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Economy of Nicaragua vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nicaragua has a GDP of $22.2B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 128/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nicaragua has $7.74B in government debt (34.8% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Nicaragua vs Vietnam GDP by year

Nicaragua
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nicaragua Vietnam
2025 $22,237,167,113 $514,697,215,165
2024 $19,696,311,850 $476,324,572,784
2023 $17,805,842,221 $433,805,036,898
2022 $15,634,573,556 $413,445,230,669
2021 $14,209,019,392 $366,474,752,771
2020 $12,726,422,432 $346,615,738,538
2019 $12,699,023,614 $334,365,270,497
2018 $13,025,221,974 $310,106,478,395
2017 $13,785,893,007 $281,353,605,987
2016 $13,286,093,388 $257,096,001,178
2015 $12,756,696,261 $239,258,328,382
2014 $11,880,438,824 $233,451,469,643
2013 $10,982,988,249 $213,708,811,665
2012 $10,532,017,232 $195,590,661,129
2011 $9,774,329,333 $172,595,049,184
2010 $8,758,602,233 $147,201,173,197
2009 $8,298,702,489 $106,014,659,565
2008 $8,496,967,597 $99,130,304,099
2007 $7,423,375,015 $77,414,425,532
2006 $6,763,672,381 $66,371,664,817
2005 $6,321,324,279 $57,633,255,738
2004 $5,792,932,838 $45,427,854,693
2003 $5,322,228,351 $39,552,513,232
2002 $5,223,727,303 $35,064,105,501
2001 $5,351,752,034 $32,685,198,809
2000 $5,109,587,050 $31,172,518,403
1999 $4,856,026,259 $28,683,659,007
1998 $4,635,347,386 $27,209,602,050
1997 $4,389,973,490 $26,843,700,442
1996 $4,308,351,903 $24,657,470,575
1995 $4,140,470,000 $20,736,164,459
1994 $3,863,185,119 $16,286,433,533
1993 $1,756,454,248 $13,180,953,598
1992 $1,792,800,000 $9,866,990,236
1991 $1,488,804,124 $9,613,369,520
1990 $1,009,455,484 $6,471,740,806
1989 $1,013,184,756 $6,293,304,975
1988 $2,630,900,096 $25,423,812,649
1987 $3,851,200,118 $36,658,108,850
1986 $2,885,799,994 $26,336,616,250
1985 $2,683,699,935 $14,094,687,821
1984 $3,117,599,872 -
1983 $2,753,100,058 -
1982 $2,454,499,872 -
1981 $2,474,700,227 -
1980 $2,144,300,006 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Nicaragua vs Vietnam by year

Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nicaragua Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,173 - $5,066 -
2024 $2,848 $8,709 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $2,609 $8,320 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $2,323 $7,797 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $2,138 $7,119 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $1,938 $6,274 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $1,959 $5,981 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $2,035 $5,935 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $2,183 $6,225 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $2,132 $5,882 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $2,074 $5,449 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $1,958 $5,068 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $1,835 $4,711 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $1,785 $4,508 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $1,680 $4,325 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $1,527 $4,042 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $1,467 $3,880 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $1,524 $4,044 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $1,350 $3,891 $926 $4,581
2006 $1,248 $3,658 $808 $4,237
2005 $1,183 $3,456 $711 $3,894
2004 $1,099 $3,255 $565 $3,543
2003 $1,021 $3,046 $497 $3,240
2002 $1,014 $2,948 $445 $3,002
2001 $1,052 $2,917 $419 $2,809
2000 $1,017 $2,806 $404 $2,614
1999 $980 $2,672 $376 $2,421
1998 $949 $2,497 $361 $2,308
1997 $913 $2,418 $362 $2,189
1996 $911 $2,325 $337 $2,019
1995 $892 $2,187 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $849 $2,064 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $394 $1,998 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $411 $2,003 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $350 $1,995 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $242.5 $1,979 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $249.2 - $98.1 -
1988 $662 - $405 -
1987 $992 - $595 -
1986 $761 - $436 -
1985 $724 - $238.6 -
1984 $861 - - -
1983 $780 - - -
1982 $714 - - -
1981 $740 - - -
1980 $659 - - -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Nicaragua's GDP per capita is $3,173, ranking 140/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Nicaragua Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$22.2B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
128/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
4.92%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,173
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
138/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.8%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,104
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,939
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
1.53%
2024
Population
7144725
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nicaragua Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 34.8% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 26.2% 37.9% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 26% 42.4% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 28.6% 45.9% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 30% 48.4% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 28.9% 49.2% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 27.7% 44.2% 19.8% 41%
2018 27.7% 39.1% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 27.3% 34.7% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 26.8% 30.9% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 25.4% 28.9% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 24.6% 28.7% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 24.2% 28.8% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 24.1% 27.9% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 23.5% 28.8% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 22.6% 30.3% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 22.7% 29.3% 25% 36.2%
2008 21.9% 26% 21.4% 31%
2007 21.5% 30.9% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 21.4% 51.2% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 21.3% 66.6% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 20.8% 84% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 20.9% 109.5% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 18.7% 110.4% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 19.2% 87.5% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 20.6% 95.2% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 22.1% 99.8% 16.7% -
1998 18.5% 86.5% 16% -
1997 17.9% 86.4% - -
1996 18% - - -
1995 17.7% - - -
1994 18.4% - - -
1993 18.4% - - -
1992 18.4% - - -
1991 16.8% - - -
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nicaragua's government spending was $5.8B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.8% in Nicaragua and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 145/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nicaragua

