Vision of Humanity released its 2024 Global Peace Index report in January 2025, revealing an increase in the El Salvador Peace Index ranking.
El Salvador ranked 107th out of 163 countries, falling 21 spots from its previous position of 128. The country scored 2.25 on a 1-to-5 scale, marking a 0.21-point decline from its 2023 score.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 121 | 121 | 120 | 125 | 128 | 107 |
| Score | 2.355 | 2.365 | 2.345 | 2.43 | 2.469 | 2.25 |
The primary driver of the increase in peacefulness in El Salvador has been the crackdown on gang-related violence by the Nayib Bukele administration.
Since March 22, under the State of Exception, Salvadoran authorities have arrested over 81,500 suspected gang members and collaborators. While this harsh security policy remains controversial, it has proven effective in reducing violence.
An example of improved security in El Salvador is the decline in Homicides. The country’s homicide rate has dropped to new lows under the Bukele administration; it was reduced to 1.89 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024, the lowest in over 50-plus years.
Central America
Costa Rica leads the overall ranking in Central America. The Pura Vida country ranks 58, followed by Panama at 96, El Salvador at 107, Nicaragua at 113, Guatemala at 117, and Honduras at 123.
| Country | Global Ranking | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Costa Rica | 58 | 1.95 |
| 2 | Panama | 96 | 2.14 |
| 3 | El Salvador | 107 | 2.25 |
| 4 | Nicaragua | 113 | 2.295 |
| 5 | Guatemala | 117 | 2.332 |
| 6 | Honduras | 123 | 2.415 |
Latin America
In Latin America, the top three countries with the highest Global Peace Index rankings are Argentina at global position 47, Uruguay at 52, and Costa Rica at 58.
On the other hand, the lowest-ranked countries in Latin America are Colombia at 146, Venezuela at 142, and Mexico at 138.
The Global Peace Index 2024 revealed that there are currently 56 conflicts worldwide, the most since World War II. These conflicts have become more international, with 92 countries involved in conflicts outside their borders.
“The rising number of minor conflicts increases the likelihood of more major conflicts in the future,” stated the 2024 Global Peace Index report.
