trafficking is a primary mission for the Armed Forces of El Salvador. (2019)

Military and security forces [time series]

Armed Force of El Salvador (Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Army of El Salvador (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Navy of El Salvador (Fuerza Naval de El Salvador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2019)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.03% of GDP (2018) | 0.9% of GDP (2017) | 0.92% of GDP (2016) | 0.95% of GDP (2015) | 0.93% of GDP (2014)

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: 25.3% (male 802,813 /female 762,852) | 15-24 years: 19.88% (male 619,550 /female 610,725) | 25-54 years: 39.8% (male 1,143,226 /female 1,319,138) | 55-64 years: 7.32% (male 198,513 /female 254,640) | 65 years and over: 7.69% (male 208,817 /female 266,997) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Central America :: El Salvador Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for El Salvador. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

16.1 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

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

5% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

72% (2014)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

7% (2016)

Death rate [time series]

5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

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: 56.8 (2015 est.) | youth dependency ratio: 44.4 (2015 est.) | elderly dependency ratio: 12.4 (2015 est.) | potential support ratio: 8 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.8% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 86.3%, white 12.7%, Amerindian 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.6% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<1000 (2018 est.)

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

25,000 (2018 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 18.3 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 14.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Nawat (among some Amerindians)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.1 years (2018 est.) | male: 71.8 years | female: 78.6 years

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 88.1% | male: 90.3% | female: 86.3% (2016)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high (2016) | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea (2016) | vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2016) | note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus

Major urban areas - population [time series]

1.106 million SAN SALVADOR (capital) (2019)

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

46 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 27.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 26.1 years | female: 29.1 years

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

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Salvadoran(s) | adjective: Salvadoran

Net migration rate [time series]

-7.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

24.6% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.57 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population [time series]

6,187,271 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

0.25% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 36%, other 2%, none 12% (2014 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

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

total: 12 years | male: 12 years | female: 12 years (2016)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.84 children born/woman (2018 est.)

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

total: 10.1% | male: 8.8% | female: 12.2% (2017)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 72.7% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 1.57% annual rate of change (2015-20 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 71,500 (2018)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

68 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 1 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2017) | under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

YS (2016)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 2 | by type: other 2 (2018)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 32 (2015) | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,597,649 (2015) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 13,873,884 mt-km (2015)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 13 km (2014) | narrow gauge: 12.5 km 0.914-m gauge (2014)

Roadways [time series]

total: 9,012 km (2017) | paved: 5,341 km (2017) | unpaved: 3,671 km (2017)

Waterways [time series]

(Rio Lempa River is partially navigable by small craft) (2011)