Nicaragua/Society

Society in Nicaragua

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
6.8M(2023)
Population Growth
1.4%(2023)
Fertility Rate
2.22(2023)
Death Rate
4.6 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-8.2K(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
74.9 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
13.4 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
60 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
9%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
82.6%(2015)
Primary Enrollment
94.9%(2010)
Secondary Enrollment
69.7%(2023)
Tertiary Enrollment
29.5(2023)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
3.8%(2022)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
58.2%(2023)
Access to Electricity
88.3%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
81.7%(2020)
Urban Population
4.1M(2023)
Rural Population
2.7M(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Nicaragua

  • Nicaragua has an estimated population of 6.8M
    2023
    A steady annual growth rate of 1.4%
    2023
    supports sustained population expansion, providing a stable base for economic development. The fertility rate of 2.2 births per woman
    2023
    is 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)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, the country maintains a reasonable health standard with a life expectancy of 74.9 years
    2023
    , 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 births
    2023
    and maternal mortality at 60 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    , 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 expenditure
    2022
    .
  • 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 enrollment
    2010
    and 70% secondary participation rates
    2023
    . This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 3.8% of GDP
    2022
    , 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 population
    2023
    ) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, basic infrastructure coverage includes 88% electricity access
    2023
    . However, digital connectivity at {currentInternet}% internet penetration
    2023
    indicates 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.