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El Salvador ended 2025 with nearly 85,000 neighborhood stores, a figure that demonstrates the sustained growth of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and their key role in the national economy. This data marks a significant advance compared to previous years: in 2018, there were around 44,000 such businesses, while in 2023 the figure rose to 60,000.
The president of the Comisión Nacional de la Micro y Pequeña Empresa (CONAMYPE), Paul Steiner, highlighted that this increase is due to a more favorable environment for entrepreneurship, driven primarily by security and confidence in the country. As he explained during a radio interview, more salvadorans are investing their savings in small businesses, especially in local commerce.
“This first quarter continues the trend of high growth in the number of new businesses. We are closing 2025 with a significant increase, especially in neighborhood stores”, said the head of CONAMYPE.
Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) represent approximately 90% of El Salvador’s business sector and are a key source of income for thousands of families. Furthermore, a large portion of these businesses are led by women, which reinforces their impact on the family and community economy.
The sector’s growth has also been supported by public policies aimed at facilitating its development. These include the MSE Law and the Ley Mype and Programa de Garantía para la Micro y Pequeña Empresa (Progamype), which seek to expand access to financing with more affordable terms, especially for entrepreneurs who have historically been excluded from the traditional banking system.
These initiatives are complemented by projects such as agromercados and Central de Abastos which have boosted domestic trade by creating more sales outlets and strengthening supply chains nationwide. The government is also promoting local economic development strategies in coordination with municipalities, fostering the creation of microenterprise groups and incentives to encourage growth at the local level.
This situation reflects a development model that focuses on strengthening the country’s productive base. The increase in the number of neighborhood stores not only demonstrates economic dynamism but also greater participation of salvadorans in productive activities that generate income, employment, and opportunities in their communities.
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