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Economy of Nicaragua vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nicaragua has a GDP of $22.2B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 128/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.74B in government debt (34.8% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Nicaragua vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Nicaragua
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Vanuatu
2025 $22,237,167,113 $1,353,658,841
2024 $19,696,311,850 $1,297,956,615
2023 $17,805,842,221 $1,188,137,265
2022 $15,634,573,556 $1,151,863,790
2021 $14,209,019,392 $1,093,826,089
2020 $12,726,422,432 $1,017,403,363
2019 $12,699,023,614 $1,061,547,513
2018 $13,025,221,974 $1,034,402,941
2017 $13,785,893,007 $998,536,155
2016 $13,286,093,388 $908,725,513
2015 $12,756,696,261 $855,360,240
2014 $11,880,438,824 $879,185,478
2013 $10,982,988,249 $863,347,172
2012 $10,532,017,232 $747,839,698
2011 $9,774,329,333 $770,153,588
2010 $8,758,602,233 $670,712,980
2009 $8,298,702,489 $592,622,319
2008 $8,496,967,597 $590,748,429
2007 $7,423,375,015 $516,392,923
2006 $6,763,672,381 $439,358,587
2005 $6,321,324,279 $394,962,433
2004 $5,792,932,838 $364,996,869
2003 $5,322,228,351 $314,471,413
2002 $5,223,727,303 $262,596,536
2001 $5,351,752,034 $257,926,882
2000 $5,109,587,050 $272,014,628
1999 $4,856,026,259 $268,006,973
1998 $4,635,347,386 $262,293,411
1997 $4,389,973,490 $272,771,209
1996 $4,308,351,903 $261,370,044
1995 $4,140,470,000 $249,333,250
1994 $3,863,185,119 $233,701,301
1993 $1,756,454,248 $200,491,853
1992 $1,792,800,000 $209,088,825
1991 $1,488,804,124 $201,334,169
1990 $1,009,455,484 $168,879,207
1989 $1,013,184,756 $154,013,202
1988 $2,630,900,096 $158,351,368
1987 $3,851,200,118 $139,464,174
1986 $2,885,799,994 $126,498,935
1985 $2,683,699,935 $131,856,421
1984 $3,117,599,872 $144,482,515
1983 $2,753,100,058 $117,389,554
1982 $2,454,499,872 $114,501,913
1981 $2,474,700,227 $113,781,796
1980 $2,144,300,006 $121,185,498
1979 $1,567,599,982 $119,258,835
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Vanuatu by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,173 - $4,039 -
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $980 $2,672 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $949 $2,497 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $913 $2,418 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $911 $2,325 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $892 $2,187 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $849 $2,064 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $394 $1,998 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $411 $2,003 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $350 $1,995 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $249.2 - $1,067 -
1988 $662 - $1,125 -
1987 $992 - $1,017 -
1986 $761 - $946 -
1985 $724 - $1,012 -
1984 $861 - $1,137 -
1983 $780 - $947 -
1982 $714 - $946 -
1981 $740 - $962 -
1980 $659 - $1,048 -
1979 $495 - $1,055 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $3,173, ranking 140/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$22.2B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
128/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
4.92%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,173
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.8%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,104
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,939
2026
$2,801
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
1.41%
2025
Population
7144725
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 34.8% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 26.2% 37.9% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 26% 42.4% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 30% 48.4% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 29.4% 40%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 21.9% 26% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 18.2% 20%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 20.8% 84% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 17% 34.6%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 23% 32.6%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 18.5% 86.5% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 17.9% 86.4% 20.1% 20.7%
1996 18% - 22.1% 20.8%
1995 17.7% - 25.3% 21.8%
1994 18.4% - 22% 19.5%
1993 18.4% - 23.7% 18.3%
1992 18.4% - 28.8% 19%
1991 16.8% - 30% 14.4%
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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.8B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.8% in Nicaragua and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 145/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Vanuatu
2025 2.1% -3.88%
2024 2.25% -2.46%
2023 2.3% -0.78%
2022 0.65% -5.96%
2021 -1.26% 2.07%
2020 -2.57% -1.74%
2019 -1.12% 2.48%
2018 -4.35% 5.53%
2017 -1.75% -1.06%
2016 -1.92% -0.64%
2015 -1.64% -8.13%
2014 -0.89% 1.26%
2013 -0.3% -0.22%
2012 0.22% -1.54%
2011 0.59% -1.98%
2010 0.69% -2.38%
2009 -0.9% -0.76%
2008 0.27% -0.04%
2007 1.88% 0.25%
2006 1.36% 0.44%
2005 1.72% 1.68%
2004 1.69% 0.72%
2003 1.3% -1.22%
2002 2.07% -3.29%
2001 0.34% -3.01%
2000 2.15% -5.67%
1999 -6.86% -0.5%
1998 -2.88% -6.01%
1997 -3.31% -0.46%
1996 -5% -1.61%
1995 -4.62% -2.34%
1994 -5.79% -1.35%
1993 -4.66% -3.32%
1992 -3.8% -2.1%
1991 -3.45% -2.54%
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% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 1.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.44% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Vanuatu
2025 2.1% 0.66%
2024 4.6% 1.14%
2023 8.4% 11.2%
2022 10.5% 6.68%
2021 4.9% 2.34%
2020 3.7% 5.33%
2019 5.4% 2.76%
2018 4.9% 2.33%
2017 3.9% 3.08%
2016 3.5% 0.84%
2015 4% 2.48%
2014 6% 0.8%
2013 7.1% 1.46%
2012 7.2% 1.35%
2011 8.1% 0.87%
2010 5.5% 2.76%
2009 3.7% 4.3%
2008 19.8% 4.84%
2007 11.1% 3.94%
2006 9.1% 2.04%
2005 9.6% 1.2%
2004 8.5% 1.42%
2003 5.3% 3.02%
2002 3.8% 1.96%
2001 7.4% 3.58%
2000 11.5% 2.54%
1999 11.2% 2%
1998 13% 3.28%
1997 9.2% 2.83%

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/vanuatu | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.34%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 2.1% in Nicaragua and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Vanuatu
Current account balance
$818M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.9%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Vanuatu
Economic freedom 53.6 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 92/197
Property rights 23.8 62.1
Government integrity 13.4 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 67.9
Tax burden 74.5 96.9
Government spending 77.7 48.1
Fiscal health 96.9 78.8
Business freedom 54.4 50.3
Labor freedom 47.3 41
Monetary freedom 69.4 72.1
Trade freedom 67 62
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Vanuatu
2026 53.6 61.1
2025 54 61.8
2024 53.4 62.2
2023 54.9 62.1
2022 54.8 62.9
2021 56.3 60.5
2020 57.2 60.7
2019 57.7 56.4
2018 58.9 69.5
2017 59.2 67.4
2016 58.6 60.8
2015 57.6 61.1
2014 58.4 59.5
2013 56.6 56.6
2012 57.9 56.6
2011 58.8 56.7
2010 58.3 56.4
2009 59.8 58.4
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 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.9B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,780
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.32B
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
26.1%
2024

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/vanuatu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2024, 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.