Nicaragua Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Nicaragua's industry employment was 16.88% in 2025, ranked 64th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's industry employment stood at 16.88% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.91% by 2026. Nicaragua ranked 64th globally.
Nicaragua’s share of the labour force employed in industry stood at 16.88 percent in 2025, placing the country 64th globally according to World Bank data. This figure is marginally above the all‑time trough of 16.76 percent recorded in 2003 and below the peak of 18.87 percent reached in 2007, indicating a modest long‑term decline after the mid‑2000s high. Over the 35‑year series from 1991, when industry employment was 17.58 percent, the share has contracted by roughly one percentage point, reflecting structural shifts toward services and agriculture. By comparison, peer economies such as Sweden (16.82 percent) and Cuba (16.91 percent) exhibit similar industrial employment shares, underscoring Nicaragua’s position within a narrow band of middle‑income and small‑state contexts. Continued investment in manufacturing productivity and diversification of export markets will be crucial if Nicaragua is to reverse the gradual downward trajectory and stabilize industry employment at a higher level.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 16.93% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 16.92% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 16.91% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.88% | −0.03% | #64 |
| 2024 | 16.91% | −0.00% | #64 |
| 2023 | 16.92% | +0.09% | #65 |
| 2022 | 16.82% | −0.05% | #63 |
| 2021 | 16.88% | +0.04% | #68 |
| 2020 | 16.83% | −0.07% | #69 |
| 2019 | 16.90% | −0.42% | #69 |
| 2018 | 17.32% | −0.41% | #71 |
| 2017 | 17.73% | −0.01% | #78 |
| 2016 | 17.74% | +0.01% | #77 |
| 2015 | 17.73% | +0.08% | #76 |
| 2014 | 17.65% | +0.05% | #75 |
| 2013 | 17.60% | +0.08% | #76 |
| 2012 | 17.52% | +0.10% | #75 |
| 2011 | 17.42% | +0.12% | #70 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's industry employment was 16.88% in 2025. Ranked 64th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's industry employment peaked at 18.87% in 2007.
The lowest industry employment in Nicaragua was 16.76% in 2003.
Nicaragua ranks 64th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's industry employment is projected to reach 16.91% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Nicaragua in 2025 was 16.88%. This ranks 64th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_industry-employment,
title = {Nicaragua Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}