El Salvador has secured a place among the Top 10 countries in Latin America in the Global Soft Power Index 2026, reflecting the country’s growing international recognition and improved global perception.
The ranking, produced by UK-based consultancy Brand Finance, evaluates how nations are perceived worldwide across areas such as security, governance, tourism, trade, culture, and international relations. In the 2026 edition, El Salvador climbed six additional positions to rank 76th globally among the 193 United Nations member states assessed, following a historic rise of 32 positions the previous year.
This progress places El Salvador ninth in Latin America, ahead of Peru and just behind Costa Rica, in a regional list led by Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. The Top 10 in the region includes Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Peru, highlighting El Salvador’s competitive standing within the hemisphere.
According to the report, “the advances achieved in security, governance, economic development, and tourism growth have been decisive in shaping a new national narrative, allowing the country to continue climbing positions in the Index.” The study also notes that this improved image “has a direct influence on efforts to attract investment, expand the tourism industry, strengthen cooperation, and deepen strategic alliances.”
Based on surveys of more than 150,000 respondents across 100 countries, the Global Soft Power Index underscores how El Salvador’s recent transformations are resonating beyond its borders. The 2026 results confirm that the country’s evolving image is not only strengthening its regional position, but also consolidating its presence on the global stage for audiences, investors, and partners worldwide.