Country profile · Latin America & Caribbean · LMC

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

Lower middle income. Capital Managua. Lower-third GDP/cap (LMC · LONG) - 39 series with wider survey lag risk.

6.9 million
Population
$19.7 billion
GDP
$2,848
GDP / capita
75.1 years
Life expectancy
RSS
Latin America & Caribbean Lower middle income Capital: Managua

Lower-third GDP/cap · LONG

Nicaragua ranks 133rd of 217 by total GDP and 106th for life expectancy - a lower middle income economy in Latin America & Caribbean.

#133
World GDP rank (of 217)
$2,848
GDP per capita
#106
Life-expectancy rank
#108
Population rank

Nicaragua lands in the lower third of GDP/cap (#160 of 214) - LMC · LONG - so national averages need rural/urban caution.

Nicaragua vs all countries by total GDP

Where this economy's World Bank total GDP sits among every country with a positive observation (inventory signal, not a virtue ranking)

$19,696,311,850 133rd of 214 higher than 81 of 214 countries

Countries banded by World Bank total GDP (current US$)

Each bar is a $0.001K-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source World Bank, GDP (current US$) · 2026-08-14

Nicaragua on the global income map

Nicaragua (NIC) sits in the lower GDP/cap third - plotted with largest peers; bubble area = population.

Nicaragua on the global income map Nicaragua positioned by World Bank GDP per capita and life expectancy against its largest peers. Each point shows the latest available observation year for both measures. 50 60 70 80 90 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Life expectancy at birth (years) India - GDP/cap $2,695 (2024) · life expectancy 72.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income IND China - GDP/cap $13,303 (2024) · life expectancy 78.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income CHN United States - GDP/cap $84,534 (2024) · life expectancy 78.9 years (2024) · high income · OECD USA Indonesia - GDP/cap $4,925 (2024) · life expectancy 71.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan - GDP/cap $1,479 (2024) · life expectancy 67.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Nigeria - GDP/cap $1,084 (2024) · life expectancy 54.6 years (2024) · low income Brazil - GDP/cap $10,311 (2024) · life expectancy 76.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income Bangladesh - GDP/cap $2,593 (2024) · life expectancy 74.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Russian Federation - GDP/cap $14,889 (2024) · life expectancy 73.4 years (2024) · high income Ethiopia - GDP/cap $1,134 (2024) · life expectancy 67.6 years (2024) · low income Mexico - GDP/cap $14,186 (2024) · life expectancy 75.3 years (2024) · high income · OECD Japan - GDP/cap $32,487 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. - GDP/cap $3,338 (2024) · life expectancy 71.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Philippines - GDP/cap $3,985 (2024) · life expectancy 69.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. - GDP/cap $693 (2024) · life expectancy 62.1 years (2024) · low income Viet Nam - GDP/cap $4,717 (2024) · life expectancy 74.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. - GDP/cap $5,190 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income Turkiye - GDP/cap $15,893 (2024) · life expectancy 77.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Germany - GDP/cap $56,104 (2024) · life expectancy 80.8 years (2024) · high income · OECD Thailand - GDP/cap $7,387 (2024) · life expectancy 76.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income United Kingdom - GDP/cap $53,246 (2024) · life expectancy 81.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Tanzania - GDP/cap $1,193 (2024) · life expectancy 67.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income France - GDP/cap $46,103 (2024) · life expectancy 83.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD South Africa - GDP/cap $6,267 (2024) · life expectancy 66.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Italy - GDP/cap $40,385 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Kenya - GDP/cap $2,133 (2024) · life expectancy 63.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Myanmar - GDP/cap $1,359 (2024) · life expectancy 67.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Colombia - GDP/cap $7,951 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. - GDP/cap $36,239 (2024) · life expectancy 83.6 years (2024) · high income · OECD Sudan - GDP/cap $985 (2024) · life expectancy 66.5 years (2024) · low income Nicaragua - GDP/cap $2,848 (2024) · life expectancy 75.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member
  • Nicaragua: GDP per capita $2,848 (2024), life expectancy 75.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • India: GDP per capita $2,695 (2024), life expectancy 72.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • China: GDP per capita $13,303 (2024), life expectancy 78.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United States: GDP per capita $84,534 (2024), life expectancy 78.9 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Indonesia: GDP per capita $4,925 (2024), life expectancy 71.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Pakistan: GDP per capita $1,479 (2024), life expectancy 67.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Nigeria: GDP per capita $1,084 (2024), life expectancy 54.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Brazil: GDP per capita $10,311 (2024), life expectancy 76.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Bangladesh: GDP per capita $2,593 (2024), life expectancy 74.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Russian Federation: GDP per capita $14,889 (2024), life expectancy 73.4 years (2024), high income.
  • Ethiopia: GDP per capita $1,134 (2024), life expectancy 67.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Mexico: GDP per capita $14,186 (2024), life expectancy 75.3 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Japan: GDP per capita $32,487 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Egypt, Arab Rep.: GDP per capita $3,338 (2024), life expectancy 71.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Philippines: GDP per capita $3,985 (2024), life expectancy 69.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Congo, Dem. Rep.: GDP per capita $693 (2024), life expectancy 62.1 years (2024), low income.
  • Viet Nam: GDP per capita $4,717 (2024), life expectancy 74.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Iran, Islamic Rep.: GDP per capita $5,190 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Turkiye: GDP per capita $15,893 (2024), life expectancy 77.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Germany: GDP per capita $56,104 (2024), life expectancy 80.8 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Thailand: GDP per capita $7,387 (2024), life expectancy 76.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United Kingdom: GDP per capita $53,246 (2024), life expectancy 81.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Tanzania: GDP per capita $1,193 (2024), life expectancy 67.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • France: GDP per capita $46,103 (2024), life expectancy 83.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • South Africa: GDP per capita $6,267 (2024), life expectancy 66.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Italy: GDP per capita $40,385 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Kenya: GDP per capita $2,133 (2024), life expectancy 63.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Myanmar: GDP per capita $1,359 (2024), life expectancy 67.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Colombia: GDP per capita $7,951 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income, OECD member.
  • Korea, Rep.: GDP per capita $36,239 (2024), life expectancy 83.6 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Sudan: GDP per capita $985 (2024), life expectancy 66.5 years (2024), low income.

