El Salvador
Partly Free
42
100
| PR Political Rights | 15 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 27 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
47
100
Partly Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
In 2024, Nayib Bukele won a second presidential term, having run despite a constitutional ban on presidents seeking two consecutive terms. Widespread corruption undermines democracy and the rule of law, while the executive has concentrated control over the legislature, judiciary, and oversight institutions. Authorities maintain a harsh, militarized response to public security, resulting in extrajudicial killings, mass arbitrary arrests, and other abuses. Members of the active civil society sector and dynamic press risk harassment and violence in connection with their coverage of organized crime and corruption, and criticism of government policy.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2026 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see the reports from the 2024 and 2025 editions of Freedom in the World.
A1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 2.002 4.004 |
A2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 2.002 4.004 |
A3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 1.001 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 2 to 1 because lawmakers exploited a constitutional amendment, which allowed for future constitutional amendments to be passed in one sitting of the legislature, to approve a constitutional reform abolishing presidential term limits.
B1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 2.002 4.004 |
B2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 2.002 4.004 |
B3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 2.002 4.004 |
B4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 2.002 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 3 to 2 because the ruling party has increasingly consolidated its control over the country’s political system, limiting opportunities for different demographic groups to secure representation and engage in independent political advocacy.
C1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 2.002 4.004 |
C2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 0.000 4.004 |
C3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 0.000 4.004 |
D1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 1.001 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 2 to 1 due to legal harassment, intimidation, and threats against independent journalists, forcing dozens into exile, and the passage of the Foreign Agents Law, which curbed the activities of journalists’ associations.
D2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 4.004 4.004 |
D3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 2.002 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 3 to 2 due to increasing government pressure on public schools, universities, and academics.
D4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 2.002 4.004 |
E1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 3.003 4.004 |
E2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 2.002 4.004 |
E3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 1.001 4.004 |
F1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 0.000 4.004 |
F2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 0.000 4.004 |
F3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 1.001 4.004 |
F4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 2.002 4.004 |
G1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 3.003 4.004 |
G2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 2.002 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 3 to 2 because the government has engaged in forced evictions with no practical access for those affected to appeal or claim fair compensation.
G3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 2.002 4.004 |
G4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 2.002 4.004 |
Country Facts
-
Population
6,336,000 -
Global Freedom Score
42 100 partly free
