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Economy of Hungary vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Hungary has a GDP of $223B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 55/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $164B in government debt (73.5% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Hungary vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Hungary
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Nicaragua
2024 $222,722,738,926 $19,693,982,968
2023 $213,240,316,635 $17,805,842,284
2022 $177,002,580,544 $15,634,572,502
2021 $183,282,685,440 $14,209,020,362
2020 $158,468,487,754 $12,726,422,432
2019 $164,936,682,034 $12,699,023,614
2018 $161,184,691,014 $13,025,221,974
2017 $143,335,098,992 $13,785,893,007
2016 $128,983,560,865 $13,286,093,388
2015 $125,244,126,623 $12,756,696,261
2014 $141,128,696,412 $11,880,438,824
2013 $135,646,053,779 $10,982,988,249
2012 $128,470,269,690 $10,532,017,232
2011 $141,712,804,954 $9,774,329,333
2010 $131,898,737,241 $8,758,602,233
2009 $130,807,441,076 $8,298,702,489
2008 $158,228,265,916 $8,496,967,597
2007 $140,123,326,896 $7,423,375,015
2006 $115,604,111,412 $6,763,672,381
2005 $113,098,237,571 $6,321,324,279
2004 $104,015,363,080 $5,792,932,838
2003 $85,190,469,121 $5,322,228,351
2002 $67,636,468,625 $5,223,727,303
2001 $53,800,068,066 $5,351,752,034
2000 $47,275,954,429 $5,109,587,050
1999 $49,160,204,397 $4,856,026,259
1998 $48,784,412,624 $4,635,347,386
1997 $47,398,564,799 $4,389,973,490
1996 $46,833,767,124 $4,308,351,903
1995 $46,577,614,589 $4,140,470,000
1994 $43,307,949,890 $3,863,185,119
1993 $40,256,233,360 $1,756,454,248
1992 $38,857,339,125 $1,792,800,000
1991 $34,867,307,353 $1,488,804,124
1990 $34,478,360,679 $1,009,455,484
1989 $30,422,508,938 $1,013,184,756
1988 $29,799,838,597 $2,630,900,096
1987 $27,232,016,527 $3,851,200,118
1986 $24,778,163,812 $2,885,799,994
1985 $21,510,643,750 $2,683,699,935
1984 $21,242,726,264 $3,117,599,872
1983 $21,910,365,258 $2,753,100,058
1982 $24,141,667,188 $2,454,499,872
1981 $23,705,883,892 $2,474,700,227
1980 $23,116,977,148 $2,144,300,006
1979 $19,959,731,325 $1,567,599,982
1978 $17,286,744,154 $2,127,699,979
1977 $14,783,674,055 $2,226,999,874
1976 $13,235,612,079 $1,836,899,999
1975 $11,420,392,515 $1,581,599,959
1974 $10,016,338,179 $1,521,400,012
1973 $9,138,292,402 $1,092,900,015
1972 $7,379,313,742 $878,570,045
1971 $6,291,568,221 $828,569,953
1970 $5,780,929,203 $778,569,939
1969 $5,429,812,387 $750,000,003
1968 $4,886,222,555 $692,859,985
1967 - $657,140,011
1966 - $607,140,010
1965 - $564,290,020
1964 - $347,119,918
1963 - $297,324,163
1962 - $269,283,804
1961 - $244,144,237
1960 - $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Nicaragua by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,292 $48,552 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $22,231 $46,592 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $980 $2,672
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $949 $2,497
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $913 $2,418
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $911 $2,325
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $892 $2,187
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $849 $2,064
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $394 $1,998
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $411 $2,003
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $350 $1,995
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $2,902 - $249.2 -
1988 $2,812 - $662 -
1987 $2,566 - $992 -
1986 $2,331 - $761 -
1985 $2,020 - $724 -
1984 $1,991 - $861 -
1983 $2,050 - $780 -
1982 $2,255 - $714 -
1981 $2,213 - $740 -
1980 $2,158 - $659 -
1979 $1,865 - $495 -
1978 $1,618 - $691 -
1977 $1,388 - $744 -
1976 $1,249 - $633 -
1975 $1,083 - $561 -
1974 $956 - $557 -
1973 $876 - $413 -
1972 $710 - $341 -
1971 $607 - $331 -
1970 $559 - $321 -
1969 $527 - $319 -
1968 $476 - $304 -
1967 - - $297.9 -
1966 - - $284 -
1965 - - $272.3 -
1964 - - $172.7 -
1963 - - $152.5 -
1962 - - $142.3 -
1961 - - $132.9 -
1960 - - $127.5 -

