The economic costs of crime in the Central American Northern Triangle of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are the highest in the world, according to a study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The report entitled Crime and Output: Theory and application to the Nothern Triangle of Central America (Crime and product: theory and application in the Northern Triangle of Central America) indicates that criminal activity is costing Honduras and El Salvado up to 16% of its gross domestic product (GDP) and in Guatemala 7%.
The IMF notes that crime has direct and indirect costs; Direct products include the product (goods) and resources (time and wages of the victims) lost due to criminal activity and resources spent on security. Indirect costs include reducing opportunities, increasing emigration, erosion of institutions and corruption.
In Honduras, it is observed that indirect costs amount to 3% of GDP and direct costs to about 13.3%.
The Latinobarometer survey published by La Prensa in Honduras shows that crime and corruption outweigh employment and other economic challenges such as the most pressing in the Northern Triangle.
In the case of Honduras, the concern about crime and unemployment is similar in the population.
The IMF points out that in order to systematically reduce crime over time, it requires a combination of stable and inclusive growth, greater profitability of legal activities, as well as the reduction of barriers to market entry and business regulations. favorable to growth to generate employment opportunities.
