Population 5.963 million
GDP 7.828 US$ billion
@rating
country
Business climate
assessment
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012(e) | 2013(f) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
GDP growth (%)
|
4.5 |
4.7 |
3.7 |
3.5 |
|
Inflation (yearly average) (%)
|
5.5 |
8.1 |
7 |
6.5 |
|
Budget balance (% GDP)*
|
-4 |
-3 |
-4.7 |
-3.5 |
|
Current account balance (% GDP)
|
-14.4 |
-18 |
-19 |
-17 |
|
Public debt (% GDP)
|
80 |
71 |
69 |
66 |
| (e) Estimate (f) Forecast * grants excluded |
||||
STRENGTHS
- Mineral (gold) and agricultural (coffee, sugar) resources
- Member of the Central America –USA and EU free trade zones
- Prudent economic policy established with the IMF
- Stability of the financial system
- Support of the international community
- Criminality under control
WEAKNESSES
- Vulnerability to natural disasters (cyclones, seismicity)
- Inadequacies in healthcare and education and persistent poverty
- Inadequate infrastructures (energy, transport)
- High public debt and current account deficit
- Dependence on international aid
- Institutional shortcomings: concentration of power in the executive and the Sandinista party, corruption
