In 2024, there were approximately 1.9 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in El Salvador. Since 2015, when it stood at 103, the murder rate has been dropping annually in this Central American country. Crime current state The region has witnessed a substantial reduction in the number of homicides since 2015, resulting in the most common crimes becoming increasingly more centered on non-lethal offenses and material-related transgressions, which now pose the most prevalent threats. This shift is equally apparent across both genders, with the rate of femicides steadily declining, paralleling a consistent decrease in overall victimization rates. Consequently, El Salvador achieved the ranking of the third safest country within the Latin American homicide rate context. Notwithstanding these notable improvements, a lingering sense of caution endures among the populace, as nearly half of them remain apprehensive about the prospect of falling victim to criminal activities. Main economic problems Following an extended phase marked by elevated inflation, the region continues to grapple with challenges in its efforts to recover. The impact has been most pronounced on the prices of essential food items, rendering them increasingly unaffordable for a population where approximately 20 percent live under poverty conditions. Furthermore, the unemployment rate persists, with one out of every two individuals still seeking employment opportunities. A significant proportion, approximately 60 percent, remain apprehensive about job loss, recognizing the subsequent loss of their primary income source. In response, the government is envisaging an enhancement in both the employment rate and the GDP, albeit with a gradual recovery trajectory following the substantial downturn experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Historical chart and dataset showing El Salvador crime rate per 100K population by year from 1994 to 2021.

Turks and Caicos Islands saw a murder rate of ***** per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the most dangerous country for this kind of crime worldwide as of 2024. Interestingly, El Salvador, which long had the highest global homicide rates, has dropped out of the top 29 after a high number of gang members have been incarcerated. Meanwhile, Colima in Mexico was the most dangerous city for murders. Violent conflicts worldwide Notably, these figures do not include deaths that resulted from war or a violent conflict. While there is a persistent number of conflicts worldwide, resulting casualties are not considered murders. Partially due to this reason, homicide rates in Latin America are higher than those in Afghanistan or Syria. A different definition of murder in these circumstances could change the rate significantly in some countries. Causes of death Also, noteworthy is that murders are usually not random events. In the United States, the circumstances of murders are most commonly arguments, followed by narcotics incidents and robberies. Additionally, murders are not a leading cause of death. Heart diseases, strokes and cancer pose a greater threat to life than violent crime.

During December 2024, around 90.2 percent of respondents in El Salvador stated that they feel either safe or very safe. Some of the most common crimes in El Salvador are robbery, theft, and extortion.

In 2024, the highest homicide rate among 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries surveyed was in Haiti, with around 62 murders committed per 100,000 inhabitants. Trinidad and Tobago came in second, with a homicide rate of 46, while Honduras ranked seventh, with 25. In the same year, the lowest rate was recorded in El Salvador, with a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. A violence-ridden region Violence and crime are some of the most pressing problems affecting Latin American society nowadays. More than 40 of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world are located in this region, as well as one of the twenty countries with the least peace in the world according to the Global Peace Index. Despite governments’ large spending on security and high imprisonment rates, drug and weapon trafficking, organized crime, and gangs have turned violence into an epidemic that affects the whole region and a solution to this issue appears to be hardly attainable. The cost of violence in Mexico Mexico stands out as an example of the great cost that violence inflicts upon a country, since beyond claiming human lives, it also affects everyday life and has a negative impact on the economy. Mexicans have a high perceived level of insecurity, as they do not only fear becoming victims of homicide, but also of other common crimes, such as assault or rape. Such fear prevents people from performing everyday activities, for instance, going out at night, taking a taxi or going to the movies or the theater. Furthermore, the economic toll of violence in Mexico is more than considerable. For example, the cost of homicide and violent crime amounted to 2099.8 and 1778.1 billion Mexican pesos in 2023, respectively.

