Country profile · Latin America & Caribbean

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

Lower middle income. Capital Managua. Full World Bank, WHO, ILO & OECD indicator profile across 44 measures, with regional peers and rankings.

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

Nicaragua on the global income map

Nicaragua (NIC) plotted alongside its largest economic peers on GDP per capita and the Human Development Index. Bubble area scales with population; color encodes income tier; gold rings mark OECD members.

Nicaragua on the global income map Nicaragua positioned on the GDP-per-capita / HDI plane against its largest economic peers. 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Human Development Index (0–1) India — GDP/cap $2,695 · lower-middle income IND China — GDP/cap $13,303 · upper-middle income CHN United States — GDP/cap $84,534 · high income · OECD USA Indonesia — GDP/cap $4,925 · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan — GDP/cap $1,479 · lower-middle income Nigeria — GDP/cap $1,084 · low income Brazil — GDP/cap $10,311 · upper-middle income Bangladesh — GDP/cap $2,593 · lower-middle income Russian Federation — GDP/cap $14,889 · high income Ethiopia — GDP/cap $1,134 · low income Mexico — GDP/cap $14,186 · high income · OECD Japan — GDP/cap $32,487 · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. — GDP/cap $3,338 · lower-middle income Philippines — GDP/cap $3,985 · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. — GDP/cap $649 · low income Viet Nam — GDP/cap $4,717 · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. — GDP/cap $5,190 · upper-middle income Turkiye — GDP/cap $15,893 · high income · OECD Germany — GDP/cap $56,104 · high income · OECD Thailand — GDP/cap $7,347 · upper-middle income United Kingdom — GDP/cap $53,246 · high income · OECD Tanzania — GDP/cap $1,187 · lower-middle income France — GDP/cap $46,103 · high income · OECD South Africa — GDP/cap $6,267 · upper-middle income Italy — GDP/cap $40,385 · high income · OECD Kenya — GDP/cap $2,132 · lower-middle income Myanmar — GDP/cap $1,359 · lower-middle income Colombia — GDP/cap $7,919 · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. — GDP/cap $36,239 · high income · OECD Sudan — GDP/cap $985 · low income Nicaragua — GDP/cap $2,848 · lower-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member

Indicators tracked

44

Across 8 topic areas

GDP per capita

$2,848

Latest WB report

Population

6.9 million

UN estimate

OECD member

No

Outside OECD harmonized stats

Population
6.9 million
GDP
$19.7 billion
GDP per Capita
$2,848
Life Expectancy
74.9 years

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 132nd globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $2,848, placing it in the Lower middle income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 74.9 years (ranked 106th globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Managua.

👥 Demographics

Fertility Rate
2.2
2023
Population
6.9 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
28.8%
2024
Population Ages 65+
5.5%
2024
Population Density
56.7/km²
2023
Population Growth Rate
1.3%
2024
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)
$2,847.54
2024
GNI Per Capita
$2,510
2024
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
4.6%
2024
Trade (% of GDP)
98.5%
2024
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
8.3%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
10.3 per 1,000
2023
Life Expectancy at Birth
74.9 years
2023
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
13.4 per 1,000
2023

📚 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

Electric Power Consumption
682 kWh
2022
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
58.2%
2023
Mobile Subscriptions
105.8
2023

⚖️ 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

💼 Labor & Wages

Average Monthly Earnings
$381/mo
2014
Average Weekly Hours Worked
36.5 hrs/wk
2012
PPP Conversion Factor (GDP)
11.98
2024

🫀 Disease Burden

Key causes of death and disease risk in Nicaragua. Source: WHO Global Health Observatory.

NCD Death Rate
307
per 100K · 2021
Premature NCD Risk
12.6%
dying 30–70 from NCD
Road Traffic Deaths
13.6
per 100K
Suicide Rate
9.7
per 100K
TB Deaths
1.90
per 100K
Maternal Mortality
60
per 100K births

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 Another Country

What the data says about Nicaragua

Every figure on this profile is a single measurement drawn from an official international dataset, and each one carries assumptions worth understanding before drawing conclusions. Income and output are reported at market exchange rates in current dollars, so they move with currency swings as well as real growth, and national averages can hide wide gaps between regions and households. Health and demographic measures are period estimates compiled from vital registration, surveys, and statistical models, and their reporting year often lags the present by one to three years. Reading several indicators together, rather than fixating on a single headline number, is what turns a row of statistics into a grounded picture of how people in this country actually live, work, and age.

Nicaragua sits in Latin America & Caribbean with a population of 6.9 million, placing it 108th out of 217 countries by headcount. Its capital, Managua, anchors a Lower middle income economy with total GDP of $19.7 billion — ranked 132nd globally — and GDP per capita of $2,848. This combination of demographic scale and economic output shapes everything from household purchasing power and domestic market depth to the country's weight in regional trade flows and international development programmes.

Life expectancy at birth in Nicaragua is 74.9 years, ranking 106th worldwide and offering a summary read on healthcare access, nutrition, sanitation, and long-run living standards. The World Bank's World Development Indicators, combined with the WHO Global Health Observatory and ILO ILOSTAT wage statistics, expose 44 data points across 8 thematic areas — from fertility and urbanisation to CO₂ emissions, school enrolment, and labour-force participation. Reading these indicators together, rather than in isolation, is what turns headline numbers into a grounded portrait of how people actually live.

Use the indicator tables below to track trajectories over time, jump to Nicaragua's placement on specific rankings such as GDP, population density, or life expectancy, and open the side-by-side Compare view to benchmark against peers inside Latin America & Caribbean or across income groups. Because all figures come from official, CC BY 4.0-licensed datasets with clear vintages, you can cite them directly in research or journalism. Where a field reads "N/A", the upstream agency has not yet released that value for Nicaragua — we never fabricate estimates or carry forward stale values, so missing points stay visible rather than quietly filled in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the data for Nicaragua come from?

Data for Nicaragua is sourced from the World Bank Open Data catalog, WHO Global Health Observatory, and ILO ILOSTAT (for average wages and working hours). These are official, publicly available datasets.

How current is the data for Nicaragua?

Data availability varies by indicator. Most recent data points range from 2020 to 2024, depending on the indicator and reporting frequency. World Bank indicators are updated annually, while WHO disease burden data follows the Global Burden of Disease study schedule.

Can I compare Nicaragua with other countries?

Yes. Use the Compare feature to see a side-by-side comparison of Nicaragua with any other country across all available indicators. You can also explore rankings to see where Nicaragua stands globally on specific measures like GDP, population, or life expectancy.

What does GDP per capita tell us about Nicaragua?

GDP per capita divides Nicaragua's total economic output by its population, giving an approximate measure of average economic productivity per person. It is reported in current US dollars. For fairer cross-country comparisons, purchasing power parity (PPP) adjustments account for differences in the cost of goods and services.

How does Nicaragua's life expectancy compare to the global average?

Life expectancy at birth for Nicaragua is 74.9 years, ranking 106th out of 217 countries tracked. The global average is approximately 73 years. Life expectancy reflects healthcare quality, nutrition, sanitation, and socioeconomic conditions.

Does PlainCountries cover visa or travel information for Nicaragua?

PlainCountries focuses on development indicators, health data, and economic statistics. For visa requirements and immigration policies, visit PlainVisa at plainvisa.com. For international flight route data, check PlainFlights at plainflights.com.

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

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the World Bank, WHO, ILO, and OECD. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.