This page is dedicated to offering regularly updated financial education for China from basic to advanced topics. If you have a question not addressed in the resources below, please submit it through the request forms, and we will get back to you! Lastly, recognizing the value of your time, we've marked essential topics with yellow icons for quick identification. Dive in and embark on your financial journey!
The ‘Nation Profile’ section is a brief yet informative look at El Salvador‘s economic and financial history, current standing and future trends.
Overview: The banking system in El Salvador is relatively stable but faces notable structural and regulatory challenges as it adapts to a unique monetary environment and digital innovations (1,2). The financial sector is primarily overseen by the Superintendency of the Financial System (SSF) and the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), both of which are working to improve transparency, compliance standards, and financial inclusion (1,2). Key areas of regulatory focus include anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks and increased digital financial supervision (2,3).
One of the most significant shifts in El Salvador’s financial landscape came in 2021 when the government adopted Bitcoin as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar (4). This move introduced major operational challenges for banks and traditional financial institutions, as they were required to integrate cryptocurrency infrastructure and navigate highly volatile digital asset markets (4,5). Concerns about the lack of public trust in digital currency, limited internet access in rural areas, and technical literacy further complicated these efforts (4,5,6).
Despite these challenges, El Salvador’s banking sector remains resilient. However, access to credit is still limited, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which struggle to meet strict collateral requirements (1,2). Furthermore, the economy remains highly dollarized, which constrains the central bank’s ability to act as a lender of last resort and leaves the country exposed to external shocks (2,6). The high level of informal employment also undermines the reach of formal financial services (6).
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank have noted both opportunities and risks in El Salvador’s banking system (1,2,6). Since the country’s last Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), the government has undertaken reforms to strengthen risk-based supervision and financial consumer protection (1,2). However, public debt remains high and has raised concerns over fiscal sustainability and long-term financial system stability (1,2,6). The IMF has repeatedly urged the country to improve public spending efficiency and avoid excessive reliance on short-term domestic borrowing (2,6).
El Salvador has a complicated relationship with the IMF. As of 2024, the country is actively negotiating a support package from the IMF, but discussions have been strained due to concerns over Bitcoin adoption, fiscal transparency, and debt sustainability (2,4,6). While El Salvador has not defaulted on its sovereign debt in recent years, it came close in early 2023 before securing short-term financing through a pension fund overhaul and bond buybacks (6,7).
Currently, El Salvador is rated by the three major credit rating agencies. Standard & Poor’s last assigned a rating of CCC+, citing high debt levels and governance concerns (7). Moody’s downgraded El Salvador’s sovereign credit rating to Caa3, pointing to limited access to international capital markets and concerns over digital currency risks (7). Fitch Ratings also issued a CCC+ rating, with a negative outlook due to high near-term financing needs and weak institutional capacity (7).
National Financial Literacy Rate – 21% – Per S&P
Inflation Rate – 1.8% – Per IMF
Definitions
Sources
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, and subsequently, purchasing power falls. It’s a key economic indicator that is closely monitored by governments and central banks worldwide. Causes of inflation can include increased production costs, higher demand for goods and services, and changes in government policy.
Overview: Inflation is the rate at which the general price level of goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power over time. It’s vital to understand inflation because if your income does not increase at the same pace as inflation, your spending power decreases, making it harder to afford the same lifestyle and save for future goals.
Inflation Profile: In 2024, El Salvador’s inflation rate stood at approximately 2.3%, a figure below the Latin American regional average of around 5.4%, indicating a relatively stable pricing environment despite global volatility (1). Key sectors impacted by inflation include food and beverages, transportation, and housing. In the food sector, which makes up a significant portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), inflationary pressures were primarily driven by rising import costs and climate-related disruptions to domestic agriculture. However, targeted subsidies and strategic food reserves have helped soften the impact on consumers (2).
The transportation sector experienced moderate price increases due to fluctuations in international fuel prices and the rising cost of vehicle maintenance. Despite these pressures, El Salvador’s adoption of fuel subsidies and price caps on certain services helped prevent more severe price escalations (3). In the housing sector, rent and utilities remained relatively stable due to government regulation and modest demand growth, although construction materials saw a slight increase due to global supply chain constraints (4).
