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Economy of Nicaragua vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nicaragua has a GDP of $22.2B compared to $19.1B for North Macedonia, ranking 128/197 and 137/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.74B in government debt (34.8% of GDP), compared to $10B (52.5% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Nicaragua vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Nicaragua
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua North Macedonia
2025 $22,237,167,113 $19,101,199,817
2024 $19,696,311,850 $16,951,682,221
2023 $17,805,842,221 $15,855,131,189
2022 $15,634,573,556 $13,932,436,550
2021 $14,209,019,392 $14,000,283,827
2020 $12,726,422,432 $12,361,036,914
2019 $12,699,023,614 $12,606,338,449
2018 $13,025,221,974 $12,683,068,114
2017 $13,785,893,007 $11,307,067,070
2016 $13,286,093,388 $10,672,467,073
2015 $12,756,696,261 $10,064,519,963
2014 $11,880,438,824 $11,362,265,253
2013 $10,982,988,249 $10,817,702,346
2012 $10,532,017,232 $9,745,261,301
2011 $9,774,329,333 $10,494,626,768
2010 $8,758,602,233 $9,407,170,321
2009 $8,298,702,489 $9,401,736,825
2008 $8,496,967,597 $9,909,552,435
2007 $7,423,375,015 $8,336,474,974
2006 $6,763,672,381 $6,861,226,972
2005 $6,321,324,279 $6,258,602,873
2004 $5,792,932,838 $5,682,784,472
2003 $5,322,228,351 $4,946,296,599
2002 $5,223,727,303 $4,018,365,747
2001 $5,351,752,034 $3,709,636,031
2000 $5,109,587,050 $3,772,859,034
1999 $4,856,026,259 $3,863,619,285
1998 $4,635,347,386 $3,765,745,023
1997 $4,389,973,490 $3,912,986,091
1996 $4,308,351,903 $4,642,021,256
1995 $4,140,470,000 $4,707,041,315
1994 $3,863,185,119 $3,559,608,640
1993 $1,756,454,248 $2,682,456,897
1992 $1,792,800,000 $2,436,849,342
1991 $1,488,804,124 $4,938,775,510
1990 $1,009,455,484 $4,699,646,643
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/nicaragua/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs North Macedonia by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,173 - $10,490 -
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $980 $2,672 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $949 $2,497 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $913 $2,418 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $911 $2,325 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $892 $2,187 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $849 $2,064 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $394 $1,998 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $411 $2,003 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $350 $1,995 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $2,277 $5,348
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/nicaragua/north-macedonia | CC BY

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $3,173, ranking 140/197, compared to $10,490 in North Macedonia, ranking 86/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$22.2B
2025
$19.1B
2025
GDP rank
128/197
2025
137/197
2025
GDP growth
4.92%
2024-2025
3.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,173
2025
$10,490
2025
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2025
86/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$10B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.8%
2025
52.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,104
2025
$5,510
2025
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2025
78/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,939
2026
$9,326
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
36.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2024-2025
4.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
11.5%
2025
Population
7144725
1811466

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 34.8% 36.2% 52.5%
2024 26.2% 37.9% 36.1% 52.9%
2023 26% 42.4% 35.3% 50.5%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 35% 50.4%
2021 30% 48.4% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 32.2% 38%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 31.7% 38%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 31.7% 34%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 21.9% 26% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 20.8% 84% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 36% 36.5%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 32% 45.6%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 32.5% 29.8%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 32.2% 33.1%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 32.3% 29.3%
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/nicaragua/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2025, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.8B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.91B, or 36.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.8% in Nicaragua and 52.5% in North Macedonia, ranking 145/185 and 97/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua North Macedonia
2025 2.1% -4.01%
2024 2.25% -4.38%
2023 2.3% -4.59%
2022 0.65% -5.23%
2021 -1.26% -5.32%
2020 -2.57% -8.05%
2019 -1.12% -1.97%
2018 -4.35% -1.76%
2017 -1.75% -2.73%
2016 -1.92% -2.7%
2015 -1.64% -3.48%
2014 -0.89% -4.19%
2013 -0.3% -3.84%
2012 0.22% -3.81%
2011 0.59% -2.47%
2010 0.69% -2.41%
2009 -0.9% -2.63%
2008 0.27% -0.93%
2007 1.88% 0.58%
2006 1.36% -0.51%
2005 1.72% 0.21%
2004 1.69% 0.37%
2003 1.3% -0.07%
2002 2.07% -5.24%
2001 0.34% -5.88%
2000 2.15% 2.37%
1999 -6.86% 0.03%
1998 -2.88% -1.59%
1997 -3.31% -0.35%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $766M, or 4.01% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 0.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.57% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua North Macedonia
2025 2.1% 4.1%
2024 4.6% 3.5%
2023 8.4% 9.4%
2022 10.5% 14.2%
2021 4.9% 3.2%
2020 3.7% 1.2%
2019 5.4% 0.8%
2018 4.9% 1.5%
2017 3.9% 1.4%
2016 3.5% -0.2%
2015 4% -0.2%
2014 6% -0.3%
2013 7.1% 2.8%
2012 7.2% 3.3%
2011 8.1% 3.9%
2010 5.5% 1.5%
2009 3.7% -0.8%
2008 19.8% 7.2%
2007 11.1% 2.8%
2006 9.1% 3.3%
2005 9.6% 0%
2004 8.5% -0.4%
2003 5.3% 1.1%
2002 3.8% 1.7%
2001 7.4% 5.1%
2000 11.5% 6.6%
1999 11.2% -1.3%
1998 13% 0.5%
1997 9.2% 1.3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.34%, compared with 2.66% in North Macedonia. In 2025, inflation was 2.1% in Nicaragua and 4.1% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $62K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $7K

Balance of trade

Nicaragua North Macedonia
Current account balance
$818M
2024
-$815M
2025
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
112/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
-4.27%
2025
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$11.7B
2025
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$7.87B
2025
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$2.4B
2025
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$3.55B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.9%
2025
73.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
59.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua North Macedonia
Economic freedom 53.6 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 81/197
Property rights 23.8 56.2
Government integrity 13.4 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 49.5
Tax burden 74.5 94.9
Government spending 77.7 61.7
Fiscal health 96.9 57.7
Business freedom 54.4 72.2
Labor freedom 47.3 51.4
Monetary freedom 69.4 69.6
Trade freedom 67 77.8
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua North Macedonia
2026 53.6 63.3
2025 54 63.2
2024 53.4 61.4
2023 54.9 63.7
2022 54.8 65.7
2021 56.3 68.6
2020 57.2 69.5
2019 57.7 71.1
2018 58.9 71.3
2017 59.2 70.7
2016 58.6 67.5
2015 57.6 67.1
2014 58.4 68.6
2013 56.6 68.2
2012 57.9 68.5
2011 58.8 66
2010 58.3 65.7
2009 59.8 61.2
2008 60.8 61.1
2007 62.7 60.6
2006 63.8 59.2
2005 62.5 56.1
2004 61.4 56.8
2003 62.6 60.1
2002 61.1 58
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/nicaragua/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
5.98%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$19.9B
2025
$17.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,780
2025
$26,680
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.32B
2025
$5.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2025
98/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$276M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
21.9%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
31.7%
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/north-macedonia | 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 (2022–2025, 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.