A. M. 
The Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador (BCR) announced the start of the pilot test of the Encuesta Nacional de Ingresos y Gastos de los Hogares (ENIGH) 2026, a study that will provide insight into how the consumption habits of salvadoran families have evolved and update key economic indicators for the country.
The institution explained that household purchasing dynamics have changed in recent years, making it necessary for official statistics to also adjust to the new reality. This survey will collect updated information on how families spend their income, including items such as food, basic services, education, health, transportation, among others.
During the pilot test, a sample of households in the country’s 14 departments will be visited for seven consecutive days. The objective is to evaluate the content of the questions, the functioning of the technological application used for data collection, and the logistics of the operation at the national level. According to the BCR, the questions are clear and easy to answer, to facilitate the participation of the selected families.
The results of ENIGH 2026 will be essential for updating the Basic Basket and the Índice de Precios al Consumidor (IPC), indicators that serve as a reference for measuring inflation and analyzing the cost of living in El Salvador. This data provide a better understanding of the economic situation of households and support the formulation of more effective public policies.
The BCR emphasized that all information collected is strictly confidential and is used solely for statistical purposes. In addition, the staff responsible for conducting the visits are properly identified. In case of questions or concerns, the institution has set up a WhatsApp number, 7125-6737, to provide additional information.
With this initiative, Banco Central seeks to ensure that the country’s economic decisions are based on up-to-date data that is representative of the reality of salvadoran families.
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