Nicaragua Debt Service
Total debt service as % of exports DT.TDS.DECT.EX.ZS
Nicaragua's debt service was 16.42% in 2025, ranked 34th globally. This represents a 23.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1977–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's debt service stood at 16.42% in 2025, a decline of +4.97% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.42% by 2025. Nicaragua ranked 34th globally.
Nicaragua's debt service ratio has varied significantly over the past five decades, reflecting the country's economic fluctuations. At 16.42% of its exports, Nicaragua's debt service burden in 2025 ranks 34th globally, placing it closely behind Moldova at 16.48% and Serbia at 16.42%. This ratio is a far cry from the extreme highs experienced in the early 1990s, when it peaked at 156.86% in 1991, and the lows reached in 1990, when it plummeted to 5.00%. The latter marked a turning point in Nicaragua's economic trajectory, with the country beginning a long process of economic recovery in the aftermath of the Sandinista Revolution. While Nicaragua's debt service ratio has improved in recent years, it remains a concern for the country's economic development. A sustained decrease in interest rates or a significant increase in export earnings could alter Nicaragua's debt service trajectory, potentially leading to a more favorable debt profile in the years to come.
Data & projection
| Year | Debt Service | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 10.90% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 13.66% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 16.42% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.42% | −4.97% | #34 |
| 2024 | 21.39% | +0.65% | #78 |
| 2023 | 20.74% | −2.98% | #89 |
| 2022 | 23.72% | −0.51% | #102 |
| 2021 | 24.23% | −9.23% | #88 |
| 2020 | 33.46% | +2.24% | #97 |
| 2019 | 31.22% | −7.28% | #99 |
| 2018 | 38.50% | −6.90% | #107 |
| 2017 | 45.40% | +9.60% | #109 |
| 2016 | 35.81% | +5.25% | #105 |
| 2015 | 30.56% | −24.26% | #102 |
| 2014 | 54.82% | +9.61% | #113 |
| 2013 | 45.21% | +2.61% | #112 |
| 2012 | 42.60% | +26.10% | #112 |
| 2011 | 16.50% | +0.39% | #93 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw debt service improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's debt service was 16.42% in 2025. Ranked 34th globally. This represents a 23.2% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's debt service peaked at 156.86% in 1991.
The lowest debt service in Nicaragua was 5.00% in 1990.
Nicaragua ranks 34th globally in debt service as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.TDS.DECT.EX.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's debt service is projected to reach 16.42% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The debt service of Nicaragua in 2025 was 16.42%. This ranks 34th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_debt-service,
title = {Nicaragua Debt Service},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/debt-service/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}