El Salvador

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; transition to digital transmission to begin in 2018 along with adaptation of the Japanese-Brazilian Digital Standard (ISDB-T) (2017)

Internet country code

.sv

Internet users

total: 1,785,254 | percent of population: 29.0% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Telephone system

general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular began rolling out Long Term Evolution (LTE) data services in late-2016; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition; Internet usage grew almost 400% between 2007 and 2015 | domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system | international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 933,377 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 9,101,868 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 148 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $5.525 billion | expenditures: $6.276 billion (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.37% (31 December 2016 est.) | 6.17% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120

Current account balance

$-531 million (2016 est.) | $-926.1 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Debt - external

$15.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $15.03 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37 (2015 est.) | 38 (2014) | country comparison to the world: 79

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 2015-16 with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. Remittances accounted for approximately 17.1% of GDP in 2016 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 61.1% of GDP in 2016, has been growing over the last several years. Total external debt was nearly 60% of GDP in 2016.

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$4.186 billion (2016 est.) | $4.381 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 48.3%, Honduras 14.2%, Guatemala 13.5%, Nicaragua 6.5%, Costa Rica 4.7% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$26.8 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$54.67 billion (2016 est.) | $52.73 billion (2015 est.) | $51 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 108

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 88.8% | government consumption: 12.1% | investment in fixed capital: 13.6% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 24.9% | imports of goods and services: -39.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 10.6% | industry: 24.6% | services: 64.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,600 (2016 est.) | $8,500 (2015 est.) | $8,300 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 143

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2016 est.) | 2.3% (2015 est.) | 1.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120

Gross national saving

11.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 10.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | 8.8% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$8.823 billion (2016 est.) | $9.384 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 37.9%, Guatemala 10.2%, China 8.8%, Mexico 7.6%, Honduras 6.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2016 est.) | -0.9% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67

Labor force

2.76 million (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.4 billion (December 2016 est.) | $3.816 billion (December 2015 est.) | $3.535 billion (December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Population below poverty line

34.9% (2015 est.)

Public debt

65.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | 63.7% of GDP (2015 est.) | note: El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt | country comparison to the world: 58

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.238 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.787 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103

Stock of broad money

$11.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $11.61 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.111 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.026 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$10.31 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $10.03 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Stock of domestic credit

$13.71 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $13.28 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Stock of narrow money

$3.129 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $3.253 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116

Taxes and other revenues

20.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Unemployment rate

7% (2016 est.) | 5.6% (2015 est.) | note: data are official rates; but underemployment is high | country comparison to the world: 73

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.318 million Mt (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Crude oil - exports

220 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity - consumption

6.351 billion kWh (2016) | country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - exports

74.3 million kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - from fossil fuels

51.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

25.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Electricity - from other renewable sources

25.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity - imports

1.066 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.792 million kW (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116

Electricity - production

5.482 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Electricity access

population without electricity: 400,000 | electrification - total population: 94% | electrification - urban areas: 98% | electrification - rural areas: 86% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 137

Refined petroleum products - consumption

46,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Refined petroleum products - exports

224.8 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120

Refined petroleum products - imports

45,540 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Area

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

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

mean elevation: 442 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

452 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

agricultural land: 74.7% | arable land 33.1%; permanent crops 10.9%; permanent pasture 30.7% | 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

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

Natural hazards

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

hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

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

name: San Salvador | geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W | time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

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

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

chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Elizabeth MANES (since 29 March 2016) | 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

chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia Ivette CANJURA de Centeno (since 17 June 2016) | chancery: 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036 | telephone: [1] (202) 595-7517 | FAX: [1] (202) 232-1928 | 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) | consulate(s): Elizabeth (NJ), Newark (NJ)

Executive branch

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 | 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 early 2019) | election results: percent of vote in first round - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (FMLN) 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO (ARENA) 39%, Antonio SACA (CN) 11.4%, other 0.7%; Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president in second round - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.1%, Norman QUIJANO 49.9%

Flag description

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

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

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (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 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

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

Legislative branch

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 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2018) | election results: percent of vote by party - ARENA 38.8%, FMLN 37.3%, GANA 9.3%, PCN 6.8%, PDC 2.5%, other 5.2%; seats by party - ARENA 32, FMLN 31, GANA 11, PCN 4, ARENA-PCN 3, PCN-DS 1, PCN-PDC 1, PDC 1

National anthem

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

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

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 Coalition Party or PCN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] | Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Mauricio INTERIANO]

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 the 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 or SACOC | Salvadoran Chamber of the Construction Industry or CASALCO | Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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

Military branches

Salvadoran Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Salvadoran Army (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Salvadoran Navy (Fuerza Naval de El Salvador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2017)

Military expenditures

0.87% of GDP (2016) | 0.95% of GDP (2015) | 0.93% of GDP (2014) | 0.98% of GDP (2013) | 0.94% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 101

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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.92% (male 820,255/female 779,306) | 15-24 years: 20.23% (male 628,535/female 620,230) | 25-54 years: 39.23% (male 1,120,705/female 1,300,771) | 55-64 years: 7.14% (male 194,360/female 246,164) | 65 years and over: 7.48% (male 203,320/female 258,365) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

16.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 78

Contraceptive prevalence rate

72% (2014)

Death rate

5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173

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

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

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.)

Education expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 129

Ethnic groups

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

0.6% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 58

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<1000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

24,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Health expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 86

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 18.8 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 14.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Languages

Spanish (official), Nawat (among some Amerindians)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.9 years | male: 71.6 years | female: 78.3 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 88% | male: 90% | female: 86.2% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

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

Major urban areas - population

SAN SALVADOR (capital) 1.098 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

54 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Median age

total: 27.1 years | male: 25.6 years | female: 28.6 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

Nationality

noun: Salvadoran(s) | adjective: Salvadoran

Net migration rate

-8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.6% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 57

Physicians density

1.92 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

6,172,011 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

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% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years | male: 13 years | female: 13 years (2014)

Sex ratio

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: 0.86 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female | total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.87 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 12.4% | male: 11.8% | female: 13.6% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Urbanization

urban population: 67.6% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 1.23% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

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

IDPs: 220,000 (2016)

Airports

68 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 74

Airports - with paved runways

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

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

YS (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 2 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 36 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,597,649 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 13,873,884 mt-km (2015)

Ports and terminals

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

Railways

total: 12.5 km | narrow gauge: 12.5 km 0.914-m gauge (2014) | country comparison to the world: 135

Roadways

total: 6,979 km | paved: 4,414 km (includes 341 km of expressways) | unpaved: 2,565 km (2016) | country comparison to the world: 147

Waterways

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