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Economy of Nicaragua vs Philippines compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a GDP of $19.7B compared to $462B for the Philippines, ranking 131/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.71B in government debt (39.1% of GDP), compared to $261B (56.6% of GDP) in the Philippines.

Nicaragua vs Philippines GDP by year

Nicaragua
Philippines
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Philippines
2024 $19,693,982,968 $461,617,509,782
2023 $17,805,842,284 $437,055,627,244
2022 $15,634,572,502 $404,353,369,605
2021 $14,209,020,362 $394,087,359,848
2020 $12,726,422,432 $361,751,145,452
2019 $12,699,023,614 $376,823,402,239
2018 $13,025,221,974 $346,841,896,587
2017 $13,785,893,007 $328,480,736,803
2016 $13,286,093,388 $318,627,003,017
2015 $12,756,696,261 $306,445,871,242
2014 $11,880,438,824 $297,483,555,338
2013 $10,982,988,249 $283,902,828,589
2012 $10,532,017,232 $261,920,540,963
2011 $9,774,329,333 $234,216,730,291
2010 $8,758,602,233 $208,368,893,151
2009 $8,298,702,489 $175,974,755,881
2008 $8,496,967,597 $181,624,626,327
2007 $7,423,375,015 $155,980,408,673
2006 $6,763,672,381 $127,652,926,368
2005 $6,321,324,279 $107,419,977,318
2004 $5,792,932,838 $95,001,999,685
2003 $5,322,228,351 $87,039,092,974
2002 $5,223,727,303 $84,307,345,888
2001 $5,351,752,034 $78,921,234,458
2000 $5,109,587,050 $83,669,788,377
1999 $4,856,026,259 $85,640,171,045
1998 $4,635,347,386 $74,492,416,330
1997 $4,389,973,490 $94,106,317,565
1996 $4,308,351,903 $94,648,084,429
1995 $4,140,470,000 $84,644,328,727
1994 $3,863,185,119 $73,159,336,915
1993 $1,756,454,248 $62,036,529,147
1992 $1,792,800,000 $60,422,328,242
1991 $1,488,804,124 $51,784,144,943
1990 $1,009,455,484 $50,508,286,642
1989 $1,013,184,756 $48,513,773,721
1988 $2,630,900,096 $43,152,128,959
1987 $3,851,200,118 $37,791,488,666
1986 $2,885,799,994 $33,987,207,295
1985 $2,683,699,935 $34,961,486,348
1984 $3,117,599,872 $35,730,185,634
1983 $2,753,100,058 $37,759,179,895
1982 $2,454,499,872 $42,206,011,275
1981 $2,474,700,227 $40,499,388,869
1980 $2,144,300,006 $36,848,080,899
1979 $1,567,599,982 $31,218,296,292
1978 $2,127,699,979 $25,762,224,563
1977 $2,226,999,874 $22,283,109,803
1976 $1,836,899,999 $19,381,055,197
1975 $1,581,599,959 $16,875,240,684
1974 $1,521,400,012 $15,607,882,555
1973 $1,092,900,015 $11,412,449,735
1972 $878,570,045 $9,067,815,521
1971 $828,569,953 $8,375,075,630
1970 $778,569,939 $7,559,115,517
1969 $750,000,003 $9,571,800,653
1968 $692,859,985 $8,632,749,269
1967 $657,140,011 $7,724,873,935
1966 $607,140,010 $7,189,017,888
1965 $564,290,020 $6,517,349,772
1964 $347,119,918 $5,953,756,195
1963 $297,324,163 $5,505,023,238
1962 $269,283,804 $4,954,593,072
1961 $244,144,237 $8,171,194,425
1960 $227,223,322 $7,515,894,111

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

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Philippines by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Philippines
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Philippines
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $3,985 $11,794
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $3,804 $10,986
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $3,548 $10,131
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $3,484 $8,858
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $3,228 $8,238
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $3,401 $8,924
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $3,169 $8,358
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $3,038 $7,774
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $2,985 $7,383
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $2,910 $6,894
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $2,867 $6,689
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $2,781 $6,373
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $2,615 $6,094
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $2,384 $5,705
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $2,163 $5,489
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $1,864 $5,157
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $1,959 $5,144
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $1,713 $4,923
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $1,426 $4,579
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $1,220 $4,289
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $1,100 $4,037
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $1,027 $3,761
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $1,015 $3,580
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $970 $3,469
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $1,051 $3,366
1999 $980 $2,672 $1,101 $3,229
1998 $949 $2,497 $983 $3,160
1997 $913 $2,418 $1,273 $3,221
1996 $911 $2,325 $1,311 $3,082
1995 $892 $2,187 $1,200 $2,926
1994 $849 $2,064 $1,060 $2,800
1993 $394 $1,998 $919 $2,684
1992 $411 $2,003 $917 $2,629
1991 $350 $1,995 $804 $2,621
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $804 $2,608
1989 $249.2 - $792 -
1988 $662 - $722 -
1987 $992 - $650 -
1986 $761 - $600 -
1985 $724 - $633 -
1984 $861 - $665 -
1983 $780 - $723 -
1982 $714 - $833 -
1981 $740 - $821 -
1980 $659 - $767 -
1979 $495 - $667 -
1978 $691 - $565 -
1977 $744 - $502 -
1976 $633 - $449 -
1975 $561 - $401 -
1974 $557 - $379 -
1973 $413 - $283.2 -
1972 $341 - $230.1 -
1971 $331 - $217.4 -
1970 $321 - $200.9 -
1969 $319 - $261.1 -
1968 $304 - $242.2 -
1967 $297.9 - $223.1 -
1966 $284 - $213.8 -
1965 $272.3 - $199.8 -
1964 $172.7 - $188.2 -
1963 $152.5 - $179.5 -
1962 $142.3 - $166.7 -
1961 $132.9 - $283.8 -
1960 $127.5 - $269.5 -

