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Nicaragua vs Panama statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Nicaragua has a population of 6.92M (ranked 108/197), compared with 4.52M in Panama (ranked 128/197). Nicaragua's land area is 46,464 sq mi versus 28,641 sq mi for Panama (ranked 98th vs. 115th).

By GDP, Nicaragua ranks 131/197 ($19.7B) and Panama ranks 78/197 ($86.5B). By GDP per capita, Nicaragua ranks 141/197 ($2,848), while Panama ranks 60/197 ($19,161).

Main facts and rankings

Nicaragua Panama
Population
7124343
4642198
Population rank 107/197 128/197
GDP
$19.7B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank 131/197 78/197
GDP per capita
$2,848
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank 141/197 60/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,709
2024
$41,369
2024
Government debt
$7.71B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.1%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,115
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank 138/185 51/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,318
2026
$10,196
2026
Land area 46,464 sq mi 28,641 sq mi
Population density
152.8 ppl/mi²
2026
161.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.22
2023
2.12
2023
Median age
26.6 years
2024
30.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
75.4 years
2026
80.1 years
2026

Nicaragua and Panama: Comparison Charts

Nicaragua and Panama economies compared

GDP
Nicaragua

Panama
1x
Year GDP
Nicaragua Panama
2024 $19,693,982,968 $86,523,959,132
2023 $17,805,842,284 $83,812,155,244
2022 $15,634,572,502 $76,479,304,471
2021 $14,209,020,362 $67,396,392,506
2020 $12,726,422,432 $57,059,846,522
2019 $12,699,023,614 $69,778,991,193
2018 $13,025,221,974 $67,316,471,181
2017 $13,785,893,007 $64,327,688,826
2016 $13,286,093,388 $59,760,858,718
2015 $12,756,696,261 $55,767,806,073
2014 $11,880,438,824 $51,427,104,882
2013 $10,982,988,249 $46,949,496,479
2012 $10,532,017,232 $41,595,439,721
2011 $9,774,329,333 $35,687,738,252
2010 $8,758,602,233 $30,231,009,533
2009 $8,298,702,489 $27,791,215,547
2008 $8,496,967,597 $25,721,327,955
2007 $7,423,375,015 $21,717,433,808
2006 $6,763,672,381 $18,659,721,513
2005 $6,321,324,279 $16,623,906,739
2004 $5,792,932,838 $15,100,203,362
2003 $5,322,228,351 $13,603,456,003
2002 $5,223,727,303 $12,800,851,271
2001 $5,351,752,034 $12,252,906,341
2000 $5,109,587,050 $11,966,497,049
1999 $4,856,026,259 $11,660,704,777
1998 $4,635,347,386 $11,019,557,689
1997 $4,389,973,490 $10,058,854,386
1996 $4,308,351,903 $9,197,503,323
1995 $4,140,470,000 $9,573,813,700
1994 $3,863,185,119 $9,365,289,800
1993 $1,756,454,248 $8,782,585,400
1992 $1,792,800,000 $8,042,337,700
1991 $1,488,804,124 $7,074,675,500
1990 $1,009,455,484 $6,433,967,000
1989 $1,013,184,756 $5,918,469,800
1988 $2,630,900,096 $5,902,783,400
1987 $3,851,200,118 $6,827,665,300
1986 $2,885,799,994 $6,797,834,200
1985 $2,683,699,935 $6,541,517,100
1984 $3,117,599,872 $6,183,387,100
1983 $2,753,100,058 $5,923,755,900
1982 $2,454,499,872 $5,769,767,900
1981 $2,474,700,227 $5,222,421,500
1980 $2,144,300,006 $4,614,086,400
1979 $1,567,599,982 $3,704,551,600
1978 $2,127,699,979 $3,244,558,600
1977 $2,226,999,874 $2,738,261,900
1976 $1,836,899,999 $2,588,106,000
1975 $1,581,599,959 $2,435,304,100
1974 $1,521,400,012 $2,188,307,600
1973 $1,092,900,015 $1,913,793,400
1972 $878,570,045 $1,673,411,700
1971 $828,569,953 $1,523,917,200
1970 $778,569,939 $1,351,006,400
1969 $750,000,003 $1,221,305,700
1968 $692,859,985 $1,112,791,100
1967 $657,140,011 $1,034,376,400
1966 $607,140,010 $928,833,000
1965 $564,290,020 $852,485,300
1964 $347,119,918 $776,137,500
1963 $297,324,163 $722,784,500
1962 $269,283,804 $652,120,900
1961 $244,144,237 $599,026,300
1960 $227,223,322 $537,147,100

