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Economy of Nicaragua vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a GDP of $19.7B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 131/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.71B in government debt (39.1% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Nicaragua vs Sudan GDP by year

Nicaragua
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Sudan
2024 $19,693,982,968 $49,672,435,513
2023 $17,805,842,284 $39,898,289,821
2022 $15,634,572,502 $51,666,875,363
2021 $14,209,020,362 $34,229,513,775
2020 $12,726,422,432 $27,034,593,750
2019 $12,699,023,614 $32,338,079,165
2018 $13,025,221,974 $32,333,780,383
2017 $13,785,893,007 $41,283,617,976
2016 $13,286,093,388 $42,630,376,000
2015 $12,756,696,261 $51,726,758,677
2014 $11,880,438,824 $49,516,748,618
2013 $10,982,988,249 $43,024,018,082
2012 $10,532,017,232 $37,632,919,967
2011 $9,774,329,333 $55,018,567,211
2010 $8,758,602,233 $58,962,978,034
2009 $8,298,702,489 $51,621,044,077
2008 $8,496,967,597 $64,833,083,257
2007 $7,423,375,015 $59,440,139,775
2006 $6,763,672,381 $45,263,831,634
2005 $6,321,324,279 $35,182,711,988
2004 $5,792,932,838 $26,646,007,251
2003 $5,322,228,351 $21,355,298,460
2002 $5,223,727,303 $18,137,128,388
2001 $5,351,752,034 $15,716,361,792
2000 $5,109,587,050 $12,257,299,147
1999 $4,856,026,259 $10,682,028,340
1998 $4,635,347,386 $11,250,221,537
1997 $4,389,973,490 $11,681,175,864
1996 $4,308,351,903 $9,018,300,725
1995 $4,140,470,000 $13,830,363,900
1994 $3,863,185,119 $12,793,794,737
1993 $1,756,454,248 $8,881,005,436
1992 $1,792,800,000 $7,031,933,492
1991 $1,488,804,124 $44,171,194,366
1990 $1,009,455,484 $33,641,222,222
1989 $1,013,184,756 $21,408,111,111
1988 $2,630,900,096 $14,372,555,556
1987 $3,851,200,118 $12,093,333,333
1986 $2,885,799,994 $10,092,200,000
1985 $2,683,699,935 $8,075,259,600
1984 $3,117,599,872 $10,447,615,385
1983 $2,753,100,058 $8,230,153,846
1982 $2,454,499,872 $8,732,542,274
1981 $2,474,700,227 $10,753,888,154
1980 $2,144,300,006 $8,951,800,000
1979 $1,567,599,982 $8,418,407,787
1978 $2,127,699,979 $8,128,719,315
1977 $2,226,999,874 $7,499,005,639
1976 $1,836,899,999 $6,013,210,816
1975 $1,581,599,959 $4,823,090,192
1974 $1,521,400,012 $3,958,931,660
1973 $1,092,900,015 $3,077,254,460
1972 $878,570,045 $2,483,055,722
1971 $828,569,953 $2,288,340,041
1970 $778,569,939 $2,100,229,759
1969 $750,000,003 $1,847,501,441
1968 $692,859,985 $1,677,771,401
1967 $657,140,011 $1,607,409,539
1966 $607,140,010 $1,484,491,676
1965 $564,290,020 $1,446,869,619
1964 $347,119,918 $1,388,282,600
1963 $297,324,163 $1,351,234,926
1962 $269,283,804 $1,328,259,625
1961 $244,144,237 $1,222,860,429
1960 $227,223,322 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Sudan by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $985 $2,116
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $797 $2,421
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $712 $3,249
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $578 $3,349
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $710 $3,914
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $731 $4,199
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $967 $4,252
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $872 $3,215
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $714 $3,058
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $621 $2,898
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $551 $2,769
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $441 $2,616
1999 $980 $2,672 $394 $2,475
1998 $949 $2,497 $425 $2,428
1997 $913 $2,418 $453 $2,358
1996 $911 $2,325 $357 $2,006
1995 $892 $2,187 $561 $1,902
1994 $849 $2,064 $532 $1,805
1993 $394 $1,998 $379 $1,794
1992 $411 $2,003 $307 $1,710
1991 $350 $1,995 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $249.2 - $992 -
1988 $662 - $680 -
1987 $992 - $584 -
1986 $761 - $497 -
1985 $724 - $406 -
1984 $861 - $534 -
1983 $780 - $431 -
1982 $714 - $472 -
1981 $740 - $605 -
1980 $659 - $525 -
1979 $495 - $515 -
1978 $691 - $518 -
1977 $744 - $497 -
1976 $633 - $413 -
1975 $561 - $343 -
1974 $557 - $291.5 -
1973 $413 - $235.8 -
1972 $341 - $198.2 -
1971 $331 - $189 -
1970 $321 - $179.6 -
1969 $319 - $163.5 -
1968 $304 - $153.7 -
1967 $297.9 - $152.4 -
1966 $284 - $145.6 -
1965 $272.3 - $146.8 -
1964 $172.7 - $145.7 -
1963 $152.5 - $146.6 -
1962 $142.3 - $148.9 -
1961 $132.9 - $141.6 -
1960 $127.5 - $134.7 -

