NIC
Data file updated Jun 27, 2026
Nicaragua
Country profile covering economy, demographics, military, quality-of-life signals, and historical trends.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Managua
- Currency
- Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)
- Language
- Spanish
- Government
- Presidential republic
- Internet Users
- 57.0%
- Unemployment
- 5.8%
Population
6.95M
GDP
$15.19B
GDP per Capita
$2,185.0
Area
130,373 km²
Life Expectancy
74.5 years
HDI
0.7
Economy
5 metrics| GDP (USD) | $15.19B |
|---|---|
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | $2,185.0 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 5.8% |
| GINI Index (Income Inequality) | 46.2 |
| Currency | Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO) |
Trade (Import/Export)
3 metrics| Exports | $8.0B |
|---|---|
| Imports | $11.4B |
| Trade Balance | $-3.5B |
Gold Reserves
1 metrics| Gold Reserves | 0.0 tonnes |
|---|
Society & Demographics
4 metrics| Life Expectancy (years) | 74.5 |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate (%) | 82.6% |
| Internet Users (%) | 57.0% |
| Human Development Index | 0.7 |
Military Strength
9 metrics| Active Personnel | 12,000 |
|---|---|
| Reserve Personnel | 0 |
| Total Military Personnel | 12,000 |
| Defense Budget (USD) | $78M |
| Tanks | 127 |
| Armored Vehicles | 194 |
| Self-Propelled Artillery | 0 |
| Towed Artillery | 12 |
| Rocket Projectors | 18 |
Air Force
7 metrics| Total Aircraft | 15 |
|---|---|
| Fighters | 0 |
| Attack Aircraft | 0 |
| Transport Aircraft | 5 |
| Trainer Aircraft | 3 |
| Helicopters | 7 |
| Attack Helicopters | 0 |
Education
4 metrics| Education Expenditure (% of GDP) | 4.6% |
|---|---|
| Universities | 63 |
| Primary Enrollment (%) | 98.4% |
| Secondary Enrollment (%) | 85.3% |
Healthcare
5 metrics| Healthcare Expenditure (% of GDP) | 9.2% |
|---|---|
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 1.0 |
| Hospital Beds per 1,000 people | 0.9 |
| Life Expectancy (Male) | 71.8 |
| Life Expectancy (Female) | 77.3 |
Cost of Living
12 metrics| Cost of Living Index | 32.5 |
|---|---|
| Rent Index | 8.2 |
| Groceries Index | 31.8 |
| Restaurant Price Index | 28.4 |
| Local Purchasing Power | 15.6 |
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant (USD) | $3.5 |
| Three-Course Meal for 2 (USD) | $15.0 |
| Monthly Rent - City Center (USD) | $350.0 |
| Monthly Rent - Outside Center (USD) | $220.0 |
| Monthly Utilities (USD) | $45.0 |
| Internet (60 Mbps, USD) | $35.0 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (USD) | $0.4 |
Historical Data
Compare Nicaragua
Religious Composition
- Roman Catholic 50.0%
- Protestant 33.2%
- Non religious 10.7%
- Other 3.2%
- Other Christian 2.9%
Beverages per Person
- Coffee 0.3 kg/yr
- Tea 0.1 kg/yr
- Beer 13.1 L/yr
- Wine 0.3 L/yr
- Alcohol 4.3 L pure/yr
Per-capita — consumption where available, else FAOSTAT supply · alcohol = litres of pure alcohol (WHO)
Age Demographics
26.8
Median Age