Corruption in El Salvador is a problem at all levels of government. It impairs government functions and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions. Over the past decades, public officials, including ex-presidents, have been charged with illicit enrichment, money laundering and embezzlement, among other acts of corruption. Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perception Index gave El Salvador a score of 33/100, a decline from the 2021 score of 34/100 and representing the second year in a row of decline. El Salvador now ranks 116 of 180 countries in the world, down from 104/180 in 2020.
Citizens and businesses routinely experience petty corruption firsthand and wider allegations of corruption are common. This has led to desensitization, as citizens see corrupt practices as entrenched and part of daily life. As such and despite the efforts of civil society, everyday citizens show little interest in preventing and reporting incidents of corruption.
Effectively addressing these challenges require holistic and coordinated support across multiple sectors of El Salvador society, including government, civil society, media, academia, and the private sector.