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Economy of Nicaragua vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a GDP of $19.7B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 131/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.71B in government debt (39.1% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

Nicaragua vs Russia GDP by year

Nicaragua
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Russia
2024 $19,693,982,968 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $17,805,842,284 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $15,634,572,502 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $14,209,020,362 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $12,726,422,432 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $12,699,023,614 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $13,025,221,974 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $13,785,893,007 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $13,286,093,388 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $12,756,696,261 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $11,880,438,824 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $10,982,988,249 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $10,532,017,232 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $9,774,329,333 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $8,758,602,233 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $8,298,702,489 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $8,496,967,597 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $7,423,375,015 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $6,763,672,381 $989,932,071,353
2005 $6,321,324,279 $764,015,973,481
2004 $5,792,932,838 $591,016,690,732
2003 $5,322,228,351 $430,347,420,185
2002 $5,223,727,303 $345,470,494,418
2001 $5,351,752,034 $306,602,070,621
2000 $5,109,587,050 $259,710,142,197
1999 $4,856,026,259 $195,907,128,351
1998 $4,635,347,386 $270,955,486,862
1997 $4,389,973,490 $404,928,954,192
1996 $4,308,351,903 $391,724,890,744
1995 $4,140,470,000 $395,537,185,735
1994 $3,863,185,119 $395,077,301,248
1993 $1,756,454,248 $435,083,713,851
1992 $1,792,800,000 $460,290,556,901
1991 $1,488,804,124 $517,962,962,963
1990 $1,009,455,484 $517,014,446,228
1989 $1,013,184,756 $506,631,299,735
1988 $2,630,900,096 $554,828,660,436
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Russia by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $980 $2,672 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $949 $2,497 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $913 $2,418 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $911 $2,325 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $892 $2,187 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $849 $2,064 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $394 $1,998 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $411 $2,003 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $350 $1,995 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $249.2 - $3,430 -
1988 $662 - $3,778 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $2,848, ranking 141/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Russia
Gross domestic product
$19.7B
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
131/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
3.59%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
141/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
138/185
2024
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
140
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.6%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
2.43%
2024
Population
7124343
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 39.1% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 26% 42.3% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 30% 48.4% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 34% 11.2%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 21.9% 26% 32% 7.45%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 29% 9.8%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 20.8% 84% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 31.5% 44.4%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 30.7% 55.9%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 34.3% 92.4%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 39.7% 135.2%
1997 17.9% 86.4% - 51.5%
1996 18% - - 51.9%
1995 17.7% - - 53.7%
1994 18.4% - - 63.5%
1993 18.4% - - 92.4%
1992 18.4% - - 116%
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.1% in Nicaragua and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 136/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Russia
2024 2.48% -1.6%
2023 2.31% -2.22%
2022 0.65% -1.34%
2021 -1.26% 0.78%
2020 -2.57% -3.99%
2019 -1.12% 1.93%
2018 -4.35% 2.92%
2017 -1.75% -1.47%
2016 -1.92% -3.67%
2015 -1.64% -3.39%
2014 -0.89% -1.07%
2013 -0.3% -1.16%
2012 0.22% 0.38%
2011 0.59% 1.43%
2010 0.69% -3.19%
2009 -0.9% -5.89%
2008 0.27% 4.55%
2007 1.88% 5.59%
2006 1.36% 7.8%
2005 1.72% 7.6%
2004 1.69% 4.57%
2003 1.3% 1.35%
2002 2.07% 0.67%
2001 0.34% 2.99%
2000 2.15% 3.11%
1999 -6.86% -3.59%
1998 -2.88% -7.42%
1997 -3.31% -
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% -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - 0.15%
1939 - 0.12%
1938 - 0.16%
1937 - 0.12%
1936 - 0.1%
1935 - 0.07%
1934 - 0.25%
1933 - 0.58%
1932 - 0.06%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - -1.62%
1929 - -0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 0.25% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Russia
2024 4.6% 8.4%
2023 8.4% 5.9%
2022 10.5% 13.7%
2021 4.9% 6.7%
2020 3.7% 3.4%
2019 5.4% 4.5%
2018 4.9% 2.9%
2017 3.9% 3.7%
2016 3.5% 7%
2015 4% 15.5%
2014 6% 7.8%
2013 7.1% 6.8%
2012 7.2% 5.1%
2011 8.1% 8.4%
2010 5.5% 6.8%
2009 3.7% 11.6%
2008 19.8% 14.1%
2007 11.1% 9%
2006 9.1% 9.7%
2005 9.6% 12.7%
2004 8.5% 10.9%
2003 5.3% 13.7%
2002 3.8% 15.8%
2001 7.4% 21.5%
2000 11.5% 20.8%
1999 11.2% 85.7%
1998 13% 27.7%
1997 9.2% 14.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.53%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 4.6% in Nicaragua and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.94M
Animal & marine products $3.8M
Metals $415K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $165K
Machinery & equipment $155K
Chemicals & pharma $147K
Textiles & consumer goods $49K
Wood & paper products $27K
Russia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $58.2M
Metals $30.1M
Raw agricultural goods $20.2M
Machinery & equipment $18.6M
Raw materials & minerals $15.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.65M
Wood & paper products $754K
Manufacturing & construction services $355K
Business & finance services $218K
Miscellaneous $57K

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Russia
Current account balance
$818M
2024
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$434B
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Russia
Economic freedom 53.6 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 161/197
Property rights 23.8 18.6
Government integrity 13.4 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 22.8
Tax burden 74.5 81.9
Government spending 77.7 61.3
Fiscal health 96.9 94.4
Business freedom 54.4 51.4
Labor freedom 47.3 59.1
Monetary freedom 69.4 61.8
Trade freedom 67 69.4
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Russia
2026 53.6 50.3
2025 54 51.6
2024 53.4 52
2023 54.9 53.8
2022 54.8 56.1
2021 56.3 61.5
2020 57.2 61
2019 57.7 58.9
2018 58.9 58.2
2017 59.2 57.1
2016 58.6 50.6
2015 57.6 52.1
2014 58.4 51.9
2013 56.6 51.1
2012 57.9 50.5
2011 58.8 50.5
2010 58.3 50.3
2009 59.8 50.8
2008 60.8 49.8
2007 62.7 52.2
2006 63.8 52.4
2005 62.5 51.3
2004 61.4 52.8
2003 62.6 50.8
2002 61.1 48.7
2001 58 49.8
2000 56.9 51.8
1999 54 54.5
1998 53.8 52.8
1997 53.3 48.6
1996 54.1 51.6
1995 42.5 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Russia
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.4%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,270
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
26.3%
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/russia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1999, 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 (2020–2024, 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.