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Economy of Nicaragua vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a GDP of $19.7B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 131/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.71B in government debt (39.1% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Nicaragua vs Pakistan GDP by year

Nicaragua
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Pakistan
2024 $19,693,982,968 $371,570,000,121
2023 $17,805,842,284 $336,686,348,609
2022 $15,634,572,502 $374,890,295,667
2021 $14,209,020,362 $348,516,647,445
2020 $12,726,422,432 $300,425,609,818
2019 $12,699,023,614 $320,909,472,771
2018 $13,025,221,974 $356,128,166,705
2017 $13,785,893,007 $339,205,534,861
2016 $13,286,093,388 $313,630,000,130
2015 $12,756,696,261 $299,963,590,535
2014 $11,880,438,824 $271,390,474,858
2013 $10,982,988,249 $258,657,231,672
2012 $10,532,017,232 $250,106,966,105
2011 $9,774,329,333 $230,586,581,060
2010 $8,758,602,233 $196,709,621,850
2009 $8,298,702,489 $187,337,783,856
2008 $8,496,967,597 $202,203,748,584
2007 $7,423,375,015 $184,140,869,997
2006 $6,763,672,381 $161,871,385,506
2005 $6,321,324,279 $145,208,562,961
2004 $5,792,932,838 $132,216,048,339
2003 $5,322,228,351 $112,371,913,741
2002 $5,223,727,303 $97,923,302,809
2001 $5,351,752,034 $97,145,618,480
2000 $5,109,587,050 $99,484,802,345
1999 $4,856,026,259 $62,973,857,069
1998 $4,635,347,386 $62,191,955,814
1997 $4,389,973,490 $62,433,340,468
1996 $4,308,351,903 $63,320,170,084
1995 $4,140,470,000 $60,636,071,684
1994 $3,863,185,119 $52,293,470,813
1993 $1,756,454,248 $51,809,999,353
1992 $1,792,800,000 $48,884,671,947
1991 $1,488,804,124 $45,625,336,680
1990 $1,009,455,484 $40,010,423,970
1989 $1,013,184,756 $40,171,106,279
1988 $2,630,900,096 $38,472,742,808
1987 $3,851,200,118 $33,351,529,275
1986 $2,885,799,994 $31,899,070,056
1985 $2,683,699,935 $31,144,920,844
1984 $3,117,599,872 $31,151,825,467
1983 $2,753,100,058 $28,691,889,764
1982 $2,454,499,872 $30,725,971,564
1981 $2,474,700,227 $28,100,606,061
1980 $2,144,300,006 $23,654,444,444
1979 $1,567,599,982 $19,688,383,838
1978 $2,127,699,979 $17,811,515,152
1977 $2,226,999,874 $15,126,060,606
1976 $1,836,899,999 $13,168,080,808
1975 $1,581,599,959 $11,230,606,061
1974 $1,521,400,012 $8,899,191,919
1973 $1,092,900,015 $6,383,429,490
1972 $878,570,045 $9,415,016,360
1971 $828,569,953 $10,665,896,682
1970 $778,569,939 $10,027,509,450
1969 $750,000,003 $8,683,116,338
1968 $692,859,985 $8,041,999,160
1967 $657,140,011 $7,464,510,710
1966 $607,140,010 $6,561,108,778
1965 $564,290,020 $5,929,231,415
1964 $347,119,918 $5,204,955,901
1963 $297,324,163 $4,630,827,383
1962 $269,283,804 $4,310,163,797
1961 $244,144,237 $4,118,647,627
1960 $227,223,322 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Pakistan by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $987 $3,786
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $964 $3,777
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $998 $3,672
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $901 $3,515
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $828 $3,293
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $772 $3,048
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $672 $2,822
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $600 $2,688
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $610 $2,644
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $642 $2,565
1999 $980 $2,672 $418 $2,475
1998 $949 $2,497 $424 $2,419
1997 $913 $2,418 $438 $2,398
1996 $911 $2,325 $457 $2,401
1995 $892 $2,187 $451 $2,315
1994 $849 $2,064 $400 $2,224