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

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $2,848, ranking 141/197, compared to $3,985 in the Philippines, ranking 130/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while the Philippines ranks 127th at $11,794.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Philippines
Gross domestic product
$19.7B
2024
$462B
2024
GDP rank
131/197
2024
35/197
2024
GDP growth
3.59%
2023-2024
5.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$3,985
2024
GDP per capita rank
141/197
2024
130/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$11,794
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
127/197
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$261B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
56.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$2,257
2024
Government debt per person rank
138/185
2024
117/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$3,407
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$252B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
31.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
2.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
24.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.6%
2023-2024
3.21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
4.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
2.41%
2023
Population
7124343
117991570

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Philippines
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Philippines
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 39.1% 24.9% 56.6%
2023 26% 42.3% 24.7% 56.5%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 25.9% 57.4%
2021 30% 48.4% 27.2% 57%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 25.9% 51.6%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 21.7% 37%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 20.9% 37.1%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 19.5% 38.1%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 19% 37.4%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 17.8% 39.7%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 16.8% 40.3%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 17.3% 43.9%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 17.7% 45.7%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 17.2% 45.4%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 18.3% 47.6%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 19.2% 49.8%
2008 21.9% 26% 17.9% 50%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 18.2% 50.2%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 18.3% 57.2%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 18.7% 64.7%
2004 20.8% 84% 19.4% 71.1%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 20.4% 71.4%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 20.6% 65.2%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 21% 59.5%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 20.8% 59.2%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 20.7% 54.2%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 20.3% 50.8%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 20.3% 56.9%
1996 18% - 19.6% 53.1%
1995 17.7% - 19.1% 60.8%
1994 18.4% - 19.7% 63.6%
1993 18.4% - 17.6% 73.9%
1992 18.4% - 18.4% 53.9%
1991 16.8% - 18% 55.6%
1990 28.2% - 18.8% 56.2%
1989 - - 15.7% 55.2%
1988 24.8% - 15.9% 69%
1987 - 266.6% 15.7% 79.2%
1986 26.1% 159.2% 13.5% 77.7%
1985 29.9% 218% 11.3% 53.1%
1984 31.9% 198% 10.1% 45.8%
1983 33.8% 211.6% 12.2% 43.1%
1982 49.4% 159.1% 12.8% 32.9%
1981 39.3% 149.1% 13.7% 27.6%
1980 30.4% 152.1% 13.4% 24.8%
1979 20.7% 116.3% 11.9% 22.5%
1978 17.7% 76.9% 13.3% 23.1%
1977 19.9% 62.7% 13.3% 19.8%
1976 16.2% 59.5% 13.8% 16.8%
1975 17.5% 57.8% 15.1% 13%
1974 15.3% 40% 10.7% 13.4%
1973 12.8% 32.9% 14% 11.5%
1972 15.1% 30.2% 13.4% 14.2%
1971 15.1% 31.6% 11.2% 14.8%
1970 13.2% 35.4% 10.4% 16.8%
1969 11.1% - 11.5% 16.4%
1968 10.9% - 11.2% 15.7%
1967 12.7% - 10.2% 15.4%
1966 12.2% - 9.77% 14.4%
1965 10.9% - 9.48% 15%
1964 10.2% - 9.66% 14.2%
1963 10.5% - 10.4% 14.1%
1962 10.6% - 10.8% 15.9%
1961 9.93% - 9.6% 16.5%
1960 11.2% - 10.1% 16.6%

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/nicaragua/philippines | CC BY

