Skip to content

Economy of Bangladesh vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bangladesh has a GDP of $456B compared to $22.2B for Nicaragua, ranking 38/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $192B in government debt (42% of GDP), compared to $7.74B (34.8% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Bangladesh vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Bangladesh
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Nicaragua
2025 $456,319,229,256 $22,237,167,113
2024 $450,119,432,069 $19,696,311,850
2023 $437,415,333,018 $17,805,842,221
2022 $460,131,689,083 $15,634,573,556
2021 $416,271,647,911 $14,209,019,392
2020 $373,979,442,362 $12,726,422,432
2019 $351,231,654,604 $12,699,023,614
2018 $321,362,752,442 $13,025,221,974
2017 $293,732,446,625 $13,785,893,007
2016 $265,224,515,675 $13,286,093,388
2015 $195,146,608,978 $12,756,696,261
2014 $172,886,611,654 $11,880,438,824
2013 $149,998,957,434 $10,982,988,249
2012 $133,310,747,603 $10,532,017,232
2011 $128,607,482,310 $9,774,329,333
2010 $115,275,540,051 $8,758,602,233
2009 $102,475,158,191 $8,298,702,489
2008 $91,636,997,371 $8,496,967,597
2007 $79,611,644,975 $7,423,375,015
2006 $71,795,736,172 $6,763,672,381
2005 $69,476,001,239 $6,321,324,279
2004 $65,108,544,250 $5,792,932,838
2003 $60,158,929,188 $5,322,228,351
2002 $54,724,081,491 $5,223,727,303
2001 $53,991,289,844 $5,351,752,034
2000 $53,369,787,319 $5,109,587,050
1999 $51,270,569,884 $4,856,026,259
1998 $49,984,559,471 $4,635,347,386
1997 $48,244,309,133 $4,389,973,490
1996 $46,438,484,108 $4,308,351,903
1995 $37,939,748,769 $4,140,470,000
1994 $33,768,660,883 $3,863,185,119
1993 $33,166,519,418 $1,756,454,248
1992 $31,708,874,594 $1,792,800,000
1991 $30,957,483,950 $1,488,804,124
1990 $31,598,340,778 $1,009,455,484
1989 $28,781,715,189 $1,013,184,756
1988 $26,579,005,558 $2,630,900,096
1987 $24,298,032,258 $3,851,200,118
1986 $21,774,033,333 $2,885,799,994
1985 $22,278,423,077 $2,683,699,935
1984 $18,920,840,000 $3,117,599,872
1983 $17,609,048,822 $2,753,100,058
1982 $18,525,399,202 $2,454,499,872
1981 $20,249,694,002 $2,474,700,227
1980 $18,138,049,096 $2,144,300,006
1979 $15,565,480,322 $1,567,599,982
1978 $13,281,767,143 $2,127,699,979
1977 $9,651,149,302 $2,226,999,874
1976 $10,117,113,333 $1,836,899,999
1975 $19,448,348,073 $1,581,599,959
1974 $12,512,460,520 $1,521,400,012
1973 $8,086,725,729 $1,092,900,015
1972 $6,288,245,867 $878,570,045
1971 $8,751,843,188 $828,569,953
1970 $8,992,722,167 $778,569,939
1969 $8,471,006,438 $750,000,003
1968 $7,483,685,771 $692,859,985
1967 $7,253,575,688 $657,140,011
1966 $6,439,687,854 $607,140,010
1965 $5,906,636,792 $564,290,020
1964 $5,386,054,833 $347,119,918
1963 $5,319,458,563 $297,324,163
1962 $5,081,413,542 $269,283,804
1961 $4,817,580,375 $244,144,237
1960 $4,274,894,083 $227,223,322

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/nicaragua | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs Nicaragua by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,597 - $3,173 -
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $958 $3,691 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $860 $3,434 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $837 $3,051 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $757 $2,834 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $679 $2,675 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $613 $2,555 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $538 $2,388 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $490 $2,195 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $480 $2,020 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $456 $1,862 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $427 $1,746 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $394 $1,659 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $395 $1,598 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $397 $1,512 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $388 $1,430 $980 $2,672
1998 $386 $1,373 $949 $2,497
1997 $379 $1,315 $913 $2,418
1996 $372 $1,261 $911 $2,325
1995 $309 $1,206 $892 $2,187
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $849 $2,064
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $394 $1,998
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $411 $2,003
1991 $272.1 $987 $350 $1,995
1990 $283.1 $941 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $263 - $249.2 -
1988 $247.9 - $662 -
1987 $231.5 - $992 -
1986 $212.1 - $761 -
1985 $222.2 - $724 -
1984 $193.4 - $861 -
1983 $184.7 - $780 -
1982 $199.6 - $714 -
1981 $224.2 - $740 -
1980 $206.1 - $659 -
1979 $181.1 - $495 -
1978 $158.3 - $691 -
1977 $117.9 - $744 -
1976 $126.7 - $633 -
1975 $249.8 - $561 -
1974 $165 - $557 -
1973 $109.7 - $413 -
1972 $87.8 - $341 -
1971 $124.5 - $331 -
1970 $130.2 - $321 -
1969 $125.9 - $319 -
1968 $114.4 - $304 -
1967 $114.2 - $297.9 -
1966 $104.4 - $284 -
1965 $98.6 - $272.3 -
1964 $92.6 - $172.7 -
1963 $94.1 - $152.5 -
1962 $92.6 - $142.3 -
1961 $90.4 - $132.9 -
1960 $82.5 - $127.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/nicaragua | CC BY

