Santa Ana (volcano)

El Salvador

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for El Salvador
Published: 2026

Region: Central America
Capital: San Salvador
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Density: 310 / km²

WRI Score 2026

56.27

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 143rd
In Americas: 38th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 30%· KPMG / EY
40.6
Above-average top marginal rate.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 310 / km²· UN WPP
18.0
Among the most densely populated places on the list.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $5,933· IMF WEO 2026
28.5
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 74.5 years· WHO / UN
58.4
Moderate life expectancy relative to peers.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.3 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
55.1
Moderate tourism activity relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 5.5%· ILO / SECO
84.9
Low, stable labour market.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 1.2% of GDP· SIPRI
92.7
Modest military expenditure relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
36.1
Below-average safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

El Salvador holds 143rd of 211 with a WRI Score of 56.27 — sits in the lower-middle of the field. Its profile is defined by exceptional ideological neutrality (96) and military posture (92.7), offset by population density, its clearest structural constraint.