In 2024, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while the Philippines spent $115B, or 24.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.1% in Nicaragua and 56.6% in the Philippines, ranking 136/185 and 93/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Philippines
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Philippines
2024 2.48% -3.78%
2023 2.31% -4.38%
2022 0.65% -5.48%
2021 -1.26% -6.23%
2020 -2.57% -5.55%
2019 -1.12% -1.5%
2018 -4.35% -1.48%
2017 -1.75% -0.75%
2016 -1.92% -0.74%
2015 -1.64% 0.14%
2014 -0.89% 1.32%
2013 -0.3% 0.37%
2012 0.22% -0.22%
2011 0.59% -0.38%
2010 0.69% -2.25%
2009 -0.9% -2.57%
2008 0.27% 0.02%
2007 1.88% -0.28%
2006 1.36% -0.05%
2005 1.72% -1.62%
2004 1.69% -2.81%
2003 1.3% -3.49%
2002 2.07% -3.71%
2001 0.34% -3.49%
2000 2.15% -3.27%
1999 -6.86% -2.29%
1998 -2.88% -1.31%
1997 -3.31% 0.37%
1996 -5% 0.54%
1995 -4.62% -0.02%
1994 -5.79% -0.44%
1993 -4.66% 0.63%
1992 -3.8% -0.43%
1991 -3.45% -0.26%
1990 -15.2% -1.52%
1989 - -1.64%
1988 -22.4% -2.71%
1987 - -1.06%
1986 -7.33% -0.55%
1985 -11.3% 0.71%
1984 -11.8% 0.64%
1983 -15.6% 0.1%
1982 -20.2% -0.88%
1981 -10.6% -1.09%
1980 -6.53% 0.56%
1979 -5.89% 1.54%
1978 -4.44% 0.05%
1977 -5.91% -0.42%
1976 -2.2% -0.55%
1975 -3.53% 0.13%
1974 -1.41% 5.94%
1973 1.21% 2.49%
1972 -2.61% 3.39%
1971 -2.33% -0.96%
1970 -2.69% -0.31%
1969 -1.57% -2.67%
1968 -1.21% -2.33%
1967 -2.11% -1.35%
1966 -1.04% -0.74%
1965 0.3% -1.53%
1964 0.2% -0.99%
1963 0.75% -0.68%
1962 -0.29% -0.43%
1961 0.04% -0.29%
1960 -1.28% -1.06%
1959 - -0.15%
1958 - -0.21%
1957 - -0.56%
1956 - -0.77%
1955 - -1.3%
1954 - -0.79%
1953 - -0.88%
1952 - 0.49%
1951 - 1.5%
1950 - -0.19%
1949 - -2.33%
1948 - -0.65%
1947 - 0.05%
1946 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/philippines | 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 the Philippines' deficit of $17.5B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 43 of those years, while the Philippines ran a deficit in 48 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 3.09% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.98% of GDP for the Philippines.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Philippines
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Philippines
2024 4.6% 3.21%
2023 8.4% 5.98%
2022 10.5% 5.82%
2021 4.9% 3.93%
2020 3.7% 2.39%
2019 5.4% 2.39%
2018 4.9% 5.31%
2017 3.9% 2.85%
2016 3.5% 1.25%
2015 4% 0.67%
2014 6% 3.6%
2013 7.1% 2.58%
2012 7.2% 3.03%
2011 8.1% 4.72%
2010 5.5% 3.79%
2009 3.7% 4.22%
2008 19.8% 8.26%
2007 11.1% 2.9%
2006 9.1% 5.49%
2005 9.6% 6.52%
2004 8.5% 4.83%
2003 5.3% 2.29%
2002 3.8% 2.72%
2001 7.4% 5.35%
2000 11.5% 3.98%
1999 11.2% 5.94%
1998 13% 9.23%
1997 9.2% 5.59%

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/philippines | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.53%, compared with 4.24% in the Philippines. In 2024, inflation was 4.6% in Nicaragua and 3.21% in the Philippines.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $265K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Philippines
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.17M
Textiles & consumer goods $763K
Metals $218K
Chemicals & pharma $143K
Raw agricultural goods $125K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $96K

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Philippines
Current account balance
$818M
2024
-$18.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
183/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
-3.96%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$124B
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$55.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$37.6B
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$51.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
40.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
25.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Philippines
Economic freedom 53.6 62.9
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 85/197
Property rights 23.8 45.8
Government integrity 13.4 35.4
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 41.8
Tax burden 74.5 78.3
Government spending 77.7 81
Fiscal health 96.9 60.5
Business freedom 54.4 69.2
Labor freedom 47.3 57.8
Monetary freedom 69.4 72.1
Trade freedom 67 83
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Philippines
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Philippines
2026 53.6 62.9
2025 54 60.6
2024 53.4 59
2023 54.9 59.3
2022 54.8 61.1
2021 56.3 64.1
2020 57.2 64.5
2019 57.7 63.8
2018 58.9 65
2017 59.2 65.6
2016 58.6 63.1
2015 57.6 62.2
2014 58.4 60.1
2013 56.6 58.2
2012 57.9 57.1
2011 58.8 56.2
2010 58.3 56.3
2009 59.8 56.8
2008 60.8 56
2007 62.7 56
2006 63.8 56.3
2005 62.5 54.7
2004 61.4 59.1
2003 62.6 61.3
2002 61.1 60.7
2001 58 60.9
2000 56.9 62.5
1999 54 61.9
1998 53.8 62.8
1997 53.3 62.2
1996 54.1 60.2
1995 42.5 55

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 62.9 for the Philippines, ranking 85/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Philippines
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
63.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
27.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.4%
2024
9.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$518B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,270
2024
$13,330
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$106B
2024
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2024
27/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$6.57B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$9.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$2.87B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
15.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
23.7%
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/nicaragua/philippines | 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 (1946–1999, 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 (2021–2024, 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.