Country Profile: Nicaragua

Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America, is bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, lying between Costa Rica and Honduras. With a population exceeding 6.7 million, the majority reside in the western regions, especially around the capital, Managua. Nicaragua's economy has historically depended on agriculture and remittances, but it currently faces challenges including political instability, hurricanes, and the impacts of COVID-19. The governance structure is a presidential republic, where democracy has been undermined under President Daniel Ortega.

Geography

Nicaragua boasts a diverse geographical landscape, featuring extensive coastal plains along the Caribbean, central interior mountains, and a narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanic activity. The country is home to Central America's largest body of freshwater, Lago de Nicaragua. Its climate varies from tropical in the lowlands to cooler in the highlands, posing susceptibility to natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes.

130,370 sq km total area
910 km of coastline
1,253 km of land borders with Costa Rica and Honduras
40.1% of land is forested (2023 est.)
Lago de Nicaragua is the largest freshwater lake in Central America.

People and Society

Nicaragua's population is approximately 6.7 million, predominantly Mestizo, with Spanish as the official language. The country has a youthful demographic, with a median age of 29.5 years, and a significant percentage of the population is urbanized, especially in and around the capital. The country also shows a diverse religious landscape dominated by Roman Catholics and Protestants.

59.8% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
44.9% identify as Roman Catholic
25.1% of the population is under 14 years old
Life expectancy: 74.7 years (2024 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.92% (2025 est.)

Economy

Nicaragua's economy, classified as low-income, has shown resilience from 2000 to 2018, but recent years have brought about significant economic challenges including rising poverty rates and food scarcity. It relies on remittances and agricultural exports, while also facing sanctions that limit foreign investment.

Real GDP (PPP): $52.989 billion (2024 est.)
GDP growth rate: 3.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.6% (2024 est.)
Remittances: 26.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exports: $8.135 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Nicaragua operates as a presidential republic, currently led by President Daniel Ortega, who has been in power since 2007. The political landscape has seen significant control exerted by the ruling party, leading to diminished independence of democratic institutions. Elections have been criticized for lack of integrity.

Capital: Managua
Total seats in National Assembly: 91
Last election (presidential): November 7, 2021
Expected next election: November 1, 2026
Population eligible to vote: 16 years and older

Military and Security

The Nicaraguan Armed Forces encompass land, naval, and air forces, reporting directly to the president. The military is tasked with various domestic security responsibilities and has a history intertwined with political actions and stability.

Active military personnel: approximately 12,000 (2025 est.)
Military expenditure: 0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Service age for voluntary military: 18-30 years
Military ties: Defense agreements with Russia

Energy

Nicaragua faces challenges in energy access, with a notable discrepancy between urban and rural electrification rates. A mix of energy sources is utilized, prominently featuring fossil fuels, hydroelectric, and renewable energies.

Electrification: 86.5% of total population (2022 est.)
Installed capacity: 1.849 million kW (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 10.66 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Renewable sources: contribute to 20.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Total petroleum production: 200 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in Nicaragua include deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution, exacerbated by climate change. The nation participates in various international environmental agreements to address these issues.

Percentage of land used for agriculture: 42.3% (2023 est.)
Total water withdrawal: 1.084 billion cubic meters for agriculture (2022 est.)
Annual municipal solid waste generated: 1.529 million tons (2024 est.)
CO2 emissions: 3.806 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Transportation

Nicaragua’s transportation infrastructure includes a network of roads and airports, facilitating both domestic and international travel. The country has several key ports that support its trade activities.

Total airports: 39 (2025)
Major ports: Bluefields, Corinto, and Puerto Sandino
Merchant marine: 5 vessels (2023)
Total ports: 5 (2024)

Communications

The telecommunications sector is expanding, with a growing number of mobile cellular subscriptions and internet access. The media landscape is predominantly state-controlled.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 7.33 million (2024 est.)
Internet penetration: 58% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line telephones: 234,000 subscriptions (2023 est.)
Broadband subscriptions: 371,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,739,380 (2025 est.)
Area	130,370 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$52.989 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption	10.66 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	16.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	4.6% (2024 est.)
Urban population	59.8% (2023)
Life expectancy	74.7 years (2024 est.)
Military expenditure	0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Total fertility rate	1.82 children born/woman (2025 est.)