Photo: Neil Palmer (CIAT) · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Nicaragua: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Nicaragua is placed 135th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 15.3 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 60.35 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
135th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Nicaragua on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
60.35
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Nicaragua: 60.35. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Central America
- 24.12 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Costa Rica 24.12 · Honduras 46.75
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.706
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 123rd of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Nicaragua: 0.706. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Central America
- 0.839 Panama
- Land neighbours
- Costa Rica 0.833 · Honduras 0.645
02Over time
Which way Nicaragua is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
NicaraguaWorld median
Nicaragua fell from 213.31 in 2000 to 60.35 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Nicaragua World median 2023 60.4 46.7 2022 61.1 53.0 2021 123.6 76.6 2020 86.8 56.0 2019 69.5 48.4 2018 66.8 49.3 2017 72.4 47.2 2016 76.8 50.6 2015 80.7 51.9 2014 82.6 52.8 2013 85.8 53.3 2012 88.1 54.6 2011 92.5 55.0 2010 96.5 56.1 2009 99.5 56.3 2008 101.3 55.8 2007 106.1 56.8 2006 113.0 58.1 2005 124.3 60.1 2004 140.0 63.0 2003 154.0 66.8 2002 170.2 66.0 2001 194.1 68.1 2000 213.3 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
NicaraguaWorld median
Nicaragua rose from 0.593 in 2000 to 0.706 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Nicaragua World median 2023 0.706 0.7620 2022 0.701 0.7610 2021 0.682 0.7450 2020 0.676 0.7425 2019 0.690 0.7515 2018 0.690 0.7520 2017 0.688 0.7480 2016 0.684 0.7500 2015 0.679 0.7430 2014 0.674 0.7410 2013 0.668 0.7390 2012 0.664 0.7350 2011 0.657 0.7250 2010 0.651 0.7250 2009 0.646 0.7220 2008 0.646 0.7180 2007 0.642 0.7100 2006 0.636 0.7045 2005 0.630 0.6960 2004 0.623 0.6960 2003 0.615 0.6910 2002 0.609 0.6845 2001 0.601 0.6770 2000 0.593 0.6720
03In context
Nicaragua beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Nicaragua and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Costa Rica | 70th | 59.8 | 24.12 | 0.833 |
 Honduras | 126th | 30.1 | 46.75 | 0.645 |
| Nicaragua | 135th | 15.3 | 60.35 | 0.706 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Nicaragua in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Nicaragua is ahead of the world, and behind
46 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which Nicaragua does better than the middle country measured.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.470.13752.47No real change since 2015
Nicaragua: 0.137 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1060.0998.106▼ Worsened since 2014
Nicaragua: 0.099 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919691▼ Worsened since 2015
Nicaragua: 96 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909490▼ Worsened since 2015
Nicaragua: 94 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1345.318.134▲ Improved since 2014
Nicaragua: 5.31 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 124th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.269.43712.26▲ Improved since 2014
Nicaragua: 9.437 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 118th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5411.2414.54▲ Improved since 2014
Nicaragua: 11.24 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 118th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2110.110.21▲ Improved since 2010
Nicaragua: 10.1 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 83rd of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6374.9574.63▲ Improved since 2013
Nicaragua: 74.95 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 109th of 222 · derived.
