El Salvador has emerged as the regional leader in construction activity, posting an 18.5% year-over-year increase through April 2026, the highest growth rate in Central America, according to the latest data from the Central American Monetary Council (CMCA).

The strong performance underscores the country’s expanding infrastructure and investment activity, placing El Salvador ahead of Nicaragua, which recorded 11.9% growth, while Costa Rica registered 1.5% and Honduras posted 0.7%. Updated figures for Guatemala were not available in the regional report.

The construction industry’s momentum has also contributed to broader economic expansion. The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reported that El Salvador’s economy grew 4.8% during the first quarter of 2026, reaching a gross domestic product (GDP) of $9.26 billion compared with the same period a year earlier.

Among the country’s productive sectors, construction remained the fastest-growing activity with 13.5% quarterly growth, outperforming mining and quarrying, as well as transportation and storage. The sustained expansion highlights the sector’s increasing role in driving economic development, attracting investment, and supporting job creation across El Salvador.