2017 Edition

Background

The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama 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. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas led by Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra to power in 1979. 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, former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA was elected president in 2006, 2011, and most recently in 2016. Municipal, regional, and national-level elections since 2008 have been marred by widespread irregularities. Nicaragua's infrastructure and economy - hard hit by the earlier civil war and by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 - are being rebuilt, but democratic institutions have weakened under the ORTEGA administration as the president has garnered full control over all four branches of government: the presidency, the judicial, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Electoral Council.

The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama 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 ha

the presidency, the judicial, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Electoral Council.

Area

130,370 sq km 119,990 sq km 10,380 sq km

land

119,990 sq km

total

130,370 sq km

water

10,380 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than New York state

Climate

tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Coastline

910 km

Elevation

298 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,085 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mogoton 2,085 m

mean elevation

298 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 85 00 W

Geography - note

largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua

Irrigated land

1,990 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,253 km Costa Rica 313 km, Honduras 940 km

border countries (2)

Costa Rica 313 km, Honduras 940 km

total

1,253 km

Land use

42.2% arable land 12.5%; permanent crops 2.5%; permanent pasture 27.2% 25.3% 32.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

42.2%

forest

25.3%

other

32.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm natural prolongation

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

natural prolongation

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes 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

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

Natural resources

gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish

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

Terrain

extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes

Age structure

27.24% (male 837,465/female 803,985) 21.26% (male 644,153/female 636,787) 40.24% (male 1,149,747/female 1,274,818) 5.98% (male 166,782/female 193,781) 5.28% (male 141,816/female 176,617) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

27.24% (male 837,465/female 803,985)

15-24 years

21.26% (male 644,153/female 636,787)

25-54 years

40.24% (male 1,149,747/female 1,274,818)

55-64 years

5.98% (male 166,782/female 193,781)

65 years and over

5.28% (male 141,816/female 176,617) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

17.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

80.4% (2011/12)

Death rate

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Despite being one of the poorest countries in Latin America, Nicaragua has improved its access to potable water and sanitation and has ameliorated its life expectancy, infant and child mortality, and immunization rates. However, income distribution is very uneven, and the poor, agriculturalists, and indigenous people continue to have less access to healthcare services. Nicaragua's total fertility rate has fallen from around 6 children per woman in 1980 to below replacement level today, but the high birth rate among adolescents perpetuates a cycle of poverty and low educational attainment. Nicaraguans emigrate primarily to Costa Rica and to a lesser extent the United States. Nicaraguan men have been migrating seasonally to Costa Rica to harvest bananas and coffee since the early 20th century. Political turmoil, civil war, and natural disasters from the 1970s through the 1990s dramatically increased the flow of refugees and permanent migrants seeking jobs, higher wages, and better social and healthcare benefits. Since 2000, Nicaraguan emigration to Costa Rica has slowed and stabilized. Today roughly 300,000 Nicaraguans are permanent residents of Costa Rica - about 75% of the foreign population - and thousands more migrate seasonally for work, many illegally.

Dependency ratios

54.1 46.3 7.8 12.8 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

7.8

potential support ratio

12.8 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

54.1

youth dependency ratio

46.3

Drinking water source

urban: 99.3% of population rural: 69.4% of population total: 87% of population urban: 0.7% of population rural: 30.6% of population total: 13% of population (2015 est.)

rural

30.6% of population

total

13% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.7% of population

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%

Health expenditures

9% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,900 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.9 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

18.3 deaths/1,000 live births 21.1 deaths/1,000 live births 15.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

15.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

21.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

18.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official) 95.3%, Miskito 2.2%, Mestizo of the Caribbean coast 2%, other 0.5% English and indigenous languages found on the Caribbean coast (2005 est.)

note

English and indigenous languages found on the Caribbean coast (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

73.5 years 71.3 years 75.8 years (2017 est.)

female

75.8 years (2017 est.)

male

71.3 years

total population

73.5 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 82.8% 82.4% 83.2% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

83.2% (2015 est.)

male

82.4%

total population

82.8%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne disease

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

MANAGUA (capital) 956,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

150 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

25.7 years 24.8 years 26.6 years (2017 est.)

female

26.6 years (2017 est.)

male

24.8 years

total

25.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.2 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011/12 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011/12 est.)

Nationality

Nicaraguan(s) Nicaraguan

adjective

Nicaraguan

noun

Nicaraguan(s)

Net migration rate

-2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.7% (2016)

Physicians density

0.91 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

6,025,951 (July 2017 est.)

