San Salvador Historic Downtown.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The inflation rate in El Salvador hit 2.16% in April 2026, marking the highest level this year and the highest since October 2023, according to data from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR).
The rate represented an increase of 0.69 percentage points compared to the 1.47% registered in March 2026.
Over the last twelve months, inflation has risen by 2.27 percentage points, moving from -0.11% in April 2025 to the current 2.16%.
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change Same Month a Year Ago |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.03 | 1.20 | 0.31 | 0.65 | 0.34 |
| February | 6.82 | 0.80 | 0.06 | 1.17 | 1.11 |
| March | 6.06 | 0.77 | 0.14 | 1.47 | 1.33 |
| April | 5.44 | 1.14 | -0.11 | 2.16 | 2.27 |
| May | 4.41 | 1.42 | -0.21 | ||
| June | 3.78 | 1.48 | -0.17 | ||
| July | 3.34 | 1.78 | -0.14 | ||
| August | 3.09 | 1.17 | -0.11 | ||
| September | 3.02 | 0.58 | 0.36 | ||
| October | 2.66 | -0.07 | 0.93 | ||
| November | 2.11 | -0.31 | 1.14 | ||
| December | 1.23 | 0.29 | 0.91 |
According to the BCR, the transportation sector has recorded the largest percentage-point increase so far this year, climbing from -1.64% at the end of December 2025 to 3.33% in April 2026, a rise of 4.97 percentage points.
Meanwhile, the restaurant and hotel sector currently has the highest inflation rate at 4.22%, while the communication sector has recorded the lowest at -0.73%.
Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Rate
One of the most critical components of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages. This component directly affects the country’s basic food basket (CBA) and influences the financial situation of Salvadorans.
From the end of 2025 to April 2026, it has recorded an increase of 1.70 percentage points, rising from 1.29% to 2.99%.
Furthermore, over the last 12 months, the food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation rate has increased by 574.6%. It went from -0.63% in April 2025 to 2.99% in April 2026, increasing by 3.62 percentage points.
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change Same Month a Year Ago |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.22 | 3.60 | -0.49 | 0.89 | 1.38 |
| February | 12.61 | 2.15 | -0.55 | 1.38 | 1.93 |
| March | 11.62 | 2.21 | -0.99 | 2.66 | 3.65 |
| April | 10.36 | 2.34 | -0.63 | 2.99 | 3.62 |
| May | 8.35 | 2.71 | -0.69 | ||
| June | 6.93 | 3.63 | -1.44 | ||
| July | 6.40 | 4.53 | -1.85 | ||
| August | 6.11 | 3.12 | -1.24 | ||
| September | 5.98 | 1.21 | 0.53 | ||
| October | 5.91 | -0.34 | 141 | ||
| November | 4.70 | -0.70 | 2.28 | ||
| December | 3.98 | -0.47 | 1.29 |
The April 2026 Salvadoran basic food basket figures are still pending, but in March 2026, it reached $254.64 in urban areas and $185.45 in rural areas.
Increased inflation in the food and non-alcoholic beverages sectors has led to higher costs for basic food items that Salvadoran families rely on.
Inflation Rate in El Salvador
While global inflation continues to challenge economies worldwide, El Salvador’s inflation rate has remained relatively low.
Officials credit this stability to a series of economic measures implemented by President Nayib Bukele’s administration, which has helped keep the country’s inflation among the lowest in Latin America.
Despite recent improvements, economic experts warn that inflation remains a key issue, influencing purchasing power, the cost of living, and broader economic performance.