El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 3rd Quintile: % of Population data was reported at 57.682 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 61.409 % for 2012. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 3rd Quintile: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 57.682 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2014, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 63.631 % in 2010 and a record low of 27.958 % in 2007. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 3rd Quintile: % 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: Social Protection. Coverage of social safety net programs shows the percentage of population participating in cash transfers and last resort programs, noncontributory social pensions, other cash transfers programs (child, family and orphan allowances, birth and death grants, disability benefits, and other allowances), conditional cash transfers, in-kind food transfers (food stamps and vouchers, food rations, supplementary feeding, and emergency food distribution), school feeding, other social assistance programs (housing allowances, scholarships, fee waivers, health subsidies, and other social assistance) and public works programs (cash for work and food for work). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.; ; ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, The World Bank. Data are based on national representative household surveys. (datatopics.worldbank.org/aspire/); Simple average;

El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: Richest Quintile: % of Population data was reported at 20.229 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 24.247 % for 2012. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: Richest Quintile: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 20.229 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2014, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25.188 % in 2010 and a record low of 6.877 % in 2007. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: Richest Quintile: % 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: Social Protection. Coverage of social safety net programs shows the percentage of population participating in cash transfers and last resort programs, noncontributory social pensions, other cash transfers programs (child, family and orphan allowances, birth and death grants, disability benefits, and other allowances), conditional cash transfers, in-kind food transfers (food stamps and vouchers, food rations, supplementary feeding, and emergency food distribution), school feeding, other social assistance programs (housing allowances, scholarships, fee waivers, health subsidies, and other social assistance) and public works programs (cash for work and food for work). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.; ; ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, The World Bank. Data are based on national representative household surveys. (datatopics.worldbank.org/aspire/); Simple average;

El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: Poorest Quintile: % of Population data was reported at 71.429 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 76.887 % for 2012. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: Poorest Quintile: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 71.429 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2014, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.768 % in 2010 and a record low of 52.132 % in 2007. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: Poorest Quintile: % 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: Social Protection. Coverage of social safety net programs shows the percentage of population participating in cash transfers and last resort programs, noncontributory social pensions, other cash transfers programs (child, family and orphan allowances, birth and death grants, disability benefits, and other allowances), conditional cash transfers, in-kind food transfers (food stamps and vouchers, food rations, supplementary feeding, and emergency food distribution), school feeding, other social assistance programs (housing allowances, scholarships, fee waivers, health subsidies, and other social assistance) and public works programs (cash for work and food for work). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.; ; ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, The World Bank. Data are based on national representative household surveys. (datatopics.worldbank.org/aspire/); Simple average;

In 2021, El Salvador's total Global Health Security (GHS) Index score was 40.8 out of 100, being 100 the best achievable score. The country received the highest record for its risk environment, achieving 53.4 index points. Prevention was the most underperformed category of all, which received the lowest score of 11.7 index points.

El Salvador: Security threats index, 0 (low) - 10 (high): Pour cet indicateur, Fund for Peace fournit des données pour la El Salvador de 2007 à 2024. La valeur moyenne pour El Salvador pendant cette période était de 6.56 index points avec un minimum de 5.7 index points en 2024 et un maximum de 7.3 index points en 2017.

Abstract

In September 2014, the Government of El Salvador created the Consejo Nacional de Seguridad Ciudadana y Convivencia (CNSCC), whose main objective is to promote and facilitate dialogue and agreement around public policies on justice, citizen security and coexistence. Through this space, the Plan El Salvador Seguro (PESS) was discussed and approved in 2015, which consists of five axes and hundreds of actions to confront violence and crime, guarantee access to justice and protection for victims of all types of crime. In the framework of the implementation of Axis 4 of the PESS (attention and protection of victims), and given the State's concern to determine the characteristics and impact of internal mobility due to violence in El Salvador, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), in coordination with the Secretariat of Governance and Communications (SEGOB), promoted the realization of a profiling study on the dimension, tendencies and profiles of the people and families forced to diplace internally due to violence in recent years. For this effort, the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was requested. The study shows that in El Salvador internal mobility is a multi-causal phenomenon, with the economic and family reasons being predominant. With a significantly lower incidence, it is confirmed that acts of violence or crimes committed against the population are located as the third cause of internal mobility of the population in recent years. According to the information collected, in 1.1% of resident families at least one of its members was forced to change their usual place of residence within El Salvador as to avoid the effects of facts of violence.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Household and individual.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The survey's objective was to deliver representative data of households affected by internal displacement at national level. For this survey a stratified sample design was applied to take into account that the distribution of the displaced population is more concentrated in certain geographical areas of the country. The total number of internally displaced persons at the time of the survey was estimated at around 71,500 people. The total sample size was 430 internally displaced households (around 1,650 people).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face interview

Research instrument

The questionnaire included the following sections: household characteristics, dwelling, livelihoods, incidents and displacement, individual characteristics.

