Country Profile: Honduras

Honduras, located in Central America, is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and shares land boundaries with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The country has a population of approximately 9.5 million people, predominantly Mestizo, and has a governance structure as a presidential republic. The economy has seen growth but faces challenges such as high poverty, corruption, and the impact of natural disasters. Key industries include agriculture, particularly coffee and bananas, contributing significantly to its GDP.

Geography

Honduras covers an area of 112,090 sq km, characterized by mostly mountainous terrain and narrow coastal plains. The country has a diverse climate, with subtropical conditions in the lowlands and temperate climates in the mountains. Honduras has a coastline of 823 km, featuring both Caribbean and Pacific shores, and is noted for its diverse natural resources.

Highest Point: Cerro Las Minas at 2,870 m
Land Borders: Shares 1,575 km of borders with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua
Major Lakes: Contains Laguna de Caratasca, a significant saltwater lake at 1,110 sq km
Natural Hazards: Susceptible to hurricanes and floods, particularly on the Caribbean coast

People and Society

The population of Honduras is estimated at 9,529,188 (2024), predominantly Mestizo (90%), with a significant Indigenous presence. Spanish is the official language, and the country has a young demographic, with a median age of 26.1 years. Urbanization is notable, with 60.2% of the population living in urban areas, primarily in the capital, Tegucigalpa, and the city of San Pedro Sula.

Urban Population Growth: 2.48% annual rate (2020-2025)
Life Expectancy: Average of 73.1 years (2024)
Literacy Rate: 88.2% (2024)
Major Religions: Evangelical (55%), Roman Catholic (33.4%)

Economy

Honduras is the second-fastest-growing economy in Central America, with a GDP estimated at $71.297 billion (2024). The economy is highly influenced by agriculture, with significant exports of coffee and bananas, but faces high poverty levels and inequality. Remittances from citizens abroad constitute a large portion of the economy.

GDP per Capita: Approximately $6,600 (2024)
Unemployment Rate: 6.1% (2024)
Population Below Poverty Line: 64.1% (2023)
Major Exports: Coffee (49% of exports), textiles, and agricultural products

Government

Honduras operates as a presidential republic with the President serving as both the head of state and government. The current president, Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya, took office on January 27, 2022. The country has a unicameral legislature and a civil law system. Elections occur every four years, with the next presidential election scheduled for November 2029.

Administrative Divisions: Consists of 18 departments
Suffrage: Universal and mandatory for citizens 18 years and older
Constitution: The latest constitution was approved on January 11, 1982

Military and Security

The Honduran military, consisting of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, plays a critical role in national defense and internal security. Military expenditures are approximately 1.5% of GDP (2024), reflecting the government's focus on addressing crime and drug trafficking.

Active Personnel: Roughly 15,000 members of the Armed Forces (2025)
Military Service Age: Voluntary service is open for ages 18-22
Military Police: Supports the National Police in combating organized crime

Energy

Honduras has made strides in electricity access, with 94.4% of the population having access as of 2022. The country's energy generation is increasingly diversifying, with significant contributions from renewable sources.

Installed Capacity: 3.334 million kW (2023)
Electricity Consumption: 8.303 billion kWh (2023)
Hydroelectric Contribution: 33.2% of total installed capacity
Rural Electrification: Approximately 86.8% of rural areas have access to electricity

Environment

Honduras faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and land degradation, primarily from logging and agricultural practices. The country is part of multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.

Forested Area: 53.3% of land (2023)
Municipal Solid Waste: Generated about 2.162 million tons annually (2024)
Water Resources: Total renewable water resources estimated at 92.164 billion cubic meters (2022)

Transportation

Honduras has a network of transportation infrastructure including roads, railways, and airports. The country is working to improve its transport facilities to enhance connectivity.

Airports: There are 129 airports (2025)
Railways: Total 699 km of railway tracks (2014)
Ports: 8 ports including key locations like Puerto Cortes and La Ceiba

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Honduras has expanded, with a rising number of mobile and internet subscriptions. Overall, 58% of the population used the internet as of 2023.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: Approximately 7.92 million (2023)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: Total of 444,000 (2023)
Broadband Subscriptions: 476,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,529,188	2024 estimate
Area	112,090 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$71.297 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	6.1%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	19.7 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	73.1 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	94.4%	2022 estimate
Population Below Poverty Line	64.1%	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	1.5% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	60.2%	2023 estimate