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,597, ranking 151/197, compared to $3,173 in Nicaragua, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$456B
2025
$22.2B
2025
GDP rank
38/197
2025
128/197
2025
GDP growth
3.49%
2024-2025
4.92%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,597
2025
$3,173
2025
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2025
140/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$192B
2025
$7.74B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42%
2025
34.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,092
2025
$1,104
2025
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2025
142/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,829
2026
$1,939
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$26.2B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
10.9%
2025
26.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
10%
2024-2025
2.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
5.2%
2018
Population
178936470
7144725

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 10.9% 42% 26.1% 34.8%
2024 12% 41% 26.2% 37.9%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 26% 42.4%
2022 13% 37.9% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 30% 48.4%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 13.6% 32% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 13% 29.6% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 10.6% 33% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 21.9% 26%
2007 9.63% 35% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 20.8% 84%
2003 10.2% 37% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 10.7% 37.1% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 9.76% 31.2% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 8.66% 32.7% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 9.82% 31.1% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 9.89% 29.1% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 9.79% 31% 18% -
1995 10.5% 32.9% 17.7% -
1994 10% 35.5% 18.4% -
1993 9.74% 34.1% 18.4% -
1992 8.8% 33.1% 18.4% -
1991 8.86% 31.8% 16.8% -
1990 9.14% 31.5% 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/nicaragua | CC BY

In 2025, Bangladesh's government spending was $49.6B, accounting for 10.9% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.8B, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42% in Bangladesh and 34.8% in Nicaragua, ranking 124/185 and 145/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Nicaragua
2025 -2.93% 2.1%
2024 -3.7% 2.25%
2023 -4.39% 2.3%
2022 -4.53% 0.65%
2021 -3.56% -1.26%
2020 -4.84% -2.57%
2019 -5.41% -1.12%
2018 -4.07% -4.35%
2017 -4.17% -1.75%
2016 -3.16% -1.92%
2015 -3.29% -1.64%
2014 -2.62% -0.89%
2013 -2.86% -0.3%
2012 -2.56% 0.22%
2011 -2.96% 0.59%
2010 -2.23% 0.69%
2009 -2.68% -0.9%
2008 -3.36% 0.27%
2007 -1.86% 1.88%
2006 -2.15% 1.36%
2005 -2.4% 1.72%
2004 -2.21% 1.69%
2003 -1.96% 1.3%
2002 -2.3% 2.07%
2001 -3.44% 0.34%
2000 -2.5% 2.15%
1999 -1.35% -6.86%
1998 -2.2% -2.88%
1997 -1.94% -3.31%
1996 -2.01% -5%
1995 -0.38% -4.62%
1994 0.03% -5.79%
1993 0.43% -4.66%
1992 0.36% -3.8%
1991 0.44% -3.45%
1990 -0.15% -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/nicaragua | CC BY

In 2025, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.4B, equivalent to 2.93% of GDP. This compares to Nicaragua's surplus of $467M, or 2.1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.41% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Nicaragua
2025 10% 2.1%
2024 9.7% 4.6%
2023 9% 8.4%
2022 6.1% 10.5%
2021 5.6% 4.9%
2020 5.6% 3.7%
2019 5.5% 5.4%
2018 5.8% 4.9%
2017 5.4% 3.9%
2016 5.9% 3.5%
2015 6.4% 4%
2014 7.3% 6%
2013 6.8% 7.1%
2012 8.9% 7.2%
2011 8.8% 8.1%
2010 7.3% 5.5%
2009 6.7% 3.7%
2008 9.9% 19.8%
2007 7.2% 11.1%
2006 7.2% 9.1%
2005 6.5% 9.6%
2004 8.1% 8.5%
2003 3.9% 5.3%
2002 2.4% 3.8%
2001 1.8% 7.4%
2000 3.6% 11.5%
1999 8.9% 11.2%
1998 6.7% 13%
1997 2.7% 9.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/nicaragua | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.54%, compared with 7.34% in Nicaragua. In 2025, inflation was 10% in Bangladesh and 2.1% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $439K
Chemicals & pharma $405K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$239M
2025
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
93/190
2025
52/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.05%
2025
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$66B
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$43.8B
2025
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$14.7B
2025
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$8.42B
2025
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
54.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.1%
2025
41.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bangladesh Nicaragua
Economic freedom 54.8 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 139/197
Property rights 32.1 23.8
Government integrity 22.7 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 8.8
Tax burden 79.9 74.5
Government spending 95.3 77.7
Fiscal health 68.4 96.9
Business freedom 52.7 54.4
Labor freedom 50.5 47.3
Monetary freedom 65.8 69.4
Trade freedom 63 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh Nicaragua
2026 54.8 53.6
2025 54.7 54
2024 54.4 53.4
2023 54.4 54.9
2022 52.7 54.8
2021 56.5 56.3
2020 56.4 57.2
2019 55.6 57.7
2018 55.1 58.9
2017 55 59.2
2016 53.3 58.6
2015 53.9 57.6
2014 54.1 58.4
2013 52.6 56.6
2012 53.2 57.9
2011 53 58.8
2010 51.1 58.3
2009 47.5 59.8
2008 44.2 60.8
2007 46.7 62.7
2006 52.9 63.8
2005 47.5 62.5
2004 50 61.4
2003 49.3 62.6
2002 51.9 61.1
2001 51.2 58
2000 48.9 56.9
1999 50 54
1998 52 53.8
1997 49.9 53.3
1996 51.1 54.1
1995 40.9 42.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/nicaragua | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bangladesh Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
52.1%
2025
45.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34%
2025
29.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.4%
2025
14.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$499B
2025
$19.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,710
2025
$8,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$28.6B
2025
$8.32B
2025
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2025
87/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.84B
2025
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.28B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
25.8%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/nicaragua | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.