El Salvador: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for El Salvador 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank El Salvador: 33
  • Happiness Score El Salvador:6.469

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of El Salvador. SV.

    El Salvador is a small Central American country with a presidential representative democratic republic.

  • It is known for its vibrant cultural traditions, including music, dance, and religious festivals.
  • El Salvador has a significant coffee industry and is also a major producer of textiles and apparel.
  • The country has a rich history of Mayan civilization and is home to several archaeological sites.
  • El Salvador – A Comprehensive Overview

    Early History:

    The area now known as El Salvador was originally inhabited by several Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Pipil, Lenca, and Maya. The Maya civilization, which flourished from around 250 to 900 CE, left behind impressive ruins and archaeological sites, such as the ancient city of Tazumal.

    Kingdoms and Empires:

    During the pre-Columbian era, the region was dominated by various indigenous kingdoms and city-states, including the Cuzcatlan and the Izalco. These kingdoms were eventually conquered by the Spanish Empire in the early 16th century.

    Colonial Period:

    El Salvador was colonized by the Spanish Empire in the early 16th century. The Spanish conquest, led by Pedro de Alvarado, resulted in the subjugation of the indigenous populations and the establishment of a colonial society based on the encomienda system and the exploitation of indigenous labor.

    Independence and Modern Era:

    El Salvador gained independence from Spain in 1821, initially as part of the Mexican Empire and later as a member of the Federal Republic of Central America. After the dissolution of the federation in 1841, El Salvador became an independent republic. The country experienced several civil wars and military dictatorships throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, including a brutal civil war from 1980 to 1992 between the government and leftist guerilla groups.

    Current Political Situation:

    El Salvador is a unitary presidential constitutional republic with a multi-party system. The current president is Nayib Bukele, who took office in 2019. Recent years have seen challenges related to gang violence, corruption, and the controversial adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender.

    International Relations:

    El Salvador has strong economic and diplomatic ties with the United States and is a member of various regional organizations, including the Central American Integration System (SICA) and the Organization of American States (OAS). The country also maintains relations with other countries in the region and globally.

    Human Development and Economy:

    El Salvador has a lower-middle-income economy, with the service sector being the largest contributor to GDP. Major industries include agriculture (coffee, sugar, textiles), manufacturing, and remittances from Salvadorans living abroad. The country faces challenges related to income inequality, poverty, and environmental issues.

    Cultural Highlights:

    El Salvador has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its indigenous roots and Spanish colonial history. The predominant religion is Christianity, with a significant portion of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. The country is known for its vibrant arts, music, and cuisine, which blend indigenous and Spanish elements.

    Conclusion: El Salvador faces challenges related to economic development, social inequality, and gang violence, but also has opportunities for growth and progress through its strong international relationships, cultural richness, and ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and promote sustainable development.

Main facts

1. Location

El Salvador is a country located in Central America. It is bordered by Guatemala to the west, Honduras to the east and north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

2. Map References

El Salvador is situated in the region of Central America, in the western part of the isthmus.

3. Area – Comparative

With an area of approximately 21,041 sq km, El Salvador is slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey in the United States.

4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Total: 545 km
Border countries: Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 342 km

5. Coastline (if applicable)

El Salvador has a coastline of 307 km along the Pacific Ocean.

6. Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles

7. Climate

El Salvador has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons. The coastal areas are hot, while the interior is more temperate.

8. Terrain

El Salvador’s terrain comprises mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and central valleys. The country is dominated by two mountain ranges, the Sierra Madre and the Cordillera Apaneca-Ilamatepec.

9. Elevation Extremes

Highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

10. Natural Resources

El Salvador’s natural resources include hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, and arable land.

11. Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in El Salvador include the Lempa River, Río Grande de San Miguel, and Lago de Güija (shared with Guatemala).

12. Natural Hazards

El Salvador is subject to frequent and destructive earthquakes, volcanic activity, and hurricanes.

