A. M. 
At least 22.4% of people in El Salvador have some type of formal insurance, according to the results of the Encuesta Nacional de Inclusión y Educación Financiera 2025, presented by the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR). This figure reflects progress in the financial protection of the population against risks that can affect their economic stability and well-being.
According to the report, life insurance is the most common, covering 13.3% of the adult population, while health insurance reaches 7.7%. These figures show that, although a significant portion of the population already uses these instruments, there is still ample room to expand coverage and diversify access to insurance products.
The BCR points out that insurance plays a key role in reducing financial vulnerability, allowing families to cope with unforeseen events such as illnesses, accidents, or the loss of their main breadwinner. Life insurance is often associated with formal employment, loans, or pension schemes, which explains its greater presence compared to other types of coverage.
In the case of health insurance, its penetration rate shows progress, but also underscores the need to strengthen access, especially among middle- and low-income households, where healthcare expenses can have a significant impact on family finances.
The information gathered by the survey allows for the identification of access gaps linked to income level, informal employment, and financial literacy, and constitutes a key input for the design of public policies aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and the use of economic protection mechanisms.
The BCR highlighted that these results will contribute to updating the National Financial Inclusion Policy, with the goal of moving toward a more inclusive and equitable financial system that promotes greater economic resilience and well-being for the salvadoran population.
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