Nicaragua

Country in Americas

In brief

Primary school enrolment: 110% (2023). World rank 33 of 191; in Americas, 9 of 42. Hospital beds per 1,000 people: 1 (2022). World rank 124 of 150 (1 = best); in Americas, 32 of 35. Overweight adults: 67.2% (2022). World rank 160 of 196 (1 = best); in Americas, 26 of 38. From 2014 to 2024: infant deaths per 1,000 births 16 → 9.4, deaths under age 5 per 1,000 births 18.3 → 11.2, and access to clean cooking fuels 51% → 63%. Worse than all its neighbours (Costa Rica and Honduras): maternal deaths per 100,000 births, diabetes prevalence, and overweight adults.

Education

Adult literacy: 87.3% 2014
Primary school enrolment: 110% 2023
Secondary school enrolment: 70.2% 2023
Higher education enrolment: 30.4% 2023
Public spending on education, share of GDP: 2.9% 2023

Healthcare

Health spending, share of GDP: 8.3% 2023
Health spending per person: $217 2023
Out-of-pocket health spending, share of total: 37.6% 2023
Doctors per 1,000 people: 0.7 2018
Nurses and midwives per 1,000 people: 1.6 2017
Hospital beds per 1,000 people: 1 2022
Children vaccinated against measles: 85% 2023

Public health

Infant deaths per 1,000 births: 9.4 2024
Deaths under age 5 per 1,000 births: 11.2 2024
Maternal deaths per 100,000 births: 60 2023
HIV prevalence, ages 15–49: No data
Diabetes prevalence, ages 20–79: 10.4% 2024
Overweight adults: 67.2% 2022
Adults who use tobacco: No data

Living conditions

Access to safe drinking water: No data
Access to basic sanitation: No data
Access to clean cooking fuels: 63% 2024