El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 4th Quintile: % of Population data was reported at 47.554 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 47.484 % for 2012. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 4th Quintile: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 44.681 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2014, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 48.659 % in 2010 and a record low of 18.669 % in 2007. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 4th Quintile: % 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: Social Protection. Coverage of social safety net programs shows the percentage of population participating in cash transfers and last resort programs, noncontributory social pensions, other cash transfers programs (child, family and orphan allowances, birth and death grants, disability benefits, and other allowances), conditional cash transfers, in-kind food transfers (food stamps and vouchers, food rations, supplementary feeding, and emergency food distribution), school feeding, other social assistance programs (housing allowances, scholarships, fee waivers, health subsidies, and other social assistance) and public works programs (cash for work and food for work). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.; ; ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, The World Bank. Data are based on national representative household surveys. (datatopics.worldbank.org/aspire/); Simple average;

El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: % of Population data was reported at 53.140 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 56.182 % for 2012. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 53.140 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2014, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57.525 % in 2010 and a record low of 29.178 % in 2007. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: % 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: Social Protection. Coverage of social safety net programs shows the percentage of population participating in cash transfers and last resort programs, noncontributory social pensions, other cash transfers programs (child, family and orphan allowances, birth and death grants, disability benefits, and other allowances), conditional cash transfers, in-kind food transfers (food stamps and vouchers, food rations, supplementary feeding, and emergency food distribution), school feeding, other social assistance programs (housing allowances, scholarships, fee waivers, health subsidies, and other social assistance) and public works programs (cash for work and food for work). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.; ; ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, The World Bank. Data are based on national representative household surveys. (datatopics.worldbank.org/aspire/); Simple average;

The Latin American travel market, valued at $52.18 billion in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.41% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several key drivers. The rising middle class across various Latin American nations is a significant factor, with increased disposable income leading to greater spending on leisure and travel. Furthermore, improved infrastructure, including enhanced airport facilities and transportation networks in key tourist destinations like Mexico, Brazil, and Peru, is facilitating easier and more convenient travel. Government initiatives promoting tourism, such as visa relaxations and marketing campaigns highlighting cultural heritage and natural attractions, are also contributing to the market's expansion. Emerging trends include a growing preference for sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, a surge in adventure tourism activities catering to millennial and Gen Z travelers seeking unique experiences, and the increasing popularity of experiential travel focusing on immersive cultural interactions. However, the market faces certain restraints. Political instability in some regions, fluctuating exchange rates impacting travel costs, and concerns about safety and security in certain areas can deter potential tourists. The segment breakdown reveals a dynamic landscape: international tourism contributes significantly, driven by global interest in Latin America's diverse offerings, while domestic tourism is also expanding rapidly, fueled by rising local travel preferences. Purpose-based travel segments are diverse, ranging from the growing appeal of adventure tourism to the sustained demand for business travel and conferences, alongside significant family and friend visits. Key players in this market, including international hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton, alongside regional and specialized agencies such as Tangol SRL and Condor Travel, are actively competing to cater to these diverse segments. The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of large multinational corporations and smaller, specialized travel agencies focusing on niche markets. International hotel chains leverage their global brand recognition and established infrastructure to dominate the accommodation sector. However, smaller, local agencies often possess a deeper understanding of the local culture and can offer more personalized and authentic experiences, attracting a distinct segment of travelers. The market's regional variations are significant, with Brazil and Mexico consistently ranking as the largest markets, attracting a substantial share of both domestic and international tourists. Other countries like Peru, Argentina, and Colombia are also experiencing considerable growth, benefiting from their unique cultural and natural attractions. Future growth will likely be influenced by factors such as economic conditions in both Latin America and key source markets globally, ongoing infrastructure development, and the effectiveness of government tourism policies in addressing challenges like safety and sustainability. The market's success hinges on effectively managing these challenges while capitalizing on the growing demand for unique and authentic travel experiences. The continued expansion of digital platforms and online booking services will also play a crucial role in shaping the future of this dynamic market. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Latin America travel market, encompassing market size, segmentation, key trends, leading players, and future growth prospects. The market is valued in the billions, with significant opportunities for growth driven by both international and domestic tourism. Recent developments include: In January 2024, Trip.com Group and LATAM Airlines signed a new NDC agreement. Both companies have reached an agreement to give international travellers a contemporary and effective ticketing experience., In January 2023, UNWTO and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) have established a new partnership to encourage and maintain investment in tourism throughout Latin America and the Caribbean regions. As part of the collaboration, investment guides for tourism are being created for five nations, Uruguay, Barbados, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Panama.. Key drivers for this market are: Internet Penetration is Driving the Market. Potential restraints include: Government Regulations are Restraining the Market. Notable trends are: Rising Tourism Industry Investment affecting Latin America Travel and Tourism Industry..

