Nicaragua Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Nicaragua's urban population was 59.40% in 2025, ranked 128th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's urban population stood at 59.40% in 2025, a rise of +0.14% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 59.40% by 2025. Nicaragua ranked 128th globally.
Nicaragua’s urban population share has risen steadily over the 66‑year span from 39.17 percent in 1960 to a World Bank‑recorded 59.40 percent in 2025, marking both the all‑time peak and the country’s position at 128th globally. The increase reflects persistent rural‑to‑urban migration driven by expanding service sectors and infrastructure projects in the Central American capital region, while agricultural employment has contracted relative to the national labor force. Compared with peer nations of similar rank, Nicaragua’s 2025 figure is marginally lower than Fiji’s 59.55 percent and slightly above Jamaica’s 59.37 percent, underscoring a comparable urbanisation pace within small‑economy contexts. The sustained upward trajectory suggests that, barring major policy shifts or economic disruptions, Nicaragua will likely continue edging toward the 60 percent threshold in the coming decade, with further urban growth contingent on the balance between job creation in cities and rural development initiatives.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 59.68% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 59.54% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 59.40% | - | - |
| 2025 | 59.40% | +0.14% | #128 |
| 2024 | 59.26% | +0.14% | #90 |
| 2023 | 59.13% | +0.13% | #90 |
| 2022 | 59.00% | +0.14% | #91 |
| 2021 | 58.86% | +0.15% | #92 |
| 2020 | 58.70% | +0.16% | #93 |
| 2019 | 58.54% | +0.17% | #93 |
| 2018 | 58.37% | +0.18% | #96 |
| 2017 | 58.19% | +0.18% | #96 |
| 2016 | 58.00% | +0.19% | #96 |
| 2015 | 57.81% | +0.19% | #97 |
| 2014 | 57.62% | +0.19% | #97 |
| 2013 | 57.43% | +0.20% | #97 |
| 2012 | 57.23% | +0.20% | #98 |
| 2011 | 57.04% | +0.19% | #100 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nicaragua's urban population was 59.40% in 2025. Ranked 128th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Nicaragua's urban population peaked at 59.40% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Nicaragua was 39.17% in 1960.
Nicaragua ranks 128th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's urban population is projected to reach 59.40% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Nicaragua in 2025 was 59.40%. This ranks 128th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_urban-population,
title = {Nicaragua Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}