PEOPLE
El Salvador's population numbers about 5.7 million. Almost 90% is of mixed Indian and Spanish extraction. About 1% is indigenous; very few Indians have retained their customs and traditions. The country's people are largely Roman Catholic and Protestant. Spanish is the language spoken by virtually all inhabitants. The capital city of San Salvador has about 1.6 million people; an estimated 37.3% of El Salvador's population lives in rural areas.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Salvadoran(s).
Population (2007 est.): 5.7 million.
Annual growth rate (2006 est.): 1.7%.
Ethnic groups: Mestizo 90%, indigenous 1%, Caucasian 9%.
Religion: About 52% Roman Catholic, with significant and growing numbers of Protestant groups.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Free through ninth grade. Attendance (grades 1-9)--90.4%. Literacy--84.0% nationally; 77% in rural areas.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--23/1,000 (source: UNICEF). Life expectancy at birth (2007)--70.8 years.
Work force (about 1.7 million, 2007): Agriculture--17%; services--48.7%; industry--15.7%; construction--7.6%; government--4.5% (2006).
