Moving to El Salvador from China

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What to Expect

Considering a move from China to El Salvador? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from China to El Salvador, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish. Expect a noticeable climate shift — San Salvador averages 87°F vs 64°F in Beijing, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from China to El Salvador.

Living there in 2020
262 ↑ 1% vs 2015

people born in China live in El Salvador · UN DESA

Who's moving to El Salvador?

Top countries of origin for El Salvador's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in El Salvador compared to China.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

CN
0.5
SV
7.8
Feel safe walking at night United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

of residents who feel safe walking alone at night

CN
91%
SV
38%

China performs better than El Salvador across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

CN
$1,487
SV
$1,176
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CN
25.2
SV
15.5

China generally does better on health & wellbeing, though El Salvador leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

CN
64.0
SV
31.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CN
9.3t
SV
1.5t

El Salvador performs significantly better than China across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CN
41.4
SV
10.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CN
41.5%
SV
13.2%

China generally does better on infrastructure, though El Salvador leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

CN
4.7%
SV
2.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CN
$22,100
SV
$11,300

China generally does better on employment & economy, though El Salvador leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

CN
76.1 yrs
SV
75.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CN
6.8
SV
12.1

China generally does better on family life, though El Salvador leads in education spending.

Data: State Administration of Taxation, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Beijing Rain: 22.8 in/yr (578 mm)
64° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

San Salvador Rain: 70.0 in/yr (1777 mm)
87° / 66°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Beijing San Salvador
Jan–Mar 42°/22°F (6°/-6°C) 89°/64°F (32°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 78°/55°F (26°/13°C) 88°/68°F (31°/20°C)
Jul–Sep 83°/66°F (29°/19°C) 86°/67°F (30°/20°C)
Oct–Dec 51°/32°F (11°/0°C) 86°/65°F (30°/18°C)
View all months
Month Beijing San Salvador
Jan 35°/15°F (1.6°/-9.4°C) 87°/62°F (30.8°/16.9°C)
Feb 39°/20°F (4.0°/-6.9°C) 90°/64°F (32.0°/17.6°C)
Mar 52°/31°F (11.3°/-0.6°C) 91°/65°F (32.7°/18.4°C)
Apr 68°/45°F (19.9°/7.2°C) 91°/68°F (32.7°/19.8°C)
May 80°/56°F (26.4°/13.2°C) 88°/69°F (31.1°/20.4°C)
Jun 87°/65°F (30.3°/18.2°C) 86°/68°F (30.1°/20.1°C)
Jul 87°/71°F (30.8°/21.6°C) 87°/67°F (30.3°/19.5°C)
Aug 85°/69°F (29.5°/20.4°C) 87°/67°F (30.4°/19.7°C)
Sep 78°/58°F (25.8°/14.2°C) 85°/67°F (29.5°/19.6°C)
Oct 66°/45°F (19.0°/7.3°C) 85°/67°F (29.5°/19.4°C)
Nov 50°/31°F (10.1°/-0.4°C) 86°/65°F (29.9°/18.4°C)
Dec 38°/20°F (3.3°/-6.9°C) 86°/63°F (30.1°/17.4°C)

Data: China Meteorological Administration China Meteorological Administration, Gerencia de Meteorología Gerencia de Meteorología

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between China and El Salvador. To live, work, or study long-term in El Salvador, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check El Salvador's immigration authority.

China passport

China passport holder visiting El Salvador

Visa Required
China passport holders need a visa to enter El Salvador.
El Salvador passport

El Salvador passport holder visiting China

Visa Required
El Salvador passport holders need a visa to enter China.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from El Salvador?

Connectivity is usually fine (El Salvador: 10.6 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does El Salvador offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is El Salvador safe for expats?

China performs better than El Salvador across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in El Salvador is 7.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.5 in China. About 38% of people in El Salvador feel safe walking alone at night.

How is healthcare in El Salvador compared to China?

China generally does better on health & wellbeing, though El Salvador leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 15.5 doctors per 10,000 people in El Salvador, compared to 25.2 in China. El Salvador scores 78 on the WHO universal health coverage index (China: 81).

What's the weather like in El Salvador compared to China?

The average high temperature in San Salvador is 87°F, compared to 64°F in Beijing. San Salvador receives around 70.0 in of rainfall per year, while Beijing gets 22.8 in.

What language do they speak in El Salvador?

The official language in El Salvador is Spanish. In China, the official language is Chinese.

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At a Glance

CN SV
Population 1,410,539,758 6,568,745
Currency Chinese Yuan (CN¥) Salvadoran Colón (SVC)
Languages Chinese Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +86 +503
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110 911