Summary
- • El Salvador had a homicide rate of 52.02 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- • Honduras recorded 35.79 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- • Guatemala's homicide rate was 16.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- • Nicaragua had a homicide rate of 7.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- • Costa Rica's homicide rate was 11.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- • El Salvador had 3,825 reported cases of extortion in 2022
- • Honduras reported 1,514 cases of extortion in 2022
- • Guatemala recorded 8,192 cases of extortion in 2022
- • Nicaragua reported 237 cases of extortion in 2022
- • Costa Rica had 1,286 reported cases of extortion in 2022
- • El Salvador's poverty rate was 26.6% in 2021
- • Honduras had a poverty rate of 73.6% in 2021
- • Guatemala's poverty rate was 49.3% in 2021
- • Nicaragua's poverty rate was 44.4% in 2021
- • Costa Rica had a poverty rate of 23% in 2021
Buckle up, because were diving into the wild rollercoaster that is Central America – where flip a coin, and you might just land in the most dangerous country! With homicide rates that could make your heart skip a beat (or 52.02 beats, to be exact in El Salvador), extortion numbers thatll make you want to check your pockets constantly, poverty rates that tangle with your sense of security, and enough gang members to fill a small city, this region isnt just a walk in the park. So grab your safety blanket and lets uncover the gritty details of which Central American nation takes the not-so-coveted title of the Most Dangerous Country in Central America, where danger and statistics go hand in hand.
Corruption
- El Salvador's corruption perception index score was 33 out of 100 in 2022
- Honduras had a corruption perception index score of 23 out of 100 in 2022
- Guatemala's corruption perception index score was 24 out of 100 in 2022
- Nicaragua had a corruption perception index score of 19 out of 100 in 2022
- Costa Rica's corruption perception index score was 54 out of 100 in 2022
Interpretation
Central America, a region known for its vibrant culture and natural beauty, unfortunately also houses some of the most corruption-ridden nations in the world. With corruption perception index scores resembling a school report card for rogue behavior, it seems that El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and even the more favorably ranked Costa Rica have some serious homework to do when it comes to cleaning up their act. These numbers serve as a stark reminder that behind the colorful façade of these countries lie deeper issues that demand attention and reform.
Crime Rates
- El Salvador had a homicide rate of 52.02 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Honduras recorded 35.79 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Guatemala's homicide rate was 16.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Nicaragua had a homicide rate of 7.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Costa Rica's homicide rate was 11.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
Interpretation
Central America continues to be a region where the concept of personal safety is taken with a grain of salt, or perhaps with a whole shaker. While some may be tempted to jokingly suggest that the name of the game in these countries is "Survivor: Central America Edition," the reality of these staggering homicide rates is no laughing matter. With El Salvador topping the charts at a hair-raising 52.02 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, it’s clear that the region still has some serious soul-searching to do when it comes to addressing issues of violence and crime. Perhaps a Central American "peace and prosperity" summit is in order, where the countries can trade not just statistics, but also strategies for creating a safer and more harmonious future for their citizens.
Drug Trafficking
- El Salvador seized 1,759 kg of cocaine in 2022
- Honduras intercepted 19,828 kg of cocaine in 2022
- Guatemala seized 13,976 kg of cocaine in 2022
- Nicaragua intercepted 3,708 kg of cocaine in 2022
- Costa Rica seized 34,860 kg of cocaine in 2022
Interpretation
Well, it seems like Central America has been giving a whole new meaning to the term "drug bust" in 2022. With countries like El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica stepping up their game in intercepting and seizing massive amounts of cocaine, one could say they are truly making a statement in the war against drug trafficking. It looks like these nations are not just protecting their borders, but also giving their law enforcement a serious workout in the process. Let's hope they continue to stay on top of their game, because in this neck of the woods, the competition for the title of the Most Dangerous Country seems to be all about who can seize the most cocaine.
Gang Activity
- El Salvador had 70,000 active gang members in 2022
- Honduras reported approximately 36,000 gang members in 2022
- Guatemala had an estimated 22,000 gang members in 2022
- Nicaragua reported around 4,500 gang members in 2022
- Costa Rica had approximately 2,700 gang members in 2022
Interpretation
Central America may be known for its beautiful landscapes and rich cultures, but behind the postcard-perfect scenes lurk some troubling numbers. With El Salvador boasting a formidable gang membership of 70,000, one could say they have more gang members than some countries have tourists. Honduras, not one to be outdone, reported around 36,000 gang members in 2022, perhaps using their 'strength in numbers' strategy. Meanwhile, Guatemala and Nicaragua, with 22,000 and 4,500 gang members respectively, seem to have their own gang arithmetic to deal with. And let's not forget Costa Rica, with a more modest 2,700 gang members, though one could argue even one gang member is one too many in the quest for peace and safety in the region.
Gender-based Violence
- El Salvador's femicide rate was 3.3 per 100,000 women in 2022
- Honduras had a femicide rate of 6.2 per 100,000 women in 2022
- Guatemala's femicide rate was 2.4 per 100,000 women in 2022
- Nicaragua reported a femicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 women in 2022
- Costa Rica had a femicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 women in 2022
- El Salvador reported 3,134 cases of domestic violence in 2022
- Honduras recorded 21,661 cases of domestic violence in 2022
- Guatemala reported 58,320 cases of domestic violence in 2022
- Nicaragua recorded 52,038 cases of domestic violence in 2022
- Costa Rica reported 57,394 cases of domestic violence in 2022
Interpretation
Central America seems to have turned into a dangerous game of numbers for women, with statistics painting a grim picture of the region's reality. While El Salvador's femicide rate may have been the lowest on paper, it’s hard to tell if that’s a reason to celebrate when compared to Honduras and Guatemala's higher figures. Perhaps Nicaragua should give itself a pat on the back for having the lowest femicide rate, but with Costa Rica not far behind, it seems like the whole region could use a serious wake-up call. And with domestic violence numbers soaring high across the board, one thing is clear - the only competition here should be in striving for better protection and justice for women, rather than topping the charts for all the wrong reasons.
