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Honduras SOCIETY
Population: In 1992 population estimated at
nearly 5.1
million. Rate of annual growth 2.8 percent. Most of
population
lives in western part of interior highlands and Caribbean
lowlands;
northeastern Honduras sparsely settled. Population about
half rural
but rapidly urbanizing.
Education and Literacy: Literacy reportedly at
about 60
percent in 1990 but varies widely regionally. Few people
complete
primary school.
Health and Welfare: High degree of malnutrition;
high
infant and child mortality rates. Major diseases: malaria,
enteric
diseases and typhoid, influenza, tuberculosis, and
pneumonia. Life
expectancy: nearly sixty-five years in 1992. Medical care
minimal
for most of population.
Language: Spanish official language and spoken
as primary
or secondary language by almost all of population. English
also
used on Caribbean coast. Miskito of northeastern Honduras
speak
native language, as do Black Caribs of Caribbean coast.
Ethnic Groups: Approximately 90 percent of
population
mestizo. Caribbean coast population most diverse, with
mestizo,
Creole, and Black Carib. Northeastern Honduras population
primarily
Miskito.
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic, although
Protestant denominations growing rapidly.
Data as of December 1993
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