Costa Rica vs Nicaragua: Total population
Costa Rica
5,153
in 2025
Nicaragua
7,008
in 2025
Costa Rica rank
18th
Nicaragua rank
16th
Total population over time
- Costa Rica
- Nicaragua
How they compare
Nicaragua currently reports 7,008 against 5,153 in Costa Rica, a difference of 1,855.
That makes Nicaragua's figure about 1.4 times Costa Rica's.
Across all 76 years both countries report, Nicaragua has been ahead every year.
Costa Rica ranks 18th and Nicaragua ranks 16th of 36 countries.
Nicaragua has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Costa Rica | Nicaragua | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1,091 | 1,521 | 429.67 | Nicaragua |
| 1960s | 1,559 | 2,051 | 491.85 | Nicaragua |
| 1970s | 2,073 | 2,784 | 710.57 | Nicaragua |
| 1980s | 2,710 | 3,661 | 950.92 | Nicaragua |
| 1990s | 3,493 | 4,580 | 1,087 | Nicaragua |
| 2000s | 4,226 | 5,324 | 1,097 | Nicaragua |
| 2010s | 4,787 | 6,109 | 1,322 | Nicaragua |
| 2020s | 5,094 | 6,781 | 1,687 | Nicaragua |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher total population, Costa Rica or Nicaragua?
- Nicaragua, at 7,008 against 5,153 in Costa Rica as of 2025.
- What is the difference in total population between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
- 1,855, with Nicaragua ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do Costa Rica and Nicaragua rank globally for total population?
- Costa Rica ranks 18th and Nicaragua ranks 16th of 36 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNICEF, published as Total population (in thousands). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.