2016 Edition

Background

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.

Area

21,041 sq km 20,721 sq km 320 sq km

land

20,721 sq km

total

21,041 sq km

water

320 sq km

Area - comparative

about the same size as New Jersey

Climate

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

Coastline

307 km

Elevation

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

mean elevation

442 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea

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

13 50 N, 88 55 W

Geographic overview

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

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

452 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

590 km Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km

border countries (2)

Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km

total

590 km

Land use

74.7% arable land 33.1%; permanent crops 10.9%; permanent pasture 30.7% 13.6% 11.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

74.7%

forest

13.6%

other

11.7% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes 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

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

hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

Age structure

26.58% (male 839,392/female 797,323) 20.51% (male 635,100/female 627,648) 38.66% (male 1,098,619/female 1,281,822) 6.96% (male 190,386/female 238,206) 7.28% (male 197,945/female 250,229) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

26.58% (male 839,392/female 797,323)

15-24 years

20.51% (male 635,100/female 627,648)

25-54 years

38.66% (male 1,098,619/female 1,281,822)

55-64 years

6.96% (male 190,386/female 238,206)

65 years and over

7.28% (male 197,945/female 250,229) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

16.3 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

179,303 4% data represent children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

note

data represent children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

percentage

4%

total number

179,303

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

72.3% percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)

note

percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)

Death rate

5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

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

54.3% 41.7% 12.6% 7.9% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

12.6%

potential support ratio

7.9% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

54.3%

youth dependency ratio

41.7%

Drinking water source

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 86.5% of population total: 93.8% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 13.5% of population total: 6.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

13.5% of population

total

6.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

Education expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.51% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

400 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

19,800 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

17.3 deaths/1,000 live births 19.4 deaths/1,000 live births 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

19.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

17.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), Nawat (among some Amerindians)

Life expectancy at birth

74.7 years 71.4 years 78.1 years (2016 est.)

female

78.1 years (2016 est.)

male

71.4 years

total population

74.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 88% 90.4% 86% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

86% (2015 est.)

male

90.4%

total population

88%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea dengue fever 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 (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea

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 (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever

Major urban areas - population

SAN SALVADOR (capital) 1.098 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

54 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

26.6 years 25.1 years 28.1 years (2016 est.)

female

28.1 years (2016 est.)

male

25.1 years

total

26.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

note

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

Nationality

Salvadoran(s) Salvadoran

adjective

Salvadoran

noun

Salvadoran(s)

Net migration rate

-8.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.1% (2014)

Physicians density

1.6 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

6,156,670 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

0.25% (2016 est.)

Religions

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

urban: 82.4% of population rural: 60% of population total: 75% of population urban: 17.6% of population rural: 40% of population total: 25% of population (2015 est.)

rural

40% of population

total

25% of population (2015 est.)

urban

17.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2014)

female

13 years (2014)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.86 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.8 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.89 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

12.4% 11.8% 13.6% (2013 est.)

female

13.6% (2013 est.)

male

11.8%

total

12.4%

Urbanization

66.7% of total population (2015) 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

66.7% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

San Salvador 13 42 N, 89 12 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

13 42 N, 89 12 W

name

San Salvador

time difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 5 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983; amended many times, last in 2014 (2016)

Country name

Republic of El Salvador El Salvador Republica de El Salvador El Salvador 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)

conventional long form

Republic of El Salvador

conventional 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)

local long form

Republica de El Salvador

local short form

El Salvador

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Jean MANES (since January 2016) Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 [503] 2501-2999 [503] 2501-2150

chief of mission

Ambassador Jean MANES (since January 2016)

embassy

Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador

FAX

[503] 2501-2150

mailing address

Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450

telephone

[503] 2501-2999

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Claudia Ivette CANJURA de Centeno (since 17 June 2016) 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 595-7517 [1] (202) 232-1928 Atlanta, Boston, Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Coral Gables (FL), Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), New York, Nogales (AZ), San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson (AZ), Washington, DC, Woodbridge (VA), Woodstock (GA) Elizabeth (NJ), Newark (NJ)

chancery

1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Claudia Ivette CANJURA de Centeno (since 17 June 2016)

consulate(s)

Elizabeth (NJ), Newark (NJ)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Coral Gables (FL), Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), New York, Nogales (AZ), San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson (AZ), Washington, DC, Woodbridge (VA), Woodstock (GA)

FAX

[1] (202) 232-1928

telephone

[1] (202) 595-7517

Executive branch

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 President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014) Council of Ministers selected by the president 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 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in February 2019) Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president; percent of vote: first-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (FMLN) 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO (ARENA) 39%, Antonio SACA (CN) 11.4%, other 0.7%; second-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.1%, Norman QUIJANO 49.9%

cabinet

Council of Ministers selected by the president

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

election results

Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president; percent of vote: first-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (FMLN) 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO (ARENA) 39%, Antonio SACA (CN) 11.4%, other 0.7%; second-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.1%, Norman QUIJANO 49.9%

