Downtown San Salvador.
Remittances to El Salvador continue to boost the country’s economy. In May alone, Salvadorans abroad sent $923.1 million, a 2.7% increase—about $24 million more than the same month in 2025.
The upward trend is also reflected in cumulative figures, with the country receiving roughly $4.2 billion in the first five months of the year, marking an increase compared to the same period over the last two years.
According to the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR), remittance inflows thus far have increased by 5.9%, up $233.8 million from the same period in 2025.
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change Same Month a Year Ago |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 602.2 | 599.9 | 676.3 | 759.5 | 83.2 (12.3%%) |
| February | 612.8 | 631.5 | 730.4 | 765.3 | 35.0 (4.8%) |
| March | 721.9 | 688.4 | 863.1 | 910.8 | 47.8 (5.5%) |
| April | 672.6 | 749.4 | 807.2 | 851.1 | 43.9 (5.4%) |
| May | 761.4 | 763.8 | 899.1 | 923.1 | 24.0 (2.7%) |
| June | 695.2 | 669.1 | 865.4 | ||
| July | 699.5 | 714.0 | 872.9 | ||
| August | 682.8 | 709.1 | 825.0 | ||
| September | 674.1 | 683.1 | 819.7 | ||
| October | 694.5 | 732.4 | 853.0 | ||
| November | 657.8 | 706.3 | 814.8 | ||
| December | 800.7 | 832.7 | 961.1 | ||
| Totals “Millions” | 8275.4 | 8479.7 | 9987.9 | 4209.8 | 5.9% *YTD |
The United States remains the largest source of remittances to El Salvador, contributing $3.9 billion so far in 2026—equivalent to 92.3% of the total.
Canada follows with $34.9 million (0.8%), while Spain ranks third with $30.2 million (0.7%) and Italy comes fourth with $26.5 million (0.6%).
Crypto Wallet Remittances to El Salvador
After a period of decline, the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR) reports that remittances sent through cryptocurrency wallets have increased by 41.7% in the first five months of 2026.
Between January and May, crypto remittances reached $29.3 million, up from $20.6 million during the same period last year.
Despite the sharp increase, these transactions remain marginal, accounting for just 0.7% of total remittances. In 2025, they accounted for just 0.6% of total remittances.
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change Same Month a Year Ago |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4 | 6.8 | 2.4 | 5.6 | 3.1 (127.9%) |
| February | 7.6 | 6.4 | 2.3 | 6.0 | 3.8 (166.7%) |
| March | 8.5 | 8.0 | 6.9 | 5.8 | -1.1 (-15.9%) |
| April | 7.5 | 7.7 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 1.3 (30.3%) |
| May | 7.7 | 6.8 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 1.5 (32.5%) |
| June | 7.0 | 6.8 | 4.8 | ||
| July | 6.5 | 7.2 | 4.9 | ||
| August | 6.3 | 7.7 | 5.2 | ||
| September | 6.0 | 7.2 | 4.7 | ||
| October | 5.4 | 7.2 | 5.7 | ||
| November | 5.5 | 6.6 | 6.2 | ||
| December | 6.6 | 7.2 | 5.6 | ||
| Totals “Millions” | 82.9 | 85.5 | 57.7 | 29.3 | 41.7% *YTD |
Remittances by Department
As of May 2026, the San Salvador department leads the country in remittance inflows, receiving 18.1% of the national total, or $763.1 million.
Remittances to the San Salvador department have increased by 3.6%, compared to the same period in 2025—a $26.2 million increase.
On the other hand, Cuscatlán remains the department with the lowest share, accounting for 2.8% of total remittances, or $118.2 million.
- San Salvador 763.1
- San Miguel 470.2
- La Libertad 359.7
- Santa Ana 328.4
- Usulután 319.2
- La Unión 297.8
- Chalatenango 247.8
- Sonsonate 218.0
- Morazán 184.6
- Cabañas 184.4
- La Paz 179.5
- Ahuachapán 177.5
- San Vicente 144.0
- Cuscatlán 118.2
Remittances by Municipalities
The San Salvador Center municipality has received the highest volume of remittances so far this year, totaling $454.1 million, or 10.8% of the national figure, an increase of $22.3 million compared to the same period in 2025.
In contrast, the Sonsonate North municipality has recorded the lowest amount, receiving $18.6 million, or 0.4% of the total.
Top Five Municipalities
- San Salvador Center 454.1
- San Miguel Center 293.7
- Usulután East 166.8
- San Salvador East 158.8
- La Unión North 156.5
Bottom Five Municipalities
- San Salvador South 33.2
- Chalatenango North 30.8
- Santa Ana East 23.7
- Ahuachapán North 21.7
- Sonsonate North 18.6
Remittances sent to Salvadorans are pivotal in the nation’s economy, providing vital financial support to many families.
Data from the Multiple Purpose Household Survey (EHPM), published by the Salvadoran Ministry of Economy, indicates that 1.6 million Salvadorans benefit from remittances. Many of these people are in extreme poverty or relative poverty.
Remittances have increased steadily in the last decade; they are a big part of El Salvador’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
