
In the report “Economic Outlook for Latin America 2025” presented by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), El Salvador is listed among the Central American countries with a diversified but low-complexity productive structure, dependent on low value-added exports.
The high level of informal employment limits the quality and competitiveness of labor, while the proportion of jobs in technologically advanced sectors is very low compared to the regional average. The country faces structural bottlenecks, low innovation, and a concentration of exports in primary products and low-technology manufactures.
The need to deepen productive development policies focused on strategic sectors such as renewable energy, digital industry, and sustainable agriculture is urgent.

Central America overview
Central America shares similar challenges, with most countries classified as diversified and low-complexity. The region is characterized by persistent informality, low investment in innovation, and limited intraregional trade integration, which hinders global competitiveness. Increasing technology adoption, improving infrastructure, and attracting investment are urgent priorities for scaling development.

Latin America and the regional context
At the Latin American level, the report emphasizes that productive transformation, the green transition, and social inclusion must be addressed jointly and systemically. The region faces low productivity, high informality (55.1% of workers in 2023), and significant technological gaps compared to developed economies. Mobilizing public and private financial resources, international cooperation, and regional coordination are essential to overcome these challenges and achieve the sustainable and inclusive growth demanded by the global environment.
These findings encourage El Salvador and the region to rethink their production models, prioritize investment in high-potential sectors, and strengthen institutional governance so that innovation and technological development can drive the creation of better jobs and a sustainable future.
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