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Economy of Nicaragua vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nicaragua has a GDP of $22.2B compared to $21.6B for Niger, ranking 128/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.74B in government debt (34.8% of GDP), compared to $9.82B (45.4% of GDP) in Niger.

Nicaragua vs Niger GDP by year

Nicaragua
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Niger
2025 $22,237,167,113 $21,646,191,388
2024 $19,696,311,850 $19,729,786,047
2023 $17,805,842,221 $16,949,765,464
2022 $15,634,573,556 $15,531,799,641
2021 $14,209,019,392 $14,936,154,253
2020 $12,726,422,432 $13,648,332,190
2019 $12,699,023,614 $12,420,836,507
2018 $13,025,221,974 $12,800,907,986
2017 $13,785,893,007 $11,359,273,443
2016 $13,286,093,388 $10,341,025,540
2015 $12,756,696,261 $9,683,867,926
2014 $11,880,438,824 $10,862,943,544
2013 $10,982,988,249 $10,224,897,438
2012 $10,532,017,232 $9,426,912,648
2011 $9,774,329,333 $8,772,950,778
2010 $8,758,602,233 $7,851,192,502
2009 $8,298,702,489 $7,352,131,310
2008 $8,496,967,597 $7,297,600,226
2007 $7,423,375,015 $5,731,485,052
2006 $6,763,672,381 $4,756,361,252
2005 $6,321,324,279 $4,383,315,965
2004 $5,792,932,838 $3,760,443,738
2003 $5,322,228,351 $3,394,084,732
2002 $5,223,727,303 $2,782,192,879
2001 $5,351,752,034 $2,448,714,704
2000 $5,109,587,050 $2,241,753,193
1999 $4,856,026,259 $2,537,789,821
1998 $4,635,347,386 $2,643,363,519
1997 $4,389,973,490 $2,290,318,910
1996 $4,308,351,903 $2,405,686,940
1995 $4,140,470,000 $2,302,537,562
1994 $3,863,185,119 $1,938,058,175
1993 $1,756,454,248 $3,052,673,849
1992 $1,792,800,000 $3,386,232,579
1991 $1,488,804,124 $3,285,796,875
1990 $1,009,455,484 $3,512,356,508
1989 $1,013,184,756 $2,179,567,114
1988 $2,630,900,096 $2,280,356,193
1987 $3,851,200,118 $2,233,006,105
1986 $2,885,799,994 $1,904,096,998
1985 $2,683,699,935 $1,440,581,652
1984 $3,117,599,872 $1,461,243,326
1983 $2,753,100,058 $1,803,099,561
1982 $2,454,499,872 $2,017,612,216
1981 $2,474,700,227 $2,170,893,414
1980 $2,144,300,006 $2,508,524,721
1979 $1,567,599,982 $2,109,277,666
1978 $2,127,699,979 $1,774,365,590
1977 $2,226,999,874 $1,291,458,041
1976 $1,836,899,999 $1,064,517,601
1975 $1,581,599,959 $1,048,690,933
1974 $1,521,400,012 $1,026,137,111
1973 $1,092,900,015 $946,385,105
1972 $878,570,045 $742,779,661
1971 $828,569,953 $693,573,704
1970 $778,569,939 $649,916,621
1969 $750,000,003 $625,867,985
1968 $692,859,985 $641,214,226
1967 $657,140,011 $665,586,872
1966 $607,140,010 $702,296,079
1965 $564,290,020 $673,383,511
1964 $347,119,918 $582,816,396
1963 $297,324,163 $586,294,879
1962 $269,283,804 $531,736,599
1961 $244,144,237 $485,785,231
1960 $227,223,322 $449,526,873

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

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Niger by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,173 - $775 -
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $730 $2,050
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $648 $1,875
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $614 $1,840
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $610 $1,586
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $575 $1,497
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $541 $1,419
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $577 $1,276
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $530 $1,208
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $500 $1,189
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $486 $1,172
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $565 $1,161
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $552 $1,138
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $529 $1,162
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $511 $1,064
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $474 $1,058
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $461 $999
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $475 $1,010
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $387 $955
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $333 $935
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $319 $888
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $283.5 $832
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $265.2 $837
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $225.3 $832
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $205.4 $809
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $194.8 $764
1999 $980 $2,672 $228.3 $783
1998 $949 $2,497 $246.1 $801
1997 $913 $2,418 $220.6 $745
1996 $911 $2,325 $239.5 $746
1995 $892 $2,187 $237 $757
1994 $849 $2,064 $206.2 $748
1993 $394 $1,998 $335 $742
1992 $411 $2,003 $384 $746
1991 $350 $1,995 $384 $738
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $424 $739
1989 $249.2 - $271.3 -
1988 $662 - $292.6 -
1987 $992 - $295.3 -
1986 $761 - $259.6 -
1985 $724 - $202.4 -
1984 $861 - $211.5 -
1983 $780 - $268.8 -
1982 $714 - $310 -
1981 $740 - $343 -
1980 $659 - $409 -
1979 $495 - $354 -
1978 $691 - $307 -
1977 $744 - $229.8 -
1976 $633 - $194.8 -
1975 $561 - $197.2 -
1974 $557 - $198.3 -
1973 $413 - $187.9 -
1972 $341 - $151.4 -
1971 $331 - $145.2 -
1970 $321 - $139.8 -
1969 $319 - $138.3 -
1968 $304 - $145.6 -
1967 $297.9 - $155.4 -
1966 $284 - $168.6 -
1965 $272.3 - $166.3 -
1964 $172.7 - $148.1 -
1963 $152.5 - $153.3 -
1962 $142.3 - $143.2 -
1961 $132.9 - $134.6 -
1960 $127.5 - $128.3 -