13. Geography – Notes

El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It has a rich biodiversity but also faces environmental challenges such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 12.60%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 7,169. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 76.40%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  13.794185-88.89653.
  • Capital: The capital of El Salvador is  San Salvador
  • Major Cities:
    • San Salvador – 1,567,000
    • Santa Ana – 274,000
    • Soyapango – 290,000
    • San Miguel – 218,000
    • Mejicanos – 160,000
  • Population: 6,453,553
  • Area(Km2): 21041
  • Population Density( P/Km²):313. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:503
  • Official Language(s):El Salvador is Spanish 100%.
  • Currency:

Main Economic Indicators

El Salvador has a small, open economy driven primarily by the service sector, which accounts for over 60% of GDP. The economy faces challenges stemming from its high income inequality, low productivity rates, and vulnerability to natural disasters. Notable economic policies include the dollarization of the economy in 2001 and efforts to attract foreign investment through free trade agreements and fiscal incentives.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2021: 6.1% (Source: Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador)
2020: -0.6% (Source: Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: B- (Stable)
Moody’s: Caa1 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: B- (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 3.3%
Industry: 24.8%
Services: 62.3%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, beef, dairy products
Industrial Products: Food processing, beverages, petroleum products, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 2.9 million (2020 est.)
Ranking: 107th in the world

Current Account Balance

2021: -$1.2 billion (Source: Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador)
2020: -$0.5 billion (Source: Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador)
Ranking: 149th in the world (2021 est.)

Exports and Imports

Exports: $5.8 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: United States (41%), Guatemala (13%), Honduras (10%)
Main Commodities: Textiles and apparel, sugar, ethanol, processed foods, iron and steel
Imports: $13.3 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: United States (38%), China (12%), Guatemala (7%)
Main Commodities: Machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, food and beverages, chemicals

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $3.7 billion (February 2023)
Gold Reserves: 0.62 million ounces (November 2022)

  • GDP (Current US$):$27,022,640,000. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 18.10%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 36.40%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.83. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $0.50. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 4.11%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

Noun: Salvadoran(s)

Adjective: Salvadoran

Ethnic Groups

  • Mestizo 86.3%
  • White 12.7%
  • Amerindian 0.2%
  • Black 0.1%
  • Other 0.7%

Religions

  • Roman Catholic 50%
  • Protestant 33%
  • Other 17%

Age Structure

  • 0-14 years: 24.6%
  • 15-64 years: 66.6%
  • 65 years and over: 8.8%

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 50.8

Youth dependency ratio: 35.2

Elderly dependency ratio: 15.6

Median Age

Total: 28 years

Male: 26.8 years

Female: 29.2 years

Lifestyle Indicators

  • Obesity rate: 25.8%
  • Alcohol consumption: 3.2 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
  • Tobacco use: 16.9% of adults
  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 73.1. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 88.54%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:18.25. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:9. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 1.8. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 31.6%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 4,694,702. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):27.90%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

The Armed Forces of El Salvador consist of the following branches:

  • Army: The Army is the largest service branch, responsible for land-based operations.
  • Air Force: The Air Force oversees aerial operations and air defense.
  • National Civil Police (PNC): The PNC is responsible for maintaining internal security and public order.

Military Expenditures

El Salvador’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2018: 1.1%
  • 2019: 1.1%
  • 2020: 1.1%
  • 2021: 1.1%
  • 2022: 1.2%

El Salvador’s military spending ranks relatively low globally, around 120th in the world.

Personnel Strengths

El Salvador has approximately 23,000 active-duty military personnel, with the following breakdown:

  • Army: 15,000
  • Air Force: 2,000

The National Civil Police has a strength of around 30,000 personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

El Salvador’s military equipment primarily consists of imported hardware, including:

  • Main Battle Tanks: M18 Hellcat, M4 Sherman
  • Armored Personnel Carriers: M113, Panhard AML
  • Artillery: M101 howitzers, M109 self-propelled guns
  • Aircraft: UH-1H Huey helicopters, Cessna A-37 Dragonfly attack aircraft

There are no major ongoing or planned military acquisitions or development programs.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service is voluntary in El Salvador. The minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 years, with no maximum age limit specified.

Military Deployments

El Salvador has contributed personnel to the following international peacekeeping missions:

  • United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
  • United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

Strategic Military Notes

El Salvador’s defense strategy focuses on maintaining internal security and addressing domestic threats, such as gang violence and organized crime. The military plays a supporting role in law enforcement and public safety operations.

El Salvador has close military ties with the United States and participates in regional security initiatives, such as the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI).

  • Armed Forces Size: 24500. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 1.57
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 59.10%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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