Photo: Renemgb · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
El Salvador: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
El Salvador is placed 156th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 15.26 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 84.6 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
156th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 15.26Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 84.6Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 36.1Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 3.187Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place El Salvador on education & knowledge — 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 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · El Salvador’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
15.26
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
El Salvador: 15.26. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in Central America
- 0.363 Mexico
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 8.432 · Honduras 26.62
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · El Salvador’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
84.6
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
El Salvador: 84.6. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in Central America
- 99.69 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 84.22 · Honduras 59.12
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
36.1
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
El Salvador: 36.1. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in Central America
- 64.22 Panama
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 40.82 · Honduras 48.1
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
3.187
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
El Salvador: 3.187. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in Central America
- 5.312 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 3.109 · Honduras 4.55
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.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador rose from 11.33 in 2000 to 15.26 in 2024; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2024 15.3 3.691 2023 14.3 3.393 2022 15.6 3.002 2021 15.7 3.330 2020 14.8 2.678 2019 14.2 2.758 2018 11.6 2.439 2017 12.3 2.907 2016 8.2 2.954 2015 7.3 3.052 2014 6.4 3.904 2013 — 3.413 2012 — 3.408 2011 — 3.626 2010 — 3.491 2009 — 3.577 2008 — 3.878 2007 — 4.029 2006 — 4.338 2005 — 4.571 2004 — 3.791 2003 5.1 4.412 2002 6.5 4.144 2001 9.4 4.051 2000 11.3 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador rose from 65.72 in 2000 to 84.6 in 2024; the world median went from 66.32 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2024 84.60 85.9 2023 80.15 87.6 2022 76.06 87.7 2021 75.04 87.0 2020 81.68 88.3 2019 81.19 88.8 2018 83.41 89.6 2017 82.78 87.4 2016 84.14 87.9 2015 85.83 88.2 2014 87.59 89.2 2013 85.02 88.0 2012 84.12 85.4 2011 85.77 86.2 2010 84.65 86.1 2009 78.63 84.8 2008 78.15 85.8 2007 76.30 86.7 2006 80.43 84.0 2005 79.87 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 78.34 78.3 2002 75.08 80.0 2001 71.61 80.8 2000 65.72 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador rose from 26.66 in 2000 to 36.1 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2025 36.10 64.9 2024 35.54 65.0 2023 35.09 64.2 2022 34.60 63.6 2021 34.25 62.9 2020 33.85 62.2 2019 33.56 61.5 2018 33.44 60.9 2017 33.65 60.5 2016 34.02 60.1 2015 34.27 58.9 2014 34.54 57.0 2013 34.69 54.7 2012 34.76 52.4 2011 34.37 50.9 2010 33.70 49.5 2009 32.81 48.5 2008 31.80 47.4 2007 30.71 46.2 2006 29.49 45.0 2005 28.57 43.8 2004 27.64 42.9 2003 27.15 41.6 2002 26.83 40.3 2001 26.70 39.0 2000 26.66 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador rose from 2.839 in 2000 to 3.187 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2023 3.187 3.7092 2022 3.268 4.0570 2021 3.578 4.2611 2020 3.661 4.4056 2019 3.387 4.1407 2018 3.606 4.2159 2017 3.725 4.1401 2016 3.825 4.2342 2015 3.910 4.2386 2014 3.824 4.2005 2013 3.801 4.3493 2012 3.712 4.0348 2011 3.899 3.9987 2010 4.048 4.1396 2009 4.660 4.6638 2008 4.458 4.4226 2007 3.610 4.1717 2006 3.493 4.0593 2005 3.178 4.0557 2004 — 3.9745 2003 3.135 4.1595 2002 3.243 4.0173 2001 — 4.1002 2000 2.839 3.8861
03In context
El Salvador beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.
El Salvador and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%) | Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) | Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%) | Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Guatemala | 147th | 8.432 | 84.22 | 40.82 | 3.109 |
 Honduras | 151st | 26.62 | 59.12 | 48.1 | 4.55 |
| El Salvador | 156th | 15.26 | 84.6 | 36.1 | 3.187 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
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
37 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, 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 median4
Statistics on which El Salvador does better than the middle country measured.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32435.92414.32▲ Improved since 2017
El Salvador: 435.92 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.
Position 67th of 172 · derived.
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6697.4993.66▲ Improved since 2015
El Salvador: 97.49 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2298.2498.22No earlier reading
El Salvador: 98.24 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.261.244▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 1.26 · world median 1.244 · Adjusted gender parity index, tertiary gross enrolment (1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.74 to 1.83; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 95 · derived.
Behind the world median27
Statistics on which El Salvador does worse than the middle country measured.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9364.7465.93▲ Improved since 2014
El Salvador: 64.74 · world median 65.93 · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.779 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 64th of 120 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9417.6377.941▲ Improved since 2017
El Salvador: 7.637 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.