Conversely, communication services experienced stable or slightly declining prices, driven by growing digital infrastructure investment and competition among providers. Similarly, education and healthcare costs remained manageable, supported by consistent public spending and donor-supported programs aimed at enhancing accessibility and affordability (5).
El Salvador’s low inflation in 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including dollarization, which limits exchange rate volatility, and prudent fiscal measures. The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador and Ministry of Economy have implemented price monitoring and targeted social spending to cushion vulnerable populations (6). While structural challenges remain—such as reliance on imports and climate vulnerability—El Salvador’s inflation dynamics reflect a cautiously stable macroeconomic trajectory in the near term.
What is being done (National level): In response to inflationary pressures, the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador and the Ministry of Economy have taken coordinated steps to stabilize prices and support household purchasing power. Key measures include fuel subsidies, price monitoring systems, and targeted social transfers for vulnerable populations. The country’s use of the U.S. dollar as its official currency limits the government’s ability to control monetary policy directly, but also helps reduce exchange rate volatility and imported inflation (7).
To further ease cost-of-living pressures, the government has capped prices on essential goods like cooking gas and public transport, while also expanding support programs such as cash transfers through the “Programa de Emergencia Sanitaria” (PES) (8). Authorities have also invested in public agricultural initiatives to boost local food production and reduce dependency on volatile international food markets (9). These efforts—alongside stable monetary conditions linked to dollarization—have helped keep inflation moderate, maintaining rates well below regional averages throughout 2024.
What can you do?
Live Inflation Link
Definitions
Sources
Banks are for-profit, public financial institutions offering a wide variety of financial tools and services. Credit unions are nonprofit, member-owned cooperatives often offering lower fees and higher savings interest rates.
Coming soon!
Online and Mobile Banking provide convenient access to your financial accounts at any time and anywhere. Manage your money securely from your computer, tablet, or smartphone with features like bill pay, mobile deposits, and account monitoring.
Coming soon!
Currency and currency exchange are important to any nation’s economy, influencing transactions from everyday grocery shopping to international trade. Monitoring the strength of a currency and its global exchange rate is crucial, as these factors can significantly affect the cost of daily commodities and the preservation of personal wealth.
Coming soon!
Remittances are funds sent by foreign workers to their home country, often serving as a significant source of income for their loved ones in their home country. These transfers, usually made through banks or money transfer services, can exceed official development aid amounts and contribute significantly to a country’s GDP and communities.
Coming soon!
Retirement planning is the process of determining retirement income goals and the actions necessary to achieve those goals. It involves identifying sources of income, estimating expenses, implementing a savings program, and managing assets. This planning is crucial for maintaining a comfortable lifestyle after work, and it’s recommended to start as early as possible.
Coming soon!
Estate planning is the process of organizing your personal and financial affairs to prepare for the possibility of mental incapacity and eventual death. It involves creating legal documents such as wills and trusts, and taking inventory of assets. The goal is to preserve the maximum amount of wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries.
Coming soon!
Income tax is a financial charge imposed by governments on the income or profits of individuals or entities. It applies to various forms of income, including salaries, wages, business profits, and unearned income, such as interest, dividends, and capital gains.
Coming soon!
The stock market is a complex network where shares of companies are bought and sold. It plays a crucial role in global economies by enabling money to move between investors and companies.
Coming soon!
Credit scores and systems are integral to financial health, serving as a measure of an individual’s or entity’s ability to repay debts and manage credit responsibly. As it can significantly impact your ability to secure loans, mortgages, or other forms of credit, and can even influence the interest rates you’re offered.
Coming soon!
Financial scams are fraudulent schemes that trick individuals or organizations into losing money. Scammers exploit various channels and use advanced techniques, including phishing attacks and investment scams.
Coming soon!
The Tools & Resources section encompasses tools and regional organizations that can help empower your financial journey, from budgeting to seeking aid.
Coming soon!
Financial terminology encompasses the specialized language(jargon) used to describe various aspects of money management, investment strategies, and economic concepts, essential for effective communication and understanding in the world of finance. Click here to learn the most common terms!
Coming soon!