El Salvador Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
El Salvador's unemployment rate was 3.30% in 2025, ranked 51st globally. This represents a 29.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1988–2025.
Overview
El Salvador's unemployment rate stood at 3.30% in 2025, a decline of +1.40pp from 2024. The IMF projects 4.80% by 2025. El Salvador ranked 51st globally.
El Salvador's unemployment rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 38 years, with a notable peak of 10.15% in 1988 amidst turbulent economic conditions and a brutal civil war. Conversely, the country's unemployment rate plummeted to a low of 2.99% in 2023, establishing a new all-time trough. Currently, El Salvador's unemployment rate stands at 3.30%, ranking it 51st globally. This improvement in employment prospects is comparable to that of Jamaica, which also boasts a low unemployment rate of 3.29%. The steady decline in unemployment in El Salvador since the 1980s reflects the country's economic resilience and progress towards stabilization. However, El Salvador's unemployment rate may face new challenges as the global economic landscape evolves, particularly if trade policies or economic downturns in key markets impact the country's textile and manufacturing sectors, which have historically been significant contributors to El Salvador's economic growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 5.01% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 5.00% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 5.00% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 5.00% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 4.90% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 4.80% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.30% | −1.40pp | #51 |
| 2024 | 3.26% | −1.96pp | #49 |
| 2023 | 2.99% | −2.06pp | #40 |
| 2022 | 3.00% | −3.32pp | #36 |
| 2021 | 4.33% | −2.72pp | #51 |
| 2020 | 5.01% | −1.48pp | #66 |
| 2019 | 4.17% | −2.33pp | #69 |
| 2018 | 4.01% | −3.19pp | #62 |
| 2017 | 4.39% | −2.76pp | #68 |
| 2016 | 4.42% | −2.73pp | #61 |
| 2015 | 4.00% | −3.15pp | #51 |
| 2014 | 4.15% | −1.89pp | #55 |
| 2013 | 3.69% | −2.55pp | #49 |
| 2012 | 3.84% | −2.90pp | #53 |
| 2011 | 4.30% | −2.85pp | #59 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
El Salvador matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1989. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
El Salvador's unemployment rate was 3.30% in 2025. Ranked 51st globally. This represents a 29.8% decrease from the previous year.
El Salvador's unemployment rate peaked at 10.15% in 1988.
The lowest unemployment rate in El Salvador was 2.99% in 2023.
El Salvador ranks 51st globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
El Salvador's unemployment rate is projected to reach 4.80% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of El Salvador in 2025 was 3.30%. This ranks 51st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_el-salvador_unemployment-rate,
title = {El Salvador Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/el-salvador/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}