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Economy of Montenegro vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Montenegro has a GDP of $9.23B compared to $22.2B for Nicaragua, ranking 155/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Montenegro has $6.19B in government debt (67.1% of GDP), compared to $7.74B (34.8% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Montenegro vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Montenegro
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Montenegro Nicaragua
2025 $9,232,801,465 $22,237,167,113
2024 $8,274,290,506 $19,696,311,850
2023 $7,643,318,276 $17,805,842,221
2022 $6,259,721,790 $15,634,573,556
2021 $5,822,908,964 $14,209,019,392
2020 $4,734,192,593 $12,726,422,432
2019 $5,483,622,632 $12,699,023,614
2018 $5,433,469,311 $13,025,221,974
2017 $4,803,964,684 $13,785,893,007
2016 $4,357,467,226 $13,286,093,388
2015 $4,010,884,107 $12,756,696,261
2014 $4,579,635,404 $11,880,438,824
2013 $4,422,097,042 $10,982,988,249
2012 $4,071,828,832 $10,532,017,232
2011 $4,507,127,585 $9,774,329,333
2010 $4,136,936,244 $8,758,602,233
2009 $4,159,063,347 $8,298,702,489
2008 $4,559,410,049 $8,496,967,597
2007 $3,682,586,459 $7,423,375,015
2006 $2,719,979,875 $6,763,672,381
2005 $2,258,016,380 $6,321,324,279
2004 $2,077,046,942 $5,792,932,838
2003 $1,708,196,981 $5,322,228,351
2002 $1,286,314,054 $5,223,727,303
2001 $1,159,869,246 $5,351,752,034
2000 $984,293,044 $5,109,587,050
1999 $828,950,327 $4,856,026,259
1998 $854,261,161 $4,635,347,386
1997 $838,288,806 $4,389,973,490
1996 - $4,308,351,903
1995 - $4,140,470,000
1994 - $3,863,185,119
1993 - $1,756,454,248
1992 - $1,792,800,000
1991 - $1,488,804,124
1990 - $1,009,455,484
1989 - $1,013,184,756
1988 - $2,630,900,096
1987 - $3,851,200,118
1986 - $2,885,799,994
1985 - $2,683,699,935
1984 - $3,117,599,872
1983 - $2,753,100,058
1982 - $2,454,499,872
1981 - $2,474,700,227
1980 - $2,144,300,006
1979 - $1,567,599,982
1978 - $2,127,699,979
1977 - $2,226,999,874
1976 - $1,836,899,999
1975 - $1,581,599,959
1974 - $1,521,400,012
1973 - $1,092,900,015
1972 - $878,570,045
1971 - $828,569,953
1970 - $778,569,939
1969 - $750,000,003
1968 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Montenegro vs Nicaragua by year

Montenegro
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Montenegro Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,817 - $3,173 -
2024 $13,270 $34,063 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $12,258 $31,863 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $10,038 $28,050 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $9,316 $23,690 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $7,555 $20,625 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $8,749 $23,706 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $8,674 $21,084 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $7,674 $19,357 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $6,968 $18,030 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $6,421 $16,092 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $7,342 $15,276 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $7,103 $14,692 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $6,552 $13,793 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $7,266 $14,347 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $6,679 $13,612 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $6,727 $12,976 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $7,390 $13,802 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $5,979 $12,452 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $4,423 $10,440 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $3,676 $8,314 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $3,386 $7,841 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $2,790 $7,340 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $2,109 $7,100 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $1,910 $6,772 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $1,627 $6,004 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $1,368 $5,684 $980 $2,672
1998 $1,406 $6,170 $949 $2,497
1997 $1,375 $5,798 $913 $2,418
1996 - - $911 $2,325
1995 - - $892 $2,187
1994 - - $849 $2,064
1993 - - $394 $1,998
1992 - - $411 $2,003
1991 - - $350 $1,995
1990 - - $242.5 $1,979
1989 - - $249.2 -
1988 - - $662 -
1987 - - $992 -
1986 - - $761 -
1985 - - $724 -
1984 - - $861 -
1983 - - $780 -
1982 - - $714 -
1981 - - $740 -
1980 - - $659 -
1979 - - $495 -
1978 - - $691 -
1977 - - $744 -
1976 - - $633 -
1975 - - $561 -
1974 - - $557 -
1973 - - $413 -
1972 - - $341 -
1971 - - $331 -
1970 - - $321 -
1969 - - $319 -
1968 - - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Montenegro's GDP per capita is $14,817, ranking 71/197, compared to $3,173 in Nicaragua, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Montenegro ranks 65th at $34,063, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Montenegro Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$9.23B
2025
$22.2B
2025
GDP rank
155/197
2025
128/197
2025
GDP growth
2.74%
2024-2025
4.92%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,817
2025
$3,173
2025
GDP per capita rank
71/197
2025
140/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$34,063
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
65/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$6.19B
2025
$7.74B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.1%
2025
34.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,942
2025
$1,104
2025
Government debt per person rank
61/185
2025
142/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,768
2026
$1,939
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.79B
2012
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2021
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
26.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.9%
2024-2025
2.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.5%
2024
5.2%
2018
Population
613759
7144725