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

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

Nicaragua and Panama economies compared

GDP per capita
Nicaragua

Panama
1x
Year GDP per capita
Nicaragua Panama
2024 $2,848 $19,161
2023 $2,609 $18,797
2022 $2,323 $17,379
2021 $2,138 $15,510
2020 $1,938 $13,291
2019 $1,959 $16,478
2018 $2,035 $16,151
2017 $2,183 $15,695
2016 $2,132 $14,832
2015 $2,074 $14,083
2014 $1,958 $13,213
2013 $1,835 $12,273
2012 $1,785 $11,065
2011 $1,680 $9,662
2010 $1,527 $8,331
2009 $1,467 $7,797
2008 $1,524 $7,348
2007 $1,350 $6,318
2006 $1,248 $5,529
2005 $1,183 $5,018
2004 $1,099 $4,645
2003 $1,021 $4,265
2002 $1,014 $4,091
2001 $1,052 $3,992
2000 $1,017 $3,975
1999 $980 $3,950
1998 $949 $3,808
1997 $913 $3,546
1996 $911 $3,308
1995 $892 $3,514
1994 $849 $3,508
1993 $394 $3,358
1992 $411 $3,140
1991 $350 $2,821
1990 $242.5 $2,620
1989 $249.2 $2,462
1988 $662 $2,509
1987 $992 $2,966
1986 $761 $3,019
1985 $724 $2,972
1984 $861 $2,875
1983 $780 $2,819
1982 $714 $2,811
1981 $740 $2,605
1980 $659 $2,357
1979 $495 $1,938
1978 $691 $1,738
1977 $744 $1,503
1976 $633 $1,457
1975 $561 $1,406
1974 $557 $1,296
1973 $413 $1,164
1972 $341 $1,046
1971 $331 $979
1970 $321 $893
1969 $319 $830
1968 $304 $778
1967 $297.9 $745
1966 $284 $689
1965 $272.3 $651
1964 $172.7 $611
1963 $152.5 $587
1962 $142.3 $546
1961 $132.9 $516
1960 $127.5 $477

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

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

Nicaragua vs. Panama life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Nicaragua

Panama
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Nicaragua Panama
2026 75.4 80.1
2025 75.3 80
2024 75.1 79.8
2023 74.9 79.6
2022 74.5 79.3
2021 70.5 77
2020 70.8 76.3
2019 73.8 78.5
2018 73.9 78.3
2017 73.4 77.9
2016 73.2 77.8
2015 72.9 77.6
2014 72.8 77.4
2013 72.6 77.1
2012 72.4 76.9
2011 72 76.7
2010 71.8 76.4
2009 71.5 76.2
2008 71.4 75.9
2007 71.2 75.7
2006 71 75.4
2005 70.4 75.2
2004 69.5 74.8
2003 68.7 74.6
2002 68 74.2
2001 67 73.8
2000 66.4 73.4
1999 65.9 73.1
1998 64.1 72.8
1997 65.5 72.5
1996 65.2 72.2
1995 64.9 72
1994 64.5 71.9
1993 64.1 71.8
1992 63.7 71.5
1991 63.3 71.3
1990 62.5 71.3
1989 61.9 70.1
1988 59.8 70.9
1987 57.3 70.8
1986 57.6 70.7
1985 56.4 70.5
1984 56.1 70.4
1983 56.9 70.1
1982 58.7 69.9
1981 58.3 69.8
1980 58 69.5
1979 50.8 69.1
1978 53.5 68.7
1977 56.1 68.3
1976 56.1 67.8
1975 55.8 67.2
1974 55.4 66.6
1973 55 65.8
1972 48 65.2
1971 54.2 64.7
1970 53.8 64.1
1969 53.4 63.7
1968 52.9 63.2
1967 52.3 62.9
1966 51.6 62.6
1965 50.6 62.3
1964 49.6 62.1
1963 48.8 61.8
1962 48 61.4
1961 47.3 60.9
1960 46.4 60.3
1959 46.1 59.6
1958 45.5 58.9
1957 44.9 58.3
1956 44.3 57.9
1955 43.7 57.5
1954 43.1 57.2
1953 42.4 56.8
1952 41.9 56.4
1951 40.8 55.9
1950 40.6 55.4

