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Economy of Haiti vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Haiti has a GDP of $25.2B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 117/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Haiti has $3.91B in government debt (15.5% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Haiti vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Haiti
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Haiti Nicaragua
2024 $25,224,154,991 $19,693,982,968
2023 $19,850,585,722 $17,805,842,284
2022 $20,253,551,921 $15,634,572,502
2021 $20,944,387,976 $14,209,020,362
2020 $14,508,222,518 $12,726,422,432
2019 $15,016,090,930 $12,699,023,614
2018 $16,403,864,618 $13,025,221,974
2017 $15,093,357,161 $13,785,893,007
2016 $14,069,277,526 $13,286,093,388
2015 $14,849,629,309 $12,756,696,261
2014 $15,146,883,498 $11,880,438,824
2013 $14,902,488,604 $10,982,988,249
2012 $13,708,925,477 $10,532,017,232
2011 $13,008,746,039 $9,774,329,333
2010 $11,859,312,725 $8,758,602,233
2009 $11,597,002,835 $8,298,702,489
2008 $10,432,962,635 $8,496,967,597
2007 $9,228,637,768 $7,423,375,015
2006 $7,638,739,123 $6,763,672,381
2005 $7,030,149,730 $6,321,324,279
2004 $6,087,360,684 $5,792,932,838
2003 $5,071,947,798 $5,322,228,351
2002 $6,205,847,214 $5,223,727,303
2001 $6,331,970,324 $5,351,752,034
2000 $6,813,566,099 $5,109,587,050
1999 $4,153,725,884 $4,856,026,259
1998 $3,723,903,724 $4,635,347,386
1997 $3,338,949,152 $4,389,973,490
1996 $2,907,517,604 $4,308,351,903
1995 $2,813,313,279 $4,140,470,000
1994 $2,167,569,046 $3,863,185,119
1993 $1,878,253,767 $1,756,454,248
1992 $2,257,129,792 $1,792,800,000
1991 $3,473,562,628 $1,488,804,124
1990 $3,096,289,800 $1,009,455,484
1989 $2,736,243,800 $1,013,184,756
1988 $2,613,926,800 $2,630,900,096
1987 $2,047,200,000 $3,851,200,118
1986 $2,318,000,000 $2,885,799,994
1985 $2,009,400,000 $2,683,699,935
1984 $1,816,200,000 $3,117,599,872
1983 $1,623,600,000 $2,753,100,058
1982 $1,474,200,000 $2,454,499,872
1981 $1,479,400,000 $2,474,700,227
1980 $1,383,800,000 $2,144,300,006
1979 $1,080,600,000 $1,567,599,982
1978 $974,200,000 $2,127,699,979
1977 $947,000,000 $2,226,999,874
1976 $879,000,000 $1,836,899,999
1975 $681,400,000 $1,581,599,959
1974 $565,399,322 $1,521,400,012
1973 $466,798,973 $1,092,900,015
1972 $371,998,958 $878,570,045
1971 $362,800,000 $828,569,953
1970 $331,200,000 $778,569,939
1969 $391,820,400 $750,000,003
1968 $367,968,800 $692,859,985
1967 $369,124,200 $657,140,011
1966 $368,948,600 $607,140,010
1965 $353,251,800 $564,290,020
1964 $325,281,200 $347,119,918
1963 $294,883,400 $297,324,163
1962 $281,896,800 $269,283,804
1961 $271,066,000 $244,144,237
1960 $273,187,200 $227,223,322

