Nicaragua Population
Latin America & Caribbean · 107th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
7,124,780
The population of Nicaragua is about 7,124,780 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 7.1 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.09% of the world's people.
Nicaragua is ranked 107th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.28% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 8.8 million. That is 4.0 times its 1960 population of 1.8 million. Population density is 59 people per square kilometre. 59% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
7.1 million
Yearly change
+1.28%
World rank
107th
Share of world
0.09%
Density
59/km²
Land area
120,340 km²
Life expectancy
75.1 yrs
Births per woman
2.21
GDP per capita
$3,173
GDP
$22.2B
Population of Nicaragua, 1960–2050
Nicaragua population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,782,370 | — | 15 |
| 1970 | 2,423,065 | +3.18% | 20 |
| 1980 | 3,252,403 | +2.78% | 27 |
| 1990 | 4,162,559 | +2.36% | 35 |
| 2000 | 5,022,633 | +1.39% | 42 |
| 2010 | 5,737,450 | +1.43% | 48 |
| 2020 | 6,565,267 | +1.26% | 55 |
| 2024 | 6,916,140 | +1.36% | 57 |
| 2026proj. | 7,097,329 | +1.28% | 59 |
| 2030proj. | 7,441,603 | +1.14% | 62 |
| 2040proj. | 8,189,914 | +0.82% | 68 |
| 2050proj. | 8,756,430 | +0.55% | 73 |
Nicaragua vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 25.1 times as many people as Nicaragua. Bangladesh is 23.2 times more densely populated.
Nicaragua population: questions and answers
What is the population of Nicaragua in 2026?
About 7,097,329 (7.1 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Nicaragua's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.28% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Nicaragua?
About 59 people per km², with a land area of 120,340 km².
What will the population of Nicaragua be in 2050?
About 8.8 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Nicaragua?
Managua.
What is the life expectancy in Nicaragua?
75.1 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.