Nicaragua Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Nicaragua's dependency ratio was 51.37 in 2025, ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 1.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's dependency ratio stood at 51.37 in 2025, a decline of +0.82 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 51.37 by 2025. Nicaragua ranked 142nd globally.
Nicaragua’s dependency ratio has fallen dramatically over the 66‑year series, dropping from an early‑period high of 100.78 in 1960 to a historic low of 51.37 in 2025, the lowest point recorded since the all‑time peak of 102.96 in 1963. The 2025 figure places the country at rank 142 globally and closely aligns with peers such as Barbados (51.64) and Hong Kong SAR, China (51.17), indicating a comparable share of non‑working‑age persons relative to the working population. The steep decline reflects sustained fertility reductions, rising life expectancy and gradual labour‑force expansion, which together have eased the burden on the productive segment of the economy. If current demographic trends persist, the ratio is likely to remain near the 2025 trough, though any reversal in fertility or a slowdown in labour‑force growth could modestly raise the dependency burden in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 49.85 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 50.61 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 51.37 | - | - |
| 2025 | 51.37 | −0.82 | #142 |
| 2024 | 52.19 | −0.68 | #83 |
| 2023 | 52.87 | −0.71 | #91 |
| 2022 | 53.58 | −0.79 | #97 |
| 2021 | 54.36 | −0.87 | #106 |
| 2020 | 55.24 | −0.77 | #113 |
| 2019 | 56.01 | −0.61 | #120 |
| 2018 | 56.62 | −0.57 | #132 |
| 2017 | 57.19 | −0.59 | #133 |
| 2016 | 57.78 | −0.64 | #134 |
| 2015 | 58.42 | −0.70 | #138 |
| 2014 | 59.12 | −0.78 | #141 |
| 2013 | 59.89 | −0.90 | #142 |
| 2012 | 60.79 | −1.01 | #143 |
| 2011 | 61.81 | −1.08 | #146 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's dependency ratio was 51.37 in 2025. Ranked 142nd globally. This represents a 1.6% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's dependency ratio peaked at 102.96 in 1963.
The lowest dependency ratio in Nicaragua was 51.37 in 2025.
Nicaragua ranks 142nd globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's dependency ratio is projected to reach 51.37 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Nicaragua in 2025 was 51.37. This ranks 142nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_dependency-ratio,
title = {Nicaragua Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}