Nicaragua: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Nicaragua 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Nicaragua: 43
  • Happiness Score Nicaragua:6.284

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Nicaragua. NI.

    Nicaragua is a country located in Central America with a presidential representative democratic system. Its economy is primarily based on agriculture, with a focus on coffee, bananas, and tobacco. Nicaragua has a rich cultural heritage, including traditional music and dance, as well as striking indigenous crafts and art.

  • Despite being a small country, Nicaragua is home to one of the largest bodies of freshwater in Central America, Lake Nicaragua.
  • Nicaragua is known for its active volcanoes, with 19 of them dotting the landscape, some of which are still active.
  • Nicaragua boasts a rich biodiversity, with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including unique species such as the blue morpho butterfly and the green parrot snake.
  • Nicaragua – A Comprehensive Overview

    Early History:

    The earliest known inhabitants of present-day Nicaragua were the Miskito, Rama, and Sumo indigenous peoples. The region was later influenced by the Mesoamerican civilizations of the Nahua, Maya, and Chorotega.

    Kingdoms and Empires:

    The western part of Nicaragua was part of the Mesoamerican cultural region, which saw the rise and fall of various indigenous civilizations, such as the Chorotegas and the Nicarao people, from whom the country’s name is derived.

    Colonial Period:

    The Spanish colonization of Nicaragua began in the early 16th century, with the arrival of Spanish conquistadors led by Gil González Dávila. The country became part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala within the Spanish Empire.

    Independence and Modern Era:

    Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821, becoming a part of the Federal Republic of Central America. After the federation’s dissolution in 1838, Nicaragua became an independent republic. The country experienced political instability, revolutions, and conflicts, including the Nicaraguan Revolution in the late 1970s that overthrew the Somoza dictatorship.

    Current Political Situation:

    Nicaragua is a unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic. The current president is Daniel Ortega, who has been in power since 2007. Recent elections have been criticized for their lack of transparency and fairness.

    International Relations:

    Nicaragua has strong ties with countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Russia, but its relationship with the United States has been strained due to concerns over human rights and democratic practices. Nicaragua is a member of the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the Central American Integration System.

    Human Development and Economy:

    Nicaragua has a lower-middle-income economy, with agriculture, manufacturing, and services as the main sectors. The country has made progress in reducing poverty and improving human development indicators but still faces challenges in areas like education and healthcare.

    Cultural Highlights:

    Nicaragua has a diverse cultural heritage influenced by its indigenous, Spanish, and African roots. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic, with Spanish being the official language. Notable cultural contributions include literature, poetry, and traditional dances like El Gueguense.

    Nicaragua faces challenges related to political stability, economic development, and environmental conservation, but its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and resilient people offer opportunities for growth and progress.

    Travel Tips for Nicaragua

    Best Times to Visit: The dry season from November to April is generally considered the best time to visit Nicaragua, with fewer rains and more comfortable temperatures.

    Cultural Etiquette: Nicaraguans are generally warm and welcoming. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Learn basic Spanish phrases, and be patient and respectful of local customs.

    Safety Precautions: While Nicaragua is generally safe for tourists, it’s advisable to exercise caution, especially in crowded areas and at night. Avoid displaying valuables and stick to well-lit, populated areas.

    Must-See Landmarks: Visit the colonial cities of Granada and León, explore the volcanic landscapes of Isla de Ometepe, and experience the vibrant culture of Masaya. The Corn Islands offer stunning beaches and marine life.

    Culinary Experiences: Try traditional dishes like gallo pinto (rice and beans), vigorón (cabbage salad), and nacatamales (masa dumplings filled with meat and vegetables). Don’t miss the locally grown coffee and rum.

Main facts

Location

Nicaragua is a country located in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is the largest country in the isthmus region of Central America, with a strategic location connecting North and South America.

Map References

Nicaragua is situated in the Central American region, which is part of the North American continent.

Area – Comparative

With an area of approximately 130,370 square kilometers (50,340 square miles), Nicaragua is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New York.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Nicaragua has a total land boundary length of 1,231 kilometers (765 miles), shared with the following countries:

Coastline

Nicaragua has a coastline of 910 kilometers (566 miles), with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Notable coastal features include the Gulf of Fonseca on the Pacific side and the Corn Islands in the Caribbean Sea.

Maritime Claims

Nicaragua claims the following maritime zones:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
  • Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Nicaragua has a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: a dry season (November to April) and a rainy season (May to October). The climate varies regionally, with the Pacific lowlands being hot and dry, the central highlands being cooler, and the Caribbean lowlands being hot and humid.

Terrain

Nicaragua’s terrain is diverse, consisting of vast Atlantic coastal plains, interior highlands, and a narrow Pacific coastal plain. Major features include the Cordillera Isabelia mountain range, the Cordillera Chontaleña range, and the fertile valleys of the Río Negro and Río San Juan.

Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Nicaragua is Mogoton, a volcanic cone reaching an elevation of 2,107 meters (6,914 feet), located in the Cordillera Los Maribios mountain range. The lowest point is the Pacific Ocean at sea level.

