Skip to content

Economy of Nicaragua vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nicaragua has a GDP of $22.2B compared to $25.9B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 128/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.74B in government debt (34.8% of GDP), compared to $21.8B (84.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nicaragua vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Nicaragua
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Trinidad
2025 $22,237,167,113 $25,942,749,718
2024 $19,696,311,850 $25,633,544,529
2023 $17,805,842,221 $25,036,993,423
2022 $15,634,573,556 $28,341,164,301
2021 $14,209,019,392 $24,222,963,263
2020 $12,726,422,432 $20,888,515,184
2019 $12,699,023,614 $23,477,745,792
2018 $13,025,221,974 $23,883,058,083
2017 $13,785,893,007 $23,830,750,901
2016 $13,286,093,388 $23,624,322,193
2015 $12,756,696,261 $26,841,141,793
2014 $11,880,438,824 $29,474,180,005
2013 $10,982,988,249 $28,560,537,057
2012 $10,532,017,232 $27,147,349,937
2011 $9,774,329,333 $25,433,007,437
2010 $8,758,602,233 $22,157,920,592
2009 $8,298,702,489 $19,172,165,226
2008 $8,496,967,597 $27,871,587,350
2007 $7,423,375,015 $21,641,620,050
2006 $6,763,672,381 $18,369,361,094
2005 $6,321,324,279 $15,982,389,018
2004 $5,792,932,838 $13,280,291,990
2003 $5,322,228,351 $11,305,459,802
2002 $5,223,727,303 $9,008,298,229
2001 $5,351,752,034 $8,824,849,191
2000 $5,109,587,050 $8,154,342,116
1999 $4,856,026,259 $6,808,982,521
1998 $4,635,347,386 $6,043,686,654
1997 $4,389,973,490 $5,737,771,523
1996 $4,308,351,903 $5,759,570,336
1995 $4,140,470,000 $5,329,217,747
1994 $3,863,185,119 $4,947,181,646
1993 $1,756,454,248 $4,669,491,134
1992 $1,792,800,000 $5,439,552,941
1991 $1,488,804,124 $5,307,905,882
1990 $1,009,455,484 $5,068,000,000
1989 $1,013,184,756 $4,323,058,824
1988 $2,630,900,096 $4,496,910,569
1987 $3,851,200,118 $4,797,777,778
1986 $2,885,799,994 $4,794,444,444
1985 $2,683,699,935 $7,375,918,367
1984 $3,117,599,872 $7,757,083,333
1983 $2,753,100,058 $7,763,750,000
1982 $2,454,499,872 $8,140,416,667
1981 $2,474,700,227 $6,992,083,333
1980 $2,144,300,006 $6,235,833,333
1979 $1,567,599,982 $4,602,416,625
1978 $2,127,699,979 $3,562,333,458
1977 $2,226,999,874 $3,138,666,667
1976 $1,836,899,999 $2,500,424,955
1975 $1,581,599,959 $2,442,669,825
1974 $1,521,400,012 $2,042,001,071
1973 $1,092,900,015 $1,308,785,431
1972 $878,570,045 $1,083,391,758
1971 $828,569,953 $896,765,215
1970 $778,569,939 $821,850,000
1969 $750,000,003 $779,200,000
1968 $692,859,985 $758,899,950
1967 $657,140,011 $761,981,912
1966 $607,140,010 $723,739,857
1965 $564,290,020 $736,573,159
1964 $347,119,918 $711,897,520
1963 $297,324,163 $678,239,329
1962 $269,283,804 $619,322,810
1961 $244,144,237 $584,964,621
1960 $227,223,322 $535,673,252

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,173 - $18,967 -
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $980 $2,672 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $949 $2,497 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $913 $2,418 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $911 $2,325 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $892 $2,187 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $849 $2,064 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $394 $1,998 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $411 $2,003 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $350 $1,995 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $249.2 - $3,482 -
1988 $662 - $3,656 -
1987 $992 - $3,941 -
1986 $761 - $3,985 -
1985 $724 - $6,212 -
1984 $861 - $6,613 -
1983 $780 - $6,690 -
1982 $714 - $7,091 -
1981 $740 - $6,160 -
1980 $659 - $5,559 -
1979 $495 - $4,155 -
1978 $691 - $3,258 -
1977 $744 - $2,907 -
1976 $633 - $2,345 -
1975 $561 - $2,319 -
1974 $557 - $1,962 -
1973 $413 - $1,273 -
1972 $341 - $1,067 -
1971 $331 - $894 -
1970 $321 - $829 -
1969 $319 - $795 -
1968 $304 - $783 -
1967 $297.9 - $797 -
1966 $284 - $768 -
1965 $272.3 - $793 -
1964 $172.7 - $780 -
1963 $152.5 - $756 -
1962 $142.3 - $704 -
1961 $132.9 - $678 -
1960 $127.5 - $634 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $3,173, ranking 140/197, compared to $18,967 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 65/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$22.2B
2025
$25.9B
2025
GDP rank
128/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP growth
4.92%
2024-2025
-0.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,173
2025
$18,967
2025
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2025
65/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$21.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.8%
2025
84.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,104
2025
$15,965
2025
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2025
43/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,939
2026
$10,176
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2024-2025
0.99%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
4.01%
2024
Population
7144725
1370916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 34.8% 32.4% 84.2%
2024 26.2% 37.9% 32.2% 81.8%
2023 26% 42.4% 32.4% 78.2%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 28.3% 69.9%
