Skip to content

Guatemala vs Nicaragua statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a population of 18.4M (ranked 70/197), compared with 6.92M in Nicaragua (ranked 108/197). Guatemala's land area is 41,375 sq mi versus 46,464 sq mi for Nicaragua (ranked 102nd vs. 98th).

By GDP, Guatemala ranks 68/197 ($113B) and Nicaragua ranks 131/197 ($19.7B). By GDP per capita, Guatemala ranks 112/197 ($6,150), while Nicaragua ranks 141/197 ($2,848).

Main facts and rankings

Guatemala Nicaragua
Population
19049936
7124343
Population rank 69/197 107/197
GDP
$113B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank 68/197 131/197
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank 112/197 141/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$8,709
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank 124/185 138/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$2,318
2026
Land area 41,375 sq mi 46,464 sq mi
Population density
459 ppl/mi²
2026
152.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.31
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
24 years
2024
26.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
73 years
2026
75.4 years
2026

Guatemala and Nicaragua: Comparison Charts

Guatemala and Nicaragua economies compared

GDP
Guatemala

Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP
Guatemala Nicaragua
2024 $113,199,581,158 $19,693,982,968
2023 $104,368,755,055 $17,805,842,284
2022 $95,641,446,501 $15,634,572,502
2021 $86,455,522,273 $14,209,020,362
2020 $77,719,468,248 $12,726,422,432
2019 $77,172,331,693 $12,699,023,614
2018 $73,328,356,008 $13,025,221,974
2017 $71,653,780,740 $13,785,893,007
2016 $66,053,408,206 $13,286,093,388
2015 $62,186,066,548 $12,756,696,261
2014 $57,852,159,008 $11,880,438,824
2013 $52,996,420,177 $10,982,988,249
2012 $49,593,929,487 $10,532,017,232
2011 $46,876,006,272 $9,774,329,333
2010 $40,676,578,423 $8,758,602,233
2009 $37,126,148,265 $8,298,702,489
2008 $38,503,720,224 $8,496,967,597
2007 $33,567,850,824 $7,423,375,015
2006 $29,744,246,827 $6,763,672,381
2005 $26,783,389,294 $6,321,324,279
2004 $23,577,298,095 $5,792,932,838
2003 $21,576,351,799 $5,322,228,351
2002 $20,444,205,991 $5,223,727,303
2001 $18,405,220,247 $5,351,752,034
2000 $19,288,929,030 $5,109,587,050
1999 $18,318,412,251 $4,856,026,259
1998 $19,395,491,993 $4,635,347,386
1997 $17,790,026,222 $4,389,973,490
1996 $15,674,835,615 $4,308,351,903
1995 $14,655,404,433 $4,140,470,000
1994 $12,983,233,311 $3,863,185,119
1993 $11,400,017,301 $1,756,454,248
1992 $10,440,781,588 $1,792,800,000
1991 $9,406,135,143 $1,488,804,124
1990 $7,650,196,845 $1,009,455,484
1989 $8,410,724,361 $1,013,184,756
1988 $7,841,602,824 $2,630,900,096
1987 $7,084,399,840 $3,851,200,118
1986 $7,231,963,516 $2,885,799,994
1985 $9,721,652,087 $2,683,699,935
1984 $9,470,000,100 $3,117,599,872
1983 $9,050,000,400 $2,753,100,058
1982 $8,716,999,700 $2,454,499,872
1981 $8,607,500,300 $2,474,700,227
1980 $7,878,700,000 $2,144,300,006
1979 $6,902,600,200 $1,567,599,982
1978 $6,070,600,200 $2,127,699,979
1977 $5,480,500,200 $2,226,999,874
1976 $4,365,300,200 $1,836,899,999
1975 $3,645,900,000 $1,581,599,959
1974 $3,161,499,900 $1,521,400,012
1973 $2,569,200,100 $1,092,900,015
1972 $2,101,300,000 $878,570,045
1971 $1,984,800,000 $828,569,953
1970 $1,904,000,000 $778,569,939
1969 $1,715,399,900 $750,000,003
1968 $1,610,500,000 $692,859,985
1967 $1,453,500,000 $657,140,011
1966 $1,390,700,000 $607,140,010
1965 $1,331,399,900 $564,290,020
1964 $1,299,099,900 $347,119,918
1963 $1,262,800,000 $297,324,163
1962 $1,143,600,000 $269,283,804
1961 $1,076,699,900 $244,144,237
1960 $1,043,599,900 $227,223,322

