Refugees by country of origin in El Salvador
El Salvador: Refugees by country of origin was 71,765 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of origin in El Salvador, 1980–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
El Salvador recorded 71,765 people for refugees by country of origin in 2024.
The figure is up 4.6% on the previous year and up 554.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in El Salvador peaked at 304,810 people in 1981 and was at its lowest, 4,283 people, in 2005.
That places El Salvador 31st out of 204 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugees by country of origin in El Salvador, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 91,630 people | — |
| 1981 | 304,810 people | +232.7% |
| 1982 | 242,400 people | -20.5% |
| 1983 | 244,600 people | +0.9% |
| 1984 | 243,000 people | -0.7% |
| 1985 | 180,605 people | -25.7% |
| 1986 | 171,785 people | -4.9% |
| 1987 | 167,605 people | -2.4% |
| 1988 | 166,393 people | -0.7% |
| 1989 | 39,582 people | -76.2% |
| 1990 | 30,019 people | -24.2% |
| 1991 | 33,048 people | +10.1% |
| 1992 | 30,854 people | -6.6% |
| 1993 | 26,125 people | -15.3% |
| 1994 | 30,736 people | +17.6% |
| 1995 | 23,534 people | -23.4% |
| 1996 | 19,639 people | -16.6% |
| 1997 | 17,124 people | -12.8% |
| 1998 | 12,591 people | -26.5% |
| 1999 | 12,408 people | -1.5% |
| 2000 | 7,753 people | -37.5% |
| 2001 | 7,147 people | -7.8% |
| 2002 | 6,630 people | -7.2% |
| 2003 | 5,658 people | -14.7% |
| 2004 | 4,497 people | -20.5% |
| 2005 | 4,283 people | -4.8% |
| 2006 | 6,390 people | +49.2% |
| 2007 | 6,026 people | -5.7% |
| 2008 | 5,154 people | -14.5% |
| 2009 | 5,053 people | -2.0% |
| 2010 | 4,978 people | -1.5% |
| 2011 | 6,725 people | +35.1% |
| 2012 | 8,173 people | +21.5% |
| 2013 | 9,634 people | +17.9% |
| 2014 | 10,968 people | +13.8% |
| 2015 | 14,778 people | +34.7% |
| 2016 | 19,617 people | +32.7% |
| 2017 | 25,876 people | +31.9% |
| 2018 | 32,562 people | +25.8% |
| 2019 | 41,816 people | +28.4% |
| 2020 | 45,640 people | +9.1% |
| 2021 | 52,041 people | +14.0% |
| 2022 | 58,621 people | +12.6% |
| 2023 | 68,633 people | +17.1% |
| 2024 | 71,765 people | +4.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 185,241 people | 39,582 people | 304,810 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 23,608 people | 12,408 people | 33,048 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 5,859 people | 4,283 people | 7,753 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 17,513 people | 4,978 people | 41,816 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 59,340 people | 45,640 people | 71,765 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near El Salvador
More population data for El Salvador
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.5 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.8534 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.2367 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.8534 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.9% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 204,177 people (2100)
- Population density 244.85 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.9% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.06 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.3467 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of origin in El Salvador?
- Refugees by country of origin in El Salvador was 71,765 people in 2024, according to UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugees by country of origin recorded in El Salvador?
- The highest recorded value was 304,810 people in 1981.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in El Salvador?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,283 people in 2005.
- How does El Salvador rank for refugees by country of origin?
- El Salvador ranks 31st out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in El Salvador?
- Over the last ten years it is up 554.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this El Salvador data come from?
- The figures come from UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Refugees by country of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People who fled their country of origin and are in need of international protection. Refugees are those who have already been granted asylum status in the country they moved to. This includes all refugees, not just those who fled that year.