Country profile · Latin America & Caribbean · UMC

🇸🇻 El Salvador

Upper middle income. Capital San Salvador. Mid-pack GDP/cap (UMC · LONG) across 41 World Bank / WHO / ILO measures.

6.3 million
Population
$34.9 billion
GDP
$5,503
GDP / capita
72.3 years
Life expectancy
RSS
Latin America & Caribbean Upper middle income Capital: San Salvador

Mid-pack GDP/cap · LONG

El Salvador ranks 107th of 217 by total GDP and 135th for life expectancy - a upper middle income economy in Latin America & Caribbean.

#107
World GDP rank (of 217)
$5,503
GDP per capita
#135
Life-expectancy rank
#111
Population rank

El Salvador sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#133 of 214) as a UMC economy with LONG longevity.

El Salvador vs all countries by total GDP

Where this economy's World Bank total GDP sits among every country with a positive observation (inventory signal, not a virtue ranking)

$34,879,730,000 107th of 214 higher than 107 of 214 countries

Countries banded by World Bank total GDP (current US$)

Each bar is a $0.001K-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source World Bank, GDP (current US$) · 2026-08-14

El Salvador on the global income map

El Salvador (SLV) mid GDP/cap pack - GDP per capita × life expectancy vs largest peers; gold rings = OECD.

El Salvador on the global income map El Salvador positioned by World Bank GDP per capita and life expectancy against its largest peers. Each point shows the latest available observation year for both measures. 50 60 70 80 90 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Life expectancy at birth (years) India - GDP/cap $2,695 (2024) · life expectancy 72.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income IND China - GDP/cap $13,303 (2024) · life expectancy 78.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income CHN United States - GDP/cap $84,534 (2024) · life expectancy 78.9 years (2024) · high income · OECD USA Indonesia - GDP/cap $4,925 (2024) · life expectancy 71.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan - GDP/cap $1,479 (2024) · life expectancy 67.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Nigeria - GDP/cap $1,084 (2024) · life expectancy 54.6 years (2024) · low income Brazil - GDP/cap $10,311 (2024) · life expectancy 76.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income Bangladesh - GDP/cap $2,593 (2024) · life expectancy 74.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Russian Federation - GDP/cap $14,889 (2024) · life expectancy 73.4 years (2024) · high income Ethiopia - GDP/cap $1,134 (2024) · life expectancy 67.6 years (2024) · low income Mexico - GDP/cap $14,186 (2024) · life expectancy 75.3 years (2024) · high income · OECD Japan - GDP/cap $32,487 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. - GDP/cap $3,338 (2024) · life expectancy 71.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Philippines - GDP/cap $3,985 (2024) · life expectancy 69.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. - GDP/cap $693 (2024) · life expectancy 62.1 years (2024) · low income Viet Nam - GDP/cap $4,717 (2024) · life expectancy 74.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. - GDP/cap $5,190 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income Turkiye - GDP/cap $15,893 (2024) · life expectancy 77.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Germany - GDP/cap $56,104 (2024) · life expectancy 80.8 years (2024) · high income · OECD Thailand - GDP/cap $7,387 (2024) · life expectancy 76.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income United Kingdom - GDP/cap $53,246 (2024) · life expectancy 81.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Tanzania - GDP/cap $1,193 (2024) · life expectancy 67.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income France - GDP/cap $46,103 (2024) · life expectancy 83.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD South Africa - GDP/cap $6,267 (2024) · life expectancy 66.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Italy - GDP/cap $40,385 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Kenya - GDP/cap $2,133 (2024) · life expectancy 63.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Myanmar - GDP/cap $1,359 (2024) · life expectancy 67.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Colombia - GDP/cap $7,951 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. - GDP/cap $36,239 (2024) · life expectancy 83.6 years (2024) · high income · OECD Sudan - GDP/cap $985 (2024) · life expectancy 66.5 years (2024) · low income El Salvador - GDP/cap $5,503 (2024) · life expectancy 72.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member
  • El Salvador: GDP per capita $5,503 (2024), life expectancy 72.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • India: GDP per capita $2,695 (2024), life expectancy 72.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • China: GDP per capita $13,303 (2024), life expectancy 78.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United States: GDP per capita $84,534 (2024), life expectancy 78.9 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Indonesia: GDP per capita $4,925 (2024), life expectancy 71.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Pakistan: GDP per capita $1,479 (2024), life expectancy 67.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Nigeria: GDP per capita $1,084 (2024), life expectancy 54.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Brazil: GDP per capita $10,311 (2024), life expectancy 76.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Bangladesh: GDP per capita $2,593 (2024), life expectancy 74.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Russian Federation: GDP per capita $14,889 (2024), life expectancy 73.4 years (2024), high income.
  • Ethiopia: GDP per capita $1,134 (2024), life expectancy 67.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Mexico: GDP per capita $14,186 (2024), life expectancy 75.3 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Japan: GDP per capita $32,487 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Egypt, Arab Rep.: GDP per capita $3,338 (2024), life expectancy 71.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Philippines: GDP per capita $3,985 (2024), life expectancy 69.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Congo, Dem. Rep.: GDP per capita $693 (2024), life expectancy 62.1 years (2024), low income.
  • Viet Nam: GDP per capita $4,717 (2024), life expectancy 74.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Iran, Islamic Rep.: GDP per capita $5,190 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Turkiye: GDP per capita $15,893 (2024), life expectancy 77.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Germany: GDP per capita $56,104 (2024), life expectancy 80.8 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Thailand: GDP per capita $7,387 (2024), life expectancy 76.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United Kingdom: GDP per capita $53,246 (2024), life expectancy 81.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Tanzania: GDP per capita $1,193 (2024), life expectancy 67.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • France: GDP per capita $46,103 (2024), life expectancy 83.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • South Africa: GDP per capita $6,267 (2024), life expectancy 66.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Italy: GDP per capita $40,385 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Kenya: GDP per capita $2,133 (2024), life expectancy 63.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Myanmar: GDP per capita $1,359 (2024), life expectancy 67.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Colombia: GDP per capita $7,951 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income, OECD member.
  • Korea, Rep.: GDP per capita $36,239 (2024), life expectancy 83.6 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Sudan: GDP per capita $985 (2024), life expectancy 66.5 years (2024), low income.

