El Salvador: immigration

How many Salvadorans are refugees or asylum seekers abroad?

68,182 refugees and 108,289 asylum seekers from El Salvador were living in other countries at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. At the end of 2024 there were 71,765 refugees and 136,774 asylum seekers.

Asylum seekers are people whose claims for protection have not yet been decided. These figures cover only people in refugee or asylum procedures, not all Salvadorans living abroad. UNHCR also counted 71,500 internally displaced people in El Salvador.

Official sources: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

How many refugees live in El Salvador?

UNHCR counted 182 refugees and 328 asylum seekers in El Salvador at the end of 2025, according to its Refugee Data Finder. There were 120 refugees and 272 asylum seekers at the end of 2024.

Visas, residence permits and nationality are handled by the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners. No official figures on immigration or residence permits were found on its site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder · General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners

How many immigrants live in El Salvador?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 0.7%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 4.8%, and El Salvador placed 27th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 161st highest.

Are more people leaving El Salvador than arriving?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in El Salvador at -23,934 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -86,501 (2005) to -23,102 (2024). It is 28th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is -967. World rank, highest first: 152nd of 193.

How many refugees are in El Salvador?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 182. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 18th highest of 28 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1,306. Worldwide: 140th of 169.

How many refugees have fled El Salvador?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in El Salvador was 68,182, according to UNHCR. The peak was 71,765 in 2024 and the low 4,283 in 2005. It is 5th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 710. Worldwide: 31st of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to El Salvador?

In 2025, personal remittances received in El Salvador was 27.5% of GDP, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 3.3% of GDP, and El Salvador placed 2nd highest of 27. Worldwide: 5th of 127.