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

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $2,848, ranking 141/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Sudan
Gross domestic product
$19.7B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
131/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
3.59%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
141/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
138/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.6%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
7.53%
2022
Population
7124343
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 39.1% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 26% 42.3% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 30% 48.4% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 18.8% 71%
2008 21.9% 26% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 20.8% 84% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 18% - 9.31% 220.9%
1995 17.7% - 12.9% 239%
1994 18.4% - 19.6% 386%
1993 18.4% - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 18.4% - 50.4% 495%
1991 16.8% - 45.7% -
1990 28.2% - 31% -
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 (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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.1% in Nicaragua and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 136/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Sudan
2024 2.48% -3.46%
2023 2.31% -3.7%
2022 0.65% -2.15%
2021 -1.26% -0.29%
2020 -2.57% -6.03%
2019 -1.12% -10.8%
2018 -4.35% -7.92%
2017 -1.75% -6.07%
2016 -1.92% -3.92%
2015 -1.64% -3.87%
2014 -0.89% -4.72%
2013 -0.3% -5.76%
2012 0.22% -7.37%
2011 0.59% -2.33%
2010 0.69% 0.11%
2009 -0.9% -3.8%
2008 0.27% 0.49%
2007 1.88% -2.84%
2006 1.36% -1.32%
2005 1.72% -1.88%
2004 1.69% 0.16%
2003 1.3% 0.77%
2002 2.07% -0.69%
2001 0.34% -0.77%
2000 2.15% -0.7%
1999 -6.86% -0.8%
1998 -2.88% -0.56%
1997 -3.31% -0.59%
1996 -5% -2.61%
1995 -4.62% -3.48%
1994 -5.79% -3.03%
1993 -4.66% -8.04%
1992 -3.8% -24.5%
1991 -3.45% -26.5%
1990 -15.2% -16.2%
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% -

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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 1.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Sudan
2024 4.6% -
2023 8.4% -
2022 10.5% 138.8%
2021 4.9% 359%
2020 3.7% 163.3%
2019 5.4% 51%
2018 4.9% 63.3%
2017 3.9% 32.4%
2016 3.5% 17.8%
2015 4% 16.9%
2014 6% 36.9%
2013 7.1% 36.5%
2012 7.2% 35.6%
2011 8.1% 18.1%
2010 5.5% 13%
2009 3.7% 11.3%
2008 19.8% 14.3%
2007 11.1% 14.8%
2006 9.1% 7.2%
2005 9.6% 8.51%
2004 8.5% 9.66%
2003 5.3% 6.49%
2002 3.8% 22.2%
2001 7.4% 1.94%
2000 11.5% 7.12%
1999 11.2% 17.2%
1998 13% 24.6%
1997 9.2% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.61%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 4.6% in Nicaragua and 138.8% in Sudan.

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Sudan
Current account balance
$818M
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Sudan
Economic freedom 53.6 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 191/197
Property rights 23.8 6.5
Government integrity 13.4 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 2.4
Tax burden 74.5 84.7
Government spending 77.7 96.5
Fiscal health 96.9 64.6
Business freedom 54.4 27.3
Labor freedom 47.3 33.6
Monetary freedom 69.4 6.2
Trade freedom 67 29.6
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Sudan
2026 53.6 32.5
2025 54 35.3
2024 53.4 33.9
2023 54.9 32.8
2022 54.8 32
2021 56.3 39.1
2020 57.2 45
2019 57.7 47.7
2018 58.9 49.4
2017 59.2 48.8
2016 58.6 -
2015 57.6 -
2014 58.4 -
2013 56.6 -
2012 57.9 -
2011 58.8 -
2010 58.3 -
2009 59.8 -
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 47.2
1999 54 39.6
1998 53.8 38.3
1997 53.3 39.9
1996 54.1 39.2
1995 42.5 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Sudan
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.4%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,270
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.