El Salvador: crime and justice

What is the murder rate in El Salvador?

El Salvador recorded 82 homicides in 2025, a rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people, according to the Ministry of Public Security and Justice, which presented the figures in January 2026. The ministry reported that 13% of the homicides were committed with a firearm.

The figures come from the government's security cabinet. The World Bank, using UN Office on Drugs and Crime data, gives 7.9 per 100,000 for 2022 and 17.3 for 2021. The two sources are compiled separately, so their figures for a given year may not match.

Official sources: Ministry of Public Security and Justice: 2025 results · World Bank: intentional homicides per 100,000 people, El Salvador

What is the homicide rate in El Salvador?

In 2022, the intentional homicide rate in El Salvador was 7.9 per 100,000, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 17.5 per 100,000, and El Salvador placed 24th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 27th of 99.

How many women are killed in El Salvador?

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the homicide rate for women in El Salvador was 2.2 per 100,000 in 2022. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 22nd highest of 28 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 3.6 per 100,000. Worldwide: 32nd of 94.

How many men are killed in El Salvador?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2022, is 14.2 per 100,000. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 22nd highest of 28 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 31.7 per 100,000. Of 93 countries with 2022 data, 24th highest.