Overview

Nicaragua has a population of 6.9 million, making it the 108th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in Latin America & Caribbean.

Its economy totals $19.7 billion - ranked 133rd globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $2,848, placing it in the Lower middle income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 75.1 years (ranked 106th globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Managua.

👥 Demographics

Population
6.9 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
28.8%
2024
Population Ages 65+
5.5%
2024
Population Density
56.7/km²
2023
Urban Population
59.3%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$1.4 billion
2024
GDP (Current USD)
$19.7 billion
2024
GDP Growth Rate
3.6%
2024
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$2,847.876
2024
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
4.6%
2024
Trade (% of GDP)
99.1%
2024
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
8.3%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
9.4 per 1,000
2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
75.1 years
2024
Maternal Mortality Ratio
60
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
0.7 per 1,000
2018
Stunting Prevalence (under 5)
17.3
2012
Under-5 Mortality Rate
11.2 per 1,000
2024

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
2.9%
2023
Literacy Rate (Adult)
87.3
2014
School Enrollment (Primary)
109.5
2023
School Enrollment (Secondary)
70.2
2023
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
30.4
2023
Youth Literacy Rate
95.3
2014

🌍 Environment

CO2 Emissions Per Capita
0.8
2024
Electric Power Consumption
641 kWh
2023
Forest Area
25.8
2023
Freshwater Withdrawal
0.8
2022
Renewable Energy Consumption
50.4%
2021

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Electricity
88.3%
2023
Internet Users
61.4%
2024
Mobile Subscriptions
106.0
2024

⚖️ Social

Female Labor Participation
51.1
2024
GINI Index
46.2
2014
Intentional Homicides
11.3
2021
Male Labor Participation
81.9
2024
Net Migration
-8,189
2024
Poverty (< $2.15/day)
6.6%
2014

🌐 Livability Score

One composite verdict from 4 of 5 World Bank series (life expectancy, under-5 mortality, electricity access, clean-water access, homicide rate), each benchmarked against every country tracking that series. A missing series never silently drags the score down: its weight redistributes across the series Nicaragua does report.

Overall
D
42/100
Life expectancy C-
75.1 years
World Bank, 2024 (217-country benchmark)
Under-5 mortality C+
11.2 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024 (196-country benchmark)
Access to electricity F
88.3%
World Bank, 2023 (215-country benchmark)
Access to clean water N/A
N/A
World Bank
Safety (homicide rate) F
11.3 per 100,000
UNODC via World Bank, 2021 (195-country benchmark)

All indicators for Nicaragua

39 latest observations from World Bank WDI, WHO GHO, and ILO ILOSTAT (vintage through 2026-08-14). Values match the topic cards above; this table is the machine-readable export view analysts expect on a country profile.

