Nicaragua: cost of living

How much is the basic basket in Nicaragua?

The basic basket in Nicaragua cost C$21,474.94 a month in July 2026, according to the National Institute of Development Information (INIDE). Food made up C$15,424.61 of it, household goods C$3,649.34 and clothing C$2,401.00.

INIDE publishes the basket monthly as a spreadsheet listing the quantity and price of each item. It measures the cost of a fixed list of goods, so its change over time also reflects inflation.

Official sources: INIDE: basic basket, July 2026 · INIDE: basic basket publications

How many households in Nicaragua lack basic needs?

8.5% of households in Nicaragua lived in overcrowded conditions in 2024, down 2.2 points from 2023, according to the National Institute of Development Information (INIDE) unmet basic needs report. 13.4% lacked adequate services, 4.2% lived in inadequate housing and 14.3% had high economic dependency.

The unmet basic needs method measures poverty through living conditions rather than income: housing quality, crowding, water and sanitation, school attendance and the number of dependants per earner. The low-education index was 8.6%. No recent income-based poverty rate was found on INIDE's site, checked on 15 October 2026; the World Bank's last national poverty figure is 24.9% for 2016.

Official sources: INIDE: unmet basic needs press note, 2024 · World Bank: poverty at national poverty lines, Nicaragua

What is the inflation rate in Nicaragua?

In 2025, consumer price inflation in Nicaragua was 2.1%, according to the IMF. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.1%, and Nicaragua placed 15th highest of 29. Worldwide: 109th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Nicaragua?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in Nicaragua at $1,878 in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was $4,566, and Nicaragua placed 14th highest of 15. Worldwide: 89th of 124.

How many people in Nicaragua are poor?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Nicaragua at 24.9% in 2016. It was 48.3% in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 25.3%; Nicaragua is 7th highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 15th of 56.