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Economy of Nicaragua vs Saint Vincent compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a GDP of $19.7B compared to $1.16B for Saint Vincent, ranking 131/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.71B in government debt (39.1% of GDP), compared to $1.07B (92.7% of GDP) in Saint Vincent.

Nicaragua vs Saint Vincent GDP by year

Nicaragua
Saint Vincent
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Saint Vincent
2024 $19,693,982,968 $1,157,207,407
2023 $17,805,842,284 $1,072,237,037
2022 $15,634,572,502 $989,188,889
2021 $14,209,020,362 $888,677,778
2020 $12,726,422,432 $864,566,667
2019 $12,699,023,614 $910,481,481
2018 $13,025,221,974 $884,329,630
2017 $13,785,893,007 $844,040,741
2016 $13,286,093,388 $814,303,704
2015 $12,756,696,261 $786,555,556
2014 $11,880,438,824 $770,900,000
2013 $10,982,988,249 $764,781,259
2012 $10,532,017,232 $730,032,593
2011 $9,774,329,333 $713,796,370
2010 $8,758,602,233 $720,447,889
2009 $8,298,702,489 $714,300,259
2008 $8,496,967,597 $732,663,259
2007 $7,423,375,015 $713,596,667
2006 $6,763,672,381 $643,501,148
2005 $6,321,324,279 $579,948,926
2004 $5,792,932,838 $549,900,185
2003 $5,322,228,351 $509,090,889
2002 $5,223,727,303 $487,763,852
2001 $5,351,752,034 $462,072,333
2000 $5,109,587,050 $427,946,037
1999 $4,856,026,259 $390,718,519
1998 $4,635,347,386 $373,618,519
1997 $4,389,973,490 $347,770,370
1996 $4,308,351,903 $331,488,889
1995 $4,140,470,000 $316,007,407
1994 $3,863,185,119 $289,437,037
1993 $1,756,454,248 $286,307,407
1992 $1,792,800,000 $277,955,556
1991 $1,488,804,124 $254,829,630
1990 $1,009,455,484 $240,366,667
1989 $1,013,184,756 $214,745,002
1988 $2,630,900,096 $200,726,713
1987 $3,851,200,118 $175,580,647
1986 $2,885,799,994 $160,846,657
1985 $2,683,699,935 $145,641,705
1984 $3,117,599,872 $135,024,988
1983 $2,753,100,058 $122,255,350
1982 $2,454,499,872 $113,759,203
1981 $2,474,700,227 $102,086,539
1980 $2,144,300,006 $82,340,340
1979 $1,567,599,982 $71,096,360
1978 $2,127,699,979 $60,844,771
1977 $2,226,999,874 $49,353,162
1976 $1,836,899,999 $32,792,845
1975 $1,581,599,959 $33,237,226
1974 $1,521,400,012 $32,923,703
1973 $1,092,900,015 $30,165,081
1972 $878,570,045 $27,585,805
1971 $828,569,953 $20,051,922
1970 $778,569,939 $18,450,000
1969 $750,000,003 $16,650,000
1968 $692,859,985 $15,350,000
1967 $657,140,011 $15,835,106
1966 $607,140,010 $16,099,960
1965 $564,290,020 $15,108,296
1964 $347,119,918 $14,758,296
1963 $297,324,163 $13,708,299
1962 $269,283,804 $14,524,964
1961 $244,144,237 $13,999,965
1960 $227,223,322 $13,066,634

