A. M. 
According to the regional report of the Secretaría del Consejo Monetario Centroamericano (SECMCA), the Banco Central de Reserva projections for 2024 indicate that El Salvador will continue with sustained economic growth and controlled inflation. For the first half of 2024, annual inflation remained at 1.5%, highlighting the stability of prices at the national level.
Within the sectors with the highest variation, an increase was recorded in the Restaurants and hotels division (5.5%), Food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.6%) and Health (2.5%). In contrast, sectors such as Recreation and culture (-2.4%) and Transportation (-2.2%) experienced price declines. Despite these fluctuations, inflation in El Salvador continues to be one of the lowest in the region.
The country’s exports totaled US$3,209.4 million in 2024, with an annual decrease of 6.7%. This negative variation was mainly influenced by reductions in key industries such as manufacturing and maquila. Despite this decline, increases in trade were recorded, reflecting an adaptation and diversification of the salvadoran export market.
El Salvador’s imports totaled US$7,789.2 million, with a slight increase of 0.04%. The behavior of imported goods showed an increase in consumer goods (3.7%), while the maquila experienced a decrease of 30%, which could reflect a slowdown in the production of some sectors.
The 3.5% growth achieved in 2023, which exceeded expectations, positions El Salvador as an example of resilience in the face of global challenges. Looking ahead to 2024, the country is emerging as a benchmark of economic stability in the region, with an optimistic outlook for 2025.
