A. M. 
The World Bank projects economic growth of 2.9% for El Salvador in 2024, positioning itself above the regional average of 1.9% in Latin America and the Caribbean. This figure reflects a moderate but encouraging outlook for the country, considering global economic challenges. Compared to other nations in the region, El Salvador outperforms economies such as Mexico, Colombia and Bolivia, which show lower, and even negative, estimates, such as Argentina (-3.5%) and Haiti (-4.2%).
At the regional level, the most recent data from the World Bank indicate that Latin America and the Caribbean will experience an average growth of 1.9% in 2024, increasing slightly to 2.6% by 2025. Despite this positive trend, the projected growth is considered insufficient to generate significant progress in poverty reduction. Guyana leads with an overwhelming 43%, standing out among the most dynamic economies in the hemisphere.
Among Central American countries, Nicaragua and Guatemala also have encouraging economic prospects, with growth projections of 3.7% and 3.6%, respectively. However, most economies in the region face modest growth rates that could complicate their efforts to combat poverty and improve social indicators in the coming years.
The World Bank report highlights that the region’s economies require deeper structural reforms to generate sustained and equitable economic growth. Although countries such as El Salvador show positive figures, a concerted effort is needed to improve the business environment, attract investments and strengthen institutions.
Economic growth alone will not be enough to improve the quality of life of citizens if it is not accompanied by policies that promote a more equitable distribution of wealth and greater investment in key areas such as education and health.
