Quick facts
Nicaragua population overview
Nicaragua is the 9th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 7,053,607 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 243 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 130,492 births (18.5 per 1,000 people) and 33,152 deaths (4.7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 8,464 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,782,370 in 1960 to 7,007,502 in 2025 — a change of +293.2%, or +2.1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 26.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 75.4 years; women have on average 2.2 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 28.3% of residents are under 15 and 5.7% are 65 or older (2025); 59.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Managua. Nicaragua covers 130,370 km², giving a population density of about 54.6 people per km². GDP was $22.24B in 2025 — about $3,173 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Nicaragua population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 7,124,482 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 7,053,607 |
| World rank | #109 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #9 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.086% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.3% |
| Births per year est. | 130,492 |
| Deaths per year est. | 33,152 |
| Net migration per year est. | -8,464 |
| Birth rate | 18.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 4.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 96.9 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 26.3 years |
| Life expectancy | 75.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 59.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 130,370 km² |
| Population density | 54.6 per km² |
| Capital | Managua |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $22.24B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $3,173 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Nicaragua population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 7,124,482 | – | – |
| 2025 | 7,007,502 | +91,362 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 6,916,140 | +92,527 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 6,823,613 | +92,959 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 6,730,654 | +85,913 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 6,644,741 | +79,474 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 6,565,267 | +415,850 | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 6,149,417 | +411,967 | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 5,737,450 | +395,345 | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 5,342,105 | +319,472 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 5,022,633 | +379,702 | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 4,642,931 | +480,372 | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 4,162,559 | +456,080 | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 3,706,479 | +454,076 | +2.6% |
| 1980 | 3,252,403 | +435,460 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 2,816,943 | +393,878 | +3.1% |
| 1970 | 2,423,065 | +350,384 | +3.2% |
| 1965 | 2,072,681 | +290,311 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 1,782,370 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Nicaragua
Population over time
- From 1,782,370 in 1960 to 7,124,482 today — up 299.7%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 75.1 years (2024), up 28.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.2 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 19.1 births vs 4.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 14.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 28.3% of the population is under 15 and 5.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 5.74 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.83 t in 2024, vs 0.68 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 632.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 30.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 50.4% of final energy in 2021 (-18.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 25.8% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 53.2% to 25.8% since 1990 — roughly 35,662 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 59.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 39.2% in 1960 (+20.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1977.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 23,209 m³ in 2022, down 72.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $22.24B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 74.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $3,173 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 61.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 106 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Nicaragua in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Nicaragua in 2026?
As of October 2026, Nicaragua has an estimated population of 7,124,482. The United Nations estimated 7,053,607 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Nicaragua growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.3% per year — roughly 243 more people every day. Each year there are about 130,492 births and 33,152 deaths, with net migration of -8,464.
What is the population density of Nicaragua?
About 54.6 people per square kilometre: 7,124,482 people living on 130,370 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Nicaragua?
The median age is 26.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 75.4 years. 28.3% of the population is under 15 and 5.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Nicaragua rank by population?
Nicaragua is the 109th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 9th in North America, with 0.086% of the global population.
How has the population of Nicaragua changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,782,370; by 2025 it had grown to 7,007,502 (+293.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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BulgariaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.