El Salvador experienced a significant decline in homicide rates from 2015 to 2023. In 2015, the country recorded 6,656 homicides, resulting in an annual murder rate of 106 per 100,000 inhabitants, which was the highest globally at the time. The high violence levels drew international attention and raised concerns over security and crime management.
Recent data indicates a substantial reduction in violence. This year, authorities reported only 78 homicides, projecting a murder rate of approximately 1.2 per 100,000 residents—an extraordinarily low figure compared to the 2015 statistics. The change has been highlighted by President Nayib Bukele, who shared a video contrasting the country’s security situation from before and after his administration’s policies.
The video aims to showcase the transformation in El Salvador’s security landscape. The government attributes the improvements to its targeted security interventions, which have been supported by public and political support. Despite the positive trend, experts and community members continue to monitor ongoing efforts to sustain and further reduce violence in the country.