Three Largest National Groups in Central America

By Population (2024 Estimates)

Central America's ~52M people are concentrated in three countries:

1. Guatemalan – ~18M (Guatemala: 18M). Largest population, majority Indigenous (Maya).
2. Honduran – ~10.5M (Honduras: 10.5M). Second largest; mestizo majority.
3. Salvadoran – ~6.5M (El Salvador: 6.5M). Smallest country, densest population.

Wait—Costa Rica?

The original answer listed Costa Rican (5.2M) as #3, but El Salvador (6.5M) is larger. Nicaragua (7M) also exceeds Costa Rica. Correct top three by nationality:

1. Guatemalan (~18M)
2. Honduran (~10.5M)
3. Salvadoran (~6.5M) — or Nicaraguan (~7M) if counting resident nationals

Costa Rican is 4th or 5th. The "three nationalities" framing is imprecise—Central America has seven sovereign nations, each with its own nationality.