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

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/nicaragua | CC BY

Guatemala and Nicaragua economies compared

GDP per capita
Guatemala

Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP per capita
Guatemala Nicaragua
2024 $6,150 $2,848
2023 $5,758 $2,609
2022 $5,359 $2,323
2021 $4,913 $2,138
2020 $4,478 $1,938
2019 $4,512 $1,959
2018 $4,353 $2,035
2017 $4,325 $2,183
2016 $4,060 $2,132
2015 $3,894 $2,074
2014 $3,689 $1,958
2013 $3,444 $1,835
2012 $3,287 $1,785
2011 $3,169 $1,680
2010 $2,805 $1,527
2009 $2,612 $1,467
2008 $2,763 $1,524
2007 $2,459 $1,350
2006 $2,225 $1,248
2005 $2,046 $1,183
2004 $1,841 $1,099
2003 $1,723 $1,021
2002 $1,669 $1,014
2001 $1,538 $1,052
2000 $1,649 $1,017
1999 $1,604 $980
1998 $1,741 $949
1997 $1,638 $913
1996 $1,481 $911
1995 $1,421 $892
1994 $1,293 $849
1993 $1,166 $394
1992 $1,096 $411
1991 $1,014 $350
1990 $848 $242.5
1989 $958 $249.2
1988 $919 $662
1987 $854 $992
1986 $896 $761
1985 $1,238 $724
1984 $1,241 $861
1983 $1,220 $780
1982 $1,204 $714
1981 $1,216 $740
1980 $1,142 $659
1979 $1,026 $495
1978 $925 $691
1977 $856 $744
1976 $697 $633
1975 $595 $561
1974 $529 $557
1973 $441 $413
1972 $370 $341
1971 $358 $331
1970 $353 $321
1969 $326 $319
1968 $315 $304
1967 $291.9 $297.9
1966 $287.3 $284
1965 $283 $272.3
1964 $284.2 $172.7
1963 $284.4 $152.5
1962 $265.2 $142.3
1961 $257.2 $132.9
1960 $256.8 $127.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/nicaragua | CC BY

Guatemala vs. Nicaragua life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Guatemala

Nicaragua
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Guatemala Nicaragua
2026 73 75.4
2025 72.9 75.3
2024 72.7 75.1
2023 72.6 74.9
2022 71.2 74.5
2021 67.9 70.5
2020 70 70.8
2019 71.6 73.8
2018 71.5 73.9
2017 71.6 73.4
2016 71.2 73.2
2015 70.9 72.9
2014 70.9 72.8
2013 70.9 72.6
2012 70.7 72.4
2011 70.3 72
2010 69.9 71.8
2009 69.7 71.5
2008 69.5 71.4
2007 69.3 71.2
2006 68.8 71
2005 68.2 70.4
2004 68.2 69.5
2003 68.2 68.7
2002 67.8 68
2001 67.4 67
2000 67.1 66.4
1999 66.6 65.9
1998 66 64.1
1997 65.2 65.5
1996 64.5 65.2
1995 63.7 64.9
1994 63 64.5
1993 62.4 64.1
1992 62 63.7
1991 61.9 63.3
1990 61.8 62.5
1989 61.7 61.9
1988 61.5 59.8
1987 61 57.3
1986 60.3 57.6
1985 59.8 56.4
1984 59.1 56.1
1983 57.9 56.9
1982 48.9 58.7
1981 54.7 58.3
1980 55.3 58
1979 56.6 50.8
1978 56.4 53.5
1977 55.2 56.1
1976 47.6 56.1
1975 52.8 55.8
1974 53 55.4
1973 52.8 55
1972 51.8 48
1971 50.3 54.2
1970 48.5 53.8
1969 47.5 53.4
1968 47.8 52.9
1967 47.7 52.3
1966 47.5 51.6
1965 47.2 50.6
1964 47.1 49.6
1963 46.6 48.8
1962 46.5 48
1961 46.1 47.3
1960 45.8 46.4
1959 44.3 46.1
1958 43.1 45.5
1957 41.9 44.9
1956 41.3 44.3
1955 40.7 43.7
1954 40.1 43.1
1953 39.5 42.4
1952 38.9 41.9
1951 38.3 40.8
1950 37.8 40.6