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Montenegro
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Montenegro Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 43.9% 67.1% 26.1% 34.8%
2024 44.1% 60.8% 26.2% 37.9%
2023 40.4% 59.6% 26% 42.4%
2022 42.2% 70.3% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 45.1% 86.2% 30% 48.4%
2020 54.9% 108.4% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 44.4% 79.6% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 47.8% 72.9% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 47.6% 66.9% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 47.7% 66.7% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 46.9% 69.5% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 44.3% 63.6% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 46.3% 59.2% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 45.9% 57.1% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 45.7% 49% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 46.7% 45.1% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 51.5% 43.9% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 51.2% 34.2% 21.9% 26%
2007 43.9% 31.8% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 42.6% 36.7% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 38.2% 38.6% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 40% 45.4% 20.8% 84%
2003 43.3% 48.6% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 37.5% 85.7% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 - - 19.2% 87.5%
2000 - - 20.6% 95.2%
1999 - - 22.1% 99.8%
1998 - - 18.5% 86.5%
1997 - - 17.9% 86.4%
1996 - - 18% -
1995 - - 17.7% -
1994 - - 18.4% -
1993 - - 18.4% -
1992 - - 18.4% -
1991 - - 16.8% -
1990 - - 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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Montenegro's government spending was $4.05B, accounting for 43.9% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.8B, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.1% in Montenegro and 34.8% in Nicaragua, ranking 63/185 and 145/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Montenegro

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Montenegro Nicaragua
2025 -3.61% 2.1%
2024 -3.44% 2.25%
2023 0.38% 2.3%
2022 -4.05% 0.65%
2021 -1.37% -1.26%
2020 -10.9% -2.57%
2019 -1.74% -1.12%
2018 -6.3% -4.35%
2017 -6.89% -1.75%
2016 -6.21% -1.92%
2015 -6.03% -1.64%
2014 -0.7% -0.89%
2013 -4.54% -0.3%
2012 -5.87% 0.22%
2011 -6.79% 0.59%
2010 -4.88% 0.69%
2009 -6.74% -0.9%
2008 -2.3% 0.27%
2007 8.44% 1.88%
2006 4.34% 1.36%
2005 -1.42% 1.72%
2004 -2.45% 1.69%
2003 -4.06% 1.3%
2002 -1.44% 2.07%
2001 - 0.34%
2000 - 2.15%
1999 - -6.86%
1998 - -2.88%
1997 - -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 - -
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 (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Montenegro's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $334M, equivalent to 3.61% of GDP. This compares to Nicaragua's surplus of $467M, or 2.1% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Montenegro recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, Montenegro posted an annual deficit equal to 3.27% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.1% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Montenegro

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Montenegro Nicaragua
2025 3.9% 2.1%
2024 3.3% 4.6%
2023 8.6% 8.4%
2022 13% 10.5%
2021 2.4% 4.9%
2020 -0.3% 3.7%
2019 0.4% 5.4%
2018 2.6% 4.9%
2017 2.4% 3.9%
2016 -0.3% 3.5%
2015 1.5% 4%
2014 -0.7% 6%
2013 2.2% 7.1%
2012 4.1% 7.2%
2011 3.5% 8.1%
2010 0.4% 5.5%
2009 3.6% 3.7%
2008 9% 19.8%
2007 3.4% 11.1%
2006 2.1% 9.1%
2005 3.4% 9.6%
2004 3.1% 8.5%
2003 7.5% 5.3%
2002 19.7% 3.8%
2001 23.7% 7.4%
2000 29.9% 11.5%
1999 - 11.2%
1998 - 13%
1997 - 9.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Montenegro has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.86%, compared with 6.91% in Nicaragua. In 2025, inflation was 3.9% in Montenegro and 2.1% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Montenegro
Export category Export value
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49K
Raw agricultural goods $34K

Balance of trade

Montenegro Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$1.88B
2025
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
140/190
2025
52/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-20.4%
2025
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$4.91B
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$663M
2025
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$1.24B
2025
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$3.07B
2025
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.7%
2025
54.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
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.

Montenegro Nicaragua
Economic freedom 63.8 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 78/197 139/197
Property rights 60.9 23.8
Government integrity 49.9 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 51.5 8.8
Tax burden 88.7 74.5
Government spending 47.6 77.7
Fiscal health 86.2 96.9
Business freedom 68.4 54.4
Labor freedom 59.4 47.3
Monetary freedom 75.2 69.4
Trade freedom 78.4 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Montenegro
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Montenegro Nicaragua
2026 63.8 53.6
2025 63.8 54
2024 59.7 53.4
2023 60.9 54.9
2022 57.8 54.8
2021 63.4 56.3
2020 61.5 57.2
2019 60.5 57.7
2018 64.3 58.9
2017 62 59.2
2016 64.9 58.6
2015 64.7 57.6
2014 63.6 58.4
2013 62.6 56.6
2012 62.5 57.9
2011 62.5 58.8
2010 63.6 58.3
2009 58.2 59.8
2008 - 60.8
2007 - 62.7
2006 - 63.8
2005 - 62.5
2004 - 61.4
2003 43.5 62.6
2002 46.6 61.1
2001 - 58
2000 - 56.9
1999 - 54
1998 - 53.8
1997 - 53.3
1996 - 54.1
1995 - 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Montenegro is 63.8, ranking 78/197, 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

Montenegro Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
63.4%
2025
45.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.3%
2025
29.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
14.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$8.82B
2025
$19.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$35,700
2025
$8,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.2B
2025
$8.32B
2025
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2025
87/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$601M
2025
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$599M
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
15%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2023
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.9%
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/montenegro/nicaragua | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, 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 (2025, 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.