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

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

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23,292, ranking 55/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Hungary Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$223B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
55/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
0.56%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,292
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
55/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$164B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.5%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,109
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,996
2026
$2,318
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.5B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
24,692
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.47%
2024
5.2%
2018
Population
9475525
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.9% 73.5% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 49.2% 73% 26% 42.3%
2022 48.7% 73.9% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 30% 48.4%
2020 51% 78.7% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 45.8% 65% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 46.6% 72% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 50% 76.5% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 21.9% 26%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 20.8% 84%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 51% 55.6% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 18% -
1995 55% 83.9% 17.7% -
1994 - 86.2% 18.4% -
1993 - 87.2% 18.4% -
1992 - 76.5% 18.4% -
1991 - 74.2% 16.8% -
1990 - 63.7% 28.2% -
1989 - 70.7% - -
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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government spending was $104B, accounting for 46.9% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.5% in Hungary and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 49/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Nicaragua
2024 -4.92% 2.48%
2023 -6.75% 2.31%
2022 -6.17% 0.65%
2021 -7.11% -1.26%
2020 -7.49% -2.57%
2019 -2.02% -1.12%
2018 -2.05% -4.35%
2017 -2.45% -1.75%
2016 -1.79% -1.92%
2015 -2% -1.64%
2014 -2.77% -0.89%
2013 -2.6% -0.3%
2012 -2.33% 0.22%
2011 -5.22% 0.59%
2010 -4.44% 0.69%
2009 -4.76% -0.9%
2008 -3.78% 0.27%
2007 -5.09% 1.88%
2006 -9.27% 1.36%
2005 -7.79% 1.72%
2004 -6.6% 1.69%
2003 -7.19% 1.3%
2002 -8.79% 2.07%
2001 -4% 0.34%
2000 -3.04% 2.15%
1999 -5.27% -6.86%
1998 -7.41% -2.88%
1997 -5.54% -3.31%
1996 -4.36% -5%
1995 -8.57% -4.62%
1994 - -5.79%
1993 - -4.66%
1992 - -3.8%
1991 - -3.45%
1990 - -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%
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% -
1942 0.31% -
1941 0.2% -
1940 -0.07% -
1939 0.19% -
1938 -0.11% -
1937 -0.01% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% -
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 4.92% of GDP. This compares to Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.65% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Nicaragua
2024 3.7% 4.6%
2023 17.1% 8.4%
2022 14.6% 10.5%
2021 5.11% 4.9%
2020 3.33% 3.7%
2019 3.34% 5.4%
2018 2.85% 4.9%
2017 2.35% 3.9%
2016 0.39% 3.5%
2015 -0.06% 4%
2014 -0.23% 6%
2013 1.73% 7.1%
2012 5.65% 7.2%
2011 3.93% 8.1%
2010 4.86% 5.5%
2009 4.21% 3.7%
2008 6.04% 19.8%
2007 7.96% 11.1%
2006 3.93% 9.1%
2005 3.56% 9.6%
2004 6.74% 8.5%
2003 4.66% 5.3%
2002 5.27% 3.8%
2001 9.12% 7.4%
2000 9.8% 11.5%
1999 10% 11.2%
1998 14.2% 13%
1997 18.3% 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/hungary/nicaragua | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Hungary and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $30.5M
Machinery & equipment $1.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $275K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $61K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Metals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $279K
Raw agricultural goods $84K
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

Hungary Nicaragua
Current account balance
$3.52B
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.58%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$130B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$129B
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$38.9B
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
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.

Hungary Nicaragua
Economic freedom 62.5 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 139/197
Property rights 67.3 23.8
Government integrity 44 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 8.8
Tax burden 85.1 74.5
Government spending 30.2 77.7
Fiscal health 32.7 96.9
Business freedom 70.8 54.4
Labor freedom 56.5 47.3
Monetary freedom 72.1 69.4
Trade freedom 79.4 67
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Nicaragua
2026 62.5 53.6
2025 61.4 54
2024 61.2 53.4
2023 64.1 54.9
2022 66.9 54.8
2021 67.2 56.3
2020 66.4 57.2
2019 65 57.7
2018 66.7 58.9
2017 65.8 59.2
2016 66 58.6
2015 66.8 57.6
2014 67 58.4
2013 67.3 56.6
2012 67.1 57.9
2011 66.6 58.8
2010 66.1 58.3
2009 66.8 59.8
2008 67.6 60.8
2007 64.8 62.7
2006 65 63.8
2005 63.5 62.5
2004 62.7 61.4
2003 63 62.6
2002 64.5 61.1
2001 65.6 58
2000 64.4 56.9
1999 59.6 54
1998 56.9 53.8
1997 55.3 53.3
1996 56.8 54.1
1995 55.2 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, 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

Hungary Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
59.5%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.71%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$199B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,290
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.4B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.8B
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$62.2B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$78B
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.5%
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/hungary/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1999, 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 (2022–2024, 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.