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/nicaragua | CC BY

Guatemala and Nicaragua population clocks and comparison

Population
Guatemala

Nicaragua
1x
Year Population
Guatemala Nicaragua
2024 18,406,359 6,916,140
2023 18,124,838 6,823,613
2022 17,847,877 6,730,654
2021 17,598,650 6,644,741
2020 17,357,325 6,565,267
2019 17,103,803 6,483,657
2018 16,845,685 6,400,080
2017 16,567,357 6,316,231
2016 16,268,760 6,232,666
2015 15,971,743 6,149,417
2014 15,681,725 6,066,492
2013 15,387,337 5,983,845
2012 15,089,647 5,901,287
2011 14,792,126 5,819,051
2010 14,500,112 5,737,450
2009 14,215,611 5,656,601
2008 13,935,174 5,576,593
2007 13,652,040 5,497,243
2006 13,367,459 5,418,855
2005 13,087,629 5,342,105
2004 12,807,402 5,272,912
2003 12,525,842 5,210,963
2002 12,246,915 5,149,909
2001 11,969,422 5,087,825
2000 11,697,592 5,022,633
1999 11,422,965 4,954,018
1998 11,139,145 4,883,655
1997 10,857,754 4,809,573
1996 10,583,526 4,729,974
1995 10,312,996 4,642,931
1994 10,043,718 4,549,316
1993 9,779,761 4,453,732
1992 9,522,266 4,357,026
1991 9,272,584 4,259,637
1990 9,024,773 4,162,559
1989 8,775,546 4,066,476
1988 8,532,099 3,972,320
1987 8,296,485 3,882,164
1986 8,070,818 3,794,157
1985 7,849,693 3,706,479
1984 7,630,682 3,619,104
1983 7,419,642 3,530,282
1982 7,240,241 3,438,745
1981 7,075,648 3,345,674
1980 6,900,212 3,252,403
1979 6,727,797 3,164,525
1978 6,561,534 3,080,314
1977 6,401,515 2,992,534
1976 6,262,404 2,903,851
1975 6,128,731 2,816,943
1974 5,981,197 2,732,075
1973 5,831,631 2,649,278
1972 5,682,833 2,573,578
1971 5,538,355 2,499,825
1970 5,396,966 2,423,065
1969 5,257,081 2,348,398
1968 5,118,111 2,275,836
1967 4,978,862 2,205,567
1966 4,840,958 2,137,820
1965 4,704,965 2,072,681
1964 4,571,109 2,010,176
1963 4,440,264 1,950,159
1962 4,312,044 1,892,320
1961 4,186,201 1,836,451
1960 4,063,655 1,782,370

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

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/nicaragua | CC BY

Fertility rates in Guatemala and Nicaragua

Fertility rate
Guatemala

Nicaragua
1x
Year Fertility rate
Guatemala Nicaragua
2023 2.31 2.22
2022 2.34 2.24
2021 2.39 2.27
2020 2.47 2.3
2019 2.59 2.32
2018 2.74 2.35
2017 2.86 2.38
2016 2.97 2.41
2015 3.03 2.43
2014 3.09 2.46
2013 3.15 2.49
2012 3.22 2.53
2011 3.29 2.56
2010 3.38 2.6
2009 3.47 2.63
2008 3.57 2.66
2007 3.72 2.7
2006 3.85 2.73
2005 3.97 2.77
2004 4.13 2.78
2003 4.25 2.83
2002 4.37 2.89
2001 4.5 3
2000 4.58 3.12
1999 4.69 3.22
1998 4.8 3.34
1997 4.91 3.47
1996 5.01 3.62
1995 5.11 3.78
1994 5.19 3.94
1993 5.25 4.1
1992 5.31 4.27
1991 5.38 4.43
1990 5.48 4.6
1989 5.56 4.76
1988 5.62 4.93
1987 5.64 5.07
1986 5.66 5.22
1985 5.73 5.36
1984 5.86 5.49
1983 5.98 5.61
1982 6.06 5.74
1981 6.12 5.84
1980 6.17 5.96
1979 6.22 6.07
1978 6.26 6.16
1977 6.32 6.28
1976 6.37 6.37
1975 6.41 6.45
1974 6.46 6.52
1973 6.49 6.59
1972 6.51 6.65
1971 6.55 6.71
1970 6.6 6.77
1969 6.65 6.83
1968 6.7 6.89
1967 6.76 6.94
1966 6.8 6.99
1965 6.84 7.03
1964 6.87 7.06
1963 6.9 7.08
1962 6.93 7.1
1961 6.98 7.11
1960 7 7.16