1993 $394 $1,998 $408 $2,160
1992 $411 $2,003 $396 $2,132
1991 $350 $1,995 $380 $1,992
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $344 $1,895
1989 $249.2 - $358 -
1988 $662 - $354 -
1987 $992 - $317 -
1986 $761 - $314 -
1985 $724 - $317 -
1984 $861 - $327 -
1983 $780 - $311 -
1982 $714 - $345 -
1981 $740 - $328 -
1980 $659 - $287.4 -
1979 $495 - $249.2 -
1978 $691 - $233.4 -
1977 $744 - $204.7 -
1976 $633 - $183.9 -
1975 $561 - $161.7 -
1974 $557 - $132 -
1973 $413 - $97.5 -
1972 $341 - $148.1 -
1971 $331 - $172.5 -
1970 $321 - $166.7 -
1969 $319 - $148.5 -
1968 $304 - $141.6 -
1967 $297.9 - $135.2 -
1966 $284 - $122.2 -
1965 $272.3 - $113.6 -
1964 $172.7 - $102.5 -
1963 $152.5 - $93.7 -
1962 $142.3 - $89.5 -
1961 $132.9 - $87.8 -
1960 $127.5 - $82 -

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

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $2,848, ranking 141/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$19.7B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
131/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
3.59%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
141/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
138/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.6%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
6.96%
2025
Population
7124343
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 39.1% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 26% 42.3% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 20% 77.3%
2021 30% 48.4% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 21.9% 26% 18% 49.5%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 13% 47.9%
2004 20.8% 84% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 18% - 15% 52.5%
1995 17.7% - 14% 52.3%
1994 18.4% - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 18.4% - 17% 57.9%
1992 18.4% - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 16.8% - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 28.2% - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 24.8% - 27.9% 45%
1987 - 266.6% 29.5% 44.4%
1986 26.1% 159.2% 27.6% 43.1%
1985 29.9% 218% 28.3% 37%
1984 31.9% 198% 25.4% 33.4%
1983 33.8% 211.6% 24.8% 33.6%
1982 49.4% 159.1% 24.5% 33.8%
1981 39.3% 149.1% 21.6% 29.7%
1980 30.4% 152.1% 22% 33.3%
1979 20.7% 116.3% 25.3% 36.8%
1978 17.7% 76.9% 25.5% 36.1%
1977 19.9% 62.7% 20.4% 36.4%
1976 16.2% 59.5% 21% 35.8%
1975 17.5% 57.8% 20.4% 32.1%
1974 15.3% 40% 15.3% 38%
1973 12.8% 32.9% 13.9% 43.4%
1972 15.1% 30.2% 13.5% 88.7%
1971 15.1% 31.6% 22.1% 33.2%
1970 13.2% 35.4% 23.6% 31.6%
1969 11.1% - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 10.9% - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 12.7% - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 12.2% - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 10.9% - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 10.2% - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 10.5% - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 10.6% - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 9.93% - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 11.2% - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.1% in Nicaragua and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 136/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Pakistan
2024 2.48% -6.81%
2023 2.31% -7.76%
2022 0.65% -7.84%
2021 -1.26% -6.04%
2020 -2.57% -7.03%
2019 -1.12% -7.79%
2018 -4.35% -5.67%
2017 -1.75% -5.17%
2016 -1.92% -3.92%
2015 -1.64% -4.74%
2014 -0.89% -4.37%
2013 -0.3% -7.48%
2012 0.22% -7.74%
2011 0.59% -6.23%
2010 0.69% -5.42%
2009 -0.9% -4.53%
2008 0.27% -5.94%
