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Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
El Salvador: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
El Salvador is placed 107th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 72.1 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 10.05 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
107th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 72.1Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 10.05Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 10Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- 12.3Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place El Salvador on health & wellbeing — 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
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
72.1
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
El Salvador: 72.1. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Central America
- 80.8 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 72.6 · Honduras 72.88
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
10.05
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
El Salvador: 10.05. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Central America
- 10.05 El Salvador
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 20.51 · Honduras 14.96
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · El Salvador’s is from 2021 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
10
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
El Salvador: 10. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Central America
- 9 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 46 · Honduras 18.71
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
12.3
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
El Salvador: 12.3. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Central America
- 2.3 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Guatemala 22.4 · Honduras 14.3
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.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador rose from 67.71 in 2000 to 72.1 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2023 72.099 74.630 2022 71.970 74.313 2021 69.941 72.433 2020 70.244 73.063 2019 71.725 74.196 2018 71.384 74.081 2017 71.007 74.029 2016 70.908 74.013 2015 70.952 73.783 2014 71.144 73.330 2013 71.225 73.386 2012 71.420 73.210 2011 71.192 73.003 2010 70.909 72.827 2009 70.359 72.426 2008 70.138 72.264 2007 69.820 72.113 2006 69.612 72.027 2005 69.336 71.876 2004 69.295 71.477 2003 68.792 71.409 2002 68.526 71.173 2001 67.965 70.926 2000 67.711 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador fell from 32.19 in 2000 to 10.05 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2024 10.0 14.5 2023 10.4 15.2 2022 10.8 14.7 2021 11.2 15.1 2020 11.7 15.3 2019 12.2 15.7 2018 12.7 16.3 2017 13.3 16.8 2016 13.9 17.5 2015 14.6 17.9 2014 15.3 18.3 2013 16.0 18.7 2012 16.7 18.8 2011 17.6 19.0 2010 18.4 19.2 2009 19.4 20.8 2008 20.4 20.7 2007 21.5 21.8 2006 22.7 22.8 2005 24.0 24.0 2004 25.4 25.9 2003 26.9 26.9 2002 28.6 28.0 2001 30.3 29.1 2000 32.2 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
El SalvadorWorld median
El Salvador fell from 13.8 in 2015 to 12.3 in 2024; the world median went from 3.4 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year El Salvador World median 2024 12.3 4.9 2023 15.4 4.7 2022 15.8 5.4 2021 16.2 5.7 2020 14.7 5.6 2019 15.1 5.0 2018 14.6 4.2 2017 14.0 4.0 2016 13.7 3.4 2015 13.8 3.4
03In context
El Salvador beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
El Salvador and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Salvador | 107th | 72.1 | 10.05 | 10 | 12.3 |
 Honduras | 132nd | 72.88 | 14.96 | 18.71 | 14.3 |
 Guatemala | 156th | 72.6 | 20.51 | 46 | 22.4 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
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
52 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, 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 median22
Statistics on which El Salvador does better than the middle country measured.
Global Report on Food CrisesFSIN · 2024 · world median 22322No real change since 2017
El Salvador: 3 · world median 22 · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population). Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 2025 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3 to 56; lower is better.
Position 44th of 44 · derived, 1st = worst.
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.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.264.79821.26No earlier reading
El Salvador: 4.798 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 106th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.569.841.5No earlier reading
El Salvador: 69.8 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 11th of 127 · derived.
Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 PandemicAriel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset) · 2026 · world median 272.3575.2272.35No earlier reading
El Salvador: 75.2 · world median 272.35 · Excess deaths per 100,000 people, March 2020 to the end of each country's data (at most December 2023). Ariel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from -264.9 to 1,013; lower 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.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.2581.471.25No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 81.4 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 41st of 196 · derived.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.994.882.9No earlier reading
El Salvador: 94.8 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 29th of 109 · derived.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5754.837.57No earlier reading
El Salvador: 54.8 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 33rd of 115 · derived.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8190.181No earlier reading
El Salvador: 90.1 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 44th of 153 · derived.