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

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

Nicaragua and Panama population clocks and comparison

Population
Nicaragua

Panama
1x
Year Population
Nicaragua Panama
2024 6,916,140 4,515,577
2023 6,823,613 4,458,759
2022 6,730,654 4,400,773
2021 6,644,741 4,345,405
2020 6,565,267 4,293,261
2019 6,483,657 4,234,700
2018 6,400,080 4,167,860
2017 6,316,231 4,098,707
2016 6,232,666 4,029,086
2015 6,149,417 3,960,035
2014 6,066,492 3,892,101
2013 5,983,845 3,825,329
2012 5,901,287 3,759,256
2011 5,819,051 3,693,505
2010 5,737,450 3,628,535
2009 5,656,601 3,564,381
2008 5,576,593 3,500,648
2007 5,497,243 3,437,490
2006 5,418,855 3,375,024
2005 5,342,105 3,313,026
2004 5,272,912 3,251,155
2003 5,210,963 3,189,807
2002 5,149,909 3,129,344
2001 5,087,825 3,069,537
2000 5,022,633 3,010,369
1999 4,954,018 2,951,822
1998 4,883,655 2,893,914
1997 4,809,573 2,836,695
1996 4,729,974 2,780,227
1995 4,642,931 2,724,557
1994 4,549,316 2,669,546
1993 4,453,732 2,615,099
1992 4,357,026 2,561,336
1991 4,259,637 2,508,265
1990 4,162,559 2,455,583
1989 4,066,476 2,403,820
1988 3,972,320 2,352,848
1987 3,882,164 2,301,970
1986 3,794,157 2,251,325
1985 3,706,479 2,200,915
1984 3,619,104 2,150,782
1983 3,530,282 2,101,106
1982 3,438,745 2,052,271
1981 3,345,674 2,004,418
1980 3,252,403 1,957,534
1979 3,164,525 1,911,552
1978 3,080,314 1,866,311
1977 2,992,534 1,821,543
1976 2,903,851 1,776,935
1975 2,816,943 1,732,389
1974 2,732,075 1,687,926
1973 2,649,278 1,643,690
1972 2,573,578 1,599,723
1971 2,499,825 1,556,081
1970 2,423,065 1,513,070
1969 2,348,398 1,470,886
1968 2,275,836 1,429,447
1967 2,205,567 1,388,628
1966 2,137,820 1,348,388
1965 2,072,681 1,308,835
1964 2,010,176 1,270,065
1963 1,950,159 1,232,124
1962 1,892,320 1,195,301
1961 1,836,451 1,159,870
1960 1,782,370 1,126,005

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

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

Fertility rates in Nicaragua and Panama

Fertility rate
Nicaragua

Panama
1x
Year Fertility rate
Nicaragua Panama
2023 2.22 2.12
2022 2.24 2.14
2021 2.27 2.15
2020 2.3 2.18
2019 2.32 2.29
2018 2.35 2.4
2017 2.38 2.46
2016 2.41 2.5
2015 2.43 2.53
2014 2.46 2.55
2013 2.49 2.57
2012 2.53 2.59
2011 2.56 2.6
2010 2.6 2.59
2009 2.63 2.59
2008 2.66 2.61
2007 2.7 2.61
2006 2.73 2.62
2005 2.77 2.64
2004 2.78 2.68
2003 2.83 2.68
2002 2.89 2.7
2001 3 2.72
2000 3.12 2.74
1999 3.22 2.77
1998 3.34 2.79
1997 3.47 2.81
1996 3.62 2.83
1995 3.78 2.85
1994 3.94 2.88
1993 4.1 2.91
1992 4.27 2.95
1991 4.43 3
1990 4.6 3.07
1989 4.76 3.12
1988 4.93 3.17
1987 5.07 3.25
1986 5.22 3.34
1985 5.36 3.43
1984 5.49 3.52
1983 5.61 3.6
1982 5.74 3.66
1981 5.84 3.72
1980 5.96 3.8
1979 6.07 3.88
1978 6.16 3.98
1977 6.28 4.12
1976 6.37 4.26
1975 6.45 4.41
1974 6.52 4.58
1973 6.59 4.74
1972 6.65 4.91
1971 6.71 5.05
1970 6.77 5.18
1969 6.83 5.29
1968 6.89 5.41
1967 6.94 5.53
1966 6.99 5.65
1965 7.03 5.73
1964 7.06 5.81
1963 7.08 5.87
1962 7.1 5.87
1961 7.11 5.87
1960 7.16 5.83

