Downtown San Salvador.
Remittances to El Salvador reached a record $7.62 billion between January and September 2026, marking a 3.5% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Central Reserve Bank (BCR).
The latest figures show that Salvadorans abroad sent $260.9 million more than during the first nine months of 2025, when family remittances totaled $7.36 billion.
Money sent by Salvadorans living abroad helps families cover everyday expenses and plays an important role in the Salvadoran economy.
| Month | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change Same Month a Year Ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | $599.9 | $676.3 | $759.5 | $83.2 (12.3%) |
| February | $631.5 | $730.4 | $765.3 | $35.0 (4.8%) |
| March | $688.4 | $863.1 | $910.8 | $47.8 (5.5%) |
| April | $749.4 | $807.2 | $851.1 | $43.9 (5.4%) |
| May | $763.8 | $899.1 | $923.1 | $24.0 (2.7%) |
| June | $669.1 | $865.4 | $850.8 | -$14.6 (-1.7%) |
| July | $714.0 | $872.9 | $864.3 | -$8.6 (-1.0%) |
| August | $709.1 | $825.0 | $863.4 | $38.5 (4.7%) |
| September | $683.1 | $819.7 | $831.6 | $11.9 (1.4%) |
| October | $732.4 | $853.0 | ||
| November | $706.3 | $814.8 | ||
| December | $832.7 | $961.1 | ||
| Totals (Millions) | $8,479.7 | $9,987.9 | $7,619.9 | +3.5% YTD |
Remittance Growth Slows Despite Record Inflows
Although remittances reached their highest January-to-September total since the BCR’s available series began in 2017, their growth rate slowed considerably compared to the previous year.
During the same period in 2025, remittances increased by 18.5%, significantly higher than the 3.5% growth recorded in 2026. In 2024, the annual increase stood at just 1.4%.
The latest figures also show how much remittances have expanded over time. In 2017, Salvadorans received $3.66 billion during the first nine months, less than half the amount recorded in 2026.
According to the BCR, Salvadorans received an average of $361.50 per remittance during this period. This figure doesn’t include money sent in cash or through mobile phone top-ups.
Remittances don’t just help families pay their everyday bills. They also support local businesses and communities. Learn more about how remittances shape El Salvador’s economy and contribute to the country’s financial stability.
United States Remains the Largest Source of Remittances
The United States continued to dominate remittance flows, accounting for $7.03 billion during the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 3.3% compared to the previous year.
Other countries also contributed to the growth. Transfers from Spain increased by 13.4% to $55.8 million, while remittances from Italy rose by 9.9%, reaching $47.2 million.
Canada recorded a smaller increase of 1.4%, bringing its total to $63.8 million. Meanwhile, remittances from Mexico declined by 3.3%, falling to $9.2 million.
San Salvador Receives the Largest Share
In 2026, remittance growth varied across El Salvador. Usulután experienced the largest increase at 5.3%, followed by La Paz at 4.8% and Morazán at 4.7%.
La Unión and Ahuachapán both recorded growth of 4.4%. Meanwhile, Cuscatlán and Santa Ana saw the smallest increases, with remittances rising by just 1.6% in each department.
San Salvador continued to receive the largest share of family remittances, accounting for 18.3% of the national total. San Miguel came in second with 11.1%, showing how important these transfers remain for both areas.
At the district level, San Salvador received $706.1 million, followed by San Miguel with $439.1 million. Santa Ana ranked third among the reported districts, receiving $246.1 million.
The average amount received also differed by department. Chalatenango led with $476.30 per transfer, followed by Cabañas at $455.50 and Morazán at $423.50.
San Salvador recorded the lowest departmental average among those reported, at $323.90. The BCR noted that these departmental calculations exclude cash transfers, mobile top-ups, and cryptocurrency digital wallets.
Bank Deposits Gain Ground as Payment Methods Change
The way Salvadorans receive remittances continues to change. Direct deposits into bank accounts represented 36.3% of transfers, up from 32.9% during the same period in 2025.
Meanwhile, funds collected in person at service counters declined from 62.5% to 59%, suggesting that more recipients are choosing account deposits instead of traditional cash collection services.
Cryptocurrency digital wallets also registered modest growth. Their share increased from 0.5% to 0.7%, with transfers reaching $51.7 million compared to $40.2 million a year earlier.
Despite slower annual growth, remittances continue to reach record levels in El Salvador. The latest BCR figures highlight their importance to household finances and the country’s broader economic activity.
For many Salvadoran households, remittances make a real difference in their monthly budgets. Discover what everyday life looks like for Salvadoran families and the financial challenges they face.
