Nicaragua
Republic of Nicaragua
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +0.98%
Nicaragua is a Central America country of around 6.80 million residents, placing it above the global median in population. The country extends across 130,373 km², translating to a density of 52 people per km². Its capital is Managua, and Spanish is the official language, while the Nicaraguan córdoba serves as the national currency.
Population
6,803,886
Area
130,373 km²
Density
52/km²
World Rank
#108
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 19.4 per thousand against deaths at 4.6 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 28.8% of residents under 15 and 5.5% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Managua
- Region
- Americas
- Subregion
- Central America
- Continent
- North America
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currencies
- Nicaraguan córdoba (C$)
- Calling Code
- +505
- Top-Level Domain
- .ni
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC-06:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 6,803,886
- Land Area
- 130,373 km²
- Population Density
- 52 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +0.98%
- Annual Growth
- +66,678 people
- Daily Growth
- +183 people
- World Population Share
- 0.08%
- Coordinates
- 13.00°, -85.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
At around $2.8k per person, the economy falls into the lower-middle-income tier, reflecting ongoing development needs. Unemployment sits at 5%, roughly in line with the global average of 5.8%. A Gini index of 46.2 signals substantial income inequality, suggesting that economic gains are concentrated among a smaller share of the population.
Life Expectancy
75.0 years
GDP per Capita
$2,848
Birth Rate
19.4 per 1,000
Death Rate
4.6 per 1,000
Urban Population
59.3%
Fertility Rate
2.22 births/woman
Infant Mortality
10.3 per 1,000
Unemployment
5.0%
Literacy Rate
87.3%
Internet Users
58.2%
Under 15
28.8%
Over 65
5.5%
Health Spending
8.3% GDP
Gini Index
46.2
Age Distribution
0-14 years
2.0M
15-64 years
4.5M
65+ years
376K
Urbanization
About 59.3% of the population is urban, indicating a society in the midst of a rural-to-urban transition. The capital, Managua, remains the primary hub for government and commerce. Net emigration of 8371.0 per thousand is thinning rural areas in particular, accelerating the concentration of population in cities.
4.0M
59.3%
2.8M
40.7%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 75.0 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 10.3 per thousand live births, significantly higher than the global average. The literacy rate of 87.3% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Nicaragua
Nicaragua has 5 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Nicaragua is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Nicaragua participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 6,803,886 |
| 2030 | 7,070,874 |
| 2035 | 7,411,557 |
| 2040 | 7,760,745 |
| 2045 | 8,119,277 |
| 2050 | 8,487,992 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Nicaragua.
Largest Cities in Nicaragua
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Nicaragua by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Nicaragua?
The population of Nicaragua is approximately 6.8 million as of 2026, making it #108 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Nicaragua?
The capital of Nicaragua is Managua.
What languages are spoken in Nicaragua?
The main languages spoken in Nicaragua are Spanish.
How big is Nicaragua?
Nicaragua covers an area of 130,373 km² with a population density of 52 people per km².
Is Nicaragua growing or shrinking?
Nicaragua is growing at a rate of 0.98% per year, adding approximately 66,678 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Nicaragua?
The average life expectancy in Nicaragua is 75.0 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Nicaragua?
The GDP per capita of Nicaragua is $2,848.