Skip to content

Economy of Namibia vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 147/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Namibia vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Namibia
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Nicaragua
2024 $13,372,354,512 $19,693,982,968
2023 $12,408,271,449 $17,805,842,284
2022 $12,569,449,123 $15,634,572,502
2021 $12,402,486,184 $14,209,020,362
2020 $10,583,748,542 $12,726,422,432
2019 $12,541,928,303 $12,699,023,614
2018 $13,682,019,076 $13,025,221,974
2017 $12,895,153,371 $13,785,893,007
2016 $10,722,018,732 $13,286,093,388
2015 $11,335,161,084 $12,756,696,261
2014 $12,435,430,970 $11,880,438,824
2013 $12,043,307,277 $10,982,988,249
2012 $13,042,053,592 $10,532,017,232
2011 $12,523,359,441 $9,774,329,333
2010 $11,431,412,421 $8,758,602,233
2009 $8,938,847,189 $8,298,702,489
2008 $8,607,431,497 $8,496,967,597
2007 $8,839,536,476 $7,423,375,015
2006 $8,001,779,551 $6,763,672,381
2005 $7,248,374,838 $6,321,324,279
2004 $6,609,205,995 $5,792,932,838
2003 $4,926,439,384 $5,322,228,351
2002 $3,349,169,826 $5,223,727,303
2001 $3,557,341,215 $5,351,752,034
2000 $3,922,232,165 $5,109,587,050
1999 $3,868,551,730 $4,856,026,259
1998 $3,873,109,866 $4,635,347,386
1997 $4,154,989,950 $4,389,973,490
1996 $3,989,163,197 $4,308,351,903
1995 $3,978,514,206 $4,140,470,000
1994 $3,666,503,530 $3,863,185,119
1993 $3,251,188,833 $1,756,454,248
1992 $3,429,521,699 $1,792,800,000
1991 $2,996,869,281 $1,488,804,124
1990 $2,789,921,854 $1,009,455,484
1989 $2,535,135,798 $1,013,184,756
1988 $2,495,094,746 $2,630,900,096
1987 $2,300,068,217 $3,851,200,118
1986 $1,809,048,527 $2,885,799,994
1985 $1,608,237,350 $2,683,699,935
1984 $1,951,260,038 $3,117,599,872
1983 $2,297,400,688 $2,753,100,058
1982 $2,118,710,248 $2,454,499,872
1981 $2,249,908,578 $2,474,700,227
1980 $2,421,990,338 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Nicaragua by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $980 $2,672
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $949 $2,497
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $913 $2,418
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $911 $2,325
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $892 $2,187
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $849 $2,064
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $394 $1,998
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $411 $2,003
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $350 $1,995
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $1,967 - $249.2 -
1988 $2,063 - $662 -
1987 $1,969 - $992 -
1986 $1,599 - $761 -
1985 $1,466 - $724 -
1984 $1,830 - $861 -
1983 $2,214 - $780 -
1982 $2,097 - $714 -
1981 $2,267 - $740 -
1980 $2,468 - $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Namibia Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$2,318
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
5.2%
2018
Population
3173089
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 37% 67.2% 26% 42.3%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 30% 48.4%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 35% 24.6% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 32% 15.9% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 21.9% 26%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 20.8% 84%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 18% -
1995 29.6% 18% 17.7% -
1994 28.7% 16.4% 18.4% -
1993 32.4% 17.2% 18.4% -
1992 32.8% 14.1% 18.4% -
1991 33% 11.8% 16.8% -
1990 30.2% 12.9% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 61/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Nicaragua
2024 -3.59% 2.48%
2023 -3.14% 2.31%
2022 -6.33% 0.65%
2021 -8.68% -1.26%
2020 -8.07% -2.57%
2019 -5.49% -1.12%
2018 -5.09% -4.35%
2017 -4.99% -1.75%
2016 -9.3% -1.92%
2015 -8.3% -1.64%
2014 -6.44% -0.89%
2013 -4.69% -0.3%
2012 -3.1% 0.22%
2011 -7.09% 0.59%
2010 -4.98% 0.69%
2009 -0.4% -0.9%
2008 3.48% 0.27%
2007 6.01% 1.88%
2006 3.41% 1.36%
2005 -0.31% 1.72%
2004 -2.67% 1.69%
2003 -4.47% 1.3%
2002 -1.38% 2.07%
2001 -2.01% 0.34%
2000 -0.79% 2.15%
1999 -1.88% -6.86%
1998 -2.76% -2.88%
1997 -2.38% -3.31%
1996 -3.7% -5%
1995 -1.74% -4.62%
1994 -0.57% -5.79%
1993 -2.73% -4.66%
1992 -2.55% -3.8%
1991 -1.59% -3.45%
1990 1.08% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.5% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Nicaragua
2024 4.2% 4.6%
2023 5.9% 8.4%
2022 6.1% 10.5%
2021 3.6% 4.9%
2020 2.2% 3.7%
2019 3.7% 5.4%
2018 4.3% 4.9%
2017 6.1% 3.9%
2016 6.7% 3.5%
2015 3.4% 4%
2014 5.3% 6%
2013 5.6% 7.1%
2012 6.7% 7.2%
2011 5% 8.1%
2010 4.9% 5.5%
2009 9.5% 3.7%
2008 9.1% 19.8%
2007 6.5% 11.1%
2006 5% 9.1%
2005 2.3% 9.6%
2004 4.1% 8.5%
2003 7.2% 5.3%
2002 12.7% 3.8%
2001 10.2% 7.4%
2000 10.2% 11.5%
1999 9.4% 11.2%
1998 6.6% 13%
1997 9.7% 9.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $12K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $15K

Balance of trade

Namibia Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

Namibia Nicaragua
Economic freedom 60.2 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 139/197
Property rights 63.1 23.8
Government integrity 51.5 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 8.8
Tax burden 66.4 74.5
Government spending 57.1 77.7
Fiscal health 60.5 96.9
Business freedom 58 54.4
Labor freedom 62.7 47.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 69.4
Trade freedom 69.8 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Nicaragua
2026 60.2 53.6
2025 58.7 54
2024 57.5 53.4
2023 57.7 54.9
2022 59.2 54.8
2021 62.6 56.3
2020 60.9 57.2
2019 58.7 57.7
2018 58.5 58.9
2017 62.5 59.2
2016 61.9 58.6
2015 59.6 57.6
2014 59.4 58.4
2013 60.3 56.6
2012 61.9 57.9
2011 62.7 58.8
2010 62.2 58.3
2009 62.4 59.8
2008 61.4 60.8
2007 63.5 62.7
2006 60.7 63.8
2005 61.4 62.5
2004 62.4 61.4
2003 67.3 62.6
2002 65.1 61.1
2001 64.8 58
2000 66.7 56.9
1999 66.1 54
1998 66.1 53.8
1997 61.6 53.3
1996 - 54.1
1995 - 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, 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 (2021–2023, 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.