Nicaragua Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Nicaragua's military spending was 0.51% in 2025, ranked 139th globally. This represents a 5.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1968–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's military spending stood at 0.51% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.51% by 2025. Nicaragua ranked 139th globally.
Nicaragua’s military expenditure has fallen sharply from its all‑time peak of 4.34 percent of GDP in 1981 to a historic low of 0.50 percent in 2008, before modestly rising to 0.51 percent in 2025, placing the country 139th globally. Over the 49‑year series beginning in 1968, when spending stood at 1.46 percent, the downward trajectory reflects a long‑term de‑escalation of defense outlays amid limited fiscal capacity and shifting security priorities. The 2025 level is closely aligned with peer states such as Sierra Leone (0.53 percent) and The Gambia (0.49 percent), underscoring a regional pattern of low defence burdens in small, low‑income economies. Despite the slight uptick since the 2008 trough, the modest increase remains within a narrow band and suggests that future changes will depend on external security pressures or domestic policy shifts; absent a major security shock, Nicaragua is likely to maintain a low‑level, stable military spending profile.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.48% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.50% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.51% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.51% | −0.03% | #139 |
| 2024 | 0.55% | −0.01% | #11 |
| 2023 | 0.55% | +0.02% | #11 |
| 2022 | 0.54% | −0.01% | #12 |
| 2021 | 0.55% | −0.08% | #12 |
| 2020 | 0.63% | +0.02% | #14 |
| 2019 | 0.61% | −0.02% | #17 |
| 2018 | 0.63% | +0.00% | #18 |
| 2017 | 0.63% | −0.01% | #16 |
| 2016 | 0.64% | −0.14% | #17 |
| 2015 | 0.78% | +0.09% | #22 |
| 2014 | 0.69% | +0.01% | #19 |
| 2013 | 0.68% | +0.01% | #19 |
| 2012 | 0.67% | +0.14% | #19 |
| 2011 | 0.53% | +0.02% | #11 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's military spending was 0.51% in 2025. Ranked 139th globally. This represents a 5.7% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's military spending peaked at 4.34% in 1981.
The lowest military spending in Nicaragua was 0.50% in 2008.
Nicaragua ranks 139th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's military spending is projected to reach 0.51% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Nicaragua in 2025 was 0.51%. This ranks 139th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_military-spending,
title = {Nicaragua Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}