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

Population growth rate

0.98% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 51.6%, Evangelical 33.9%, other 1.5%, unspecified 12.9%, none 0.2% (2016 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 76.5% of population rural: 55.7% of population total: 67.9% of population urban: 23.5% of population rural: 44.3% of population total: 32.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

44.3% of population

total

32.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

23.5% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.9 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.86 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.89 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11.9% 9.8% 15.6% (2010 est.)

female

15.6% (2010 est.)

male

9.8%

total

11.9%

Urbanization

59.4% of total population (2017) 1.84% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.84% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

59.4% of total population (2017)

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

Capital

Managua 12 08 N, 86 15 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

12 08 N, 86 15 W

name

Managua

time difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist 4 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist

residency requirement for naturalization

4 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 19 November 1986, effective 9 January 1987; amended several times, last in 2014 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Nicaragua Nicaragua Republica de Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicarao was the name of the largest indigenous settlement at the time of Spanish arrival; conquistador Gil GONZALEZ Davila, who explored the area (1622-23), combined the name of the community with the Spanish word "agua" (water), referring to the two large lakes in the west of the country (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua)

conventional long form

Republic of Nicaragua

conventional short form

Nicaragua

etymology

Nicarao was the name of the largest indigenous settlement at the time of Spanish arrival; conquistador Gil GONZALEZ Davila, who explored the area (1622-23), combined the name of the community with the Spanish word "agua" (water), referring to the two large lakes in the west of the country (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua)

local long form

Republica de Nicaragua

local short form

Nicaragua

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Laura Farnsworth DOGU (since 9 November 2015) Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua American Embassy Managua, APO AA 34021 [505] 2252-7100, 2252-7888; 2252-7634 (after hours) [505] 2252-7250

chief of mission

Ambassador Laura Farnsworth DOGU (since 9 November 2015)

embassy

Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua

FAX

[505] 2252-7250

mailing address

American Embassy Managua, APO AA 34021

telephone

[505] 2252-7100, 2252-7888; 2252-7634 (after hours)

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Francisco Obadiah CAMPBELL Hooker (since 28 June 2010) 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 939-6570, 6573 [1] (202) 939-6545 Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

chancery

1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Francisco Obadiah CAMPBELL Hooker (since 28 June 2010)

consulate(s) general

Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 939-6545

telephone

[1] (202) 939-6570, 6573

Executive branch

President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 6 November 2016 (next to be held by November 2021) Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president; 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%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president; 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%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 6 November 2016 (next to be held by November 2021)

head of government

President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017)

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 features 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 symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

note

similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 16 judges organized into administrative, civil, criminal, and constitutional chambers) Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly to serve 5-year staggered terms Appeals Court; first instance civil, criminal, and military courts

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 military courts

Legal system

civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; 70 members in multi-seat constituencies and 20 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by proportional representation vote; 2 seats reserved for the previous president and the runner-up candidate in the previous presidential election; members serve 5-year terms;) last held on 6 November 2016 (next to be held by November 2021) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 70, PLC 13, ALN 2, PLI 2, APRE 1, PC 1, YATAMA 1

description

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; 70 members in multi-seat constituencies and 20 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by proportional representation vote; 2 seats reserved for the previous president and the runner-up candidate in the previous presidential election; members serve 5-year terms;)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 70, PLC 13, ALN 2, PLI 2, APRE 1, PC 1, YATAMA 1

elections

last held on 6 November 2016 (next to be held by November 2021)

National anthem

"Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua) Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO 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

lyrics/music

Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO

name

"Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)

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 holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors: blue, white

turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors

blue, white

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for the Republic or APRE [Carlos CANALES] Conservative Party or PC [Alfredo CESAR] Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Jose del Carmen ALVARADO] Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC [Maria Haydee OSUNA] Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN [Alejandro MEJIA Ferreti] Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra] Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Ana Margarita VIJIL] Sons of Mother Earth or YATAMA [Brooklin RIVERA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Workers Front or FNT (a Sandinista umbrella group - includes Farm Workers Association or ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG, Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN) Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN (independent labor union) Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT (umbrella group of non-Sandinista labor unions - includes Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I, Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS) Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP (a confederation of business groups)

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, bananas, sugarcane, rice, corn, tobacco, cotton, sesame, soya, beans, beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, lobsters, peanuts

Budget

$3.637 billion $3.848 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$3.848 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$3.637 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.44% (31 December 2016 est.) 12.05% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.133 billion (2016 est.) $-1.143 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$10.87 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $10.49 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.1 (2014) 45.8 (2009)

Economy - overview

Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere, has widespread underemployment and poverty. GDP growth of 4.7% in 2016 was insufficient to make a significant difference. Textiles and agriculture combined account for nearly 50% of Nicaragua's exports. Beef, coffee, and gold are Nicaragua’s top three export commodities. The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many Nicaraguan agricultural and manufactured goods. In 2013, the government granted a 50-year concession with the option for an additional 50 years to a newly formed Chinese-run company to finance and build an inter-oceanic canal and related projects, at an estimated cost of $50 billion. The canal construction has not started.

