Nicaragua: housing

What share of Nicaraguans own their home?

64.2% of homes in Nicaragua were owner-occupied with a title deed in 2024, up 1.1 points from 2023, according to the National Institute of Development Information (INIDE) housing report. 99.2% of homes were houses.

The report comes from INIDE's continuous household survey. 41.3% of homes had outer walls of cement block or concrete and 94.9% had zinc roofs.

Official sources: INIDE: housing characteristics press note, 2024

How many homes in Nicaragua have running water and electricity?

77.5% of homes in Nicaragua had water from the public network in 2024 and 90.9% used electric lighting, according to the National Institute of Development Information (INIDE). 56.8% had rubbish collected by truck and 65.9% cooked mainly with butane or propane gas.

The most common type of toilet was a latrine (42.4% of homes). 92.2% of homes had a mobile phone, 56.5% a refrigerator and 50.9% internet. The figures come from the continuous household survey.

Official sources: INIDE: housing characteristics press note, 2024

How fast are building costs rising in Nicaragua?

Construction material prices in Nicaragua were 5.06% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the National Institute of Development Information (INIDE) construction materials price index. Prices rose 0.40% in the month and 3.20% since December.

Steel bars, pine timber and sand led the August increase. The index covers materials only, not labour or land. No official house price or rent index was found on INIDE's site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: INIDE: construction materials price index, August 2026

What share of Nicaragua is urban?

59.4%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Nicaragua for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 66.2%, and Nicaragua placed 21st highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 109th highest.

How many people in Nicaragua live in slums?

5.5%: that is the share of city dwellers living in slums in Nicaragua for 2020, according to UN-Habitat. That is the lowest since at least 2006. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 13.3%, and Nicaragua placed 14th highest of 18. Worldwide: 97th of 156.

What share of people in Nicaragua have electricity?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 88.7%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 99.5%; Nicaragua is 32nd highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 143rd highest.

How many people in Nicaragua cook with wood or charcoal?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 63.0%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 95.0%; Nicaragua is 30th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 128th highest.