Nicaragua External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Nicaragua's external debt to gni was 74.95% in 2025, ranked 18th globally. This represents a 9.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's external debt to gni stood at 74.95% in 2025, a decline of +7.86pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 74.95% by 2025. Nicaragua ranked 18th globally.
Nicaragua’s external debt as a share of gross national income stood at 74.95% in 2025, placing it 18th globally and slightly below peer nations such as Tunisia, which recorded 75.71%, and Fiji, at 76.55%. The country’s debt-to-GNI ratio has fluctuated dramatically over the past five decades, peaking at an extraordinary 1233.10% in 1989 amid political upheaval and economic crisis, before beginning a prolonged decline through debt relief initiatives and economic stabilization. The lowest level in the recorded period was 33.87% in 1970, the starting year of the dataset. Since the early 2000s, the ratio has trended upward, reflecting renewed borrowing to finance public investment and fiscal deficits. While current levels remain far below the 1989 peak, they signal growing vulnerability in a context of limited export diversification and exposure to external shocks. Without sustained improvements in export earnings or further debt restructuring, Nicaragua’s debt burden could continue to rise, constraining fiscal space and economic resilience in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 57.71% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 66.33% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 74.95% | - | - |
| 2025 | 74.95% | −7.86pp | #18 |
| 2024 | 82.81% | −7.54pp | #98 |
| 2023 | 90.36% | −14.41pp | #104 |
| 2022 | 104.76% | −5.35pp | #108 |
| 2021 | 110.11% | −5.93pp | #106 |
| 2020 | 116.05% | +4.19pp | #108 |
| 2019 | 111.85% | +6.65pp | #112 |
| 2018 | 105.20% | +7.75pp | #113 |
| 2017 | 97.46% | +0.88pp | #107 |
| 2016 | 96.58% | +2.73pp | #106 |
| 2015 | 93.85% | −2.06pp | #107 |
| 2014 | 95.91% | −2.24pp | #109 |
| 2013 | 98.15% | +7.66pp | #110 |
| 2012 | 90.49% | +6.98pp | #110 |
| 2011 | 83.51% | +1.09pp | #105 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's external debt to gni was 74.95% in 2025. Ranked 18th globally. This represents a 9.5% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's external debt to gni peaked at 1,233.10% in 1989.
The lowest external debt to gni in Nicaragua was 33.87% in 1970.
Nicaragua ranks 18th globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's external debt to gni is projected to reach 74.95% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Nicaragua in 2025 was 74.95%. This ranks 18th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Nicaragua External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}