Human Trafficking
- El Salvador reported 1,190 cases of human trafficking in 2022
- Honduras identified 383 victims of human trafficking in 2022
- Guatemala reported 596 cases of human trafficking in 2022
- Nicaragua identified 23 victims of human trafficking in 2022
- Costa Rica reported 97 cases of human trafficking in 2022
Interpretation
Central America's human trafficking statistics might paint a grim picture, but they also reveal a peculiar competition for the unenviable title of the "Most Dangerous Country." With El Salvador boasting the highest numbers in 2022, one might wonder if they're aiming for a heart-wrenching high score. Honduras and Guatemala are not far behind, proving that in this regional contest, the stakes are tragically high. Meanwhile, Nicaragua seems to be the dark horse of the group, with significantly lower numbers – perhaps a silver lining in this otherwise troubling tale. As the countries tally up their victims, it's clear that in this macabre race, there are no winners, only the stark reminder of the urgent need for united efforts to combat this heinous crime.
Incarceration
- El Salvador's prison population was 36,691 in 2022
- Honduras had a prison population of 21,675 in 2022
- Guatemala's prison population was 26,160 in 2022
- Nicaragua had a prison population of 18,631 in 2022
- Costa Rica's prison population was 15,242 in 2022
- El Salvador's incarceration rate was 572 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Honduras had an incarceration rate of 229 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Guatemala's incarceration rate was 153 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Nicaragua had an incarceration rate of 282 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
- Costa Rica's incarceration rate was 298 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
Interpretation
Central America may be known for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant cultures, but these statistics paint a stark picture of its darker side. With El Salvador leading the pack in both sheer numbers and incarceration rate, one might say the country has truly embraced the slogan "go big or go home" when it comes to locking people up. Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica seem to be playing a game of catch-up, with their own impressive prison populations and incarceration rates. It's a tough competition, but one that doesn't bode well for the region's overall safety and security. Perhaps they should consider a different kind of leaderboard to strive for next time.
Law Enforcement
- El Salvador's police force had 23,000 officers in 2022
- Honduras had 18,000 police officers in 2022
- Guatemala's police force consisted of 42,000 officers in 2022
- Nicaragua had 15,000 police officers in 2022
- Costa Rica's police force had 14,000 officers in 2022
Interpretation
In the grand game of "Cops and Robbers" played out in Central America, it seems like Guatemala decided to bring the entire police squad to the party with 42,000 officers ready to crack down on crime. Not to be outdone, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua also brought sizable squads to the field, with Costa Rica taking a more minimalist approach with 14,000 officers. Let's hope that in the midst of this law enforcement arms race, these countries can effectively tackle the pressing issues of violence and crime that plague the region.
Organized Crime
- El Salvador had 3,825 reported cases of extortion in 2022
- Honduras reported 1,514 cases of extortion in 2022
- Guatemala recorded 8,192 cases of extortion in 2022
- Nicaragua reported 237 cases of extortion in 2022
- Costa Rica had 1,286 reported cases of extortion in 2022
Interpretation
Central America seems to be engaging in a rather cutthroat competition, albeit involuntarily, to prove which country can excel in the unwanted category of extortion. With El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Costa Rica all vying for the title of the Most Dangerous Country in the region based on reported extortion cases, the numbers paint a grim yet oddly competitive picture. Nicaragua, on the other hand, seems to be content playing the role of the underdog in this high-stakes game. The only winner in this situation appears to be the extortionists themselves, who are making a killing, quite literally, in these challenging economic times. It seems that in Central America, crime truly does pay... for some, at least.
Socioeconomic Factors
- El Salvador's poverty rate was 26.6% in 2021
- Honduras had a poverty rate of 73.6% in 2021
- Guatemala's poverty rate was 49.3% in 2021
- Nicaragua's poverty rate was 44.4% in 2021
- Costa Rica had a poverty rate of 23% in 2021
- El Salvador's unemployment rate was 5.9% in 2022
- Honduras had an unemployment rate of 8.5% in 2022
- Guatemala's unemployment rate was 2.2% in 2022
- Nicaragua had an unemployment rate of 3.7% in 2022
- Costa Rica's unemployment rate was 11.6% in 2022
Interpretation
In a rather ironic twist of statistics, Central America seems to have transformed into a battleground of numbers, with poverty rates duking it out against unemployment figures. El Salvador might be the underdog with a poverty rate of 26.6% in 2021, but watch out for them—a low unemployment rate of 5.9% in 2022 could mean they're ready to make a surprising comeback. Meanwhile, Honduras should perhaps consider a new coach, with a staggering poverty rate of 73.6% facing off against an unemployment rate of 8.5% in 2022. It's a nail-biting match between grim reality and hopeful prospects, where the scoreboard tells a tale of struggle and resilience in the ring of Central American socio-economic challenges.