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

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Saint Vincent by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Vincent
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Saint Vincent
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $11,501 $21,272
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $10,582 $19,820
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $9,694 $18,035
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $8,641 $16,201
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $8,351 $15,337
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $8,741 $15,340
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $8,428 $14,690
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $7,988 $13,575
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $7,657 $13,493
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $7,354 $12,379
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $7,169 $12,136
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $7,072 $11,625
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $6,714 $10,989
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $6,528 $10,774
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $6,552 $10,561
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $6,464 $10,869
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $6,599 $10,902
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $6,398 $10,604
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $5,745 $9,949
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $5,157 $8,986
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $4,873 $8,472
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $4,500 $7,903
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $4,303 $7,250
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $4,071 $6,768
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $3,769 $6,503
1999 $980 $2,672 $3,447 $6,266
1998 $949 $2,497 $3,301 $6,026
1997 $913 $2,418 $3,074 $5,726
1996 $911 $2,325 $2,930 $5,440
1995 $892 $2,187 $2,795 $5,277
1994 $849 $2,064 $2,563 $4,802
1993 $394 $1,998 $2,540 $4,769
1992 $411 $2,003 $2,471 $4,477
1991 $350 $1,995 $2,271 $4,126
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $2,150 $3,960
1989 $249.2 - $1,930 -
1988 $662 - $1,814 -
1987 $992 - $1,596 -
1986 $761 - $1,472 -
1985 $724 - $1,342 -
1984 $861 - $1,254 -
1983 $780 - $1,144 -
1982 $714 - $1,074 -
1981 $740 - $972 -
1980 $659 - $790 -
1979 $495 - $687 -
1978 $691 - $592 -
1977 $744 - $484 -
1976 $633 - $324 -
1975 $561 - $331 -
1974 $557 - $331 -
1973 $413 - $306 -
1972 $341 - $282.1 -
1971 $331 - $207 -
1970 $321 - $192.3 -
1969 $319 - $175.2 -
1968 $304 - $163.1 -
1967 $297.9 - $170 -
1966 $284 - $174.9 -
1965 $272.3 - $166.2 -
1964 $172.7 - $164.4 -
1963 $152.5 - $154.9 -
1962 $142.3 - $166.5 -
1961 $132.9 - $163 -
1960 $127.5 - $154.8 -

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

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $2,848, ranking 141/197, compared to $11,501 in Saint Vincent, ranking 81/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Saint Vincent ranks 92nd at $21,272.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Saint Vincent
Gross domestic product
$19.7B
2024
$1.16B
2024
GDP rank
131/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP growth
3.59%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$11,501
2024
GDP per capita rank
141/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$21,272
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
92/197
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$1.07B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
92.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$10,659
2024
Government debt per person rank
138/185
2024
56/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$12,573
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
39.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.6%
2023-2024
3.63%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
18.8%
2008
Population
7124343
99237

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Saint Vincent
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Saint Vincent
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 39.1% 39.1% 92.7%
2023 26% 42.3% 38.9% 89.4%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 36.6% 86.3%
2021 30% 48.4% 37.2% 88.4%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 32.9% 80.2%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 29.2% 68.2%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 26.3% 69.4%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 26.6% 69%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 27.1% 79.4%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 27.6% 75.1%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 30.4% 75%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 29.4% 69.9%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 26.5% 68.1%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 29.4% 64%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 31.1% 61.1%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 31% 57.2%
2008 21.9% 26% 28.4% 50.3%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 27.1% 48.5%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 26.1% 44.7%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 26.7% 50.5%
2004 20.8% 84% 24.9% 58.6%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 26% 55.3%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 25.7% 53.2%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 24.4% 52%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 23.8% 54.3%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 25.2% 52.9%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 25.2% 39.5%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 26% 38.8%
1996 18% - 20.9% 40.7%
1995 17.7% - 19.9% 46.8%
1994 18.4% - 22.4% 52.8%
1993 18.4% - 22.3% 48.1%
1992 18.4% - 25.4% 49.6%
1991 16.8% - 25.5% 52.1%
1990 28.2% - 23.1% 53.9%
1989 - - 27.6% -
1988 24.8% - 24.8% -
1987 - 266.6% 23.7% -
1986 26.1% 159.2% 22.3% -
1985 29.9% 218% 21.4% -
1984 31.9% 198% 23.1% -
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-vincent | CC BY