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

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

Nicaragua and Panama demographics compared

Median age
Nicaragua

Panama
1x
Year Median age, years
Nicaragua Panama
2024 26.6 30.9
2023 26.3 30.6
2022 25.9 30.3
2021 25.6 30
2020 25.3 29.7
2019 25 29.4
2018 24.7 29.1
2017 24.3 28.8
2016 24 28.5
2015 23.7 28.3
2014 23.4 28
2013 23.1 27.8
2012 22.8 27.5
2011 22.5 27.2
2010 22.2 27
2009 22 26.7
2008 21.7 26.4
2007 21.4 26.1
2006 21.1 25.9
2005 20.8 25.6
2004 20.4 25.3
2003 20.1 25.1
2002 19.7 24.8
2001 19.4 24.5
2000 19.1 24.3
1999 18.8 24
1998 18.4 23.7
1997 18.1 23.5
1996 17.9 23.2
1995 17.6 22.9
1994 17.4 22.7
1993 17.2 22.4
1992 17 22.1
1991 16.8 21.8
1990 16.7 21.5
1989 16.5 21.3
1988 16.4 21
1987 16.4 20.7
1986 16.3 20.4
1985 16.3 20.2
1984 16.3 19.9
1983 16.3 19.7
1982 16.2 19.5
1981 16.2 19.2
1980 16.2 19
1979 16.2 18.8
1978 16.2 18.6
1977 16.2 18.4
1976 16.2 18.3
1975 16.2 18.1
1974 16.2 18
1973 16.2 17.8
1972 16.2 17.7
1971 16.1 17.7
1970 16.1 17.6
1969 16.1 17.6
1968 16 17.5
1967 16 17.5
1966 16 17.5
1965 15.9 17.5
1964 15.9 17.6
1963 15.9 17.6
1962 16 17.7
1961 16.1 17.8
1960 16.2 17.8

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Nicaragua Panama
GNI, Atlas method
$17.4B
2024
$81.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
23.1%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.87%
2023
2.47%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.55%
2024
0.97%
1999
Armed forces personnel
12,000
2020
28,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+2.48%
2024
-7.42%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.2%
2018
8.61%
2024
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.6%
2024
25.5%
2024
Economic freedom index
53.6
2026
64.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.2%
2014
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2014
1.2%
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
0
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
36
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Personal remittances received
$5.25B
2024
$532M
2024
International tourist arrivals
474,000
2020
647,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
15.2%
1999
9.3%
2020
Banked people share
23.5%
2024
64.1%
2024

Energy

Nicaragua Panama
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
608 kg
2022
1,063 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$12.8
2022
$34.2
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
5.74 megatons
2024
12.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.83 tons
2024
2.74 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
39.9%
2022
76.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
50.4%
2021
28%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
17%
2022
17.3%
2022
Net energy imports use share
46.5%
2022
171.2%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
682 kWh
2022
2,546 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
69.5%
2021
79.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
14.9%
2022
66.3%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
88.3%
2023
97%
2023

Society

Nicaragua Panama
% of world population
0.09%
2024
0.06%
2024
Annual migration change
-8,371
2025
+6,151
2025
Urban population
59.3%
2024
66%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.2:50.8
2024
50:50
2024
Average male height
5.57 ft
2025
5.58 ft
2025
Average female height
5.1 ft
2025
5.19 ft
2025
Quality of life index
27.3
2026
60.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
14
2025
33
2025
Higher education index
23
2026
40
2026
Homicides per 100K people
11
2021
11.3
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
16.9
2019
13.9
2019
Visa free countries
124
2025
138
2025
Adult literacy rate
82.6%
2015
96.3%
2024
English speaking
1%
2025
14%
2023
People using the Internet
58.2%
2023
68.5%
2023

Health

Nicaragua Panama
Government health expenditure per capita
$216.6
2023
$1,558
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$81.5
2023
$630
2023
Life expectancy
75.4 years
2026
80.1 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
3.41%
2023
0.76%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.68
2018
1.63
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.2 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
60
2023
37
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
13.4
2023
13.3
2023
Obesity rate
34.5%
2022
37.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
10.4%
2024
11.1%
2024
Air quality index
58
2026
79
2026
Tobacco use prevalence n/a
5.2%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.67 liters
2020
4.66 liters
2020

Territory

Nicaragua Panama
% of world land
0.08%
2026
0.05%
2026
Land area per capita
6,718 sq mi
2024
6,343 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
19,656 sq mi
2026
8,456 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,998 sq mi
2026
16,138 sq mi
2026
Roads length
14,849 mi
2014
n/a

In-depth comparisons

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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)

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