2007 1.88% -4.23%
2006 1.36% -2.79%
2005 1.72% -2.29%
2004 1.69% -1.29%
2003 1.3% -0.12%
2002 2.07% -2.64%
2001 0.34% -2.45%
2000 2.15% -3.21%
1999 -6.86% -3.07%
1998 -2.88% -4.46%
1997 -3.31% -3.87%
1996 -5% -4.33%
1995 -4.62% -3.9%
1994 -5.79% -3.63%
1993 -4.66% -5.53%
1992 -3.8% -11.3%
1991 -3.45% -10.8%
1990 -15.2% -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 -22.4% -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 -7.33% -9.79%
1985 -11.3% -10.6%
1984 -11.8% -8.9%
1983 -15.6% -7.55%
1982 -20.2% -8.24%
1981 -10.6% -5.83%
1980 -6.53% -5.32%
1979 -5.89% -11.6%
1978 -4.44% -12.4%
1977 -5.91% -8.74%
1976 -2.2% -9.05%
1975 -3.53% -8.97%
1974 -1.41% -4.45%
1973 1.21% -3.99%
1972 -2.61% -3.16%
1971 -2.33% -7.45%
1970 -2.69% -10.8%
1969 -1.57% -7.08%
1968 -1.21% -5.56%
1967 -2.11% -4.27%
1966 -1.04% -4.48%
1965 0.3% -3.28%
1964 0.2% -4.89%
1963 0.75% -6.55%
1962 -0.29% -3.39%
1961 0.04% -4.6%
1960 -1.28% -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nicaragua's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $489M, equivalent to 2.48% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 43 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 65 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 3.09% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.14% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Pakistan
2024 4.6% 12.6%
2023 8.4% 30.8%
2022 10.5% 19.9%
2021 4.9% 9.5%
2020 3.7% 9.74%
2019 5.4% 10.6%
2018 4.9% 5.08%
2017 3.9% 4.09%
2016 3.5% 3.77%
2015 4% 2.53%
2014 6% 7.19%
2013 7.1% 7.69%
2012 7.2% 9.68%
2011 8.1% 11.9%
2010 5.5% 12.9%
2009 3.7% 13.6%
2008 19.8% 20.3%
2007 11.1% 7.6%
2006 9.1% 7.92%
2005 9.6% 9.06%
2004 8.5% 7.44%
2003 5.3% 2.91%
2002 3.8% 3.29%
2001 7.4% 3.15%
2000 11.5% 4.37%
1999 11.2% 4.14%
1998 13% 6.23%
1997 9.2% 11.4%

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/nicaragua/pakistan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.53%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 4.6% in Nicaragua and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $61K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $54K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $4.45M
Machinery & equipment $123K
Raw materials & minerals $109K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Pakistan
Current account balance
$818M
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Pakistan
Economic freedom 53.6 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 168/197
Property rights 23.8 25.7
Government integrity 13.4 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 27.6
Tax burden 74.5 78.2
Government spending 77.7 88.5
Fiscal health 96.9 10.1
Business freedom 54.4 54.4
Labor freedom 47.3 51.7
Monetary freedom 69.4 54.1
Trade freedom 67 70.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Pakistan
2026 53.6 48.9
2025 54 49.1
2024 53.4 49.5
2023 54.9 49.4
2022 54.8 48.8
2021 56.3 51.7
2020 57.2 54.8
2019 57.7 55
2018 58.9 54.4
2017 59.2 52.8
2016 58.6 55.9
2015 57.6 55.6
2014 58.4 55.2
2013 56.6 55.1
2012 57.9 54.7
2011 58.8 55.1
2010 58.3 55.2
2009 59.8 57
2008 60.8 55.6
2007 62.7 57.2
2006 63.8 57.9
2005 62.5 53.3
2004 61.4 54.9
2003 62.6 55
2002 61.1 55.8
2001 58 56
2000 56.9 56.4
1999 54 53
1998 53.8 53.2
1997 53.3 56
1996 54.1 58.4
1995 42.5 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.4%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,270
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
13.2%
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/nicaragua/pakistan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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.