Skip to content
CountryAtlas

Nicaragua · Quality of life

Human development, happiness, safety, access and environment.

14 indicators · 12 with data

Composite

Human Development Index

index (0–1)

123rd of 193 · 29th in Latin America
HDINicaragua's hdi rose from 0.515 in 1990 to 0.706 in 2023.19901995200020052010201520200.500.550.600.650.700.750.706

Nicaragua's hdi rose from 0.515 in 1990 to 0.706 in 2023.

Wellbeing

Life satisfaction

score (0–10)

50th of 146 · 12th in Latin America
Life satisfactionNicaragua's life satisfaction rose from 5.1 in 2011 to 6.3 in 2025.201220142016201820202022202455.566.576.3

Nicaragua's life satisfaction rose from 5.1 in 2011 to 6.3 in 2025.

Longevity

Life expectancy

years

106th of 217 · 24th in Latin America
Life expectancyNicaragua's life expectancy rose from 64.9 yrs in 1995 to 75.1 yrs in 2024.19952000200520102015202065707575.1 yrs

Nicaragua's life expectancy rose from 64.9 yrs in 1995 to 75.1 yrs in 2024.

Healthy life expectancy at birth

years

64th of 185 · 11th in Latin America
Healthy life expectancy at birthNicaragua's healthy life expectancy at birth fell from 65.3 yrs in 2000 to 64.6 yrs in 2021.20002005201020152020646566676864.6 yrs

Nicaragua's healthy life expectancy at birth fell from 65.3 yrs in 2000 to 64.6 yrs in 2021.

Inequality

Gini index

index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)

72nd of 84 · 7th in Latin America*
Gini indexNicaragua's gini index fell from 57.1 in 1993 to 46.2 in 2014.1995200020052010404550556046.2

Nicaragua's gini index fell from 57.1 in 1993 to 46.2 in 2014.

Air

Air pollution (PM2.5)

micrograms per m³

123rd of 200 · 28th in Latin America
Air pollution (PM2.5)Nicaragua's air pollution (pm2.5) fell from 25.7 in 1994 to 20.4 in 2023.19952000200520102015202018202224262820.4

Nicaragua's air pollution (pm2.5) fell from 25.7 in 1994 to 20.4 in 2023.

Crime

Homicide rate

per 100,000 people

89th of 116 · 11th in Latin America
Homicide rateNicaragua's homicide rate fell from 17.2 /100k in 1991 to 11.3 /100k in 2021.19952000200520102015202010152011.3 /100k

Nicaragua's homicide rate fell from 17.2 /100k in 1991 to 11.3 /100k in 2021.

Access

Access to electricity (% of population)

% of population

165th of 215 · 41st in Latin America
Access to electricity (% of population)Nicaragua's access to electricity (% of population) rose from 69.8 % in 1995 to 88.7 % in 2024.19952000200520102015202065%70%75%80%85%90%88.7 %

Nicaragua's access to electricity (% of population) rose from 69.8 % in 1995 to 88.7 % in 2024.

Adoption

Internet users

% of population

134th of 182 · 29th in Latin America
Internet usersNicaragua's internet users rose from 0.0 % in 1995 to 61.4 % in 2024.1995200020052010201520200%20%40%60%61.4 %

Nicaragua's internet users rose from 0.0 % in 1995 to 61.4 % in 2024.

Attainment

Expected years of schooling

years

146th of 195 · 28th in Latin America
Expected years of schoolingNicaragua's expected years of schooling rose from 8.4 yrs in 1994 to 11.5 yrs in 2023.1995200020052010201520208910111211.5 yrs

Nicaragua's expected years of schooling rose from 8.4 yrs in 1994 to 11.5 yrs in 2023.

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

91st of 185 · 11th in Latin America
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.

Gender

Women in parliament

% of seats

3rd of 184 · 2nd in Latin America
Women in parliamentNicaragua's women in parliament rose from 10.8 % in 1997 to 54.9 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%20%40%60%54.9 %

Nicaragua's women in parliament rose from 10.8 % in 1997 to 54.9 % in 2025.

No data available (2)

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

Other topics