The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821, and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. By 1978, violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought a civil-military coalition to power in 1979, spearheaded by Marxist Sandinista guerrillas led by Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador prompted the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista Contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s.
After losing free and fair elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, ORTEGA was elected president in 2006, 2011, 2016, and most recently in 2021. Municipal, regional, and national-level elections since 2008 have been marred by widespread irregularities. Democratic institutions have lost their independence under the ORTEGA regime as the president has assumed full control over all branches of government, as well as cracking down on a nationwide pro-democracy protest movement in 2018 and shuttering over 3,300 civil society organizations between 2018 and 2024. In the lead-up to the 2021 presidential election, authorities arrested over 40 individuals linked to the opposition, including presidential candidates, private sector leaders, NGO workers, human rights defenders, and journalists. Only five lesser-known presidential candidates from mostly small parties allied to ORTEGA’s Sandinistas were allowed to run against ORTEGA. He then awarded the Sandinistas control of all 153 of Nicaraguan municipalities in the 2022 municipal elections, consolidating one-party rule. TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Geographic coordinates
13 00 N, 85 00 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area
total : 130,370 sq km
land: 119,990 sq km
water: 10,380 sq km
comparison ranking: total 98
Area – comparative
slightly larger than Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than New York State
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 1,253 km
border countries (2): Costa Rica 313 km; Honduras 940 km
Coastline
910 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: natural prolongation
Climate
tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain
extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Elevation
highest point: Mogoton 2,085 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 298 m
Natural resources
gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish
Land use
agricultural land: 42.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 12.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 2.5% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.4% (2022 est.)
forest: 26.7% (2022 est.)
other: 31% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
1,990 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lago de Nicaragua – 8,150 sq km; Lago de Managua – 1,040 sq km
Population distribution
the overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clusters
Natural hazards
destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (728 m), which last erupted in 1999, is one of Nicaragua’s most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica
Geography – note
largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua
People and Society
Population
total: 6,676,948 (2024 est.)
male: 3,273,900
female: 3,403,048
comparison rankings: total 108; female 109; male 108
Nationality
noun: Nicaraguan(s)
adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White) 69%, White 17%, Black 9%, Indigenous 5%
Languages
Spanish (official) 99.5%, Indigenous 0.3%, Portuguese 0.1%, other 0.1% (2020 est.)
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note: English and indigenous languages found on the Caribbean coast
Spanish audio sample:
Religions
Roman Catholic 44.9%, Protestant 38.7% (Evangelical 38.2, Adventist 0.5%), other 1.2%, (includes Jehovah’s Witness and Church of Jesus Christ), believer but not belonging to a church 1%, agnostic or atheist 0.4%, none 13.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2020 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 25.1% (male 855,256/female 818,714)
15-64 years: 68.9% (male 2,240,297/female 2,360,244)
65 years and over: 6% (2024 est.) (male 178,347/female 224,090)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 45.1 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 36.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 8.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 11.4 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 29 years (2024 est.)
male: 28.1 years
female: 29.9 years
comparison ranking: total 147
Population growth rate
0.95% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 97
Birth rate
16.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 97
Death rate
5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 191
Net migration rate
-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 166
Population distribution
the overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clusters
Urbanization
urban population: 59.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.45% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
1.095 million MANAGUA (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
19.2 years (2011/12 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio
78 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 74
Infant mortality rate
total: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 15.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 96
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 73.2 years
female: 76.4 years
comparison ranking: total population 139
Total fertility rate
1.83 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 134
Gross reproduction rate
0.89 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
80.4% (2011/12)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 62.6% of population
total: 83.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 37.4% of population
total: 16.8% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
9.7% of GDP (2021)
17.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.68 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density
0.9 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 89.9% of population
rural: 66.5% of population
total: 80.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 10.1% of population
rural: 33.5% of population
total: 19.7% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
23.7% (2016)
comparison ranking: 63
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 3.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 1.57 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 101
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
56% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
17.7% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 157
Literacy
total population: 82.6%
male: 82.4%
female: 82.8% (2015)
Environment
Environment – current issues
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; drought
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Land use
agricultural land: 42.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 12.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 2.5% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.4% (2022 est.)
forest: 26.7% (2022 est.)
