Skip to content

Economy of Nicaragua vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a GDP of $19.7B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 131/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.71B in government debt (39.1% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Nicaragua vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Nicaragua
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Saint Lucia
2024 $19,693,982,968 $2,549,062,963
2023 $17,805,842,284 $2,430,166,667
2022 $15,634,572,502 $2,342,714,815
2021 $14,209,020,362 $1,867,185,185
2020 $12,726,422,432 $1,499,274,074
2019 $12,699,023,614 $2,095,344,444
2018 $13,025,221,974 $2,060,955,556
2017 $13,785,893,007 $1,998,503,704
2016 $13,286,093,388 $1,868,544,444
2015 $12,756,696,261 $1,807,640,741
2014 $11,880,438,824 $1,749,185,185
2013 $10,982,988,249 $1,660,392,593
2012 $10,532,017,232 $1,598,207,407
2011 $9,774,329,333 $1,568,370,370
2010 $8,758,602,233 $1,482,385,185
2009 $8,298,702,489 $1,401,507,889
2008 $8,496,967,597 $1,437,731,111
2007 $7,423,375,015 $1,336,088,815
2006 $6,763,672,381 $1,268,319,185
2005 $6,321,324,279 $1,135,555,556
2004 $5,792,932,838 $1,066,666,667
2003 $5,322,228,351 $987,407,407
2002 $5,223,727,303 $900,000,000
2001 $5,351,752,034 $892,592,593
2000 $5,109,587,050 $932,592,593
1999 $4,856,026,259 $921,851,852
1998 $4,635,347,386 $877,407,407
1997 $4,389,973,490 $805,925,926
1996 $4,308,351,903 $788,888,889
1995 $4,140,470,000 $762,962,963
1994 $3,863,185,119 $713,703,704
1993 $1,756,454,248 $684,814,815
1992 $1,792,800,000 $674,074,074
1991 $1,488,804,124 $613,703,704
1990 $1,009,455,484 $579,629,630
1989 $1,013,184,756 $486,666,667
1988 $2,630,900,096 $429,629,630
1987 $3,851,200,118 $375,555,556
1986 $2,885,799,994 $340,000,000
1985 $2,683,699,935 $284,444,444
1984 $3,117,599,872 $251,481,481
1983 $2,753,100,058 $197,037,037
1982 $2,454,499,872 $183,333,333
1981 $2,474,700,227 $194,444,444
1980 $2,144,300,006 $170,370,370
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Saint Lucia by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $980 $2,672 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $949 $2,497 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $913 $2,418 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $911 $2,325 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $892 $2,187 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $849 $2,064 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $394 $1,998 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $411 $2,003 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $350 $1,995 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $249.2 - $3,565 -
1988 $662 - $3,182 -
1987 $992 - $2,819 -
1986 $761 - $2,591 -
1985 $724 - $2,202 -
1984 $861 - $1,979 -
1983 $780 - $1,576 -
1982 $714 - $1,489 -
1981 $740 - $1,605 -
1980 $659 - $1,428 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $2,848, ranking 141/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$19.7B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
131/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
3.59%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
141/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
138/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.6%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
10.1%
2024
Population
7124343
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 39.1% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 26% 42.3% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 23% 74.4%
2021 30% 48.4% 27.4% 87%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 34.9% 100%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 23% 61.3%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 28% 60.8%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 27% 55.2%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 26% 53%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 24.5% 51%
2008 21.9% 26% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 26% 51.9%
2004 20.8% 84% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 18% - 18.9% 24.1%
1995 17.7% - 19.2% 22.9%
1994 18.4% - 19.1% 23.8%
1993 18.4% - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 18.4% - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 16.8% - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 28.2% - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 24.8% - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - 266.6% 19.9% 19.6%
1986 26.1% 159.2% 21.1% 17.2%
1985 29.9% 218% 20.4% 17.1%
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 (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/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.1% in Nicaragua and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 136/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Saint Lucia
2024 2.48% -2.13%
2023 2.31% -3.09%
2022 0.65% -1.67%
2021 -1.26% -5.1%
2020 -2.57% -12%
2019 -1.12% -3.51%
2018 -4.35% -1.03%
2017 -1.75% -1.14%
2016 -1.92% -0.79%
2015 -1.64% -2.35%
2014 -0.89% -3.08%
2013 -0.3% -4.84%
2012 0.22% -7.62%
2011 0.59% -5.38%
2010 0.69% -4.17%
2009 -0.9% -2.67%
2008 0.27% -0.72%
2007 1.88% -1.62%
2006 1.36% -5.07%
2005 1.72% -6.18%
2004 1.69% -2.63%
2003 1.3% -3.23%
2002 2.07% -3.1%
2001 0.34% -3.08%
2000 2.15% -1.16%
1999 -6.86% 1.62%
1998 -2.88% 2.25%
1997 -3.31% -1.13%
1996 -5% -0.58%
1995 -4.62% -0.13%
1994 -5.79% -0.02%
1993 -4.66% -0.26%
1992 -3.8% -0.66%
1991 -3.45% -0.43%
1990 -15.2% 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 -22.4% 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 -7.33% -1.61%
1985 -11.3% -1.5%
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 (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/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.15% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Saint Lucia
2024 4.6% -0.11%
2023 8.4% 4.07%
2022 10.5% 6.38%
2021 4.9% 2.41%
2020 3.7% -1.76%
2019 5.4% 0.54%
2018 4.9% 1.94%
2017 3.9% 0.1%
2016 3.5% -3.08%
2015 4% -0.98%
2014 6% 3.52%
2013 7.1% 1.47%
2012 7.2% 4.18%
2011 8.1% 2.77%
2010 5.5% 3.25%
2009 3.7% -0.16%
2008 19.8% 5.55%
2007 11.1% 2.82%
2006 9.1% 2.4%
2005 9.6% 3.9%
2004 8.5% 1.46%
2003 5.3% 1.03%
2002 3.8% -0.26%
2001 7.4% 5.31%
2000 11.5% 3.71%
1999 11.2% 3.5%
1998 13% 3.2%
1997 9.2% -0.006%

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.53%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 4.6% in Nicaragua and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Saint Lucia
Current account balance
$818M
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 53.6 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 57/197
Property rights 23.8 64.3
Government integrity 13.4 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 77.3
Tax burden 74.5 77.7
Government spending 77.7 82.6
Fiscal health 96.9 80
Business freedom 54.4 71.9
Labor freedom 47.3 65.2
Monetary freedom 69.4 81
Trade freedom 67 60
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Saint Lucia
2026 53.6 67.5
2025 54 67
2024 53.4 62.2
2023 54.9 60.7
2022 54.8 64.3
2021 56.3 67.5
2020 57.2 68.2
2019 57.7 68.7
2018 58.9 67.6
2017 59.2 65
2016 58.6 70
2015 57.6 70.2
2014 58.4 70.7
2013 56.6 70.4
2012 57.9 71.3
2011 58.8 70.8
2010 58.3 70.5
2009 59.8 68.8
2008 60.8 -
2007 62.7 -
2006 63.8 -
2005 62.5 -
2004 61.4 -
2003 62.6 -
2002 61.1 -
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 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.4%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,270
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
n/a

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.