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Haiti vs Nicaragua by year

Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Haiti Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,143 $3,194 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $1,706 $3,292 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $1,761 $3,275 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $1,841 $3,145 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $1,290 $3,103 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $1,352 $3,237 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $1,496 $3,197 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $1,395 $3,339 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $1,318 $3,253 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $1,411 $3,026 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $1,460 $3,076 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $1,458 $3,042 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $1,361 $2,830 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $1,312 $2,858 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $1,210 $2,695 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $1,197 $2,855 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $1,095 $2,724 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $985 $2,647 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $829 $2,504 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $776 $2,427 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $683 $2,322 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $579 $2,331 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $721 $2,248 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $749 $2,230 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $821 $2,229 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $510 $2,201 $980 $2,672
1998 $465 $2,152 $949 $2,497
1997 $425 $2,122 $913 $2,418
1996 $377 $2,070 $911 $2,325
1995 $372 $1,989 $892 $2,187
1994 $292.1 $1,807 $849 $2,064
1993 $258.1 $2,048 $394 $1,998
1992 $316 $2,158 $411 $2,003
1991 $497 $2,273 $350 $1,995
1990 $452 $2,202 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $407 - $249.2 -
1988 $397 - $662 -
1987 $318 - $992 -
1986 $367 - $761 -
1985 $325 - $724 -
1984 $299.2 - $861 -
1983 $272.8 - $780 -
1982 $252.6 - $714 -
1981 $258.5 - $740 -
1980 $246.5 - $659 -
1979 $196.2 - $495 -
1978 $180.3 - $691 -
1977 $178.7 - $744 -
1976 $169.1 - $633 -
1975 $133.6 - $561 -
1974 $113 - $557 -
1973 $95.1 - $413 -
1972 $77.3 - $341 -
1971 $76.8 - $331 -
1970 $71.5 - $321 -
1969 $86.1 - $319 -
1968 $82.4 - $304 -
1967 $84.2 - $297.9 -
1966 $85.7 - $284 -
1965 $83.6 - $272.3 -
1964 $78.5 - $172.7 -
1963 $72.4 - $152.5 -
1962 $70.4 - $142.3 -
1961 $69 - $132.9 -
1960 $70.8 - $127.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Haiti's GDP per capita is $2,143, ranking 153/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Haiti Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$25.2B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
117/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
-4.17%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,143
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,194
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
177/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$3.91B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
15.5%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$332
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,896
2026
$2,318
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2012
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2012
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
5.25%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
26.9%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
14.1%
2012
5.2%
2018
Population
12076663
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Haiti
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Haiti Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 5.25% 15.5% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 6.46% 28.5% 26% 42.3%
2022 8.33% 29.5% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 9.42% 28.9% 30% 48.4%
2020 9.86% 22.3% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 9.59% 26.5% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 11.3% 24.1% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 10.2% 22.5% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 10.5% 24.4% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 12.7% 23.9% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 14.6% 21.4% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 15.9% 25.1% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 16.4% 24.1% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 14.1% 22.3% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 12.6% 24.9% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 11.6% 19.4% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 11.2% 33.9% 21.9% 26%
2007 11.1% 24.4% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 9.67% 32.2% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 8.75% 29.7% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 7.38% 30.4% 20.8% 84%
2003 7.83% 37.8% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 6.64% 32% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 6.11% 28.8% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 6.25% 32.5% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 6.91% 24.1% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 5.4% 24% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 5.46% 26.2% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 - 26.2% 18% -
1995 - 26.2% 17.7% -
1994 - 35.3% 18.4% -
1993 - 98% 18.4% -
1992 - 118.9% 18.4% -
1991 - 80.7% 16.8% -
1990 - 85.1% 28.2% -
1989 - 98.7% - -
1988 - 90.9% 24.8% -
1987 32.4% 58.6% - 266.6%
1986 15.1% 26.5% 26.1% 159.2%
1985 17.4% 25.6% 29.9% 218%
1984 16.9% 27.3% 31.9% 198%
1983 21.9% 28.9% 33.8% 211.6%
1982 20.7% 25.5% 49.4% 159.1%
1981 17.4% 23.7% 39.3% 149.1%
1980 17.2% 20.3% 30.4% 152.1%
1979 13.1% 19.8% 20.7% 116.3%
1978 18.9% 20.1% 17.7% 76.9%
1977 16.7% 18.5% 19.9% 62.7%
1976 13.4% 14.9% 16.2% 59.5%
1975 12.8% 14.2% 17.5% 57.8%
1974 9.24% 13.3% 15.3% 40%
1973 9.4% 8.92% 12.8% 32.9%
1972 11.2% 11.1% 15.1% 30.2%
1971 11.2% 11% 15.1% 31.6%
1970 11.4% 12.5% 13.2% 35.4%
1969 10.1% - 11.1% -
1968 10.3% - 10.9% -
1967 7.52% - 12.7% -
1966 7.2% - 12.2% -
1965 7.91% - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 8.95% - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 7.34% 21.6% 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Haiti's government spending was $1.32B, accounting for 5.25% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 15.5% in Haiti and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 177/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Haiti

