El Salvador Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
El Salvador's labor force participation was 62.11% in 2025, ranked 87th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's labor force participation stood at 62.11% in 2025, a rise of +0.19pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 63.28% by 2026. El Salvador ranked 87th globally.
El Salvador’s labor force participation rate stood at 62.11 percent in 2025, placing the country 87th in the world and just below peers such as Guam (62.27 percent) and Chile (62.30 percent). The indicator has moved modestly over the 36‑year series, rising from 61.56 percent in 1990 to a post‑civil‑war high of 63.40 percent in 1994 before slipping to a low of 56.52 percent amid the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020. The recent recovery to above 62 percent reflects a combination of demographic shifts, gradual expansion of formal employment, and modest improvements in female labor market attachment. Nevertheless, the pace of increase remains limited, suggesting that structural constraints such as informality and low skill levels continue to dampen broader participation. Continued investment in vocational training and policies that encourage part‑time and flexible work could help sustain the upward trajectory and narrow the gap with higher‑ranking regional peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 64.82% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 64.05% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 63.28% | - | - |
| 2025 | 62.11% | +0.19pp | #87 |
| 2024 | 61.92% | +0.36pp | #88 |
| 2023 | 61.56% | +1.48pp | #93 |
| 2022 | 60.08% | +0.91pp | #105 |
| 2021 | 59.17% | +2.65pp | #108 |
| 2020 | 56.52% | −3.37pp | #119 |
| 2019 | 59.89% | +1.16pp | #107 |
| 2018 | 58.73% | −0.28pp | #121 |
| 2017 | 59.01% | −0.26pp | #114 |
| 2016 | 59.26% | +0.57pp | #111 |
| 2015 | 58.69% | −0.71pp | #119 |
| 2014 | 59.40% | −1.13pp | #109 |
| 2013 | 60.52% | +0.33pp | #97 |
| 2012 | 60.20% | +0.62pp | #102 |
| 2011 | 59.58% | −0.31pp | #110 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's labor force participation was 62.11% in 2025. Ranked 87th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
El Salvador's labor force participation peaked at 63.40% in 1994.
The lowest labor force participation in El Salvador was 56.52% in 2020.
El Salvador ranks 87th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's labor force participation is projected to reach 63.28% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of El Salvador in 2025 was 62.11%. This ranks 87th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_labor-force-participation,
title = {El Salvador Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}