Nicaragua Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Nicaragua's poverty rate was 6.60% in 2014, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 52.5% decrease from 2013. Data from World Bank, covering 1993–2014.
Overview
Nicaragua's poverty rate stood at 6.60% in 2014, a decline of +7.30pp from 2009. Nicaragua ranked 62nd globally.
Nicaragua’s poverty rate fell dramatically from its all‑time peak of 47.10 % in 1993 to a trough of 6.60 % in 2014, placing the country 62nd globally in the World Bank’s most recent ranking. This 40.50‑percentage‑point decline over two decades reflects sustained reductions in extreme deprivation, driven by macro‑economic stability, expansion of social programmes and increased agricultural productivity. The 2014 figure is closely aligned with Panama’s 6.40 % and North Macedonia’s 6.40 %, suggesting that Nicaragua now shares a poverty profile with nations that have modest but persistent challenges in reaching the lowest‑income segments of their populations. The rapid improvement contrasts with the early‑1990s, when nearly half of the population lived below the poverty line, a period marked by post‑conflict reconstruction and limited fiscal capacity. Continued progress will depend on maintaining fiscal discipline, deepening inclusive growth and strengthening safety‑net mechanisms, which could keep the poverty rate on a downward trajectory in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6.60% | −7.30pp | #62 |
| 2009 | 13.90% | −2.60pp | #68 |
| 2005 | 16.50% | −9.80pp | #58 |
| 2001 | 26.30% | −8.40pp | #32 |
| 1998 | 34.70% | −12.40pp | #40 |
| 1993 | 47.10% | – | #28 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's poverty rate was 6.60% in 2014. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 52.5% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's poverty rate peaked at 47.10% in 1993.
The lowest poverty rate in Nicaragua was 6.60% in 2014.
Nicaragua ranks 62nd globally in poverty rate as of 2014.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Nicaragua in 2014 was 6.60%. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_poverty-rate,
title = {Nicaragua Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}