A. M. 
Data from the 2024 Encuesta de Hogares de Propósitos Múltiples (EHPM), conducted by the ONEC of the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), show that operating and housing expenses place significant pressure on workers’ incomes in El Salvador, even above basic food needs.
According to the study, the total average monthly expenditure of an employed worker amounts to US$465.08, dominated mainly by vehicle repairs and accommodation. Vehicle repairs: With an average expenditure of US$465.08, this item tops the table, reflecting the importance of mobility and the high cost of maintaining one’s own means of transportation.
Accommodation: This represents the second highest expense, at US$199.96, including rent, mortgage, and other housing-related expenses. In contrast, total food expenses (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) amount to US$174.16, which is lower than the individual costs of housing and transportation.
Differences by employment sector
The EHPM analysis also reveals different patterns depending on the sector:
Agriculture, livestock, and fishing: Total expenditure is lower at US$565.20, but vehicle repair costs are high, reflecting the dependence on transportation for work logistics in rural areas.
Trade and domestic services: In trade, accommodation costs are above average, while in domestic services, transportation costs are practically zero, indicating less dependence on private vehicles.
Services such as education, health, and public administration: These sectors have high vehicle repair costs, especially in community, social, health, and education services, suggesting a greater need for mobility or the ability to meet these costs thanks to more stable incomes.
The study also highlights that the high cost of fuel, averaging US$82.81, represents an additional economic burden that reduces disposable income for other goods and services.
In summary, the EHPM 2024 reflects how expenses related to mobility and housing have become the main consumers of salvadoran workers’ income, displacing food within the monthly expenditure structure.
