Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in El Salvador
El Salvador: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 42.8% in 2020. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in El Salvador, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in El Salvador stood at 42.8%.
The figure is down 0.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in El Salvador peaked at 43.8% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 20.4%, in 1950.
El Salvador ranks 91st of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in El Salvador, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 20.4% | — |
| 1955 | 24.3% | +19.1% |
| 1960 | 26.6% | +9.6% |
| 1965 | 29.9% | +12.3% |
| 1970 | 31.8% | +6.4% |
| 1975 | 33.4% | +5.1% |
| 1980 | 35.2% | +5.4% |
| 1985 | 37.2% | +5.8% |
| 1990 | 40.3% | +8.2% |
| 1995 | 42.8% | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 42.7% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 43.4% | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 43.1% | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 43.8% | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 42.8% | -2.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 22.3% | 20.4% | 24.3% | 2 |
| 1960s | 28.2% | 26.6% | 29.9% | 2 |
| 1970s | 32.6% | 31.8% | 33.4% | 2 |
| 1980s | 36.2% | 35.2% | 37.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 41.5% | 40.3% | 42.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 43.0% | 42.7% | 43.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 43.5% | 43.1% | 43.8% | 2 |
| 2020s | 42.8% | 42.8% | 42.8% | 1 |
Countries ranked near El Salvador
More population data for El Salvador
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.8534 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.5 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 6,637 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.3467 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.06 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.9% (2100)
- Population density 244.85 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 204,177 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in El Salvador?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in El Salvador was 42.8% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in El Salvador?
- The highest recorded value was 43.8% in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in El Salvador?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.4% in 1950.
- How does El Salvador rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- El Salvador ranks 91st out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in El Salvador?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this El Salvador data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.