Nicaragua
- Capital:
- Managua
- Continent:
- North America
- Region(s):
- Central America, Latin America
- Abbreviation:
- NIC
7,097,329
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
7,097,329
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
Nicaragua's population is projected to be 8,719,025 by 2097.
Historical
Switch the toggle to see projected data.
| Year ↓ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7,097,329 | 1.33% | 108 |
| 2025 | 7,007,502 | 1.31% | 109 |
| 2020 | 6,565,267 | 1.26% | 111 |
| 2019 | 6,483,657 | 1.31% | 111 |
| 2018 | 6,400,080 | 1.33% | 110 |
| 2017 | 6,316,231 | 1.34% | 110 |
| 2015 | 6,149,417 | 1.4% | 112 |
| 2010 | 5,737,450 | 1.44% | 110 |
| 2005 | 5,342,105 | 1.24% | 111 |
| 2000 | 5,022,633 | 1.58% | 112 |
| Year ↑ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7,097,329 | 1.33% | 108 |
| 2032 | 7,604,395 | 1.14% | 108 |
| 2037 | 7,983,288 | 0.98% | 108 |
| 2042 | 8,318,520 | 0.83% | 108 |
| 2047 | 8,607,278 | 0.69% | 109 |
| 2052 | 8,844,972 | 0.55% | 107 |
| 2057 | 9,024,586 | 0.4% | 107 |
| 2062 | 9,150,115 | 0.28% | 107 |
| 2067 | 9,219,472 | 0.15% | 105 |
| 2072 | 9,236,138 | 0.04% | 106 |
161K
250K
500K
750K
1M
Managua has a metropolitan area population of 1,064,326, comprising 15%% of Nicaragua's total population.
| Rank | City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | % of National Pop. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Managua | 1,064,326 | 15% |
| 2 | Leon | 180,731 | 2.55% |
| 3 | Tipitapa | 161,717 | 2.28% |
| 4 | Masaya | 147,669 | 2.08% |
| 5 | Ciudad Sandino | 140,184 | 1.98% |
| 6 | Matagalpa | 118,859 | 1.67% |
| 7 | Chinandega | 117,607 | 1.66% |
| 8 | Esteli | 114,993 | 1.62% |
| 9 | Granada | 109,483 | 1.54% |
| 10 | Puerto Cabezas | 93,567 | 1.32% |
As of 2026, Nicaragua has a total population of 7,097,329, ranking as the 108th most populous nation in the world.
Nicaragua has a net population change of approximately 244 people per day, driven by 359 births, 92 deaths, and net emigration of 23 people.
Nicaragua represents 0.09% of the total global population and 1.14% of North America's population.
Nicaragua has a population density of 59.0 people per km² (approximately 152.8 per mi²), making it the 155th most densely populated country in the world.
Currently, 52.58% of the population resides in urban areas, a figure that is increasing annually.
*Rates last updated: June 16, 2026
As of 2026, the largest ethnicity in Nicaragua is Mestizo (Mixed Indigenous and White) (69%) , followed by White (17%) .
As of 2026, Roman Catholic is the largest religion in Nicaragua, comprising 50% of the population.