A. M. 
Secretariat of the Presidency
The Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador (BCR) revealed, through the results of the Population and Housing Census 2024, that the Economically Active Population reached 52.5% in 2024, marking a significant increase compared to the 45.4% registered in 2007. In addition, the unemployment rate dropped from 11.4% to 4.5% in the same period, reflecting a substantial improvement in the country’s labor conditions.
The growth of the Economically Active Population was mainly concentrated in the 20 to 65 age group, while the participation of young people and older adults decreased compared to the last census. This data suggests a greater focus on the productive age population, which could boost national economic dynamism, according to analysts.
The president of the BCR, Douglas Rodríguez, highlighted that “the jump from 45.4% to 52.5% in the Economically Active Population is evidence of progress in labor inclusion and effective policies”. He also highlighted that the drop in unemployment to 4.5% (the lowest in 17 years) consolidates El Salvador as an economy in recovery, despite global challenges.
The government of President Nayib Bukele began on thursday the socialization of the results of the census, according to authorities, will allow the design of more precise public policies to meet social demands and strengthen human development.
Rodríguez emphasized that the 2024 census is a fundamental tool to “guide strategic decisions” and improve the quality of life of the population. With these advances, El Salvador consolidates its path towards an inclusive economic reactivation, although challenges remain, such as labor formalization and the reduction of gaps in vulnerable sectors.
