Nicaragua: economy and key statistics
Nicaragua is number 128 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $22.2 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $3,173. The economy grew by 4.9% in 2025. Unemployment is 5.0%. The economy is 45% services, 29% industry, 14% agriculture.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Nicaragua is number 124 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 27.5 out of 100: economic 49, technology 7, military 12 and human capital 52.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $22.2 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $65.1 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $3,173 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +4.9% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 2.1% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 5.0% | 2025 |
| Population | 7.0 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 3.3 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 45% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 29% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 13% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 14% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 42% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 6.9% of GDP | 2024 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 1% | 2024 |
| Internet users | 61% of people | 2024 |
Main export industries
Nicaragua exported goods worth about $7.5bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Apparel and clothing accessories: $1.5bn (19.9% of goods exports)
- Natural, cultured pearls: $1.4bn (18.5% of goods exports)
- Meat and edible meat offal: $0.8bn (10.5% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $0.8bn (10.4% of goods exports)
- Coffee, tea, mate and spices: $0.5bn (7.0% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in North America
- United States (#1)
- Canada (#10)
- Mexico (#14)
- Puerto Rico (US) (#65)
- Dominican Republic (#66)
- Guatemala (#68)
- Costa Rica (#74)
- Panama (#82)
- Honduras (#105)
- El Salvador (#109)
- Haiti (#112)
- Trinidad and Tobago (#122)
- Jamaica (#125)
- Bahamas (#142)
- Bermuda (#153)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Nicaragua?
Nicaragua had a GDP of $22.2 billion in 2025, ranking number 128 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Nicaragua?
GDP per person in Nicaragua was $3,173 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Nicaragua growing?
The economy of Nicaragua grew by 4.9% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
© 311 Institute 2026. Facts from Wikidata (CC0) and the sources linked on this page. The selection, classification and links are the proprietary work of the 311 Institute, protected by copyright and database rights.