Society in Nicaragua
An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.
Explore Social Domains
Demographics
Public Health
Education & Human Capital
Living Standards & Connectivity
Current Snapshot Overview
A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Nicaragua
- Nicaragua has an estimated population of 6.8M2023A steady annual growth rate of 1.4%2023supports sustained population expansion, providing a stable base for economic development. The fertility rate of 2.2 births per woman2023is above replacement level, ensuring sustainable long-term population stability without significant external migration. Net emigration of approximately 8K individuals annually (or 1.2 per 1,000 inhabitants)2024adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
- Regarding public health, the country maintains a reasonable health standard with a life expectancy of 74.9 years2023, though there is scope for further improvements to achieve higher global benchmarks. Concurrently, maternal and child health indicators show solid progress, with child mortality (under 5 years) at 13.4 per 1,000 live births2023and maternal mortality at 60 per 100,000 live births2023, indicating improving but still developing services. These outcomes are supported by a moderate commitment to health system development, with 9.0% of GDP directed to healthcare expenditure2022.
- Educational progress is reflected in a literacy rate of 83%2015, though continued efforts are needed to achieve universal literacy and enhance foundational skills. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 95% primary enrollment2010and 70% secondary participation rates2023. This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 3.8% of GDP2022, which may constrain the scale and quality of future human capital development initiatives.
- In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (60% urban population2023) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, basic infrastructure coverage includes 88% electricity access2023. However, digital connectivity at {currentInternet}% internet penetration2023indicates significant opportunities for further digital transformation and economic inclusion.
Key Development Insights
Population Dynamics
Managing demographic trends is crucial for long-term economic planning and workforce stability.
Public Health System
Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.
Human Capital Formation
Improving foundational literacy and secondary school completion is a critical priority for unlocking future economic potential.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.
More About This Country
Neighbors & Regional Peers
Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.