El Salvador: environment

What are El Salvador's CO2 emissions?

El Salvador emitted 9.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank. Emissions were 9.2 million tonnes in 2023.

The figure covers emissions from burning fuels and industrial processes. The environment ministry's site returned a bot-check response on 15 October 2026, and no national emissions figure was found on the sites of the Central Reserve Bank and the statistics office, so the World Bank figure is given.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF, El Salvador

How polluted is the air in El Salvador?

People in El Salvador were exposed to an average of 29.6 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The figure was 29.8 in 2022.

PM2.5 are particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The World Bank figure is a modelled estimate that combines satellite data and models. No measured air quality figures were found on official sites that could be read on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, El Salvador

How much of El Salvador's electricity is renewable?

95.6% of El Salvador's electricity came from renewable sources in 2021, according to the World Bank. The share was 86.1% in 2020 and 72.6% in 2019.

Renewable electricity includes hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind and biomass. 2021 is the latest year with data in the World Bank series, so more recent years are not shown. The Central Reserve Bank reported that electricity consumption reached a record 715.8 GWh in May 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, El Salvador · BCR: GDP, second quarter of 2026

How much CO2 does El Salvador emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in El Salvador was 1.5 tonnes in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and El Salvador placed 24th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 114th of 186.

What are El Salvador's emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in El Salvador was 14.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and El Salvador placed 20th highest of 33. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 127th highest.

How much renewable energy does El Salvador use?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in El Salvador was 21.9%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 19.4% (2019) to 34.8% (2006). Latin America & Caribbean median: 18.9%; El Salvador is 15th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 101st highest.

What is El Salvador's forest cover?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in El Salvador was 33.0% in 2024. The peak was 33.3% in 2005 and the low 32.6% in 2010. It is 26th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 50.6%. Worldwide: 96th of 190.

How polluted is the air in El Salvador?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 29.6 micrograms per cubic metre. Since 2005 it has ranged from 27.8 micrograms per cubic metre (2007) to 33.8 micrograms per cubic metre (2005). Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; El Salvador is 4th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 51st highest.

What share of El Salvador is protected land?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in El Salvador at 8.3% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2013. Latin America & Caribbean median: 20.1%; El Salvador is 31st highest of 33. Worldwide: 152nd of 192.

What is water stress in El Salvador?

The FAO puts water stress in El Salvador at 12.1% in 2022. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; El Salvador is 10th highest of 32. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 83rd highest.