TopicIndicatorValueYear
DemographicsPopulation6.9 million2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 0-1428.8%2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 65+5.5%2024
DemographicsPopulation Density56.7/km²2023
DemographicsUrban Population59.3%2024
EconomyForeign Direct Investment$1.4 billion2024
EconomyGDP (Current USD)$19.7 billion2024
EconomyGDP Growth Rate3.6%2024
EconomyGDP Per Capita (Current USD)$2,847.8762024
EconomyInflation (Consumer Prices)4.6%2024
EconomyTrade (% of GDP)99.1%2024
EconomyUnemployment Rate5.0%2024
HealthHealth Expenditure (% of GDP)8.3%2023
HealthInfant Mortality Rate9.4 per 1,0002024
HealthLife Expectancy at Birth75.1 years2024
HealthMaternal Mortality Ratio602023
HealthPhysicians (per 1,000 people)0.7 per 1,0002018
HealthStunting Prevalence (under 5)17.32012
HealthUnder-5 Mortality Rate11.2 per 1,0002024
EducationEducation Expenditure (% of GDP)2.9%2023
EducationLiteracy Rate (Adult)87.32014
EducationSchool Enrollment (Primary)109.52023
EducationSchool Enrollment (Secondary)70.22023
EducationSchool Enrollment (Tertiary)30.42023
EducationYouth Literacy Rate95.32014
EnvironmentCO2 Emissions Per Capita0.82024
EnvironmentElectric Power Consumption641 kWh2023
EnvironmentForest Area25.82023
EnvironmentFreshwater Withdrawal0.82022
EnvironmentRenewable Energy Consumption50.4%2021
InfrastructureAccess to Electricity88.3%2023
InfrastructureInternet Users61.4%2024
InfrastructureMobile Subscriptions106.02024
SocialFemale Labor Participation51.12024
SocialGINI Index46.22014
SocialIntentional Homicides11.32021
SocialMale Labor Participation81.92024
SocialNet Migration-8,1892024
SocialPoverty (< $2.15/day)6.6%2014

🫀 Disease Burden

Nicaragua's standout GHO cell is maternal mortality at 60 per 100,000 births (fleet midpoint 47) - that ratio, not the shared ischaemic-heart card, is what this profile is for. Summary metrics use 2021 data; cause-specific cards show their own observation year.

NCD Death Rate
307
per 100K · 2021
Road Traffic Deaths
13.6
per 100K · 2021
Maternal Mortality
60
per 100K births · 2021

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: 2021. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare Nicaragua with near GDP/cap peers

Side-by-side pages for the closest ABS GDP/cap neighbours - not a full-roster dropdown.

What the data says about Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a lower-middle-income economy, a tier where a large share of economic activity often sits outside formally measured, monetized markets, so official statistics can understate real living standards more than the headline dollar figures suggest. With a comparatively small population, a single survey round or a change in methodology can shift Nicaragua's reported figures noticeably from one release to the next, independent of any real change on the ground. Where a field on this page reads "N/A," it usually means the relevant agency has not yet published a recent estimate for Nicaragua.

Nicaragua lands in the lower third of GDP/cap (#160 of 214) - LMC · LONG - so national averages need rural/urban caution.

Nicaragua's 6.9 million people and $19.7 billion GDP (133rd) yield $2,848 per person in the lower GDP/cap third. Life expectancy 75.1 years (106th, LONG) and survey lag both matter when reading single-year cells. 39 official points sit in the tables.

Nearest ABS GDP/cap peer: Papua New Guinea at $2,912 (Δ $65). Open that profile or the GDP/cap leaderboard before treating any single year as destiny.

What to do with Nicaragua's numbers

Nicaragua is classified LMC with LONG. Use that context before comparing any single figure to another country.

  • Compare Nicaragua directly against any other country, side by side, on the indicators that matter to you. Compare countries
  • See exactly where Nicaragua ranks among all 217 tracked countries on a specific indicator, not just the ones shown here. Indicator rank finder
  • Learn the common mistakes people make citing country statistics before you quote a number from this page. Reading country profiles

Figures above are sourced from World Bank, WHO, and ILO (OECD where applicable) as cited below; always verify against the primary source before citing a specific number.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

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