Spanish
Security is positioned as the main national achievement of El Salvador in 2025, according to the results of the most recent survey by the University Institute of Public Opinion (Iudop) of the Central American University José Simeón Cañas (UCA).
The study reveals that 62.7% of the population identifies security as the most positive aspect of the country, far surpassing other evaluated factors. In second place, although with a significant difference, is the fight against gangs and crime, mentioned by 6.7% of respondents.
Other elements such as investment in national infrastructure, government work, and the construction of schools appear with lower valuations, with 2.7%, 2.5%, and 2%, respectively.
Positive perception of security is reinforced by the opinion that crime has decreased: 81.7% of Salvadorans believe that crime levels are lower compared to the previous year. In contrast, 15% believe that the situation remains the same and only 3.2% indicate an increase.
The report also highlights a low level of direct victimization. Only 4.7% of respondents stated that they had been victims of a crime during 2025. Among these cases, the most common crime was theft without violence, which accounted for 47.5%, followed by threats (15.3%) and extortion (10.2%). Other crimes such as physical assaults, armed robbery, and scams registered lower percentages.
Despite these advances, the survey indicates that the economy continues to be the main problem of the country, according to the citizens' perception.
You can also read: El Salvador consolidates security: adds 20 days without homicides
The Iudop poll was conducted between December 2 and 13, 2025, with a sample of 1,268 valid interviews, a margin of error of ±2.75%, and a confidence level of 95%.International recognition for safety improvement
In the international arena, the United States recently recognized El Salvador as a safe destination, including it on the list of countries where only "normal precautions" are required for travelers, according to the State Department. According to official figures, El Salvador closed 2025 with 82 homicides, the lowest figure recorded in its recent history. The Minister of Public Security and Justice, Gustavo Villatoro, reported that this amount represents 32 fewer murders than in 2024 and assured that all cases were solved. Since the implementation of the exception regime in 2022, the country has accumulated 1,102 days without homicides, of which 988 correspond to that period. Likewise, the homicide rate decreased from 1.9 in 2024 to 1.3 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025. Regarding other crimes, official statistics report 1,997 cases of theft, 206 robberies, and 884 injuries during 2025, representing reductions of 60.41% in thefts and 48% in injuries compared to the previous year. According to Minister Villatoro, the country achieved an overall decrease of 51.5% in crime incidence, consolidating El Salvador as one of the safest countries in the Western Hemisphere.
