Nicaragua: environment

How much of Nicaragua's electricity is renewable?

69.5% of Nicaragua's electricity came from renewable sources in 2021, according to the World Bank, up from 57.1% in 2019. Renewables supplied 50.4% of all final energy consumption.

The World Bank series ends in 2021, and the share can change from year to year with rainfall and plant availability. The Ministry of Energy and Mines publishes its generation expansion plan to 2035.

Official sources: World Bank: renewable electricity output, Nicaragua · World Bank: renewable energy consumption share, Nicaragua

What are Nicaragua's CO2 emissions?

Nicaragua emitted 5.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank, about 0.8 tonnes per person. Emissions were 5.5 million tonnes in 2023.

The series covers fuel combustion and industrial processes, and excludes emissions from deforestation. No national emissions series was found on the sites of INIDE and the Ministry of Energy and Mines, checked on 15 October 2026; the Ministry of Environment's site could not be reached.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Nicaragua

What is the air quality in Nicaragua?

People in Nicaragua were exposed to an average of 20.4 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank, four times the WHO guideline of 5.

The figure is a population-weighted annual estimate from satellite data and models, not a measurement at one monitor. No national air quality data were found on official Nicaraguan sites, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Nicaragua

How much CO2 does Nicaragua emit per person?

0.8 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Nicaragua for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 0.9 tonnes; its low point was 2020, at 0.7 tonnes. It is 32nd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.3 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 134th highest.

What are Nicaragua's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Nicaragua at 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 18th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 120th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Nicaragua use?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Nicaragua was 50.4% in 2021. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 54.6%; its low point was 2017, at 48.9%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 18.9%, and Nicaragua placed 5th highest of 33. Worldwide: 48th of 191.

How much of Nicaragua is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2023, is 25.8%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 50.4%; Nicaragua is 27th highest of 33. Worldwide: 107th of 193.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Nicaragua?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Nicaragua was 20.4 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 24.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005 and the low 19.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and Nicaragua placed 8th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 77th highest.

What share of Nicaragua is protected land?

21.2%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Nicaragua for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the lowest since at least 2013. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 20.1%, and Nicaragua placed 16th highest of 33. Worldwide: 77th of 192.

How much of Nicaragua's fresh water is used?

The FAO puts water stress in Nicaragua at 2.2% in 2022. The peak was 2.7% in 2008 and the low 2.2% in 2019. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Nicaragua is 27th highest of 32. Worldwide: 143rd of 175.