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/nicaragua | CC BY

Guatemala and Nicaragua demographics compared

Median age
Guatemala

Nicaragua
1x
Year Median age, years
Guatemala Nicaragua
2024 24 26.6
2023 23.7 26.3
2022 23.3 25.9
2021 22.9 25.6
2020 22.6 25.3
2019 22.3 25
2018 22 24.7
2017 21.7 24.3
2016 21.3 24
2015 21.1 23.7
2014 20.8 23.4
2013 20.4 23.1
2012 20.1 22.8
2011 19.9 22.5
2010 19.6 22.2
2009 19.4 22
2008 19.1 21.7
2007 18.9 21.4
2006 18.7 21.1
2005 18.5 20.8
2004 18.3 20.4
2003 18.1 20.1
2002 18 19.7
2001 17.8 19.4
2000 17.7 19.1
1999 17.7 18.8
1998 17.6 18.4
1997 17.5 18.1
1996 17.4 17.9
1995 17.4 17.6
1994 17.3 17.4
1993 17.3 17.2
1992 17.3 17
1991 17.2 16.8
1990 17.2 16.7
1989 17.1 16.5
1988 17.1 16.4
1987 17.1 16.4
1986 17.1 16.3
1985 17 16.3
1984 17 16.3
1983 17 16.3
1982 17.1 16.2
1981 17.1 16.2
1980 17.1 16.2
1979 17.1 16.2
1978 17 16.2
1977 17 16.2
1976 17 16.2
1975 16.9 16.2
1974 16.8 16.2
1973 16.8 16.2
1972 16.8 16.2
1971 16.8 16.1
1970 16.8 16.1
1969 16.8 16.1
1968 16.7 16
1967 16.7 16
1966 16.7 16
1965 16.7 15.9
1964 16.6 15.9
1963 16.6 15.9
1962 16.6 16
1961 16.7 16.1
1960 16.7 16.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/guatemala/nicaragua | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Guatemala and Nicaragua.

1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x

National statistics comparison

Finance

Guatemala Nicaragua
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
27.1%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.11%
2023
2.87%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.37%
2024
0.55%
2024
Armed forces personnel
43,000
2020
12,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.96%
2024
+2.48%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
5.2%
2018
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
27.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
63.5
2026
53.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
2%
2014
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Personal remittances received
$21.6B
2024
$5.25B
2024
International tourist arrivals
594,000
2020
474,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.35%
2020
15.2%
1999
Banked people share
38.3%
2024
23.5%
2024

Energy

Guatemala Nicaragua
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
888 kg
2022
608 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$14.7
2022
$12.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
20.4 megatons
2024
5.74 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.11 tons
2024
0.83 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
34.6%
2022
39.9%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.1%
2021
50.4%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
5.26%
2022
17%
2022
Net energy imports use share
38.4%
2022
46.5%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
670 kWh
2022
682 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
60.7%
2021
69.5%
2021
Hydroelectric share
43.7%
2022
14.9%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
88.3%
2023

Society

Guatemala Nicaragua
% of world population
0.23%
2024
0.09%
2024
Annual migration change
-7,959
2025
-8,371
2025
Urban population
56%
2024
59.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.6:50.4
2024
49.2:50.8
2024
Average male height
5.39 ft
2025
5.57 ft
2025
Average female height
4.95 ft
2025
5.1 ft
2025
Quality of life index
37.3
2026
27.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
26
2025
14
2025
Higher education index
41
2026
23
2026
Homicides per 100K people
20
2021
11
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
22.9
2019
16.9
2019
Visa free countries
130
2025
124
2025
Adult literacy rate
82.1%
2024
82.6%
2015
English speaking
1%
2025
1%
2025
People using the Internet
56.1%
2023
58.2%
2023

Health

Guatemala Nicaragua
Government health expenditure per capita
$392
2023
$216.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$224.2
2023
$81.5
2023
Life expectancy
73 years
2026
75.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
2.97%
2023
3.41%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
1.28
2020
0.68
2018
Age at first childbirth
20.6 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
94
2023
60
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
21.4
2023
13.4
2023
Obesity rate
27.6%
2022
34.5%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
13.2%
2024
10.4%
2024
Air quality index
37
2026
58
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
11.9%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
1.54 liters
2020
3.67 liters
2020

Territory

Guatemala Nicaragua
% of world land
0.07%
2026
0.08%
2026
Land area per capita
2,248 sq mi
2024
6,718 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
17,807 sq mi
2026
19,656 sq mi
2026
Forest area
13,487 sq mi
2026
11,998 sq mi
2026
Roads length
10,949 mi
2016
14,849 mi
2014

In-depth comparisons

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 | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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.