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El Salvador

Republic of El Salvador
Quick facts
Capital
San Salvador
Population
6.2 m
Area
21,041 km²
Region
Central America
Languages
Spanish
Currency
United States dollar ($)
Demonym
Salvadoran
UN member
Yes
How El Salvador compares
Economy size$35 B
102nd of 178 worldwide · 5th of 7 in Central America
Income per person$5,580
100th of 178 worldwide · 5th of 7 in Central America
Life expectancy72.3 yrs
107th of 179 worldwide · 7th of 7 in Central America
Internet access66.5%
116th of 179 worldwide · 4th of 7 in Central America
Military spending$425 M
109th of 163 worldwide · 2nd of 7 in Central America
Highlights
GDP
$35 B

Gross Domestic Product — the total market value of all goods and services produced in a year, at current prices.

GDP per capita
$5,580

GDP divided by population — a rough measure of average economic output per person.

Population
6.3 m

Total resident population, mid-year estimate.

Life expectancy
72.3 yrs

Years a newborn would live if current mortality patterns held throughout its life.

R&D spending
0.1%

Gross expenditure on research & development as a share of GDP.

Researchers (per million)
55

Full-time-equivalent researchers per million people.

Land area
20,720 km²

Total land area, excluding inland water bodies.

Forest area
27.5%

Share of land area under forest cover.

Resource rents
0.5%

Total natural-resource rents (oil, gas, mineral, forest) as a share of GDP.

Oil rents
0.0%

Value of crude oil production minus extraction cost, as a share of GDP.

Military burden
1.2%

Military expenditure as a share of GDP.

Defense spending
$425 M

Total military expenditure at current prices.

The history journey

From the Pipil land of Cuzcatlan and the ash-buried Maya village of Joya de Ceren to independence from Spain in 1821, a coffee republic ruled by an oligarchy, the slaughter of 1932, the civil war of 1980 to 1992, and the gang crackdown of the Bukele era.

Pilot a cinematic, sourced journey through its eras — moment by moment.