For the first time in nearly two decades, El Salvador has completed a comprehensive population and housing census, thanks to efforts spearheaded by President Nayib Bukele’s government. The “Censo de Población y Vivienda El Salvador 2024” has reached 100% of the national territory, offering an up-to-date snapshot of the country’s demographics, housing, and population distribution.
Douglas Rodriguez, President of the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), celebrated the census completion as a historic achievement for El Salvador, attributing its success to the leadership of President Bukele. “Today is a historic day for El Salvador. We must thank God for allowing us to complete this great project, and we owe special gratitude to President Bukele, the main driver of this nationwide initiative,” Rodriguez stated. He noted that international organizations supporting the project have also endorsed its success. “For the first time in 17 years, we have a precise image of who we are, how we live, and where we are distributed across the national territory.”
The census revealed that 95% of homes are independent houses, with the majority of structures in El Salvador dedicated to residential use. The departments of San Salvador and La Libertad contain 50.1% of collective housing units, while there are now 1,841,206 occupied housing units nationwide—an increase of 468,353 since 2007. Additionally, El Salvador has seen the addition of nearly two million structures in 17 years, with 58.4% dedicated solely to housing.
Simone Cecchini, Director of CELADE—Population Division of ECLAC, praised the high-quality census results as a “great success for El Salvador” and the result of extensive national collaboration. Secretary of Commerce Miguel Kattan highlighted the BCR’s role in gathering the essential data to guide key decisions for the benefit of the population.
This census marks a significant milestone for El Salvador, providing essential insights into the country’s evolving demographic landscape.