Overview

El Salvador has a population of 6.3 million, making it the 111th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in Latin America & Caribbean.

Its economy totals $34.9 billion - ranked 107th globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $5,503, placing it in the Upper middle income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 72.3 years (ranked 135th globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is San Salvador.

👥 Demographics

Population
6.3 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
24.8%
2024
Population Ages 65+
8.1%
2024
Population Density
304.5/km²
2023
Urban Population
75.1%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$1.1 billion
2024
GDP (Current USD)
$34.9 billion
2024
GDP Growth Rate
2.6%
2024
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$5,503.103
2024
Government Debt (% of GDP)
107.3%
2024
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
0.9%
2024
Trade (% of GDP)
85.7%
2024
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
9.3%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
8.8 per 1,000
2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
72.3 years
2024
Maternal Mortality Ratio
39
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
1.6 per 1,000
2023
Stunting Prevalence (under 5)
10
2021
Under-5 Mortality Rate
10.0 per 1,000
2024

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
3.3%
2024
Literacy Rate (Adult)
89.8
2024
School Enrollment (Primary)
89.9
2024
School Enrollment (Secondary)
62.1
2024
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
32.8
2024
Youth Literacy Rate
98.2
2024

🌍 Environment

CO2 Emissions Per Capita
1.5
2024
Electric Power Consumption
1,137 kWh
2023
Forest Area
27.5
2023
Freshwater Withdrawal
12.4
2022
Renewable Energy Consumption
21.9%
2021

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Electricity
98.3%
2023
Access to Sanitation
36.0%
2024
Internet Users
66.5%
2024
Mobile Subscriptions
176.5
2024

⚖️ Social

Female Labor Participation
49.0
2024
GINI Index
39.8
2023
Intentional Homicides
7.9
2022
Male Labor Participation
77.0
2024
Net Migration
-23,102
2024
Poverty (< $2.15/day)
4.6%
2023

🌐 Livability Score

One composite verdict from 4 of 5 World Bank series (life expectancy, under-5 mortality, electricity access, clean-water access, homicide rate), each benchmarked against every country tracking that series. A missing series never silently drags the score down: its weight redistributes across the series El Salvador does report.

Overall
D
45/100
Life expectancy F
72.3 years
World Bank, 2024 (217-country benchmark)
Under-5 mortality C+
10.0 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024 (196-country benchmark)
Access to electricity D
98.3%
World Bank, 2023 (215-country benchmark)
Access to clean water N/A
N/A
World Bank
Safety (homicide rate) F
7.9 per 100,000
UNODC via World Bank, 2022 (195-country benchmark)

All indicators for El Salvador

41 latest observations from World Bank WDI, WHO GHO, and ILO ILOSTAT (vintage through 2026-08-14). Values match the topic cards above; this table is the machine-readable export view analysts expect on a country profile.

