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This research examines population growth in Central America, and the implications of this growth for social, economic, and political stability in the region. For purposes of this research, the Central America region was defined as the countries of El Salvador, Guatamala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

This examination first reviews population growth patterns in the region, and then considers the implications of this growth through a more detailed look at the situation in El Salvador.

POPULATION GROWTH TRENDS IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Population growth in most of the Central American counties exceeds averages for the world, all developing countries, and even all Latin American countries (The World Bank, 1989). Data comparing Central American population growth with that of the world, all developing countries, and all Latin American countries is presented in Table 1, which may be found on the following page.

On a worldwide basis, births per 1,000 population/deaths per 1,000 population ratio is 2.7 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990). In the developed countries, this ratio is 1.5, while

1 2for all developing countries, it is 3.1. In Latin America, however, the ratio is 4.3, and in the Central American countries, it is 5.5. Thus, it is apparent that the population explosion in Central America is not going to begin to slow anytime soon, unless cencerted action is initiated to cause such an outcome.

Annual Population Growth Rate Comparison

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Region/Country 19601979 19801985 19852000   

All Developed Countries 0.90% 0.60% 0.50%

United States 1.00% 1.00% 0.60%

The World 1.90% 1.70% 1.60%

All Developing Countries 2.30% 2.00% 1.90%

Latin America ...