Country Profile: Honduras

Honduras, located in Central America, shares its borders with Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, and boasts a long Caribbean coastline. The country has a population of approximately 9.5 million, predominantly of Mestizo descent. Despite significant economic challenges such as high poverty and inequality, Honduras has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, heavily reliant on coffee and banana exports, as well as remittances. The governance structure is a presidential republic, with recent leadership under President Iris Xiomara Castro de Zelaya since January 2022.

Geography

Honduras is characterized by its diverse geography, featuring mostly mountainous terrain with narrow coastal plains, and a tropical climate that varies from subtropical lowlands to temperate highlands. The country encompasses an area of 112,090 square kilometers, slightly larger than Tennessee. The significant coastlines along the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Fonseca provide vital maritime resources.

Area: 112,090 sq km
Highest Point: Cerro Las Minas at 2,870 m
Coastline: 823 km
Natural Resources: Includes timber, gold, and hydropower.

People and Society

Honduras has an estimated population of 9.5 million people in 2024, predominantly of Mestizo heritage (90%). The official language is Spanish, and the predominant religions are evangelical (55%) and Roman Catholic (33.4%). Urbanization is on the rise, with about 60.2% of the population living in urban areas, including major cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.

Population Growth Rate: 1.28% (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate: 88.2% (2024 est.)
Median Age: 26.1 years (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 73.1 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Honduras is one of the fastest-growing economies in Central America, with a Real GDP projected at $71.297 billion in 2024. The economy faces significant challenges, including high rates of poverty and systemic corruption. Notably, coffee and bananas are key exports, alongside substantial remittances from abroad.

GDP Growth Rate: 3.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 6.1% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 64.1% of the population below the poverty line (2023 est.)
Remittances: Represent 25.7% of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Honduras operates as a presidential republic, with a constitution that has been in effect since January 1982. The country is divided into 18 departments and has a unicameral legislature called the National Congress. The current president, Iris Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, was elected in 2021 and is set to serve a four-year term.

Capital: Tegucigalpa
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at age 18
Constitution: Latest version adopted on January 11, 1982
Political Parties: Includes National Party, Liberal Party, and Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE).

Military and Security

The Honduran Armed Forces comprise the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a current strength of about 15,000 active personnel. The military plays a significant role in domestic security and combating narcotics trafficking. Military expenditure is approximately 1.5% of GDP.

Military Service Age: 18-22 for voluntary service
Military Expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Equipment: Primarily sourced from the US and other countries.

Energy

Honduras has made strides in electrification, with 94.4% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country utilizes a mix of energy sources, including hydroelectricity, fossil fuels, and renewables, to meet its energy demands.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 3.334 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 8.303 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Renewable Energy Sources: Comprise 33.2% of total installed capacity.

Environment

Honduras faces environmental challenges such as deforestation due to agriculture and logging, as well as pollution from mining activities. The country's commitment to various international environmental agreements reflects its efforts to address these issues.

Total Renewable Water Resources: 92.164 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Municipal Solid Waste: Approximately 2.162 million tons generated annually (2024 est.) with 10.3% recycled (2022 est.).

Transportation

Honduras has a mix of transportation infrastructure including 129 airports and a limited railway system. The country facilitates trade through its network of ports, though most are small.

Airports: 129 (2025)
Railways: 699 km (2014)
Merchant Marine: Comprises 489 vessels (2023).

Communications

Telecommunication systems in Honduras include a blend of landline and mobile services, with a growing number of internet users.

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

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,529,188 (2024 est.)
Area	112,090 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$71.297 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	6.1% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	19.7 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	73.1 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	16.642 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Literacy Rate	88.2% (2024 est.)
Urban Population	60.2% (2023)