El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 2nd Quintile: % of Population data was reported at 68.841 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 70.884 % for 2012. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 2nd Quintile: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 68.365 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2014, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 72.419 % in 2010 and a record low of 40.292 % in 2007. El Salvador SV: Coverage: Social Safety Net Programs: 2nd Quintile: % 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: Social Protection. Coverage of social safety net programs shows the percentage of population participating in cash transfers and last resort programs, noncontributory social pensions, other cash transfers programs (child, family and orphan allowances, birth and death grants, disability benefits, and other allowances), conditional cash transfers, in-kind food transfers (food stamps and vouchers, food rations, supplementary feeding, and emergency food distribution), school feeding, other social assistance programs (housing allowances, scholarships, fee waivers, health subsidies, and other social assistance) and public works programs (cash for work and food for work). Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.; ; ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, The World Bank. Data are based on national representative household surveys. (datatopics.worldbank.org/aspire/); Simple average;

Several countries located in Central America and the Caribbean registered some of the highest homicide rates in the Latin American region in 2022. Jamaica ranked first, with around 53.34 homicides committed per 100,000 inhabitants. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines came second, with 40.41 homicides per 100,000 people. The source defines intentional homicide as the unlawful death inflicted upon a person with the intent to cause death or serious injury. When it comes to the total case count, Brazil was the Latin American country with the largest number of homicide victims. Central America and the falling rates El Salvador was commonly named the murder capital of the world for a few years. The inability of previous governments to control organized crime and gangs resulted in the highest homicide rate in the world for a couple of years. Nonetheless, the current administration and the measures applied during the Emergency State had an incredibly positive impact in terms of the security of the Salvadorean citizens. But not only El Salvador has seen a considerable reduction in its murder rate in Central America. Honduras and Guatemala are also two great examples of crime reduction, introducing new policies, institutions, and changes to their judicial system to achieve better results.
The Caribbean still ridden by crime Some islands in the Caribbean are not only known as tax heavens, as some nations in the region are considered the main enablers of tax evasion in the world, but also for being ridden by crime. Haiti is one example of the still rising levels of criminality. As a country with precarious conditions and extreme food insecurity, the homicide rate has been on the rise for almost four consecutive years. Another one is Jamaica, the top of the Latin American ranking, that has also seen an increase in the youth involved in organized crime due to lack of employment and economic conditions.

Im Ranking der Top 50 Länder des Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Reports aus dem Jahr 2024 erreichte Deutschland mit 5,Scorepunkten den sechsten Platz, nach Frankreich, Australien, Spanien, Japan und den USA. Insgesamt konnte ein Land maximal sieben Punkte erreichen. The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report Der Schwerpunkt des Reports ist die länderübergreifende Analyse der Faktoren, die die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Reise- und Tourismusbranche eines Landes bestimmen. Der Report aus dem Jahr 2021 legt seinen Schwerpunkt auf die nachhaltige Entwicklung der Tourismusbranche weltweit. Im Blickpunkt stehen die Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie, welche die Reisebranche vor großen Herausforderungen gestellt hat. Der Report analysiert, wie die Folgen der Pandemie überwindet werden können und ein Wideraufbau des Tourismussektors in Hinblick auf das Thema Nachhaltigkeit stattfinden kann. Die Säulen ‚Preis‘ und ‚Sicherheit‘ Das teuerste Reiseland des Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index ist mit nur 3,2 Scorepunkten das Vereinigte Königreich, gefolgt von Israel und Island, mit 6,7 Punkten ist der Iran das günstigste Reiseland. Betrachtet wurden die örtlichen Ticket- und Flughafengebühren, Hotelpreise, Kaufkraftparität und Benzinpreise. Eine weitere wichtige Säule bildet der Bereich ‚Safety and Security‘. Betrachtet wurden hier unter anderem die Verlässlichkeit der Polizei im Zielland, die Mordrate sowie die Häufigkeit von terroristischen Anschlägen. Mit 6,7 Punkten wurde Finnland am sichersten eingestuft, El Salvador hingegen mit nur 3 Scorepunkten als unsicherstes Reiseziel.

In 2020, Uruguayans had the highest confidence in their local police forces among Latin American and Caribbean countries. With 69 percent of adults having confidence in the police, El Salvador ranked second. On the flip side, merely a fourth of adult Venezuelans trusted the local police.