Downtown San Salvador.
Remittances to El Salvador remain a key driver of the country’s economy. In July alone, Salvadorans living abroad sent $864.3 million, a 1.0% decline compared to July 2025, representing about $8.6 million less in inflows.
Despite the monthly decrease, the overall trend remains positive. During the first seven months of the year, El Salvador received approximately $5.9 billion in remittances, surpassing the totals recorded during the same period in each of the previous two years.
According to the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR), cumulative remittance inflows through July reached 3.7% above the same period in 2025, an increase of approximately $210.6 million.
| 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 | 850.8 | -14.6 (-1.7%) |
| July | 699.5 | 714.0 | 872.9 | 864.3 | -8.6 (-1.0%) |
| 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 | 5924.9 | +3.7% *YTD |
The United States remains the largest source of remittances to El Salvador, contributing $5.4 billion so far in 2026—equivalent to 92.2% of the total.
Canada follows with $49.2 million (0.8%), while Spain ranks third with $42.9 million (0.7%) and Italy comes fourth with $37.0 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 35.7% in the first seven months of 2026.
Between January and July, crypto remittances reached $41.1 million, up from $30.3 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 | 6.1 | 1.3 (27.5%) |
| July | 6.5 | 7.2 | 4.9 | 5.7 | 0.9 (18.4%) |
| 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 | 41.1 | 35.7% *YTD |
Remittances by Department
As of July 2026, the San Salvador department leads the country in remittance inflows, receiving 18.2% of the national total, or $1080.5 million.
Remittances to the San Salvador department have increased by 2.6%, compared to the same period in 2025—a $27.3 million increase.
On the other hand, Cuscatlán remains the department with the lowest share, accounting for 2.8% of total remittances, or $166.2 million.
- San Salvador 1080.5
- San Miguel 659.4
- La Libertad 502.8
- Santa Ana 461.8
- Usulután 448.3
- La Unión 418.1
- Chalatenango 346.8
- Sonsonate 306.8
- Morazán 260.5
- Cabañas 260.1
- La Paz 253.1
- Ahuachapán 247.5
- San Vicente 203.5
- Cuscatlán 166.2
Remittances by Municipalities
The San Salvador Center municipality has received the highest volume of remittances so far this year, totaling $647.7 million, or 10.9% of the national figure, an increase of $31.1 million compared to the same period in 2025.
In contrast, the Sonsonate North municipality has recorded the lowest amount, receiving $26.4 million, or 0.4% of the total.
Top Five Municipalities
- San Salvador Centro 647.7
- San Miguel Centro 410.4
- Usulután Este 233.1
- San Salvador Este 221.9
- La Unión Norte 220.0
Bottom Five Municipalities
- San Salvador Sur 47.0
- Chalatenango Norte 43.8
- Santa Ana Este 33.5
- Ahuachapán Norte 30.6
- Sonsonate Norte 26.4
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.
