Country Profile: Nicaragua

Nicaragua is located in Central America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, sharing land borders with Costa Rica and Honduras. The country has a population of approximately 6.7 million people, primarily concentrated in the western region and urban areas such as the capital, Managua. Nicaragua's economy is classified as low-income, marked by challenges such as political instability, poverty, and the impact of natural disasters. The governance structure is a presidential republic, currently dominated by the Sandinista party under President Daniel Ortega, who has held power through elections marred by irregularities.

Geography

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America with a mixed geography that includes extensive coastal plains, mountains, and numerous lakes. The tropical climate varies between lowlands and highlands, with diverse natural resources and significant volcanic activity. The country is prone to natural hazards such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

Total Area: 130,370 sq km
Highest Point: Mogoton at 2,085 m
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean at sea level
Coastline: 910 km
Major Lakes: Lago de Nicaragua (8,150 sq km) and Lago de Managua (1,040 sq km)
Natural Resources: gold, silver, copper, timber

People and Society

The estimated population of Nicaragua is around 6.7 million, with a majority identifying as Mestizo. The country has a rich cultural heritage, with Spanish as the official language and Roman Catholicism as the predominant religion. Urbanization is increasing, with nearly 60% of the population residing in cities, notably the capital, Managua.

Population (2024): 6,676,948
Median Age: 29 years
Life Expectancy: 74.7 years
Urban Population: 59.8% (2023)
Major Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (69%), White (17%), Black (9%)
Languages: Spanish (99.5% of the population)

Economy

Nicaragua's economy has faced significant challenges in recent years after nearly two decades of growth. The country relies heavily on remittances, which account for a substantial portion of its GDP. Agricultural production is important, with key exports including garments, gold, and coffee.

GDP (PPP, 2024): $52.989 billion
GDP Per Capita (2024): $7,700
Unemployment Rate (2024): 4.6%
Poverty Rate: 24.9% (2016)
Exports (2024): $8.135 billion
Remittances (2024): 26.6% of GDP

Government

Nicaragua operates as a presidential republic, with a centralized governance structure under the control of President Daniel Ortega, who has been in power since 2007. The National Assembly is unicameral, consisting of 91 elected members. Political conditions have led to criticisms of democratic practices and the independence of institutions.

Capital: Managua
Constitution: Adopted on 9 January 1987
Electoral System: Proportional representation
Next Election: Expected on 1 November 2026
Suffrage Age: 16 years

Military and Security

Nicaragua's military, the Army of Nicaragua, consists of land, naval, and air forces. Security forces report directly to the president and are part of the country's strategy for national security and internal order, often involved in suppressing dissent.

Active Military Personnel: Approximately 12,000 (2025)
Military Expenditures (2024): 0.5% of GDP
Age for Voluntary Military Service: 18-30 years
Military Structure: Land Force, Naval Force, Air Force

Energy

The energy sector in Nicaragua is characterized by a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources. Electricity access is relatively widespread in urban areas but less so in rural regions. The country is working towards increasing its installed capacity from renewable sources.

Electricity Access (2022): 86.5% of the population
Installed Generating Capacity: 1.849 million kW (2023)
Electricity Consumption: 4.654 billion kWh (2023)
Sources of Electricity Generation: Fossil fuels (35.5%), Hydroelectric (14.9%)

Environment

Nicaragua faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution. The country is part of various international environmental agreements, indicating its commitment to addressing these issues.

Major Environmental Issues: Deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution
Urban Population (2023): 59.8%
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 3.806 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Transportation

Nicaragua's transportation infrastructure includes multiple airports and seaports, facilitating both domestic and international trade. The country's civil aviation and marine transportation services are critical for economic activities.

Airports: 39 (2025)
Merchant Marine Vessels: 5 (2023)
Major Ports: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff

Communications

The communications sector in Nicaragua is developing, with increasing mobile and internet access. Fixed-line subscription rates remain low compared to mobile services, which are widely adopted.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 7.22 million (2023)
Internet Users: 58% of the population (2023)
Fixed line Telephones Subscriptions: 234,000 (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,676,948 (2024 est.)
Area	130,370 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$52.989 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	4.6% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	16.4 births/1,000 (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	10.66 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Life Expectancy	74.7 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population	59.8% (2023)
Inflation Rate	4.6% (2024 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.83 children/woman (2024 est.)