Nicaragua Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Nicaragua's budget deficit was 2.05% in 2025, ranked 16th globally. This represents a 17.5% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's budget deficit stood at 2.05% in 2025, a decline of +0.43% from 2024. The IMF projects 2.05% by 2025. Nicaragua ranked 16th globally.
Nicaragua’s primary budget deficit has hovered around the low‑single‑digit range for most of the 26‑year series, standing at 2.05 % of GDP in 2025, which places the country 16th globally according to the IMF World Economic Outlook. The deficit reached its highest level of 2.48 % in 2024, shortly after a deep fiscal contraction produced a trough of –4.35 % in 2018, the only negative reading in the sample. Compared with peers of similar rank, Nicaragua’s 2025 deficit is slightly below Andorra’s 2.47 % and above Denmark’s 1.80 %, reflecting a modest fiscal stance that remains tighter than many small, high‑income economies such as Liechtenstein (2.94 %). The recent upward swing from the 2018 trough suggests a gradual relaxation of fiscal consolidation, but the modest increase from 2.05 % in 2025 would likely be curbed if revenue reforms and expenditure controls are reinforced, keeping the deficit on a stable or slightly declining path.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 1.96% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 1.93% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 1.95% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 1.98% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 2.15% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 2.05% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.05% | −0.43% | #16 |
| 2024 | 2.48% | +0.17% | #168 |
| 2023 | 2.31% | +1.66% | #169 |
| 2022 | 0.65% | +1.90% | #157 |
| 2021 | -1.26% | +1.31% | #148 |
| 2020 | -2.57% | −1.45% | #155 |
| 2019 | -1.12% | +3.22% | #110 |
| 2018 | -4.35% | −2.59% | #42 |
| 2017 | -1.76% | +0.17% | #107 |
| 2016 | -1.92% | −0.29% | #111 |
| 2015 | -1.64% | −0.74% | #127 |
| 2014 | -0.89% | −0.59% | #138 |
| 2013 | -0.30% | −0.52% | #148 |
| 2012 | 0.22% | −0.37% | #147 |
| 2011 | 0.59% | −0.10% | #150 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's budget deficit was 2.05% in 2025. Ranked 16th globally. This represents a 17.5% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's budget deficit peaked at 2.48% in 2024.
The lowest budget deficit in Nicaragua was -4.35% in 2018.
Nicaragua ranks 16th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Nicaragua's budget deficit is projected to reach 2.05% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Nicaragua in 2025 was 2.05%. This ranks 16th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_budget-deficit,
title = {Nicaragua Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}