Nicaragua

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Nicaragua
Published: 2026

Region: Central America
Capital: Managua
Currency: Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)
Density: 55 / km²

WRI Score 2026

66.28

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 92nd
In Americas: 24th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Territorial system · top rate 30%· KPMG / EY
91.0
Territorial system taxes only locally sourced income.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 55 / km²· UN WPP
79.0
Moderate population density.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $3,084· IMF WEO 2026
12.0
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 75 years· WHO / UN
60.4
Moderate life expectancy relative to peers.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.2 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
47.4
Limited tourism infrastructure relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 2.5%· ILO / SECO
97.8
Among the lowest unemployment rates globally.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 0.7% of GDP· SIPRI
97.9
Minimal defence spending relative to output.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
18.1
Among the weakest safety and rule-of-law composites on this list.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Nicaragua holds 91st of 211 with a WRI Score of 66.28 — holds a comfortable position in the upper half. Its strength lies in military posture (97.9) and unemployment (97.8); GDP per capita remains its clearest structural constraint.