Exchange rates

cordobas (NIO) per US dollar - 28.678 (2016 est.) 28.678 (2015 est.) 27.257 (2014 est.) 26.01 (2013 est.) 23.55 (2012 est.)

Exports

$3.772 billion (2016 est.) $3.859 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, beef, gold, sugar, peanuts, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, cigars, automobile wiring harnesses, textiles, apparel

Exports - partners

US 51.5%, Mexico 13.8%, El Salvador 6%, Venezuela 5.9% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

71.4% 15.3% 29.5% 1.7% 39% -57% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

39%

government consumption

15.3%

household consumption

71.4%

imports of goods and services

-57% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

29.5%

investment in inventories

1.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

14.8% 24.2% 50.4% (2016 est.)

agriculture

14.8%

industry

24.2%

services

50.4% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,500 (2016 est.) $5,400 (2015 est.) $5,200 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.7% (2016 est.) 4.9% (2015 est.) 4.8% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$13.23 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$34.07 billion (2016 est.) $32.13 billion (2015 est.) $30.31 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

22.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 23.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 21.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.8% 47.1% (2014)

highest 10%

47.1% (2014)

lowest 10%

1.8%

Imports

$6.384 billion (2016 est.) $6.405 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products

Imports - partners

US 19.7%, China 12.9%, Mexico 9.7%, Costa Rica 7.8%, Guatemala 6.5%, Netherlands Antilles 5.7%, El Salvador 4.8% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.4% (2016 est.)

Industries

food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, knit and woven apparel, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood, electric wire harness manufacturing, mining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2016 est.) 4% (2015 est.)

Labor force

3.013 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

31% 18% 50% (2011 est.)

agriculture

31%

industry

18%

services

50% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.568 billion (31 December 2016) $1.209 billion (31 December 2015) $995 million (31 December 2014)

Population below poverty line

29.6% (2015 est.)

Public debt

45.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 45.5% of GDP (2015 est.) official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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

note

official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.448 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.492 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.445 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.52 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$6.159 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.659 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.043 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.093 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

27.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.2% (2016 est.) 6.1% (2015 est.) underemployment was 46.5% in 2008

note

underemployment was 46.5% in 2008

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

5.2 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

14,180 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

3.177 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

17.87 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

59% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

8.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

36.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

109 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.395 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

3.218 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

1,400,000 78% 100% 43% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

43% (2013)

electrification - total population

78%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

1,400,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2015 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

30,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

253.3 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,130 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

14,260 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple terrestrial TV stations, supplemented by cable TV in most urban areas; nearly all are government-owned or affiliated; more than 300 radio stations, both government-affiliated and privately owned (2016)

Internet country code

.ni

Internet users

1,466,152 24.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

24.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

1,466,152

Telephone system

system being upgraded by foreign investment; nearly all installed telecommunications capacity now uses digital technology, owing to investments since privatization of the formerly state-owned telecommunications company since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved; fixed-line teledensity roughly 6 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased to almost 130 per 100 persons country code - 505; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)

domestic

since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved; fixed-line teledensity roughly 6 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased to almost 130 per 100 persons

general assessment

system being upgraded by foreign investment; nearly all installed telecommunications capacity now uses digital technology, owing to investments since privatization of the formerly state-owned telecommunications company

international

country code - 505; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

366,636 6 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

366,636

Telephones - mobile cellular

7,745,512 130 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

130 (July 2016 est.)

total

7,745,512

Airports

147 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

12

under 914 m

4 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

119 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

15

total

135

under 914 m

119 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

YN (2016)

National air transport system

61,031 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

61,031

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

2

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

oil 54 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Bluefields, Corinto

major seaport(s)

Bluefields, Corinto

Roadways

23,897 km 3,346 km 20,551 km (2014)

paved

3,346 km

total

23,897 km

unpaved

20,551 km (2014)

Waterways

2,220 km (navigable waterways as well as the use of the large Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua; rivers serve only the sparsely populated eastern part of the country) (2011)

Military branches

National Army of Nicaragua (Ejercito Nacional de Nicaragua, ENN; includes Navy, Air Force) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.55% of GDP (2016) 0.78% of GDP (2015) 0.69% of GDP (2014) 0.68% of GDP (2013) 0.67% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; tour of duty 18-36 months; requires Nicaraguan nationality and 6th-grade education (2012)

Disputes - international

the 1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca, which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; Nicaragua and Costa Rica regularly file border dispute cases over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island to the ICJ; there is an ongoing case in the ICJ to determine Pacific and Atlantic ocean maritime borders as well as land borders; in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed region; Nicaragua filed a case against Colombia in 2013 over the delimitation of the Continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles from the Nicaraguan coast, as well as over the alleged violation by Colombia of Nicaraguan maritime space in the Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing