Nicaragua: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Nicaragua?

Open unemployment in Nicaragua was 3.1% in July 2026, up 0.7 points from July 2025 and 0.9 points from June, according to the National Institute of Development Information (INIDE) monthly employment survey. The net employment rate was 96.9%.

INIDE also reports underemployment of 40.2%, meaning a large share of workers have fewer hours or lower income than they want, and a labour force participation rate of 63.7%. Open unemployment counts only people with no work at all who are looking for a job, so it is low in economies where many people work informally.

Official sources: INIDE: monthly employment survey press note, July 2026

How many people in Nicaragua are in the labour force?

63.7% of Nicaraguans of working age were in the labour force in July 2026, 2.0 points lower than a year earlier, according to the National Institute of Development Information (INIDE). The general pressure rate, which adds the unemployed to employed people looking for another job, rose 3.6 points to 10.1%.

The participation rate is the share of the working-age population that is working or looking for work. The figures come from INIDE's monthly employment survey.

Official sources: INIDE: monthly employment survey press note, July 2026

How much is the minimum wage in Nicaragua?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 7,693 NIO a month (about $210). It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the unemployment rate in Nicaragua?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Nicaragua was 5.0%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 8.2%; its low point was 2017, at 3.3%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 6.0%; Nicaragua is 19th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 89th of 174.

How many young people in Nicaragua are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Nicaragua at 9.5% in 2025. The peak was 12.7% in 2009 and the low 6.3% in 2017. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.0%, and Nicaragua placed 20th highest of 29. Worldwide: 110th of 174.

What share of people in Nicaragua are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Nicaragua at 66.1% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 63.4%, and Nicaragua placed 9th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 52nd highest.

What is female labour force participation in Nicaragua?

51.3%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Nicaragua for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 52.5%, and Nicaragua placed 18th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 106th of 174.

How many people in Nicaragua are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Nicaragua was 62.7%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 58.1% (2009) to 63.2% (2017). It is 6th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 59.4%. World rank, highest first: 50th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Nicaragua?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Nicaragua at 38.9% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 6th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.8%. Worldwide: 66th of 174.

How many people in Nicaragua are employees?

55.7%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Nicaragua for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 24th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 64.8%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 110th highest.