The country has a population of around 10.5 million people. Most Hondurans are Mestizo, with the remainder being Indigenous, Black, or white. Due to widespread poverty and political instability, a significant Honduran diaspora exists — especially in the United States, which is often jokingly called Honduras’ “19th state”.

Spanish is spoken almost universally, but some Indigenous languages are still used in smaller communities. These include the languages of the Garífuna, Miskito, and Mayangna peoples. Sadly, some languages have nearly vanished — the Lenca language became practically extinct during the 20th century.

Honduran culture is rooted in broader Latin American traditions, but its ethnic diversity gives it a rich cultural flavour. Large festivals and communal events are a major way people celebrate heritage and identity. Food and music are central to Honduras’s culture!

Most people live in the highlands, with family and religion at the heart of daily life. Poverty remains widespread, and illiteracy rates hover around 20% – particularly in rural areas. Like El Salvador, Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Although the government has taken steps to increase tourist safety around the northern coast and the Bay Islands – with some success – the same can’t be said for much of the mainland.