In 2024, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Saint Vincent spent $453M, or 39.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.1% in Nicaragua and 92.7% in Saint Vincent, ranking 136/185 and 29/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Saint Vincent
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Saint Vincent
2024 2.48% -12.9%
2023 2.31% -12%
2022 0.65% -9.35%
2021 -1.26% -7.19%
2020 -2.57% -5.92%
2019 -1.12% -3.45%
2018 -4.35% -1.65%
2017 -1.75% -1.56%
2016 -1.92% 0.04%
2015 -1.64% -2.01%
2014 -0.89% -2.82%
2013 -0.3% -5.81%
2012 0.22% -1.81%
2011 0.59% -3.5%
2010 0.69% -3.7%
2009 -0.9% -2.85%
2008 0.27% -1.3%
2007 1.88% -3.07%
2006 1.36% -3.13%
2005 1.72% -4.3%
2004 1.69% -2.71%
2003 1.3% -2.51%
2002 2.07% -2%
2001 0.34% -1.6%
2000 2.15% -0.82%
1999 -6.86% -1.93%
1998 -2.88% -1.81%
1997 -3.31% -2.77%
1996 -5% 1.57%
1995 -4.62% 1.08%
1994 -5.79% 0.12%
1993 -4.66% -1.46%
1992 -3.8% -3.25%
1991 -3.45% -0.47%
1990 -15.2% 1.69%
1989 - -1.92%
1988 -22.4% 0.59%
1987 - 1.1%
1986 -7.33% 2.32%
1985 -11.3% 4.23%
1984 -11.8% 2.5%
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-vincent | 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 Vincent's deficit of $149M, or 12.9% of GDP.

Over the past 41 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Saint Vincent ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 2.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.35% of GDP for Saint Vincent.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Saint Vincent
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Saint Vincent
2024 4.6% 3.63%
2023 8.4% 4.56%
2022 10.5% 5.66%
2021 4.9% 1.57%
2020 3.7% -0.63%
2019 5.4% 0.91%
2018 4.9% 2.32%
2017 3.9% 2.15%
2016 3.5% -0.15%
2015 4% -1.73%
2014 6% 0.19%
2013 7.1% 0.81%
2012 7.2% 2.6%
2011 8.1% 3.19%
2010 5.5% 0.75%
2009 3.7% 0.42%
2008 19.8% 10.1%
2007 11.1% 7.24%
2006 9.1% 2.74%
2005 9.6% 3.73%
2004 8.5% 2.96%
2003 5.3% 0.21%
2002 3.8% 1.86%
2001 7.4% 0.9%
2000 11.5% 0.17%
1999 11.2% 1.01%
1998 13% 2.14%
1997 9.2% 0.44%

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-vincent | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.53%, compared with 2.13% in Saint Vincent. In 2024, inflation was 4.6% in Nicaragua and 3.63% in Saint Vincent.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Saint Vincent
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Saint Vincent
Current account balance
$818M
2024
-$157M
2024
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
93/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
-13.5%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$445M
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$59.2M
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$196M
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$366M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
15.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Saint Vincent
Economic freedom 53.6 60
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 98/197
Property rights 23.8 65.2
Government integrity 13.4 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 76.9
Tax burden 74.5 82
Government spending 77.7 56.2
Fiscal health 96.9 2.8
Business freedom 54.4 67.3
Labor freedom 47.3 60.1
Monetary freedom 69.4 77.3
Trade freedom 67 58.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Saint Vincent
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Saint Vincent
2026 53.6 60
2025 54 60.1
2024 53.4 59.8
2023 54.9 63.5
2022 54.8 65.7
2021 56.3 66.3
2020 57.2 66.8
2019 57.7 65.8
2018 58.9 67.7
2017 59.2 65.2
2016 58.6 68.8
2015 57.6 68
2014 58.4 67
2013 56.6 66.7
2012 57.9 66.5
2011 58.8 66.9
2010 58.3 66.9
2009 59.8 64.3
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-vincent | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 60 for Saint Vincent, ranking 98/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Saint Vincent
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
66.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
15.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.4%
2024
3.55%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$1.11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,270
2024
$21,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$317M
2024
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2024
167/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$74M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$139M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
-$1.92M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
3.84%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
n/a
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-vincent | 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 (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)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.