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Nicaragua · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

91st of 185 · 11th in Latin America
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UnemploymentNicaragua's unemployment fell from 7.1 % in 1996 to 5.0 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%10%5.0 %

Nicaragua's unemployment fell from 7.1 % in 1996 to 5.0 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

67th of 183 · 10th in Latin America
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Youth unemploymentNicaragua's youth unemployment fell from 11.2 % in 1996 to 9.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%9.5 %

Nicaragua's youth unemployment fell from 11.2 % in 1996 to 9.5 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

53rd of 182 · 9th in Latin America
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ParticipationNicaragua's participation rose from 58.5 % in 1996 to 66.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202556%58%60%62%64%66%68%66.1 %

Nicaragua's participation rose from 58.5 % in 1996 to 66.1 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

110th of 182 · 19th in Latin America
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Nicaragua's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 33.7 % in 1996 to 51.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202530%35%40%45%50%55%51.3 %

Nicaragua's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 33.7 % in 1996 to 51.3 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

51st of 182 · 6th in Latin America
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Nicaragua's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 54.3 % in 1996 to 62.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202552%54%56%58%60%62%64%62.7 %

Nicaragua's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 54.3 % in 1996 to 62.7 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

100th of 182 · 16th in Latin America
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Labour force, totalNicaragua's labour force, total rose from 1.57M in 1996 to 3.32M in 2025.2000200520102015202020251M1.5M2M2.5M3M3.5M3.32M

Nicaragua's labour force, total rose from 1.57M in 1996 to 3.32M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

65th of 182 · 6th in Latin America
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Nicaragua's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 46.4 % in 1996 to 44.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202544%45%46%47%48%49%44.3 %

Nicaragua's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 46.4 % in 1996 to 44.3 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

117th of 182 · 26th in Latin America
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Nicaragua's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 40.3 % in 1996 to 38.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202538%39%40%41%42%43%38.9 %

Nicaragua's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 40.3 % in 1996 to 38.9 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

57th of 182 · 3rd in Latin America
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Nicaragua's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 34.8 % in 1996 to 30.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202528%30%32%34%36%38%30.5 %

Nicaragua's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 34.8 % in 1996 to 30.5 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

117th of 182 · 21st in Latin America
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Nicaragua's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 17.2 % in 1996 to 16.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202517%17%18%18%19%19%16.9 %

Nicaragua's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 17.2 % in 1996 to 16.9 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

113th of 182 · 28th in Latin America
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Nicaragua's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 48.0 % in 1996 to 52.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202544%46%48%50%52%54%52.6 %

Nicaragua's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 48.0 % in 1996 to 52.6 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

131st of 168 · 26th in Latin America
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Nicaragua's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $14k in 1996 to intl $17.6k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $13kintl $14kintl $15kintl $16kintl $17kintl $18kintl $17.6k

Nicaragua's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $14k in 1996 to intl $17.6k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Nicaragua.

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