Nicaragua: crime and justice

How much crime is there in Nicaragua?

The National Police registered 157,983 crime reports (denuncias) in Nicaragua in 2023 and resolved 132,899, a clearance rate of 84.1%, according to the INIDE Statistical Yearbook 2023. León department had 15,091 reports.

Reports cover both crimes and minor offences (faltas), counted when a complaint is filed with the police. 69,517 reports were for crimes and offences against life and physical integrity. Changes in reporting can affect the totals.

Official sources: INIDE: Statistical Yearbook 2023, citizen security section

How many murders are there in Nicaragua?

The National Police registered 260 homicide reports in Nicaragua in 2023, according to the INIDE Statistical Yearbook 2023, about 3.8 per 100,000 people. A further 816 deaths were recorded as negligent homicide in traffic accidents.

The yearbook counts reports registered by the police, which may differ from counts of victims. UNODC data published by the World Bank give 11.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 for 2021, the latest year in that series; the two sources use different definitions.

Official sources: INIDE: Statistical Yearbook 2023 · World Bank/UNODC: intentional homicides per 100,000, Nicaragua

What is the homicide rate in Nicaragua?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2021, is 11.3 per 100,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 14.2 per 100,000; its low point was 2017, at 6.8 per 100,000. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 15.5 per 100,000, and Nicaragua placed 22nd highest of 32. Worldwide: 26th of 109.

How many women are killed in Nicaragua?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2021, is 3.2 per 100,000. The peak was 3.3 per 100,000 in 2009 and the low 1.5 per 100,000 in 2016. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.2 per 100,000; Nicaragua is 15th highest of 29. Worldwide: 22nd of 98.

How many men are murdered in Nicaragua?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2021, is 19.8 per 100,000. Its high point since 2008 was 2009, at 25.5 per 100,000; its low point was 2017, at 12.0 per 100,000. It is 20th highest of 30 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 25.4 per 100,000. Of 97 countries with 2021 data, 22nd highest.