At a glance: El Salvador

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This map does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.

Positive trends in El Salvador's economic and social indicators (4.2 per cent Gross Domestic Product growth rate) have substantially increased the likelihood that the country will achieve more than half of the 18 target indicators of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Progress towards the goals, however, continues to be hindered by major challenges in the form of economic disparity, exclusion from basic services and education, and violence.

Issues facing children in El Salvador

• Despite improving economic conditions, prevailing violence continues to induce emigration, which exerts a major impact on the family, particularly as it shifts the responsibility of households on women.
• The number of repatriated children under 18 has increased which results in greater exposure to gang violence, separation from families, abandonment and exploitation.
• Economic growth has not resulted in economic well-being amongst the population.
• At least 4 out of every 10 persons live in conditions of poverty, and about half of all children and adolescents are poor.
• Poverty, which affects mostly the rural sector, has a significant impact on children, especially in terms of access to adequate nutrition, water and sanitation.
• Seventy per cent of the children aged 16 and 17 do not have access to secondary education.
• El Salvador suffers from the highest murder rate in the region.
• Seventy per cent of children indicate they have been abused in their homes.
• Despite increases in spending for public education, spending levels remain insufficient to meet the goal of universal public education.

Activities and results for children

• A draft bill of law for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents was drafted in a joint effort with the Executive Technical Unit of the Judiciary. UNICEF's technical and financial contribution ensured a participatory process, technical consistency and political support for this bill.
• The University of Barcelona, the Supreme Court and UNICEF jointly conducted a research study on the linkages between juvenile delinquency and social policies. The aim of the study was to advocate greater articulation between the juvenile justice system and social policies to prevent violence.