Country Profile: Nicaragua

Nicaragua, located in Central America between Costa Rica and Honduras, features a diverse geography that includes extensive coastal plains and central mountains. The country has a population of approximately 6.7 million, predominantly residing in urban areas like the capital, Managua. Historically marked by political turmoil, Nicaragua is currently governed as a presidential republic under the control of President Daniel Ortega, whose administration has faced criticism for its suppression of democratic institutions. Economically, Nicaragua remains a low-income nation heavily reliant on agricultural exports, albeit facing challenges from recent political instability and external pressures.

Geography

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, with a total area of 130,370 square kilometers, encompassing both land and water bodies. The country is characterized by a tropical climate in the lowlands and cooler conditions in the highlands, featuring extensive coastal plains along the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Major natural resources include gold, silver, and copper, while its terrain is marked by volcanoes and significant freshwater lakes.

910 km of coastline along both the Caribbean Sea and North Pacific Ocean.
42.3% of land used for agriculture as of 2023.
40.1% of land covered by forests in 2023.
Home to Lago de Nicaragua, the largest freshwater body in Central America.

People and Society

Nicaragua’s population is estimated at 6,739,380 in 2025, with a diverse demographic makeup including 69% Mestizo, 17% White, 9% Black, and 5% Indigenous. The predominant language is Spanish, spoken by 99.5% of the population. The country also showcases a rich cultural heritage shaped by its various ethnic groups and religions, including Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

25.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
59.8% of the population lives in urban areas as of 2023.
14.1 deaths/1,000 live births observed in the infant mortality rate for 2025.
The median age is 29.5 years in 2025.

Economy

Nicaragua's economy is classified as low-income, heavily reliant on agriculture and remittances, yet experiencing challenges from political instability and adverse weather events. The GDP (purchasing power parity) in 2024 is projected to be $52.989 billion, with a notable portion of the economy stemming from services. Despite a historical trend of growth, the economy has seen recent downturns impacting poverty levels.

4.4% GDP growth rate estimated for 2023.
26.6% of GDP is derived from remittances in 2024.
14.4% of GDP is contributed by agriculture as of 2024.
Unemployment rate is forecasted at 4.6% for 2024.

Government

Nicaragua is a presidential republic, with President Daniel Ortega holding office since 2007. The government has faced significant controversies regarding the fairness of elections and the suppression of dissent. The legislative body is the National Assembly, and the judiciary operates within a civil law system, with the Supreme Court overseeing judicial matters.

The current president was reelected with 75.9% of votes in November 2021.
Suffrage is universal for individuals aged 16 years and older.
Nicaragua has 15 departments and 2 autonomous regions.
The Constitution was last adopted on November 19, 1986.

Military and Security

Nicaragua’s military, known as the Army of Nicaragua, comprises land, naval, and air forces and is directly controlled by the president. The military has a dual role in national defense and domestic security, particularly in managing internal dissent, as seen in past protests.

Approximately 12,000 active personnel in the Armed Forces as of 2025.
Military expenditures constituted 0.5% of GDP in 2024.
The age for voluntary military service is 18-30 years.

Energy

Nicaragua's energy sector has made strides in electrification, with 86.5% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The installed generating capacity is about 1.849 million kW, utilizing a mix of renewable and fossil fuel sources.

66.3% of rural areas have electricity access.
4.654 billion kWh of electricity consumed in 2023.
15.7% of installed capacity comes from geothermal sources.

Environment

Environmental challenges in Nicaragua include deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The country is party to numerous international environmental agreements aiming to address these issues, including the Paris Agreement on climate change.

42.3% of land utilized for agricultural activities as of 2023.
3.806 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions recorded in 2023.
Approximately 15% of municipal solid waste is recycled as of 2022.

Transportation

Nicaragua's transportation infrastructure includes a network of airports and ports. The country has a total of 39 airports, facilitating both domestic and international travel.

5 major ports, including key locations like Bluefields and Corinto.
The merchant marine consists of 5 vessels as of 2023.

Communications

The communications landscape in Nicaragua includes a high number of mobile subscriptions and internet usage. Around 58% of the population uses the internet, reflecting growing digital connectivity.

7.33 million mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2024.
234,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions recorded in 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,739,380 (2025 est.)
Area	130,370 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$52.989 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	4.6% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	74.7 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	16.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	10.66 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electric Access	86.5% (2022 est.)
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)	4.6% (2024 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.82 children born/woman (2025 est.)