Unemployment Rate: El Salvador
El Salvador's unemployment rate is currently 4.9% as of 2026. # El Salvador Unemployment Rate El Salvador's unemployment rate stands at 4.
Current (2026)
4.9%
+2.1% y/y
Peak (1988)
10.2%
Low (2024)
4.7%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1988–2026 · 43 pts
Unemployment Rate — El Salvador
1988 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — El Salvador
Analysis# El Salvador Unemployment Rate
El Salvador's unemployment rate stands at 4.9% in 2026, near its all-time low of 4.7% recorded in 2024. This represents a dramatic 52% decline from the peak of 10.2% in 1988, reflecting substantial labor market improvements over nearly four decades. The country has transitioned from double-digit unemployment to consistently single-digit rates, positioning itself among more stable regional performers.
The most significant turning point occurred between 2022 and 2024, when unemployment dropped sharply from 5.0% to 4.7%. This downward momentum continued through 2025 and 2026, with rates stabilizing around 4.8-4.9%. The sustained low levels suggest El Salvador's labor market has entered a more resilient phase, though projections indicate the rate will likely hover near current levels rather than decline further.
Historical Data
43 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 5.0% | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 5.0% | +0.00% |
| 2028 | 5.0% | +0.00% |
| 2027 | 5.0% | +2.04% |
| 2026 | 4.9% | +2.08% |
| 2025 | 4.8% | +2.13% |
| 2024 | 4.7% | -9.62% |
| 2023 | 5.2% | +4.00% |
| 2022 | 5.0% | -20.63% |
| 2021 | 6.3% | -10.00% |
| 2020 | 7.0% | +7.69% |
| 2019 | 6.5% | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 6.5% | -9.72% |
| 2017 | 7.2% | +1.41% |
| 2016 | 7.1% | +0.00% |
| 2015 | 7.1% | +0.00% |
| 2014 | 7.1% | +18.33% |
| 2013 | 6.0% | -3.23% |
| 2012 | 6.2% | -7.46% |
| 2011 | 6.7% | -5.63% |
Show all 43 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 7.1% | -4.05% |
| 2009 | 7.4% | +23.33% |
| 2008 | 6.0% | -6.25% |
| 2007 | 6.4% | -4.48% |
| 2006 | 6.7% | -8.22% |
| 2005 | 7.3% | +5.80% |
| 2004 | 6.9% | -2.82% |
| 2003 | 7.1% | +10.94% |
| 2002 | 6.4% | -9.86% |
| 2001 | 7.1% | +4.41% |
| 2000 | 6.8% | +4.62% |
| 1999 | 6.5% | -12.16% |
| 1998 | 7.4% | -8.64% |
| 1997 | 8.1% | +3.85% |
| 1996 | 7.8% | +1.30% |
| 1995 | 7.7% | -1.28% |
| 1994 | 7.8% | -22.00% |
| 1993 | 10.0% | +6.38% |
| 1992 | 9.4% | +8.05% |
| 1991 | 8.7% | -13.00% |
| 1990 | 10.0% | +9.89% |
| 1989 | 9.1% | -10.78% |
| 1988 | 10.2% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For El Salvador
Compare Unemployment Rate
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data