El Salvador

2002 Population	6.6 million
2050 Population	12.4 million
Percent Pop. Growth 2002-2050	89 percent
Percent Pop. Age 10-24	32 percent
Total Fertility Rate	3.5
Modern Contraceptive Use Among Married Women Ages 15-49	54 percent
Per Capita Annual Income (GNI 2000)	$4,410
Infant Mortality Rate	30/1000

Politics & People
El Salvador's economy struggles with a weak tax collection system, factory closings, frequent natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanic activity, and hurricanes) and weak world coffee prices. A major source country of immigration to the United States, remittances back to El Salvador from emigrants abroad were estimated at $1.6 billion in 2000. The 1969 "Soccer War" between El Salvador and Honduras was formally blamed, by the Organization of American States, on overpopulation.

Habitiat & Wildlife Under Stress
El Salvador has one of the highest population densities in the Americas and is the only country in Latin America without environmental protection laws. The result is mountains of roadside trash, polluted rivers, and a nation with less than 6% forest cover. Intensive cultivation for coffee in the highlands, and sugar and cotton in the lowlands and coastal plains, gives little room for wildlife. Though some parks exist, many important animals have been exterminated, such as crested eagles, jaguars, etc.

Government View of Birthrate
Too high.

Environmental Indexes

• 90 threatened or endangered animal species.
• 23 threatened or endangered plant species.
• 506 species of birds call El Salvador home. 117 bird species are in danger of extinction at the national level. El Salvador is home to one Ramsar internationally important wetland site.
• 30 years is the doubling time of the human population at current growth rates.

Take Action
Please take a few minutes to send a message to Congress in support of international family planning. In just five minutes, you can make a world of difference.