El Salvador Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
El Salvador's poverty rate was 5.65% in 2025, ranked 14th globally. This represents a 22.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's poverty rate stood at 5.65% in 2025, a rise of +1.05pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.65% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 14th globally.
El Salvador’s poverty rate has fallen dramatically over the past three decades, dropping from a 24.80 % share of the population in 1989 to a World Bank‑reported 5.65 % in 2025, ranking it 14th lowest globally. The steepest decline followed the all‑time peak of 28.90 % in 1991, a period marked by civil conflict and economic dislocation, and continued through a sustained contraction that reached an all‑time trough of 3.00 % in 2019. The recent modest rise to 5.65 % reflects the combined impact of pandemic‑related shocks, fiscal pressures, and slower growth, yet the figure remains comparable to peer nations such as Tajikistan (5.90 %) and Ecuador (5.18 %). Structural reforms in social protection and labor markets have underpinned the long‑term reduction, while future trajectories will hinge on the government’s ability to mitigate external shocks, expand formal employment, and sustain targeted anti‑poverty programs.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.94% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.65% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.65% | +1.05pp | #14 |
| 2023 | 4.60% | −0.60pp | #43 |
| 2022 | 5.20% | +0.10pp | #54 |
| 2021 | 5.10% | +2.10pp | #56 |
| 2019 | 3.00% | −1.10pp | #57 |
| 2018 | 4.10% | −0.40pp | #64 |
| 2017 | 4.50% | −1.30pp | #60 |
| 2016 | 5.80% | +0.50pp | #66 |
| 2015 | 5.30% | −1.70pp | #60 |
| 2014 | 7.00% | −0.10pp | #63 |
| 2013 | 7.10% | −1.40pp | #63 |
| 2012 | 8.50% | −1.60pp | #67 |
| 2011 | 10.10% | −1.30pp | #64 |
| 2010 | 11.40% | −1.00pp | #65 |
| 2009 | 12.40% | −0.20pp | #64 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's poverty rate was 5.65% in 2025. Ranked 14th globally. This represents a 22.9% increase from the previous year.
El Salvador's poverty rate peaked at 28.90% in 1991.
The lowest poverty rate in El Salvador was 3.00% in 2019.
El Salvador ranks 14th globally in poverty rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's poverty rate is projected to reach 5.65% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The poverty rate of El Salvador in 2025 was 5.65%. This ranks 14th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_poverty-rate,
title = {El Salvador Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}