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Haiti Nicaragua
2024 6.96% 2.48%
2023 0.77% 2.31%
2022 -1.75% 0.65%
2021 -2.45% -1.26%
2020 -1.96% -2.57%
2019 -1.99% -1.12%
2018 -1.13% -4.35%
2017 -0.32% -1.75%
2016 0.12% -1.92%
2015 -1.47% -1.64%
2014 -3.64% -0.89%
2013 -3.98% -0.3%
2012 -2.71% 0.22%
2011 -1.43% 0.59%
2010 -1.5% 0.69%
2009 -2% -0.9%
2008 -1.8% 0.27%
2007 -1.55% 1.88%
2006 -0.91% 1.36%
2005 -0.83% 1.72%
2004 -1.34% 1.69%
2003 -2.24% 1.3%
2002 -1.8% 2.07%
2001 -1.55% 0.34%
2000 -1.36% 2.15%
1999 -1.54% -6.86%
1998 0.21% -2.88%
1997 0.37% -3.31%
1996 - -5%
1995 - -4.62%
1994 - -5.79%
1993 - -4.66%
1992 - -3.8%
1991 - -3.45%
1990 - -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 -4.94% -
1986 -1.4% -7.33%
1985 -0.97% -11.3%
1984 -3.52% -11.8%
1983 -5.72% -15.6%
1982 -3.93% -20.2%
1981 -4.38% -10.6%
1980 -5.68% -6.53%
1979 -2.21% -5.89%
1978 -3.24% -4.44%
1977 -2.85% -5.91%
1976 -1.16% -2.2%
1975 -1.73% -3.53%
1974 0.23% -1.41%
1973 0.03% 1.21%
1972 0.24% -2.61%
1971 -0.08% -2.33%
1970 -0.19% -2.69%
1969 -0.39% -1.57%
1968 -0.46% -1.21%
1967 0% -2.11%
1966 0% -1.04%
1965 0% 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 0% 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 0.006% -1.28%
1959 -1.11% -
1958 -2.21% -
1957 0.28% -
1956 -2.18% -
1955 -0.86% -
1954 -0.81% -
1953 -1.01% -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 -0.12% -
1948 0.21% -
1947 1.06% -
1946 0.51% -
1945 0.47% -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 -0.21% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 -0.16% -
1938 0.15% -
1937 -0.08% -
1936 -0.06% -
1935 -0.2% -
1934 -1.23% -
1933 0% -
1932 0.4% -
1931 -0.49% -
1930 -0.52% -
1929 -0.32% -
1928 -0.25% -
1927 0.73% -
1926 -0.45% -
1925 0.05% -
1924 -0.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Haiti's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.76B, equivalent to 6.96% of GDP. This compares to Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Haiti recorded a fiscal deficit in 40 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, Haiti posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.09% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Haiti

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Haiti Nicaragua
2024 26.9% 4.6%
2023 36.8% 8.4%
2022 34% 10.5%
2021 16.8% 4.9%
2020 22.8% 3.7%
2019 18.7% 5.4%
2018 12.5% 4.9%
2017 10.7% 3.9%
2016 11.5% 3.5%
2015 6.73% 4%
2014 3.44% 6%
2013 4.77% 7.1%
2012 5.02% 7.2%
2011 6.33% 8.1%
2010 4.83% 5.5%
2009 0.39% 3.7%
2008 15.3% 19.8%
2007 6.56% 11.1%
2006 11.3% 9.1%
2005 14% 9.6%
2004 21% 8.5%
2003 28.7% 5.3%
2002 7.03% 3.8%
2001 13.3% 7.4%
2000 9.33% 11.5%
1999 3% 11.2%
1998 5.27% 13%
1997 20.6% 9.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Haiti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.5%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 26.9% in Haiti and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Haiti
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.6M
Chemicals & pharma $193K
Textiles & consumer goods $177K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Wood & paper products $5K

Balance of trade

Haiti Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$145M
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
92/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.58%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$4.27B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$767M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$518M
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$96.6M
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
3.4%
2024
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Haiti Nicaragua
Economic freedom 46.1 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 178/197 139/197
Property rights 6.6 23.8
Government integrity 13 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 17.3 8.8
Tax burden 81.7 74.5
Government spending 98.7 77.7
Fiscal health 99.5 96.9
Business freedom 30.7 54.4
Labor freedom 54.7 47.3
Monetary freedom 45.1 69.4
Trade freedom 66.4 67
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Haiti
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Haiti Nicaragua
2026 46.1 53.6
2025 46.1 54
2024 48.2 53.4
2023 49.9 54.9
2022 50 54.8
2021 50.8 56.3
2020 52.3 57.2
2019 52.7 57.7
2018 55.8 58.9
2017 49.6 59.2
2016 51.3 58.6
2015 51.3 57.6
2014 48.9 58.4
2013 48.1 56.6
2012 50.7 57.9
2011 52.1 58.8
2010 50.8 58.3
2009 50.5 59.8
2008 49 60.8
2007 51.4 62.7
2006 49.2 63.8
2005 48.4 62.5
2004 51.2 61.4
2003 50.6 62.6
2002 47.9 61.1
2001 47.1 58
2000 45.7 56.9
1999 45.9 54
1998 45.7 53.8
1997 45.8 53.3
1996 41 54.1
1995 43 42.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Haiti is 46.1, ranking 178/197, 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

Haiti Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
48.3%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,190
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.72B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
121/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$20M
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20M
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.15%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.5%
2012
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.94%
2024
24.7%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2017–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.