Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Nicaragua has a Central American economy supported by agriculture, manufacturing, services, remittances, and household consumption. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.8%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#60
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-1.1 pp
2025: +4.9%
North America Rank
#2
Out of 23 countries
1. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Nicaraguan economic growth is influenced by remittances, exports, agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic demand. Political conditions and U.S. economic activity also remain important.
2. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Nicaragua’s growth history has been shaped by agriculture, export manufacturing, remittances, and periods of political instability. External demand plays a significant role in economic activity.
3. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.8% | -1.1 pp |
| 2025 | +4.9% | +1.3 pp |
| 2024 | +3.6% | -0.8 pp |
| 2023 | +4.4% | +0.9 pp |
| 2022 | +3.5% | -7.0 pp |
| 2021 | +10.5% | +12.7 pp |
| 2020 | -2.2% | +0.7 pp |
| 2019 | -2.9% | +0.5 pp |
| 2018 | -3.4% | -8.0 pp |
| 2017 | +4.6% | 0.0 pp |
| 2016 | +4.6% | -0.2 pp |
| 2015 | +4.8% | 0.0 pp |
| 2014 | +4.8% | -0.1 pp |
| 2013 | +4.9% | -1.6 pp |
| 2012 | +6.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2011 | +6.3% | +1.9 pp |
| 2010 | +4.4% | +7.7 pp |
| 2009 | -3.3% | -6.7 pp |
| 2008 | +3.4% | -1.7 pp |
| 2007 | +5.1% | +1.3 pp |
| 2006 | +3.8% | -0.4 pp |
| 2005 | +4.2% | -1.2 pp |
| 2004 | +5.4% | +2.9 pp |
| 2003 | +2.5% | +1.7 pp |
| 2002 | +0.8% | -2.2 pp |
| 2001 | +3.0% | -1.1 pp |
| 2000 | +4.1% | -2.9 pp |
| 1999 | +7.0% | +3.3 pp |
| 1998 | +3.7% | -0.3 pp |
| 1997 | +4.0% | -2.3 pp |
| 1996 | +6.3% | +0.4 pp |
| 1995 | +5.9% | +0.9 pp |
| 1994 | +5.0% | +5.4 pp |
| 1993 | -0.4% | -0.8 pp |
| 1992 | +0.4% | +0.6 pp |
| 1991 | -0.2% | -0.1 pp |
| 1990 | -0.1% | +1.6 pp |
| 1989 | -1.7% | +10.7 pp |
| 1988 | -12.4% | -11.7 pp |
| 1987 | -0.7% | +0.3 pp |
| 1986 | -1.0% | +3.1 pp |
| 1985 | -4.1% | -2.5 pp |
| 1984 | -1.6% | -6.2 pp |
| 1983 | +4.6% | +5.4 pp |
| 1982 | -0.8% | -6.2 pp |
| 1981 | +5.4% | +0.8 pp |
| 1980 | +4.6% | — |
4. Nicaragua GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.8%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.0%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.7%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.4%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from strong remittance inflows and export-oriented manufacturing, while political uncertainty and limited investment constrain stronger expansion.
5. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate vs North America and World
Nicaragua
+3.8%
North America Average
+2.2%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.9%
3.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Nicaragua’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.7 pp
above the
North America average
and
1.0 pp
above the world average.
6. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate Ranking in North America
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Guatemala | +3.9% |
| #2 | Nicaragua | +3.8% |
| #3 | Panama | +3.8% |
| #4 | Dominican Republic | +3.7% |
| #5 | Costa Rica | +3.6% |
| #6 | El Salvador | +3.3% |
| #7 | Honduras | +3.3% |
| #8 | Dominica | +3.1% |
| #9 | Grenada | +3.1% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Nicaragua
Nicaragua GDP (Nominal)
$24.2 Billion
(2026)
Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate
+3.8%
(2026)
Nicaragua generally records moderate growth within Central America and remains closely linked to U.S. demand through trade and remittances.
Explore more:
Nicaragua GDP
9. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on remittances, exports, agriculture, investment, and political stability. External restrictions and weak business confidence remain key risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +3.8% | 0.0 pp |
| 2028 | +3.5% | -0.3 pp |
| 2029 | +3.5% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +3.5% | 0.0 pp |
10. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Nicaragua GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.8% in 2026.
It ranks #60 globally and #2 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 1.1 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.0%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.7%.
The current rate is 1.7 percentage points above the North America average.
The current rate is 1.0 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.5% in 2030, 0.3 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Nicaragua GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Nicaragua GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.8% in 2026.
Nicaragua ranks #60 globally and #2 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.8% in 2026.
Nicaragua GDP growth rate was +4.8% in 2015.
Nicaragua GDP growth rate is 1.7 percentage points above the North America average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.