Honduras

Basic Indicators

Source: UNICEF: The State of the World's Children Report

Population: 7,466,000 (2009)
National language: Spanish
Per capita income: US$ 1,820/year (2009)
Life expectancy: 72 (2009)
% of population using
improved drinking water sources: 86% (2008)
% of population using
adequate sanitation facilities: 71% (2008)
Under 5 Mortality Rate: 30/1,000 live births (2009)

Honduras, slightly larger than Tennessee, is the second-largest country in Central America. It's bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Guatemala and El Salvador to the west, and Nicaragua to the south and east. It has a small amount of coastline on the Pacific Ocean.

Fishing and farming are the main staples of the Honduran economy. While some sugar is grown for export, most revenues are made from the sale of coffee, shrimp and bananas. Honduras also has limited reserves of gold, which provide an additional source of revenue. A very wide gap in income and available services between the rich and poor make Honduras one of the poorest countries in Latin America.

Plan's programs benefit over 380,000 children and families in 600 communities in Honduras. Except in emergency situations, Plan does not provide direct assistance. Instead, we help communities develop, grow and, ultimately, support themselves.

Hear from the children

An essential part of Plan's work is empowering children to discuss the issues that matter to them and to take part in decisions that affect their lives. To help you learn about these issues, the children in Plan communities have put together a series of publications called "See Our World": Read what the children have to say about their lives.