Demographic characteristics of young people killed by homicides in Honduras, 2009-2013

Abstract

According to the data in Honduras the death statistics by homicides reveal that only between the years of 2009 to 2013, there was reported a total of 32,537 homicides in nacional territory, in this circumstances the Institute University of Democracy, Peace and Security (IUDPAS, 2012) considers homicide the main cause of death in the country.

The sociodemographic characterization of homicide victims in Honduras in a five year period from 2009 to 2013, identified that the leading cause of death by homicide in the Honduran population was related to contract killings.

The highest homicides rates were found among men, between the ages of 25 and 29 without a specific occupation, with a firearmreceiving seven or more shots. Most of these homicides take place in urban areas in the northern region of the country and in public areas.

The impact in years of potential life lost due to homicides in young women and men on ages from 15 to 34 years between 2009 and 2013 is of 937,009 years, meaning people who stopped producing economically, intellectually, in addition to the invisible costs to third parties.