In 2023, the share of population living on less than 3.20 U.S. dollars per day in El Salvador was 8.6 percent. Between 1989 and 2023, the figure dropped by 26 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

El Salvador Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data was reported at 23.900 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 24.700 % for 2021. El Salvador Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 29.700 % from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2022, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.400 % in 1991 and a record low of 23.000 % in 2019. El Salvador Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Societal Poverty Line. The Societal Poverty Line is expressed in purchasing power adjusted 2017 U.S. dollars and defined as max($2.15, $1.15 + 0.5*Median). This means that when the national median is sufficiently low, the Societal Poverty line is equivalent to the extreme poverty line, $2.15. For countries with a sufficiently high national median, the Societal Poverty Line grows as countries’ median income grows.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Historical dataset showing El Salvador poverty rate by year from 1989 to 2023.

This statistic shows the poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines in El Salvador from 2009 to 2019. In 2019, the poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines in El Salvador amounted to 22.8 percent of the population.

El Salvador SV: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data was reported at 37.900 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 36.000 % for 2013. El Salvador SV: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data is updated yearly, averaging 43.250 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2014, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 50.200 % in 2011 and a record low of 35.800 % in 2006. El Salvador SV: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Rural poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the rural population living below the national poverty lines.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Poverty rate of El Salvador slumped by 7.80% from 3.4 % in 2013 to 3.1 % in 2014. Since the 49.48% surge in 2008, poverty rate sank by 55.78% in 2014. Population below $1.90 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.90 a day at 2011 international prices.

Actual value and historical data chart for El Salvador Poverty Headcount Ratio At National Poverty Line Percent Of Population

As of 2023 in El Salvador, the share of the population living in extreme poverty conditions was higher in rural areas accounting for the **** percent of the people. The national average was *** percent.

26.6 (%) in 2022. National poverty rate is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.

Rural poverty rate of El Salvador jumped by 5.28% from 36.0 % in 2013 to 37.9 % in 2014. Since the 13.75% slump in 2012, rural poverty rate slumped by 12.47% in 2014. Rural poverty rate is the percentage of the rural population living below the national rural poverty line.

El Salvador SV: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data was reported at 46.400 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 47.200 % for 2015. El Salvador SV: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 52.400 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2016, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57.600 % in 1991 and a record low of 46.400 % in 2016. El Salvador SV: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

El Salvador Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data was reported at 5.500 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.300 % for 2021. El Salvador Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.650 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2022, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.000 % in 2010 and a record low of 4.400 % in 2019. El Salvador Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: World Bank: % of total population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (World Bank) is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Multidimensional Poverty Measure. The Multidimensional Poverty Measure includes three dimensions – monetary poverty, education, and basic infrastructure services – to capture a more complete picture of poverty.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

El Salvador SV: Poverty Gap at $5.50 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 10.100 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 10.000 % for 2015. El Salvador SV: Poverty Gap at $5.50 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 19.500 % from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2016, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.000 % in 1991 and a record low of 10.000 % in 2015. El Salvador SV: Poverty Gap at $5.50 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Poverty gap at $5.50 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $5.50 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. The aggregated numbers for low- and middle-income countries correspond to the totals of 6 regions in PovcalNet, which include low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia). See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

This report proposes an agenda for building on gains to re-accelerate poverty reduction among Salvadorans. The last World Bank Poverty Assessment for El Salvador, from 2015, proposed two key policy recommendations: (a) effective pro-poor spending and (b) reduction of crime and violence through better access to jobs and education. Nine years later, the authorities have managed to achieve a substantial reduction in crime and violence and have indicated an intent to build on such progress to establish a path toward an El Salvador where shared prosperity is achievable. In this report, we propose a three pillar structure to address poverty and inequality reduction: jobs, services, and social protection, with a cross-cutting set of primary conditions that articulates this structure.

El Salvador SV: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data was reported at 30.700 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 31.800 % for 2015. El Salvador SV: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 36.050 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2016, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 41.400 % in 1991 and a record low of 30.700 % in 2016. El Salvador SV: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

El Salvador SV: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data was reported at 10.300 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.900 % for 2015. El Salvador SV: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 22.500 % from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2016, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36.500 % in 1991 and a record low of 9.900 % in 2015. El Salvador SV: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.20 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. The aggregated numbers for low- and middle-income countries correspond to the totals of 6 regions in PovcalNet, which include low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia). See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

In 2023, in El Salvador, the proportion of the population living in poverty conditions was slightly higher in rural areas, accounting for a total share of **** percent. Additionally, rural areas also had the highest share of extreme poverty among the different geographical residencies.

El Salvador Proportion of Population Pushed Below the 60% Median Consumption Poverty Line By Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure: % data was reported at 0.610 % in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.630 % for 2018. El Salvador Proportion of Population Pushed Below the 60% Median Consumption Poverty Line By Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.630 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2019, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.830 % in 2016 and a record low of 0.250 % in 2014. El Salvador Proportion of Population Pushed Below the 60% Median Consumption Poverty Line By Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s El Salvador – Table SV.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. This indicator shows the fraction of a country’s population experiencing out-of-pocket health impoverishing expenditures, defined as expenditures without which the household they live in would have been above the 60% median consumption but because of the expenditures is below the poverty line. Out-of-pocket health expenditure is defined as any spending incurred by a household when any member uses a health good or service to receive any type of care (preventive, curative, rehabilitative, long-term or palliative care); provided by any type of provider; for any type of disease, illness or health condition; in any type of setting (outpatient, inpatient, at home).;Global Health Observatory. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. (https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/financial-protection);Weighted average;This indicator is related to Sustainable Development Goal 3.8.2 [https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/].

Fiscal policy in El Salvador has the capacity to consolidate economic growth, providing greater resilience to the population against possible risks or boosting income generation. This note analyzes the impact of subsidies for energy, water and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), on poverty and household welfare. We use the Commitment to Equity (CEQ) approach with data from the Multipurpose Household Survey of El Salvador (EHPM) to simulate different policy scenarios. The results indicate that if subsidies were eliminated, poverty would increase by 1.3 percentage points and extreme poverty by 0.5 percentage points, negatively affecting the welfare of families. However, in the scenario where the elimination of subsidies is accompanied by an increase of other social transfers, are transformed into targeted subsidies, or the previous scenarios are combined, the impact on poverty could be mitigated. These results show that there is room for efficiency gains on the goal of improving households’ welfare and promoting equitable results.

The average for 2021 based on 6 countries was 15.65 percent. The highest value was in El Salvador: 28.4 percent and the lowest value was in the USA: 1 percent. The indicator is available from 1963 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.