Position 93rd of 172 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2177.7389.21No real change since 2015
El Salvador: 77.73 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.
Position 98th of 164 · derived.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9989.7793.99No earlier reading
El Salvador: 89.77 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 103rd of 172 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4393.7197.43No real change since 2015
El Salvador: 93.71 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.
Position 100th of 165 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.4820.446No earlier reading
El Salvador: 0.482 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 57th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6726.9520.67No real change since 2015
El Salvador: 26.95 · world median 20.67 · Primary pupils per qualified teacher (headcount basis). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.244 to 284.7; lower is better.
Position 34th of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8115.1217.81▼ Worsened since 2012
El Salvador: 15.12 · world median 17.81 · Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 3.771 to 34.57; higher is better.
Position 46th of 68 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7732.8352.77▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 32.83 · world median 52.77 · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.566 to 141.86; higher is better.
Position 65th of 95 · derived.
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.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0269.0734.02No earlier reading
El Salvador: 69.07 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.
Position 35th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0829.460.08No earlier reading
El Salvador: 29.4 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.34321.876.343▼ Worsened since 2015
El Salvador: 21.87 · world median 6.343 · Out-of-school rate, lower secondary age (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 79.71; lower is better.
Position 25th of 116 · 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.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.867.27119.86No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 7.271 · world median 19.86 · Adults 25+ who completed a bachelor's degree or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.135 to 52.72; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 90 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7633.8165.76▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 33.81 · world median 65.76 · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.26 to 97.89; higher is better.
Position 80th of 95 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5927.9758.59No earlier reading
El Salvador: 27.97 · world median 58.59 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 5.043 to 88.83; higher is better.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.1650.619▼ Worsened since 2015
El Salvador: 0.165 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 151st of 176 · derived.
PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35364.9440.35No earlier reading
El Salvador: 364.9 · world median 440.35 · Mean reading score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 328.84 to 542.55; higher is better.
Position 68th of 79 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9555.47701.95No earlier reading
El Salvador: 55.47 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 125th of 145 · derived.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93373.14446.93No earlier reading
El Salvador: 373.14 · world median 446.93 · Mean science score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 347.1 to 561.43; higher is better.
Position 70th of 79 · derived.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1962.1493.19▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 62.14 · world median 93.19 · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19.87 to 158.55; higher is better.
Position 97th of 109 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.87.643.8No earlier reading
El Salvador: 7.6 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.1020.814▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 0.102 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 77th of 84 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.910.6548.9No earlier reading
El Salvador: 10.65 · world median 48.9 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.73 to 91.73; higher is better.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5910.9814.59▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 10.98 · world median 14.59 · School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.478 to 21.01; higher is better.
Position 74th of 77 · derived.
PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09343.47442.09No earlier reading
El Salvador: 343.47 · world median 442.09 · Mean mathematics score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 336.4 to 574.66; higher is better.
Position 76th of 79 · derived.
No better end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6018.035.601Moved since 2015
El Salvador: 8.03 · world median 5.601 · Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes (% of all graduates). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 17.19.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1745.7938.17No earlier reading
El Salvador: 45.79 · world median 38.17 · Researchers who are women (% of headcount; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.54.
Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.340.1435.3Moved since 2015
El Salvador: 40.14 · world median 35.3 · STEM graduates who are women (%; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.333 to 55.96.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2407692,240Moved since 2022
El Salvador: 769 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2792.545.279No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 2.54 · world median 5.279 · Outbound mobility ratio, tertiary (% of tertiary enrolment at home). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.333 to 1,724.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3516.9734.35No real change since 2018
El Salvador: 16.97 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.
No current reading for El Salvador
Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2023), Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2019), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2019) and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. 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
Education & Knowledge among El Salvador’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is El Salvador’s 16th 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 education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders El Salvador can most readily be measured against.
1
United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keysHighest in Americas
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines11th3/4 keysHighest in Central America
Mexico24th3/4 keysThis page
El Salvador156th4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 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.
07Questions
El Salvador on education & knowledge: 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 education & knowledge?
El Salvador is placed 156th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for El Salvador?
15.26 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.
What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for El Salvador?
84.6 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.
How does El Salvador compare with Guatemala on education & knowledge?
Guatemala is placed 147th of 198, and El Salvador 156th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Guatemala 8.432, El Salvador 15.26; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Guatemala 84.22, El Salvador 84.6; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Guatemala 40.82, El Salvador 36.1; Government Spending on Education: Guatemala 3.109, El Salvador 3.187.
How have El Salvador’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 11.33 in 2000 to 15.26 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 65.72 in 2000 to 84.6 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 26.66 in 2000 to 36.1 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 2.839 in 2000 to 3.187 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for El Salvador?
No current reading is published for El Salvador on Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.
How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 37 statistics on this page come from 8 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
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). El Salvador: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/el-salvador/education