Natural Resources

Nicaragua’s major natural resources include:

  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Copper
  • Tungsten
  • Lead
  • Zinc
  • Timber
  • Fish

Major Bodies of Water

Notable bodies of water in Nicaragua include:

  • Lake Nicaragua (Lago de Nicaragua), the largest lake in Central America and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Americas, shared with Costa Rica
  • Río Coco (Segovia River), forming part of the border with Honduras
  • Río San Juan, a major river shared with Costa Rica

Natural Hazards

Nicaragua is susceptible to the following natural hazards:

  • Earthquakes
  • Hurricanes
  • Volcanic activity
  • Landslides
  • Occasional droughts

Geography – Notes

Notable geographical notes about Nicaragua include:

  • The country has a strategic location along the Central American isthmus, connecting North and South America.
  • Nicaragua contains numerous volcanoes, some of which are still active, due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
  • The country is home to several protected areas and national parks, including the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, which is one of the largest protected tropical rainforests in the Americas.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 25.90%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 5,592. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 42.10%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  12.865416-85.207229.
  • Capital: The capital of Nicaragua is  Managua
  • Major Cities:
    • Managua – Population: 1,035,132
    • León – Population: 201,100
    • Masaya – Population: 140,000
    • Tipitapa – Population: 126,000
    • Chinandega – Population: 128,617
  • Population: 6,545,502
  • Area(Km2): 130370
  • Population Density( P/Km²):55. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:505
  • Official Language(s):Nicaragua is Spanish, 95%.
  • Currency: NIO

Main Economic Indicators

Nicaragua has a developing, lower-middle-income economy that is primarily based on agriculture, with significant contributions from the services and manufacturing sectors. The economy remains highly vulnerable to external shocks, such as fluctuations in commodity prices and natural disasters. Key economic challenges include high levels of poverty, income inequality, and infrastructure deficiencies. Notable economic policies have focused on promoting economic growth, attracting foreign investment, and reducing dependence on external aid.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2021: 4.9% (Source: Central Bank of Nicaragua)
2020: 3.7% (Source: Central Bank of Nicaragua)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: B- (Negative Outlook)
Moody’s: B3 (Negative Outlook)
Standard & Poor’s: B- (Stable Outlook)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 15.1%
Industry: 25.6%
Services: 59.3%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Coffee, beef, sugar, peanuts, tobacco, bananas, rice, beans, sesame, corn
Industrial Products: Food and beverage processing, textiles and clothing, petroleum refining, chemicals, metalworking, cement, gold mining

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 3.3 million (2021 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: 100th globally (2021 estimate)

Current Account Balance

2021: -$619 million (Source: Central Bank of Nicaragua)
2020: -$472 million (Source: Central Bank of Nicaragua)
Comparative Ranking: 165th globally (2021 estimate)

Exports and Imports

Exports: $6.2 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: United States, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, Costa Rica
Main Commodities: Coffee, beef, gold, sugar, peanuts, textiles and apparel, tobacco, seafood
Imports: $8.1 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: United States, China, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala
Main Commodities: Petroleum products, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $3.7 billion (December 2021)
Gold Reserves: 3.1 million ounces (December 2021)

  • GDP (Current US$):$12,520,915,291. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 15.60%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 60.60%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.91. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $0.54. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 6.84%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Nationality: Nicaraguan(s)

Adjective: Nicaraguan

2. Ethnic Groups

Major ethnic groups:
– Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%
– White 17%
– Black 9%
– Amerindian 5%

3. Religions

Religious affiliations:
– Roman Catholic 58.5%
– Evangelical 23.2%
– Other 1.6%
– None 16.7%

4. Age Structure

Age distribution:
– 0-14 years: 24.06%
– 15-64 years: 68.26%
– 65 years and over: 7.68%

5. Dependency Ratios

Dependency ratios:
– Total dependency ratio: 46.2
– Youth dependency ratio: 31.4
– Elderly dependency ratio: 14.8

6. Median Age

Median age:
– Total: 27.5 years
– Male: 26.8 years
– Female: 28.2 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 28.1% (2016)

Alcohol consumption: 4.8 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year (2019)

Tobacco use: 12.1% of adults (2020)

Life expectancy at birth: 74.2 years (2022 estimate)

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.3. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 82.8%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:20.64. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:5. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 2.3. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 25.3%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 3,846,137. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):36.00%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

Nicaragua’s military consists of the Nicaraguan Army and the Nicaraguan Air Force. The army is the primary branch, responsible for land defense operations, while the air force provides aerial support and operations. The country does not have an active navy, as it lacks a seagoing naval fleet.

For internal security, Nicaragua maintains the National Police (Policía Nacional) and the Sandinista Police (Policía Sandinista). The Sandinista Police is a paramilitary force that oversees public security and serves as a support to the national police.

Military Expenditures

Nicaragua’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2017: 0.7%
  • 2018: 0.7%
  • 2019: 0.7%
  • 2020: 0.7%
  • 2021: 0.7%

Nicaragua’s military expenditure ranks relatively low globally, placing it among the countries with the smallest defense budgets.

Personnel Strengths

Nicaragua’s total active-duty military personnel stands at approximately 12,000, with the following breakdown:

  • Army: 10,000
  • Air Force: 2,000

The National Police has an estimated strength of 15,000 personnel, while the Sandinista Police has around 5,000 members.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Nicaragua’s military hardware primarily consists of older, Soviet-era equipment, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery pieces. Its air force operates a small fleet of transport aircraft and helicopters, with no combat aircraft.

Given its limited defense budget, Nicaragua has not undertaken significant military acquisitions in recent years. However, there have been efforts to modernize and maintain its existing equipment through refurbishment programs and limited purchases.

Military Service Age and Obligation

In Nicaragua, military service is voluntary, and the minimum age for enlistment is 18 years. There is no mandatory military conscription currently in place.

Military Deployments

Nicaragua does not have any significant overseas military deployments. Its limited participation in international missions has primarily involved small contingents in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Strategic Military Notes

Nicaragua’s defense strategy is focused on territorial defense and maintaining internal security. With limited military capabilities, the country relies on regional partnerships and alliances for broader security cooperation.

Nicaragua is a member of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Central American Integration System (SICA), which facilitates regional security cooperation and coordination. It also maintains close military ties with allies like Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela.

  • Armed Forces Size: 12000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.98
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 66.40%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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