Behind the world median33
Statistics on which Nicaragua does worse than the middle country measured.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8583.0422.858▲ Improved since 2014
Nicaragua: 3.042 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 95th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6680.678▲ Improved since 2013
Nicaragua: 0.668 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 83rd of 156 · derived.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6517.1418.65No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 17.14 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0722,5153,072▲ Improved since 2013
Nicaragua: 2,515 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 101st of 179 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.3821.5641.382▼ Worsened since 2015
Nicaragua: 1.564 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.4080.351▼ Worsened since 2013
Nicaragua: 0.408 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 103rd of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.492.7494.4▲ Improved since 2017
Nicaragua: 92.74 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.5080.564▼ Worsened since 2017
Nicaragua: 0.508 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 105th of 172 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.5350.609No real change since 2013
Nicaragua: 0.535 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 104th of 169 · derived.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1639.498.163No real change since 2013
Nicaragua: 9.49 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 77th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.15.282.1▼ Worsened since 2014
Nicaragua: 5.28 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,2738,59714,273▲ Improved since 2015
Nicaragua: 8,597 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 65th of 102 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9520.971▼ Worsened since 2013
Nicaragua: 0.952 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 118th of 184 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0523.517.05▼ Worsened since 2013
Nicaragua: 23.5 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 61st of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.918.343.9No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 18.3 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.0253.246▼ Worsened since 2015
Nicaragua: 3.025 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 51st of 78 · derived.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.25217.454.252No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 17.45 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 52nd of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.83580.8No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 35 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7431.740.74No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 31.7 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 95th of 136 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.922.645.9No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 22.6 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,2657,93317,265No real change since 2015
Nicaragua: 7,933 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 131st of 185 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23011,08025,230▲ Improved since 2010
Nicaragua: 11,080 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 109th of 151 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6738.1246.67▼ Worsened since 2012
Nicaragua: 38.12 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 195 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8905,09312,890No real change since 2012
Nicaragua: 5,093 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 121st of 166 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3411.5113.34No real change since 2013
Nicaragua: 11.51 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 146th of 195 · derived.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.484.798.4No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 84.7 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48617,34446,486▲ Improved since 2010
Nicaragua: 17,344 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 113th of 150 · derived.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10088.7100▼ Worsened since 2014
Nicaragua: 88.7 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.355.869.3▼ Worsened since 2016
Nicaragua: 55.8 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 147th of 188 · derived.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10072.2100▼ Worsened since 2014
Nicaragua: 72.2 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.135.217.1No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 35.2 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 17th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.75123.75No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 1 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8323.4772.83▼ Worsened since 2014
Nicaragua: 23.47 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 136th of 139 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9339.9339.933No real change since 2013
Nicaragua: 9.933 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 97th of 193 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Nicaragua: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5793.4222.579Moved since 2013
Nicaragua: 3.422 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 56th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2612.5911.26Moved since 2015
Nicaragua: 12.59 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 57th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Nicaragua
Children with Functional Difficulties, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (last 2024), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2014), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2014), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2014), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2014), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2014), Prosperity Gap (last 2014), Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, Violent Discipline of Children and Wasting Prevalence in Children Under Five. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Nicaragua’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is Nicaragua’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 15th of 1862/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 78th of 1824/4 keys
- Energy73rd of 1653/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 90th of 2002/4 keys
- Gender & Equality87th of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 116th of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation119th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital135th of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge146th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 132nd of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 150th of 1983/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade147th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 138th of 1592/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions181st of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties193rd of 1984/4 keys
No standing on Food & Agriculture: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Nicaragua can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada=27th3/3 keysHighest in Central America
Panama69th3/3 keysThis page
Nicaragua135th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Nicaragua and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Nicaragua on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Nicaragua rank on development & human capital?
Nicaragua is placed 135th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Nicaragua?
15.3 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Nicaragua?
60.35 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Nicaragua compare with Honduras on development & human capital?
Honduras is placed 126th of 196, and Nicaragua 135th. Social Protection Coverage: Honduras 30.1, Nicaragua 15.3; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Honduras 46.75, Nicaragua 60.35; Human Development Index: Honduras 0.645, Nicaragua 0.706.
How have Nicaragua’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 213.31 in 2000 to 60.35 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.593 in 2000 to 0.706 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Nicaragua?
No current reading is published for Nicaragua on Children with Functional Difficulties, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day, Prosperity Gap, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, Violent Discipline of Children and Wasting Prevalence in Children Under Five. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 46 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Nicaragua’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Nicaragua (banner) — Neil Palmer (CIAT), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Nicaragua: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/nicaragua/development