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nicaragua Vietnam
2025 2.1% -2.2%
2024 2.25% -1.54%
2023 2.3% -1.72%
2022 0.65% 0.67%
2021 -1.26% -1.43%
2020 -2.57% -2.86%
2019 -1.12% -0.4%
2018 -4.35% -1.02%
2017 -1.75% -1.96%
2016 -1.92% -3.16%
2015 -1.64% -4.98%
2014 -0.89% -5.02%
2013 -0.3% -5.96%
2012 0.22% -5.46%
2011 0.59% -0.9%
2010 0.69% -2.25%
2009 -0.9% -4.82%
2008 0.27% -0.45%
2007 1.88% -1.74%
2006 1.36% 0.2%
2005 1.72% -0.95%
2004 1.69% -0.15%
2003 1.3% -2.56%
2002 2.07% -1.85%
2001 0.34% -2.19%
2000 2.15% -1.61%
1999 -6.86% -1.25%
1998 -2.88% -0.1%
1997 -3.31% -
1996 -5% -
1995 -4.62% -
1994 -5.79% -
1993 -4.66% -
1992 -3.8% -
1991 -3.45% -
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 (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nicaragua/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Nicaragua recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Nicaragua posted an annual deficit equal to 0.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nicaragua

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nicaragua Vietnam
2025 2.1% 3.3%
2024 4.6% 3.6%
2023 8.4% 3.3%
2022 10.5% 3.2%
2021 4.9% 1.8%
2020 3.7% 3.2%
2019 5.4% 2.8%
2018 4.9% 3.5%
2017 3.9% 3.5%
2016 3.5% 2.7%
2015 4% 0.6%
2014 6% 4.1%
2013 7.1% 6.6%
2012 7.2% 9.1%
2011 8.1% 18.7%
2010 5.5% 10.5%
2009 3.7% 6.7%
2008 19.8% 23.1%
2007 11.1% 8.3%
2006 9.1% 7.5%
2005 9.6% 8.4%
2004 8.5% 7.9%
2003 5.3% 3.3%
2002 3.8% 4.1%
2001 7.4% -0.3%
2000 11.5% -1.8%
1999 11.2% 4.1%
1998 13% 7.2%
1997 9.2% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Nicaragua has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.34%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 2.1% in Nicaragua and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.44M
Animal & marine products $357K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $334K
Textiles & consumer goods $194K
Wood & paper products $171K
Metals $90K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Nicaragua Vietnam
Current account balance
$818M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.15%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$10.1B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$6.84B
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$1.31B
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$1.3B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.9%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nicaragua Vietnam
Economic freedom 53.6 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 139/197 73/197
Property rights 23.8 47.3
Government integrity 13.4 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 8.8 31.3
Tax burden 74.5 80.9
Government spending 77.7 89.5
Fiscal health 96.9 96.9
Business freedom 54.4 70
Labor freedom 47.3 54.7
Monetary freedom 69.4 73.2
Trade freedom 67 79.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nicaragua
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nicaragua Vietnam
2026 53.6 64.4
2025 54 65.2
2024 53.4 62.8
2023 54.9 61.8
2022 54.8 60.6
2021 56.3 61.7
2020 57.2 58.8
2019 57.7 55.3
2018 58.9 53.1
2017 59.2 52.4
2016 58.6 54
2015 57.6 51.7
2014 58.4 50.8
2013 56.6 51
2012 57.9 51.3
2011 58.8 51.6
2010 58.3 49.8
2009 59.8 51
2008 60.8 50.4
2007 62.7 49.8
2006 63.8 50.5
2005 62.5 48.1
2004 61.4 46.1
2003 62.6 46.2
2002 61.1 45.6
2001 58 44.3
2000 56.9 43.7
1999 54 42.7
1998 53.8 40.4
1997 53.3 38.6
1996 54.1 40.2
1995 42.5 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nicaragua is 53.6, ranking 139/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nicaragua Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$19.9B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,780
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.32B
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.28B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.35B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$73.8M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.74%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.9%
2016
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2025
30.8%
2025

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/vietnam | 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 (1997–2025, 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 (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.