Country Profile: El Salvador

El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and flanked by Guatemala and Honduras. With a projected population of approximately 6.3 million in 2025, it is a densely populated nation characterized by a predominantly Mestizo demographic. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income and heavily reliant on remittances from Salvadorans abroad, particularly in the United States. Despite significant challenges, including high crime rates, the government operates as a presidential republic and has recently embraced innovative economic measures, such as adopting Bitcoin as legal tender.

Geography

El Salvador is located in Central America and features a tropical climate with a mountainous terrain and a narrow coastal belt. The country covers an area of 21,041 sq km, with its highest point at 2,730 m (Cerro El Pital) and a coastline of 307 km. El Salvador faces numerous natural hazards, including frequent earthquakes, volcanic activity, and hurricanes, which impact its landscape and infrastructure.

Highest point: Cerro El Pital at 2,730 m.
Coastline: 307 km along the Pacific Ocean.
Land boundaries: Total 590 km with Guatemala and Honduras.
Natural resources include: Hydropower, geothermal power, and arable land.
Climate hazards: Known as the "Land of Volcanoes" with significant volcanic activity.

People and Society

The population of El Salvador is diverse, with about 86.3% identifying as Mestizo. The official language is Spanish, and the predominant religions are Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Urbanization is high, with around 75.4% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023. The median age is approximately 31.2 years, indicating a relatively young demographic.

Population (2025 est.): 6,334,723.
Urban population: 75.4% as of 2023.
Life expectancy: 75.9 years (2024 est.).
Literacy rate: 89.8% (2024 est.).
Major age group (0-14 years): 25.3% of the population.

Economy

El Salvador's economy is characterized as upper-middle-income and largely dollarized, relying significantly on remittances and consumption. The country's GDP (PPP) is estimated at $73.961 billion for 2024, with a real GDP growth rate projected at 2.6%. The economy is diverse, with services contributing 61% to GDP, followed by industry at 22.4% and agriculture at 4.4%.

GDP (PPP) 2024: $73.961 billion.
Unemployment rate (2024): 2.9%.
Remittances: Constitute 24% of GDP (2024 est.).
Public debt ratio: 102.2% of GDP (2023).
Top agricultural products: Sugarcane, maize, and milk.

Government

El Salvador operates as a presidential republic, with the President serving as both head of state and government. The current president, Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez, has been in office since 2019. The legal framework is based on a civil law system, and the country is divided into 14 departments.

Political system: Presidential republic.
Capital: San Salvador.
Latest Constitution: Enacted on 23 December 1983.
Suffrage age: 18 years for universal voting.
Recent election: February 2024 saw President BUKELE re-elected.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of El Salvador (FAES) are responsible for national defense and internal security. Military expenditures are around 1.2% of GDP, with approximately 25,000 active personnel as of 2025. The military has a significant role in combating gang violence, often working in conjunction with police forces.

Active military personnel: Approximately 25,000 (2025).
Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2024).
Military service age: 18-30 years for voluntary enlistment.
Key issue: Ongoing violence and gang activity, particularly from MS-13.

Energy

El Salvador has achieved 100% electrification and is investing in renewable energy sources such as geothermal, hydropower, and solar power. The country's total installed electricity generation capacity stands at 2.803 million kW.

Electricity consumption: 6.335 billion kWh (2023).
Renewable sources: Geothermal accounts for 24.5% of capacity.
Energy consumption per capita: 24.421 million Btu/person (2023).
Total petroleum production: 3 bbl/day (2023).
Imported natural gas: 486.291 million cubic meters (2023).

Environment

El Salvador faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The government is party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Total water resources: 26.27 billion cubic meters (2022 est.).
Annual solid waste generation: 1.649 million tons (2024 est.).
Percent of waste recycled: 15.2% (2022 est.).
Total emissions: 8.694 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.).
Major environmental issues: Deforestation and water contamination.

Transportation

El Salvador has a variety of transportation options, including 27 airports and a developing road network. The country relies heavily on its ports for trade.

Airports: 27 as of 2025.
Railways: 12.5 km of narrow gauge track (2014).
Merchant marine vessels: 5 (2023).
Ports: 3 with oil terminals.

Communications

Telecommunications infrastructure in El Salvador includes a robust mobile network with approximately 11.2 million mobile cellular subscriptions. Internet usage is widespread, with about 68% of the population being online.

Internet users: 68% of the population (2023).
Fixed phone lines: 885,000 subscriptions (2024).
Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 177 (2024).
Broadband subscriptions: 671,000 (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,334,723	Estimated for 2025
Area	21,041 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$73.961 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	2.9%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	75.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	89.8%	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditures	1.2% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	24.421 million Btu/person	2023
Renewable Water Resources	26.27 billion cubic meters	Estimated for 2022
Birth Rate	12.46 births/1,000 population	2025 est.