other: 31% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 59.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.45% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 16 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 5.59 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 6.46 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,528,816 tons (2010 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lago de Nicaragua – 8,150 sq km; Lago de Managua – 1,040 sq km
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 286 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 50 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 1.08 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
164.52 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 1
global geoparks and regional networks: Rio Coco (2023)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua
conventional short form: Nicaragua
local long form: República de Nicaragua
local short form: Nicaragua
etymology: 16th-century Spanish explorer Gil GONZALEZ Davila is said to have combined the name of a local chieftain, Nicarao, with the Spanish word agua (water), referring to the two large lakes in the west of the country (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua)
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Managua
geographic coordinates: 12 08 N, 86 15 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name comes from Lake Managua, whose name is composed of the Guaranà words ama (rain) and nagua (spirit) and refers to a local deity
Administrative divisions
15 departments (departamentos, singular – departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular – region autonoma); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Costa Caribe Norte*, Costa Caribe Sur*, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas
Legal system
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Constitution
history: several previous; latest adopted 19 November 1986, effective 9 January 1987
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or assent of at least half of the National Assembly membership; passage requires approval by 60% of the membership of the next elected Assembly and promulgation by the president of the republic
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007)
head of government: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified plurality vote for a 6-year term (no term limits)
most recent election date: 7 November 2021
election results:
2021: Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president for a fourth consecutive term; percent of vote – Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 75.9%, Walter ESPINOZA (PLC) 14.3%, Guillermo OSORNO (CCN) 3.3%, Marcelo MONTIEL (ALN) 3.1%, other 3.4%
2016: Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president for a third consecutive term; percent of vote – Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 72.4%, Maximino RODRIGUEZ (PLC) 15%, Jose del Carmen ALVARADO (PLI) 4.5%, Saturnino CERRATO Hodgson (ALN) 4.3%, other 3.7%
expected date of next election: 1 November 2026
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 91 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 11/7/2021
parties elected and seats per party: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) (75); Liberal and Constitutionalist Party (PLC) (9); Other (6)
percentage of women in chamber: 54.9%
expected date of next election: November 2026
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 16 judges organized into administrative, civil, criminal, and constitutional chambers)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly to serve 5-year staggered terms
subordinate courts: Appeals Court; first instance civil, criminal, and labor courts; military courts are independent of the Supreme Court
Political parties
Alliance for the Republic or APRE
Alternative for Change or AC (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN)
Autonomous Liberal Party or PAL
Caribbean Unity Movement or PAMUC
Christian Unity Party or PUC (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN)
Independent Liberal Party or PLI
Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC
Moskitia Indigenous Progressive Movement or MOSKITIA PAWANKA (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN)
Multiethnic Indigenous Party or PIM (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN)
Nationalist Liberal Party or PLN (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN)
Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN
Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or CCN
Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN)
Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN
Sons of Mother Earth or YATAMA
The New Sons of Mother Earth Movement or MYATAMARAN (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires M. Lautaro SANDINO Montes (since 23 February 2024)
chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545
email address and website:
[email protected]
United States of America | ConsuladoDeNicaragua.com
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Kevin Michael O’REILLY (since 28 June 2023)
embassy: Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua
mailing address: 3240 Managua Place, Washington DC 20521-3240
telephone: [505] 2252-7100,
FAX: [505] 2252-7250
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://ni.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACS, BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue, with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands stand for the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and the white band for the land between the two bodies of water
note: similar to the flag of El Salvador, which has a round emblem with the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars in an X pattern centered in the white band
National symbol(s)
turquoise-browed motmot (bird)
National color(s)
blue, white
National anthem
name: “Salve a ti, Nicaragua” (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)
lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO
note: although only officially adopted in 1971, the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune, originally from Spain, was used as an anthem for Nicaragua from the 1830s until 1876
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Ruins of León Viejo; León Cathedral
Economy
Economic overview
low-income Central American economy; until 2018, nearly 20 years of sustained GDP growth; recent struggles due to COVID-19, political instability, and hurricanes; significant remittances; increasing poverty and food scarcity since 2005; sanctions limit investment
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$51.088 billion (2023 est.)
$48.856 billion (2022 est.)
$47.089 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 124
Real GDP growth rate
4.57% (2023 est.)
3.75% (2022 est.)
10.32% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 66
Real GDP per capita
$7,500 (2023 est.)
$7,300 (2022 est.)
$7,100 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 157
GDP (official exchange rate)
$17.829 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.6% (2024 est.)
8.4% (2023 est.)
10.5% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 143
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 15.3% (2023 est.)
industry: 27.3% (2023 est.)
services: 46.3% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 171; industry 77; agriculture 55
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 78.1% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 12.2% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 21.2% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.8% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 45.8% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -59.1% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugarcane, milk, rice, oil palm fruit, maize, plantains, cassava, groundnuts, beans, chicken (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, knit and woven apparel, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood, electric wire harness manufacturing, mining
Industrial production growth rate
6.07% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 37
Labor force
3.225 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 104
Unemployment rate
4.6% (2024 est.)
4.7% (2023 est.)
5% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 84
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 9% (2024 est.)
male: 7.8% (2024 est.)
female: 12% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 138
Population below poverty line
24.9% (2016 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
46.2 (2014 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 17
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2% (2014 est.)
highest 10%: 37.2% (2014 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
26.15% of GDP (2023 est.)
20.62% of GDP (2022 est.)
15.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $3.396 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $2.609 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
33.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
note: official data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as retirement, medical care, and unemployment, debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions; Nicaragua rebased its GDP figures in 2012, which reduced the figures for debt as a percentage of GDP
comparison ranking: 159
Taxes and other revenues
19.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 85
Current account balance
$1.381 billion (2023 est.)
-$386.9 million (2022 est.)
-$540.879 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 53
Exports
$8.25 billion (2023 est.)
$7.87 billion (2022 est.)
$6.618 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 124
Exports – partners
USA 51%, Mexico 12%, El Salvador 6%, Canada 6%, Switzerland 4% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
garments, gold, insulated wire, coffee, beef (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$10.517 billion (2023 est.)
$10.212 billion (2022 est.)
$8.342 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 119
Imports – partners
USA 24%, China 13%, Mexico 9%, Honduras 9%, Guatemala 8% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
garments, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, plastic products, fabric (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$6.105 billion (2024 est.)
$5.447 billion (2023 est.)
$4.404 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 93
Debt – external
$6.753 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 61
Exchange rates
cordobas (NIO) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
36.624 (2024 est.)
36.441 (2023 est.)
35.874 (2022 est.)
35.171 (2021 est.)
34.342 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 86.5% (2022 est.)
electrification – urban areas: 100%
electrification – rural areas: 66.3%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 1.849 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 4.654 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 1.125 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 839 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 94; imports 75; consumption 131; installed generating capacity 121
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 35.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 12.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 14.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
geothermal: 15.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 20.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 22 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 200 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 28,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
3.806 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.806 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 144
Energy consumption per capita
10.66 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 148
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 234,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 116
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 7.22 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 97 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 111
Broadcast media
multiple terrestrial TV stations, supplemented by cable TV in most urban areas; nearly all are state-owned or affiliated; more than 300 radio stations, both state-affiliated and privately owned (2019)
Internet country code
.ni
Internet users
percent of population: 58% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 371,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 109
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
YN
Airports
39 (2025)
comparison ranking: 105
Merchant marine
total: 5 (2023)
by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1, other 3
comparison ranking: total 168
Ports
total ports: 5 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 2
very small: 3
ports with oil terminals: 4
key ports: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Nicaragua (formal name is Army of Nicaragua or Ejercito de Nicaragua, EN): Land Force (Fuerza Terrestre); Naval Force (Fuerza Naval); Air Force (Fuerza Aérea) (2025)
note: both the military and the Nicaraguan National Police (PolicÃa Nacional de Nicaragua or PNN) report directly to the president; Parapolice, which are non-uniformed, armed, and masked units with marginal tactical training and loose hierarchical organization, act in coordination with government security forces and report to the National Police; they have been used to suppress anti-government protesters
Military expenditures
0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 12,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s air and ground force inventories include mostly secondhand Russian or Soviet-era equipment; its naval force has a miscellaneous mix of patrol boats from several foreign suppliers, as well as some commercial vessels converted into gunboats domestically (2024)
note: in 2024, the US imposed restrictions on the import and export of US origin defense articles and defense services destined for or originating in Nicaragua
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; tour of duty 18-36 months (2024)
Military – note
the military is responsible for defending Nicaragua’s independence, sovereignty, and territory, but also has some domestic security responsibilities; key tasks include border security, assisting the police, protecting natural resources, and providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance; it has ties with the militaries of Cuba, Venezuela, and Russia; Russia has provided training support and equipment
the modern Army of Nicaragua was created in 1979 as the Sandinista Popular Army (1979-1984); prior to 1979, the military was known as the National Guard, which was organized and trained by the US in the 1920s and 1930s; the first commander of the National Guard, Anastasio SOMOZA GARCIA, seized power in 1937 and ran the country as a military dictator until his assassination in 1956; his sons ran the country either directly or through figureheads until the Sandinistas came to power in 1979; the defeated National Guard was disbanded by the Sandinistas (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
National Secretariat for Extraterrestrial Space Affairs, The Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (SecretarÃa Nacional para Asuntos del Espacio Ultraterrestre, la Luna y otros Cuerpos Celestes, established 2021; operates under the military’s control) (2024)
Space program overview
stated mission of the space agency is to promote the development of space activities with the aim of broadening the country’s capacities in the fields of education, industry, science, and technology; has cooperated with China and Russia; is a signatory of the convention establishing the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 3 — Nicaragua does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Nicaragua remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/nicaragua/
Illicit drugs
transit route for illicit drugs originating from South America destined for the United States
