Honduras has approximately 10 million inhabitants.[1] The population is relatively evenly distributed between urban (58%)[2] and rural (42%)[3] areas. The agricultural sector absorbs 30% of total employment in Honduras,[4] and contributes 11% to the national GDP.[5]
The country faces severe poverty, food insecurity and inequality, with its indigenous population being the poorest social group. Approximately 28% of the country’s land is dedicated to agriculture, which is characterized by the production of low-profitability products such as bananas, plantains, rice, maize and beans.[6] Smallholder farmers account for about 70% of the farmers in Honduras, who generally cultivate in plots of less than 1 hectare of land. These farmers are particularly vulnerable to external shocks, such as natural disasters and price fluctuations, which are recurrent in Honduras.[7]
The top produced commodities in Honduras are sugar cane, palm oil, cow milk, bananas, maize and green coffee.[8] Similarly, the top exported commodities are bananas, coffee, melons, palm oil, molasses and raw sugar.[9]
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=HN
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=HN
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?locations=HN
- ^ World Bank (2020). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=HN
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=HN
- ^ IFAD. Honduras. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/country/id/honduras#anchor-1
- ^ GAFSP. Smallholders in Honduras Weather the Effects of Climate Change. https://www.gafspfund.org/projects/smallholders-honduras-weather-effects-climate-change
- ^ FAOSTAT (2019). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT (2019). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Honduras varies by sector and within sectors it depends on the size of the company’s workforce. In the agricultural sector, the minimum wage starts at 7802.10 Honduran lempira (298 EUR).[1]
Although labor rights are established by the state, the law fails to effectively assure the rights of domestic workers. Working excessive hours, failing to respect maternity rights, and not paying minimum wage are examples of violations by employers in many industries, including agriculture. Particularly in the agricultural sector it is the norm not to pay the minimum wage. It is estimated that less than 1% of agricultural workers actually earn a minimum wage. In addition, employers even penalize agricultural workers for choosing to use the days off provided by law.[2]
- ^ Wage Indicator Foundation (2023). Minimum Wage-Honduras. https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/honduras
- ^ U.S. Department of State (2019). Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Honduras. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/honduras/
Living wage
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed a Living Wage Reference Value study for rural and urban regions of Honduras based on the Anker methodology.
The Anker Living Wage Reference Value for rural Honduras was estimated at 6,852 Honduran lempira (248 EUR) per month in 2020. This estimate accounts for the wage required by rural workers to afford a basic but decent standard of living in a typical rural area of Honduras.[1]
The Living Wage Reference Value for urban Honduras is estimated at 9542 Honduran lempira (346 EUR) per month in 2022. [2]
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition (2020). Anker Living Wage Reference Value: Rural Honduras 2020. https://www.globallivingwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Rural-Honduras-LW-Reference-Value-FINAL.pdf
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition (2022). Anker Living Wage Reference Value: Urban Honduras. https://www.globallivingwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Urban-Honduras-RV-2022.pdf
Living Wage Reference Value, Urban Honduras 
Living wage estimate for workers to be able to afford a basic but decent living standard in the urban region of Honduras. Global Living Wage Coalition, 2022.
Living Wage Reference Value, Rural Honduras
Living wage estimate for workers to be able to afford a basic but decent living standard in a typical rural area of Honduras. Global Living Wage Coalition, 2020.
Sustainability in the Honduran Informal Market
This report explores the possibility of creating sustainable supply chains that benefit its members on the informal market in Honduras.
Impacts of Fair Trade-Certified Coffee.
This report explores the implications of Fairtrade certified coffee in farm workers and smallholders in Nicaragua, Brazil, Honduras and Peru.
Creating Economic Opportunities
This report by the Rainforest Alliance is a case study of the ULAKUAS agroforestry cooperative aiming at securing sustainable forestry and livelihood development.