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Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
El Salvador: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
El Salvador is placed 128th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 18.8 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 39.11 (2023).
Share
Development & Human Capital
128th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place El Salvador on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
39.11
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
El Salvador: 39.11. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Central America
- 24.12 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 93.72 · Honduras 46.75
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.678
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 132nd of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
El Salvador: 0.678. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Central America
- 0.839 Panama
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 0.662 · Honduras 0.645
02Over time
Which way El Salvador is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador fell from 47.7 in 2000 to 39.11 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2023 39.11 46.7 2022 38.76 53.0 2021 58.48 76.6 2020 48.02 56.0 2019 40.29 48.4 2018 42.82 49.3 2017 43.87 47.2 2016 43.40 50.6 2015 42.95 51.9 2014 40.75 52.8 2013 38.73 53.3 2012 36.24 54.6 2011 35.43 55.0 2010 34.33 56.1 2009 34.55 56.3 2008 33.20 55.8 2007 33.19 56.8 2006 33.13 58.1 2005 33.78 60.1 2004 34.62 63.0 2003 37.75 66.8 2002 39.87 66.0 2001 45.28 68.1 2000 47.70 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador rose from 0.607 in 2000 to 0.678 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2023 0.678 0.7620 2022 0.674 0.7610 2021 0.663 0.7450 2020 0.660 0.7425 2019 0.670 0.7515 2018 0.670 0.7520 2017 0.665 0.7480 2016 0.666 0.7500 2015 0.667 0.7430 2014 0.668 0.7410 2013 0.668 0.7390 2012 0.666 0.7350 2011 0.662 0.7250 2010 0.660 0.7250 2009 0.653 0.7220 2008 0.653 0.7180 2007 0.653 0.7100 2006 0.647 0.7045 2005 0.642 0.6960 2004 0.636 0.6960 2003 0.628 0.6910 2002 0.621 0.6845 2001 0.612 0.6770 2000 0.607 0.6720
03In context
El Salvador beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
El Salvador and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Honduras | 126th | 30.1 | 46.75 | 0.645 |
| El Salvador | 128th | 18.8 | 39.11 | 0.678 |
 Guatemala | 144th | 12.1 | 93.72 | 0.662 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below El Salvador in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where El Salvador is ahead of the world, and behind
53 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median15
Statistics on which El Salvador does better than the middle country measured.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919991▲ Improved since 2015
El Salvador: 99 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.854.575.8No earlier reading
El Salvador: 54.5 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 79th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909890▲ Improved since 2015
El Salvador: 98 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.498.3494.4▲ Improved since 2017
El Salvador: 98.34 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1344.3358.134▲ Improved since 2014
El Salvador: 4.335 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 139th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9830.971▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 0.983 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 61st of 184 · derived.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5462.93.546No earlier reading
El Salvador: 2.9 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 102nd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.268.83612.26▲ Improved since 2014
El Salvador: 8.836 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 122nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5410.0514.54▲ Improved since 2014
El Salvador: 10.05 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 122nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.81013.8No earlier reading
El Salvador: 10 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 98th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7445.340.74No earlier reading
El Salvador: 45.3 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 55th of 136 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.373.7469.3▼ Worsened since 2016
El Salvador: 73.74 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 83rd of 188 · derived.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.49998.4No earlier reading
El Salvador: 99 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0320.039▼ Worsened since 2018
El Salvador: 0.032 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 59th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1638.1278.163▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 8.127 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 101st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median34
Statistics on which El Salvador does worse than the middle country measured.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2110.2210.21No real change since 2010
El Salvador: 10.22 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 79th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0722,7773,072▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 2,777 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 93rd of 179 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23022,46625,230No real change since 2010
El Salvador: 22,466 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 79th of 151 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0517.8317.05▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 17.83 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 80th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.3620.351▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 0.362 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 92nd of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.5460.564▲ Improved since 2017
El Salvador: 0.546 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 93rd of 172 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6746.0746.67▼ Worsened since 2012
El Salvador: 46.07 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 106th of 195 · derived.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.119.717.1No earlier reading
El Salvador: 19.7 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 65th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,27311,25914,273▲ Improved since 2015
El Salvador: 11,259 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 58th of 102 · derived.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2526.2484.252No earlier reading
El Salvador: 6.248 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 68th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8909,21912,890▲ Improved since 2012
El Salvador: 9,219 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 96th of 166 · derived.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.14.342.1▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 4.34 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.5550.609No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 0.555 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 102nd of 169 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6380.678▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 0.638 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 96th of 156 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26512,05017,265▲ Improved since 2015
El Salvador: 12,050 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 115th of 185 · derived.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6372.174.63▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 72.1 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 138th of 222 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.932.345.9No earlier reading
El Salvador: 32.3 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10098.7100▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 98.7 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10096.6100▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 96.6 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48626,10146,486No real change since 2010
El Salvador: 26,101 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 100th of 150 · derived.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.913.543.9No earlier reading
El Salvador: 13.5 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8584.7252.858▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 4.725 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 61st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9337.39.933No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 7.3 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 139th of 193 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.8229.947.82▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 29.94 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 17th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.824.580.8No earlier reading
El Salvador: 24.5 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7543.5531.754▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 3.553 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 15th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.348.61.34▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 8.6 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 14th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3411.1113.34▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 11.11 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 155th of 195 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.934.640.93No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 4.64 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 12th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8343.472.83▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 43.4 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 117th of 139 · derived.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.656.2518.65No earlier reading
El Salvador: 6.25 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3451.740.345▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 1.74 · world median 0.345 · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 19.95; lower is better.
Position 6th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.950.185▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 0.95 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.750.523.75No earlier reading
El Salvador: 0.5 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
El Salvador: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2612.6711.26Moved since 2015
El Salvador: 12.67 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 56th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1312.813No earlier reading
El Salvador: 12.8 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5791.5872.579Moved since 2013
El Salvador: 1.587 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 77th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for El Salvador
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum) (last 2017), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) (last 2017), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) (last 2017) and Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among El Salvador’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is El Salvador’s 10th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy33rd of 1653/3 keys
- Work & Labour50th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality74th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture90th of 1844/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 88th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing107th of 2004/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability106th of 1864/4 keys
- Peace & Security107th of 1773/4 keys
- Digital & Technology120th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital128th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 136th of 1934/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties141st of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions139th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality115th of 1592/3 keys
- Mobility & Trade130th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge156th of 1984/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders El Salvador can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada=27th3/3 keysHighest in Central America
Panama69th3/3 keysThis page
El Salvador128th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about El Salvador and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
El Salvador on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does El Salvador rank on development & human capital?
El Salvador is placed 128th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for El Salvador?
18.8 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for El Salvador?
39.11 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does El Salvador compare with Guatemala on development & human capital?
Guatemala is placed 144th of 196, and El Salvador 128th. Social Protection Coverage: Guatemala 12.1, El Salvador 18.8; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Guatemala 93.72, El Salvador 39.11; Human Development Index: Guatemala 0.662, El Salvador 0.678.
How have El Salvador’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 47.7 in 2000 to 39.11 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.607 in 2000 to 0.678 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for El Salvador?
No current reading is published for El Salvador on Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) and Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 53 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
El Salvador’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- El Salvador (banner) — Renemgb, CC0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). El Salvador: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/el-salvador/development