TopicIndicatorValueYear
DemographicsPopulation6.3 million2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 0-1424.8%2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 65+8.1%2024
DemographicsPopulation Density304.5/km²2023
DemographicsUrban Population75.1%2024
EconomyForeign Direct Investment$1.1 billion2024
EconomyGDP (Current USD)$34.9 billion2024
EconomyGDP Growth Rate2.6%2024
EconomyGDP Per Capita (Current USD)$5,503.1032024
EconomyGovernment Debt (% of GDP)107.3%2024
EconomyInflation (Consumer Prices)0.9%2024
EconomyTrade (% of GDP)85.7%2024
EconomyUnemployment Rate3.3%2024
HealthHealth Expenditure (% of GDP)9.3%2023
HealthInfant Mortality Rate8.8 per 1,0002024
HealthLife Expectancy at Birth72.3 years2024
HealthMaternal Mortality Ratio392023
HealthPhysicians (per 1,000 people)1.6 per 1,0002023
HealthStunting Prevalence (under 5)102021
HealthUnder-5 Mortality Rate10.0 per 1,0002024
EducationEducation Expenditure (% of GDP)3.3%2024
EducationLiteracy Rate (Adult)89.82024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Primary)89.92024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Secondary)62.12024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Tertiary)32.82024
EducationYouth Literacy Rate98.22024
EnvironmentCO2 Emissions Per Capita1.52024
EnvironmentElectric Power Consumption1,137 kWh2023
EnvironmentForest Area27.52023
EnvironmentFreshwater Withdrawal12.42022
EnvironmentRenewable Energy Consumption21.9%2021
InfrastructureAccess to Electricity98.3%2023
InfrastructureAccess to Sanitation36.0%2024
InfrastructureInternet Users66.5%2024
InfrastructureMobile Subscriptions176.52024
SocialFemale Labor Participation49.02024
SocialGINI Index39.82023
SocialIntentional Homicides7.92022
SocialMale Labor Participation77.02024
SocialNet Migration-23,1022024
SocialPoverty (< $2.15/day)4.6%2023

🫀 Disease Burden

Road-traffic deaths at 21.5 per 100,000 are El Salvador's sharpest GHO outlier versus the fleet midpoint (12.3). Summary metrics use 2021 data; cause-specific cards show their own observation year.

NCD Death Rate
435
per 100K · 2021
Road Traffic Deaths
21.5
per 100K · 2021
Maternal Mortality
39
per 100K births · 2021

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: 2021. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare El Salvador with near GDP/cap peers

Side-by-side pages for the closest ABS GDP/cap neighbours - not a full-roster dropdown.

What the data says about El Salvador

El Salvador is classified as an upper-middle-income economy, a tier where statistical capacity, and therefore data completeness, varies more widely than in high-income countries, so a missing or older data point on this profile usually reflects reporting lag rather than an absence of the underlying activity. Output and income figures are reported at market exchange rates in current dollars, which means currency depreciation or appreciation can shift the headline numbers for a small economy like this one even when the real economy is barely moving. Because these economies are also the ones most likely to shift income tier within a decade, the trend over several years usually tells a more useful story than any single year's value.

El Salvador sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#133 of 214) as a UMC economy with LONG longevity.

El Salvador holds 6.3 million people and $34.9 billion GDP (107th) at $5,503 per person - mid GDP/cap band, UMC, LE 72.3 years (135th, LONG). 41 WDI/WHO/ILO cells fill the topic blocks.

Nearest ABS GDP/cap peer: Samoa at $5,393 (Δ $110). Open that profile or the GDP/cap leaderboard before treating any single year as destiny.

What to do with El Salvador's numbers

El Salvador is classified UMC with LONG. Use that context before comparing any single figure to another country.

  • Compare El Salvador directly against any other country, side by side, on the indicators that matter to you. Compare countries
  • See exactly where El Salvador ranks among all 217 tracked countries on a specific indicator, not just the ones shown here. Indicator rank finder
  • Learn the common mistakes people make citing country statistics before you quote a number from this page. Reading country profiles

Figures above are sourced from World Bank, WHO, and ILO (OECD where applicable) as cited below; always verify against the primary source before citing a specific number.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

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