What's to overcome
Gang crisis
More than 60,000 people are believed to be a part of gangs, most of those members are younger than 20. In 2014 there were approximately 3,942 murders, nearly 11 each day. This is coming from a country the size of Massachusetts with a population of 6.1 million.
Education
The cycle of violence mixed with economic and social challenges trap the population of El Salvador, especially children and teens, who often stop their education so they can work to help their families. Only 82% of children make it through elementary school. 33% of those students attend high school and even fewer graduate.
poverty
Poverty strikes El Salvador in both urban and rural areas. 35.4% of the urban population lives in poverty with households living on $1.64 - $3.28 per person a day. In rural areas, the numbers are even more sobering: 50.1% of the population lives in poverty with households living on $1.13 - $2.26 per person a day.