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HONDURAS B WORLD RANK: 100 REGIONAL RANK: 21 ECONOMIC FREEDOM STATUS: MOSTLY UNFREE roader implementation of deeper institutional reforms remains critical to spurring dynamic economic growth throughout the Honduran economy. Despite the implementation of policies that aim to sustain market openness and facilitate engagement in global commerce, the overall entrepreneurial environment continues to be hurt by weak protection of property rights and political instability. Management of public expenditures has improved in recent years. In April 2016, Congress approved a fiscal responsibility law intended to institutionalize the ongoing fiscal consolidation. Systemic corruption continues to erode the rule of law and trust in the government. Reducing severe crime and violence remains a priority. ECONOMIC FREEDOM SCORE 58.8 ( ▲ UP 1.1 POINTS ) 0 50 60 70 80 60.0 60.9 REGIONAL AVERAGE WORLD AVERAGE (AMERICAS REGION) NOTABLE SUCCESSES: Trade Freedom and Monetary Stability 100 CONCERNS: Rule of Law, Business Freedom, and Labor Freedom OVERALL SCORE CHANGE SINCE 2013: +0.4 QUICK FACTS FREEDOM TREND 80 70 60 50 POPULATION: 8.4 million UNEMPLOYMENT: 3.9% GDP (PPP): $41.1 billion 3.6% growth in 2015 5-year compound annual growth 3.5% $4,869 per capita INFLATION (CPI): 3.2% FDI INFLOW: $1.2 billion PUBLIC DEBT: 47.4% of GDP 40 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2015 data unless otherwise noted. Data compiled as of September 2016 BACKGROUND: Honduras, the second-poorest country in Central America, has one of the highest homicide rates in the world as street gangs and transnational organized criminal networks prey on communities, often in collusion with authorities. In 2015, the country’s Supreme Court struck down a controversial term limit and cleared the way for President Juan Orlando Hernández to seek a second term in 2017. Hernández has promoted foreign investment and has encouraged leaders of El Salvador and Guatemala to join him in making Central America more competitive. Continuing high levels of violence, extensive narco-related money laundering, and reports of government corruption reaching the highest levels have undermined the country’s international image. 72 2017 Index of Economic Freedom KEY: WORLD AVERAGE RULE OF LAW 112th GOVERNMENT SIZE 108th 126th 100 100 80 80 70 70 60 60 50 50 0 45.0 38.2 32.2 Property Rights Judicial Effectiveness Government Integrity Approximately 80 percent of the privately held land in Honduras is either untitled or improperly titled. Resolution of title disputes in court often takes years, partly because of the judicial system’s weakness. Rampant corruption and weak state institutions make it virtually impossible to combat threats posed by violent transnational gangs and organized criminal groups. Honduras has one of the world’s highest murder rates. 180th 0 100 80 80 70 70 60 60 50 50 31.2 77.3 Business Freedom Labor Freedom Monetary Freedom The inefficient regulatory environment does not encourage dynamic entrepreneurship, and the cost of forming a business is burdensome. Labor regulations are outmoded, and a large proportion of the labor force is dependent on the informal sector. The government is continuing to overhaul the struggling state-owned ENEE electricity utility but maintains price controls for basic food items along with water, telecommunications, and port services. 119th 83.3 74.7 64.1 Tax Burden Government Spending Fiscal Health Rank OPEN MARKETS 99th 56.9 65th The top individual income and corporate tax rates are 25 percent (27.5 percent for corporations with an added social contribution tax). The overall tax burden equals 20.6 percent of total domestic income. Government spending has amounted to 29.1 percent of total output (GDP) over the past three years, and budget deficits have averaged 4.4 percent of GDP. Public debt is equivalent to 47.4 percent of GDP. 100 0 60th 0 REGULATORY EFFICIENCY 136th HONDURAS 12 ECONOMIC FREEDOMS | HONDURAS 92nd 73rd 39th 78.4 65.0 60.0 Trade Freedom Investment Freedom Financial Freedom Rank Trade is extremely important to Honduras’s economy; the value of exports and imports taken together equals 109 percent of GDP. The average applied tariff rate is 5.8 percent. In general, the government does not screen or discriminate against foreign investment. The financial sector has regained stability following the liquidation of Banco Continental in late 2015. Capital markets are not fully developed. The Heritage Foundation | heritage.org/Index 73