San Salvador Historic Downtown.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The inflation rate in El Salvador reached 0.91% at the end of 2025, which is one of the lowest in Central America.
December’s inflation rate was the third highest level for the year, according to data from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR). December’s rate represented an decrease of 0.23 percentage points from November’s 1.14% rate.
Over the last 12 months, inflation rose 0.62 percentage points, moving from 0.29% in December 2024 to the current 0.91%.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.31 | 6.48 | 7.03 | 1.20 | 0.31 | -0.89 |
| February | 1.06 | 6.67 | 6.82 | 0.80 | 0.06 | -0.74 |
| March | 1.77 | 6.69 | 6.06 | 0.77 | 0.14 | -0.63 |
| April | 2.79 | 6.55 | 5.44 | 1.14 | -0.11 | -1.25 |
| May | 2.59 | 7.48 | 4.41 | 1.42 | -0.21 | -1.63 |
| June | 2.59 | 7.76 | 3.78 | 1.48 | -0.17 | -1.65 |
| July | 3.43 | 7.42 | 3.34 | 1.78 | -0.14 | -1.92 |
| August | 4.30 | 7.66 | 3.09 | 1.17 | -0.11 | -1.28 |
| September | 4.97 | 7.49 | 3.02 | 0.58 | 0.36 | -0.22 |
| October | 5.49 | 7.47 | 2.66 | -0.07 | 0.93 | 1.00 |
| November | 6.20 | 7.32 | 2.11 | -0.31 | 1.14 | 1.45 |
| December | 6.11 | 7.32 | 1.23 | 0.29 | 0.91 | 0.62 |
According to the BCR, the restaurant and hotel sector concluded the year with the highest inflation rate at 3.94%. Following this were the alcoholic beverages and tobacco sector at 2.32% and the health sector at 2.31%.
The recreation and culture sector experienced the highest increase in 2025, going from -2.51% at the end of 2024 to -0.24 at the end of 2025, which is an increase of 2.27percentage points in 12 months.
Lastly, the BCR shows that five of the twelve activities that constitute the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—the foundation for calculating inflation—showed price decreases in 2025, while seven experienced slowdowns or increases.
Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Rate
One of the most critical components of the CPI—Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages—which has a direct impact on the country’s basic food basket (CBA)—has experienced a significant year-over-year increase of 1.76 percentage points.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.12 | 8.95 | 12.22 | 3.60 | -0.49 | -4.09 |
| February | 0.73 | 9.45 | 12.61 | 2.15 | -0.55 | -2.70 |
| March | 1.15 | 9.81 | 11.62 | 2.21 | -0.99 | -3.20 |
| April | -0.04 | 10.89 | 10.36 | 2.34 | -0.63 | -2.97 |
| May | -0.87 | 13.28 | 8.35 | 2.71 | -0.69 | -3.40 |
| June | -1.02 | 14.37 | 6.93 | 3.63 | -1.44 | -5.07 |
| July | -0.07 | 14.19 | 6.40 | 4.53 | -1.85 | -6.38 |
| August | 2.11 | 14.50 | 6.11 | 3.12 | -1.24 | -4.36 |
| September | 3.94 | 13.55 | 5.98 | 1.21 | 0.53 | -0.68 |
| October | 6.07 | 12.82 | 5.91 | -0.34 | 141 | 1.75 |
| November | 7.42 | 12.06 | 4.70 | -0.70 | 2.28 | 2.98 |
| December | 7.96 | 12.24 | 3.98 | -0.47 | 1.29 | 1.76 |
The December Salvadoran basic food basket figures are still pending, but in November 2025, it reached $253.32 in urban areas—$9.04 more than in November 2024. In rural areas, the November basket was $185.31, up $10.09 from the same month in 2024.
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.
