Invest in La Unión, El Salvador
At a glance
| La Unión | |
|---|---|
| Capital (cabecera) | La Unión |
| Population, 2024 | 224,375 |
| Rank by population | 10 of 14 |
| Urban population | 49,927 (22.3%) |
| Land area | 2,074 km² |
| People per km² | 108 |
| Municipalities | 2 |
| Districts | 18 |
Source: BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish); UNDP: socio-economic map, guide to the 44 new municipalities of El Salvador, October 2024 (PDF, in Spanish)1,3
Land area is the sum of the municipal areas published by UNDP; density is an InvestSalvador.com calculation from that area and the census.
Map of La Unión
Municipalities and districts
Decree 762 merged the 262 old municipalities into 44 from 1 May 2024. The old municipalities became districts. La Unión has 2 municipalities:4
| Municipality | Population 2024 | Urban | Area, km² | People per km² | Average labour income, 2023 | Employment rate, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Unión Sur | 116,835 | 30.0% | 918.7 | 127 | $327.96 | 57.1% |
| La Unión Norte | 107,540 | 13.8% | 1,155.7 | 93 | $273.35 | 51.0% |
Source: BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish); UNDP: socio-economic map, guide to the 44 new municipalities of El Salvador, October 2024 (PDF, in Spanish)1,3
- La Unión Sur (8 districts): Conchagua, El Carmen, Intipucá, La Unión, Meanguera del Golfo, San Alejo, Yayantique, Yucuaiquín
- La Unión Norte (10 districts): Anamorós, Bolívar, Concepción de Oriente, El Sauce, Lislique, Nueva Esparta, Pasaquina, Polorós, San José La Fuente, Santa Rosa de Lima
Source: Legislative Assembly: Decree 762, the Special Law for the Territorial Restructuring of El Salvador4
Population and urban share: 2024 census. Area, labour income (average per worker, a month) and employment rate: UNDP, from the 2023 household survey (EHPM).
Largest districts
Source: BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish)1
Economy and investment
- Port of La Unión: the port received more than 70 ships in 2025, and its operations were up 30% in the first part of 2026.
- Pacific Airport: the largest project of the 2026 public investment programme, with USD 210.22 million programmed for the year.
- Surf City 2: the second phase of the tourism programme includes La Unión.
Source: Infobae: La Unión port raises its operations by 30%; Ministry of Finance: public investment programme 2026, report to July (PDF, in Spanish); Ministry of Finance: Budget Policy 2026 (PDF, in Spanish)6,7,8
Free zones
- Calvo, free zone, La Unión (La Unión Sur)
Source: CAMTEX: free zones and industrial parks5
The free zones map shows every zone in the country, including the new zones authorised or under construction.
Sources
- BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish)
- BCR: results of the VII Population Census and VI Housing Census, 31 October 2024 (in Spanish)
- UNDP: socio-economic map, guide to the 44 new municipalities of El Salvador, October 2024 (PDF, in Spanish)
- Legislative Assembly: Decree 762, the Special Law for the Territorial Restructuring of El Salvador (in Spanish)
- CAMTEX: free zones and industrial parks (in Spanish)
- Infobae: La Unión port raises its operations by 30% (in Spanish)
- Ministry of Finance: public investment programme 2026, report to July (PDF, in Spanish)
- Ministry of Finance: Budget Policy 2026 (PDF, in Spanish)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.