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

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $3,173, ranking 140/197, compared to $775 in Niger, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Niger
Gross domestic product
$22.2B
2025
$21.6B
2025
GDP rank
128/197
2025
129/197
2025
GDP growth
4.92%
2024-2025
7.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,173
2025
$775
2025
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2025
188/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$9.82B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.8%
2025
45.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,104
2025
$352
2025
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2025
175/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,939
2026
$1,418
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
14.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2024-2025
-4.45%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
0.4%
2022
Population
7144725
29294628

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 34.8% 14.8% 45.4%
2024 26.2% 37.9% 13.4% 47.7%
2023 26% 42.4% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 21.6% 50.7%
2021 30% 48.4% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 22.4% 45%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 21.2% 37%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 21.9% 26% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 20.8% 84% 16.1% 55%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 14% 60.6%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 14.4% 69%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 13.7% 74%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 15% 63.3%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 12.9% 69.1%
1996 18% - 10.9% 63.5%
1995 17.7% - 12.5% 69.4%
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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.8B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Niger spent $3.2B, or 14.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.8% in Nicaragua and 45.4% in Niger, ranking 145/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Niger
2025 2.1% -3.28%
2024 2.25% -4.27%
2023 2.3% -5.37%
2022 0.65% -6.77%
2021 -1.26% -6.1%
2020 -2.57% -4.82%
2019 -1.12% -3.56%
2018 -4.35% -3.01%
2017 -1.75% -4.12%
2016 -1.92% -4.46%
2015 -1.64% -6.75%
2014 -0.89% -6.12%
2013 -0.3% -1.93%
2012 0.22% -0.83%
2011 0.59% -2.19%
2010 0.69% -0.99%
2009 -0.9% -3.93%
2008 0.27% 1.11%
2007 1.88% -0.75%
2006 1.36% 31%
2005 1.72% -1.53%
2004 1.69% -2.76%
2003 1.3% -2.17%
2002 2.07% -2.21%
2001 0.34% -2.59%
2000 2.15% -2.83%
1999 -6.86% -4.27%
1998 -2.88% -2.23%
1997 -3.31% -2.39%
1996 -5% -0.36%
1995 -4.62% -3.19%
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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nicaragua's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $467M, equivalent to 2.1% of GDP. This compares to Niger's deficit of $711M, or 3.28% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 0.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Niger
2025 2.1% -4.45%
2024 4.6% 9.07%
2023 8.4% 3.7%
2022 10.5% 4.23%
2021 4.9% 3.84%
2020 3.7% 2.9%
2019 5.4% -2.49%
2018 4.9% 2.97%
2017 3.9% 2.8%
2016 3.5% 1.65%
2015 4% -0.58%
2014 6% -0.93%
2013 7.1% 2.3%
2012 7.2% 0.46%
2011 8.1% 2.94%
2010 5.5% 0.8%
2009 3.7% 0.58%
2008 19.8% 11.3%
2007 11.1% 0.05%
2006 9.1% 0.04%
2005 9.6% 7.8%
2004 8.5% 0.26%
2003 5.3% -1.61%
2002 3.8% 2.63%
2001 7.4% 4.01%
2000 11.5% 2.9%
1999 11.2% -2.3%
1998 13% 4.55%
1997 9.2% 2.93%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.34%, compared with 2.15% in Niger. In 2025, inflation was 2.1% in Nicaragua and -4.45% in Niger.

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Niger
Current account balance
$818M
2024
-$1.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
123/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
-6.09%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$2B
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$1.52B
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$1.03B
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$248M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.9%
2025
18.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Niger
Economic freedom 53.6 51
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 156/197
Property rights 23.8 16.6
Government integrity 13.4 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 28
Tax burden 74.5 78.2
Government spending 77.7 91.4
Fiscal health 96.9 47.6
Business freedom 54.4 32.4
Labor freedom 47.3 54.7
Monetary freedom 69.4 67.9
Trade freedom 67 65.8
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Niger
2026 53.6 51
2025 54 51.5
2024 53.4 52.3
2023 54.9 53.7
2022 54.8 54.9
2021 56.3 57.3
2020 57.2 54.7
2019 57.7 51.6
2018 58.9 49.5
2017 59.2 50.8
2016 58.6 54.3
2015 57.6 54.6
2014 58.4 55.1
2013 56.6 53.9
2012 57.9 54.3
2011 58.8 54.3
2010 58.3 52.9
2009 59.8 53.8
2008 60.8 52.9
2007 62.7 53.2
2006 63.8 52.5
2005 62.5 54.1
2004 61.4 54.6
2003 62.6 54.2
2002 61.1 48.2
2001 58 48.9
2000 56.9 45.9
1999 54 48.6
1998 53.8 47.5
1997 53.3 46.6
1996 54.1 45.8
1995 42.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Niger
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
31.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
47.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$19.9B
2025
$20.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,780
2025
$2,150
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.32B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$337M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
1.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
22%
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/nicaragua/niger | 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 (1995–2025, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.