2021 30% 48.4% 31.4% 80.2%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 35.1% 81.6%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 31% 62.9%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 30.2% 58.1%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 30.9% 57.2%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 31.2% 53.3%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 34.1% 43.2%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 33% 37.1%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 31.7% 32.9%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 29.9% 32.9%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 30.4% 39.2%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 31.5% 28.9%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 33.4% 34.2%
2008 21.9% 26% 28.2% 24.6%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 26.8% 29.4%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 34.6% 32.7%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 29.5% 36.6%
2004 20.8% 84% 23.3% 43.3%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 23.5% 52.4%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 24.6% 58.2%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 25.2% 54.2%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 24.1% 52.3%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 24.8% 55.2%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 27.3% 47.4%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 27.4% 51.3%
1996 18% - 28.2% 51.9%
1995 17.7% - 26.7% 57.3%
1994 18.4% - 26.5% 64.8%
1993 18.4% - 27.3% 59.6%
1992 18.4% - 28.8% 49.5%
1991 16.8% - 30% 50%
1990 28.2% - 27.9% 49.5%
1989 - - 30.9% 51.9%
1988 24.8% - 45.3% 65.3%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.8B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.39B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.8% in Nicaragua and 84.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 145/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Trinidad
2025 2.1% -5.46%
2024 2.25% -5.92%
2023 2.3% -1.2%
2022 0.65% 0.96%
2021 -1.26% -8.39%
2020 -2.57% -11.8%
2019 -1.12% -3.72%
2018 -4.35% -5.89%
2017 -1.75% -10.5%
2016 -1.92% -9.84%
2015 -1.64% -7.37%
2014 -0.89% -4.34%
2013 -0.3% -2.7%
2012 0.22% -1.28%
2011 0.59% -0.69%
2010 0.69% 0.14%
2009 -0.9% -4.88%
2008 0.27% 5.7%
2007 1.88% 3.24%
2006 1.36% -0.3%
2005 1.72% 0.84%
2004 1.69% 1.91%
2003 1.3% 1.9%
2002 2.07% -0.2%
2001 0.34% 0.62%
2000 2.15% 0.18%
1999 -6.86% -0.9%
1998 -2.88% -1.83%
1997 -3.31% 0.11%
1996 -5% -0.46%
1995 -4.62% 0.17%
1994 -5.79% -0.02%
1993 -4.66% 0.24%
1992 -3.8% -2.76%
1991 -3.45% -0.21%
1990 -15.2% -1.32%
1989 - -4.46%
1988 -22.4% -9.34%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, Nicaragua's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $467M, equivalent to 2.1% of GDP. This compares to Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.42B, or 5.46% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 1.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Trinidad
2025 2.1% 0.99%
2024 4.6% 0.53%
2023 8.4% 4.63%
2022 10.5% 5.83%
2021 4.9% 2.06%
2020 3.7% 0.6%
2019 5.4% 1%
2018 4.9% 1.02%
2017 3.9% 1.88%
2016 3.5% 3.07%
2015 4% 4.66%
2014 6% 5.68%
2013 7.1% 5.2%
2012 7.2% 9.26%
2011 8.1% 5.11%
2010 5.5% 10.5%
2009 3.7% 6.98%
2008 19.8% 12%
2007 11.1% 7.89%
2006 9.1% 8.33%
2005 9.6% 6.87%
2004 8.5% 3.72%
2003 5.3% 3.81%
2002 3.8% 4.15%
2001 7.4% 5.54%
2000 11.5% 3.56%
1999 11.2% 3.44%
1998 13% 5.61%
1997 9.2% 3.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.34%, compared with 4.75% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2025, inflation was 2.1% in Nicaragua and 0.99% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $251K
Machinery & equipment $44K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.43M
Chemicals & pharma $45K
Machinery & equipment $27K
Miscellaneous $27K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Trinidad
Current account balance
$818M
2024
$1.25B
2025
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
48/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
+4.81%
2025
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$6.83B
2025
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$10.2B
2025
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$2.8B
2025
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$1.27B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.9%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
45%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Trinidad
Economic freedom 53.6 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 87/197
Property rights 23.8 47.3
Government integrity 13.4 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 58.8
Tax burden 74.5 76.1
Government spending 77.7 71.1
Fiscal health 96.9 86.3
Business freedom 54.4 67.1
Labor freedom 47.3 57.2
Monetary freedom 69.4 81
Trade freedom 67 68.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Trinidad
2026 53.6 62.4
2025 54 63.6
2024 53.4 60.4
2023 54.9 59.5
2022 54.8 58.8
2021 56.3 59
2020 57.2 58.3
2019 57.7 57
2018 58.9 57.7
2017 59.2 61.2
2016 58.6 62.9
2015 57.6 64.1
2014 58.4 62.7
2013 56.6 62.3
2012 57.9 64.4
2011 58.8 66.5
2010 58.3 65.7
2009 59.8 68
2008 60.8 69.5
2007 62.7 70.6
2006 63.8 70.4
2005 62.5 71.5
2004 61.4 71.3
2003 62.6 68.8
2002 61.1 70.1
2001 58 71.8
2000 56.9 74.5
1999 54 72.4
1998 53.8 72
1997 53.3 71.3
1996 54.1 69.2
1995 42.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.9B
2025
$25.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,780
2025
$36,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.32B
2025
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2025
99/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
$404M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
19%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.