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 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in February 2019)

head of government

President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014)

Flag description

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 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

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

presidential republic

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

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

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ) (consists of 15 judges assigned to constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict divisions) 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 a 9-year term, with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years; consecutive re-election is allowed Appellate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ) (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 a 9-year term, with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years; consecutive re-election is allowed

subordinate courts

Appellate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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) last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2018) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 35, FMLN 31, GANA 11, PCN 6, PDC 1

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 35, FMLN 31, GANA 11, PCN 6, PDC 1

elections

last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2018)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE

name

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

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

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

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

turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors

blue, white

Political parties and leaders

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 Conciliation Party or PCN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Jorge VELADO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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 Trade Union Federation of Salvadoran Workers or FENASTRAS National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS Union of Judiciary Workers or SITTOJ Union of Workers of the Ministry of Treasury or SITRAMI Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL American Chamber of Commerce in El Salvador National Association of Private Enterprise or ANEP Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce Salvadoran Chamber of the Construction Industry or CASALCO Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$5.158 billion $6.009 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$6.009 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$5.158 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.13% (31 December 2015 est.) 5.99% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$826 million (2015 est.) -$1.194 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$14.67 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $14.56 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.9 (2007) 52.5 (2001)

Economy - overview

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. Remittances accounted for 17% of GDP in 2014 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 post-war reconstruction and rebuilding following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's public debt, estimated at 65% of GDP in 2015, has been growing over the last several years. Total external debt was nearly 60% of GDP in 2015.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy

note

the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy

Exports

$4.381 billion (2015 est.) $4.256 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 47.1%, Honduras 13.9%, Guatemala 13.6%, Nicaragua 6.6%, Costa Rica 4.5% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

91.9% 12.1% 14.2% 0% 26% -44.2% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

26%

government consumption

12.1%

household consumption

91.9%

imports of goods and services

-44.2% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

14.2%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

10.5% 25.1% 64.4% (2015 est.)

agriculture

10.5%

industry

25.1%

services

64.4% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,300 (2015 est.) $8,100 (2014 est.) $8,000 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2015 est.) 2% (2014 est.) 1.8% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$25.77 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$52.95 billion (2015 est.) $51.71 billion (2014 est.) $50.72 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

10.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 8.4% of GDP (2014 est.) 8.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1% 37% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

37% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

1%

Imports

$9.321 billion (2015 est.) $9.463 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 39.4%, Guatemala 9.6%, China 8.1%, Mexico 7.4%, Honduras 5.7% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.7% (2015 est.) 1.1% (2014 est.)

Labor force

2.774 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

21% 20% 58% (2011 est.)

agriculture

21%

industry

20%

services

58% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$10.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.474 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $4.227 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

36.5% (2010 est.)

Public debt

65.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 62.4% of GDP (2014 est.) El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt

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

$2.787 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $2.693 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$11.45 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $10.87 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$951.8 million (31 December 2015 est.) $854.8 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$10.11 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $9.392 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$13.28 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $12.26 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.253 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $2.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.5% (2015 est.) 5.6% (2014 est.) data are official rates; but underemployment is high

note

data are official rates; but underemployment is high

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.5 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

220 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

9,940 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

5.7 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

200 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

53.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

31.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

15.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

600 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.7 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

6.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

400,000 94% 98% 86% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

86% (2013)

electrification - total population

94%

electrification - urban areas

98%

population without electricity

400,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

45,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

226.4 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

43,530 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.sv

Internet users

1.653 million 26.9% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

26.9% (July 2015 est.)

total

1.653 million

Telephone system

multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition nationwide microwave radio relay system country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2015)

domestic

nationwide microwave radio relay system

general assessment

multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition

international

country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

944,266 15 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

15 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

944,266

Telephones - mobile cellular

9.334 million 152 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

152 (July 2015 est.)

total

9.334 million

Airports

68 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

5

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

51 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

11

total

63

under 914 m

51 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

YS (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

National air transport system

2,597,649 13,873,884 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

13,873,884 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,597,649

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

36

number of registered air carriers

2

Ports and terminals

Puerto Cutuco Acajutla offshore terminal

major seaport(s)

Puerto Cutuco

oil terminal(s)

Acajutla offshore terminal

Railways

12.5 km 12.5 km 0.914-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

12.5 km 0.914-m gauge (2014)

total

12.5 km

Roadways

6,918 km 3,247 km (includes 341 km of expressways) 3,671 km (2010)

paved

3,247 km (includes 341 km of expressways)

total

6,918 km

unpaved

3,671 km (2010)

Waterways

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

Military branches

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)

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

0.99% of GDP (2012) 1.11% of GDP (2011) 0.99% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

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)

Disputes - international

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

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

289,000 (2015)

IDPs

289,000 (2015)