Country Profile: Honduras

Honduras, located in Central America between Guatemala and Nicaragua, features diverse geography marked by mountains and coastal plains. The nation, with a population of approximately 9.5 million as of 2024, faces ongoing challenges including poverty and crime, yet boasts a growing economy primarily through coffee and banana exports. Governance operates as a presidential republic, with an emphasis on strengthening democratic institutions since transitioning from military rule in 1982.

Geography

Honduras has a total area of 112,090 sq km, characterized by a predominantly mountainous interior and a narrow coastal region along the Caribbean Sea. The country shares borders with three nations and boasts a lengthy coastline of 823 km. Its diverse climate ranges from subtropical in the lowlands to temperate in the mountainous regions, experiencing occasional natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Major Natural Resources: Timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, fish, and hydropower.
Percentage of Agricultural Land: 32% (2023 estimate).
Highest Point: Cerro Las Minas at 2,870 m.
Coastline: 823 km along the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Fonseca.
Major Lakes: Includes Laguna de Caratasca, covering 1,110 sq km.

People and Society

With an estimated population of 9,529,188 in 2024, Honduras is predominantly mestizo (90%) with a significant urban population concentrated in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. The official language is Spanish, and religious affiliations include 55% Evangelical and 33.4% Roman Catholic. The median age is 26.1 years, highlighting a youthful demographic.

Literacy Rate: 88.2% (2024 estimate).
Urban Population: 60.2% of total population (2023).
Life Expectancy: 73.1 years at birth (2024 estimate).
Major Ethnic Groups: Mestizo 90%, Indigenous 7%, African descent 2%, White 1%.
Birth Rate: Approximately 19.7 births/1,000 population (2025 estimate).

Economy

Honduras is the second-fastest-growing economy in Central America, though it grapples with high poverty rates and inequality. The primary economic sectors include agriculture, services, and industry, with remittances playing a crucial role in the economy. The country's GDP (PPP) was approximately $71.297 billion in 2024.

GDP Growth Rate: Projected at 3.6% (2024).
Unemployment Rate: 6.1% (2024 estimate).
Population Below Poverty Line: 64.1% (2023 estimate).
Exports: Approximately $9.352 billion (2024 estimate).
Remittances: Account for 25.7% of GDP (2024 estimate).

Government

Honduras operates as a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The President, currently Iris Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, serves as both the head of state and government, having taken office on January 27, 2022. The legislative branch consists of a unicameral National Congress.

Capital: Tegucigalpa, coordinates 14 06 N, 87 13 W.
Constitution: Last amended on January 20, 1982.
Next Election Date: Scheduled for November 25, 2029.
Administrative Divisions: 18 departments.

Military and Security

The Honduran Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Military Police, focusing primarily on internal security and combating narcotics trafficking. The military plays a supportive role in public order and emergency assistance.

Military Expenditures: Estimated at 1.5% of GDP (2024).
Active Personnel: Approximately 15,000 active members (2025).
Military Service Age: 18-22 years for voluntary enlistment.

Energy

Electricity access in Honduras is approximately 94.4%, with urban areas achieving full electrification. The nation's electricity generation includes a mix of renewable sources, primarily hydroelectric power.

Installed Capacity: 3.334 million kW (2023 estimate).
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 16.642 million Btu/person (2023).
Electricity Consumption: 8.303 billion kWh (2023).
Electricity Generation Sources: Predominantly fossil fuels (38.4%) and hydroelectricity (33.2%) (2023).

Environment

Honduras faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and land degradation. The country is a party to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Approximately 10.534 million metric tonnes (2023 estimate).
Total Renewable Water Resources: 92.164 billion cubic meters (2022).
Municipal Solid Waste Recycled: 10.3% (2022).

Transportation

Honduras has a well-developed transport infrastructure, including 129 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 489 vessels. The rail system is limited but serves critical transport needs.

Airports: Total of 129 (2025).
Railways Length: 699 km (2014).
Merchant Marine Composition: Includes 233 general cargo and 82 oil tanker vessels.

Communications

The telecommunications landscape includes a mix of fixed and mobile subscriptions, with a notable percentage of the population accessing the internet.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: Approximately 7.92 million (2023).
Internet Users: 58% of the population (2023).
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 444,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,529,188	Estimated for 2024
Area	112,090 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$71.297 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	6.1%	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	16.642 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	19.7 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	73.1 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	88.2%	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	60.2%	Of total population (2023)
Population Below Poverty Line	64.1%	Estimated for 2023