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.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.57765.5▲ Improved since 2021
El Salvador: 77 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
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.
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.
INFORM Severity IndexACAPS · 2025 · world median 3.12.93.1▼ Worsened since 2020
El Salvador: 2.9 · world median 3.1 · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis). ACAPS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.3 to 4.7; lower is better.
Position 46th of 81 · derived, 1st = worst.
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.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.6539.1146.65▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 39.11 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 105th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.997.596.9No earlier reading
El Salvador: 97.5 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6577.9677.65No earlier reading
El Salvador: 77.96 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 71st of 144 · derived.
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 median20
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.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.8382.7884.83▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 82.78 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
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.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,9252,982▲ Improved since 2014
El Salvador: 2,925 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 85th of 155 · derived.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3916.1216.39▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 16.12 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 222 · derived.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6992.51102.69▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 92.51 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.26.75.2▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 6.7 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 72nd of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.270.25No real change since 2014
El Salvador: 0.27 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.760.767.7No earlier reading
El Salvador: 60.7 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 78th of 127 · derived.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 414741▼ Worsened since 2012
El Salvador: 47 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.58.4595.5▼ Worsened since 2014
El Salvador: 8.459 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 54th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.6780.762▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 0.678 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 132nd of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
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.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4654.2327.46No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 54.23 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 64th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7192.43133.7▼ Worsened since 2013
El Salvador: 192.43 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 60th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.941.720.9▲ Improved since 2015
El Salvador: 41.7 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 35th of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4524.214.45▲ Improved since 2013
El Salvador: 24.2 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 56th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.4843.523.48▲ Improved since 2015
El Salvador: 43.52 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9534.452.95No earlier reading
El Salvador: 34.4 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 115th of 136 · derived.
No better end10
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry OnWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 20.0538.1420.05No earlier reading
El Salvador: 38.14 · world median 20.05 · People aged 15+ who have ever been too anxious or depressed to continue their usual activities for two weeks or more (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.934 to 49.35.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.6531.520.65No earlier reading
El Salvador: 31.5 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8942.8538.89Moved since 2015
El Salvador: 42.85 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 43rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.44835.4No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 48 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2550.841.25Moved since 2013
El Salvador: 50.8 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.733.791.73Moved since 2014
El Salvador: 3.79 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 63rd of 178 · 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.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8345.6557.83Moved since 2013
El Salvador: 45.65 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.177.2216.17No real change since 2013
El Salvador: 7.22 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.881.6926.88No earlier reading
El Salvador: 1.692 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
No current reading for El Salvador
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2021), Cost of a Healthy Diet, Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2010), Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum) (last 2017), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) (last 2017), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) (last 2017) and Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet. 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
Health & Wellbeing among El Salvador’s 16 topics
Health & Wellbeing is El Salvador’s 6th 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 health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders El Salvador can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Americas
United States=30th4/4 keysHighest in Central America
Costa Rica60th4/4 keysThis page
El Salvador107th4/4 keys
Positions out of 200 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 health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
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 health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
El Salvador on health & wellbeing: 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 health & wellbeing?
El Salvador is placed 107th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for El Salvador?
72.1 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for El Salvador?
10.05 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does El Salvador compare with Guatemala on health & wellbeing?
Guatemala is placed 156th of 200, and El Salvador 107th. Life Expectancy at Birth: Guatemala 72.6, El Salvador 72.1; Under-Five Mortality Rate: Guatemala 20.51, El Salvador 10.05; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: Guatemala 46, El Salvador 10; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity: Guatemala 22.4, El Salvador 12.3.
How have El Salvador’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 67.71 in 2000 to 72.1 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 32.19 in 2000 to 10.05 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity fell from 13.8 in 2015 to 12.3 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for El Salvador?
No current reading is published for El Salvador on Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Cost of a Healthy Diet, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) and Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet. 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
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing 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 health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 52 statistics on this page come from 18 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
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). El Salvador: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/el-salvador/health