Downtown San Salvador.
Remittances to El Salvador remain a key driver of the country’s economy. In June alone, Salvadorans living abroad sent $850.8 million, a 1.7% decline compared to June 2025, representing about $14.6 million less in inflows.
Despite the monthly decrease, the overall trend remains positive. During the first six months of the year, El Salvador received approximately $5.1 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 June reached 4.5% above the same period in 2025, an increase of approximately $219.2 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 | ||
| 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 | 5060.6 | 4.5% *YTD |
The United States remains the largest source of remittances to El Salvador, contributing $4.7 billion so far in 2026—equivalent to 92.3% of the total.
Canada follows with $41.8 million (0.8%), while Spain ranks third with $36.3 million (0.7%) and Italy comes fourth with $31.6 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 39% in the first six months of 2026.
Between January and June, crypto remittances reached $35.4 million, up from $25.4 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 | ||
| 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 | 35.4 | 39% *YTD |
Remittances by Department
As of June 2026, the San Salvador department leads the country in remittance inflows, receiving 18.2% of the national total, or $919.6 million.
Remittances to the San Salvador department have increased by 2.9%, compared to the same period in 2025—a $25.7 million increase.
On the other hand, Cuscatlán remains the department with the lowest share, accounting for 2.8% of total remittances, or $142.0 million.
- San Salvador 919.6
- San Miguel 564.3
- La Libertad 430.1
- Santa Ana 394.7
- Usulután 383.4
- La Unión 357.8
- Chalatenango 297.4
- Sonsonate 262.0
- Morazán 222.6
- Cabañas 222.5
- La Paz 215.8
- Ahuachapán 212.5
- San Vicente 173.8
- Cuscatlán 142.0
Remittances by Municipalities
The San Salvador Center municipality has received the highest volume of remittances so far this year, totaling $549.4 million, or 10.9% of the national figure, an increase of $25.5 million compared to the same period in 2025.
In contrast, the Sonsonate North municipality has recorded the lowest amount, receiving $22.4 million, or 0.4% of the total.
Top Five Municipalities
- San Salvador Center 549.4
- San Miguel Center 351.7
- Usulután East 199.9
- San Salvador East 190.1
- La Unión North 188.1
Bottom Five Municipalities
- San Salvador South 40
- Chalatenango North 37.3
- Santa Ana East 28.6
- Ahuachapán North 26.2
- Sonsonate North 22.41
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.
