El Salvador’s economic momentum gathered major steam at the close of the second quarter, posting 5.2% growth in June 2026 for the second consecutive month. According to data from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), the Central American nation capped off the first half of the year with an average growth rate of 4.6%, marking a sharp acceleration compared to the 3.0% recorded during the same period in 2025.
The primary engine behind this expansion remains a flourishing construction industry, which registered an impressive 10.7% surge. Powered by public-private partnerships, high-profile road infrastructure projects, digital connectivity investments, and modern educational developments, the construction rally also galvanized real estate activity, pushing the sector up by 7.1% as commercial and residential projects flooded the market.
Technological adoption and public sector expansions further reinforced the nation’s upward trajectory. Information and communication services spiked 7.8%, fueled significantly by consumer demand for high-speed internet packages during the World Cup. Simultaneously, government services climbed 8% thanks to broadened primary healthcare networks and targeted educational initiatives, while industrial manufacturing expanded 4.3%, sustained by strong food, beverage, and pharmaceutical output.
Reflecting on the strong half-year performance, the Central Reserve Bank stated that “the results observed to date confirm the favorable behavior of the Salvadoran economy during the first half of 2026.” With ancillary sectors like professional services (3.6%), trade, transportation, and hospitality (3.6%), and financial services (2.3%) all maintaining steady growth, El Salvador continues to build a well-rounded foundation for sustained economic expansion.