Refugees by country of origin in Nicaragua
Nicaragua: Refugees by country of origin was 30,020 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of origin in Nicaragua, 1978–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugees by country of origin in Nicaragua is 30,020 people, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 17.8% on the previous year and up 1,800.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in Nicaragua peaked at 144,800 people in 1978 and was at its lowest, 960 people, in 1980.
Nicaragua ranks 40th of 204 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugees by country of origin in Nicaragua, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 144,800 people | — |
| 1979 | 16,600 people | -88.5% |
| 1980 | 960 people | -94.2% |
| 1981 | 2,500 people | +160.4% |
| 1982 | 18,970 people | +658.8% |
| 1983 | 23,520 people | +24.0% |
| 1984 | 35,020 people | +48.9% |
| 1985 | 52,650 people | +50.3% |
| 1986 | 67,550 people | +28.3% |
| 1987 | 68,540 people | +1.5% |
| 1988 | 86,563 people | +26.3% |
| 1989 | 97,698 people | +12.9% |
| 1990 | 52,617 people | -46.1% |
| 1991 | 46,789 people | -11.1% |
| 1992 | 44,275 people | -5.4% |
| 1993 | 33,056 people | -25.3% |
| 1994 | 28,596 people | -13.5% |
| 1995 | 23,936 people | -16.3% |
| 1996 | 22,818 people | -4.7% |
| 1997 | 22,495 people | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 21,390 people | -4.9% |
| 1999 | 20,572 people | -3.8% |
| 2000 | 5,070 people | -75.4% |
| 2001 | 4,397 people | -13.3% |
| 2002 | 4,049 people | -7.9% |
| 2003 | 3,984 people | -1.6% |
| 2004 | 1,822 people | -54.3% |
| 2005 | 1,463 people | -19.7% |
| 2006 | 1,827 people | +24.9% |
| 2007 | 1,899 people | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 1,533 people | -19.3% |
| 2009 | 1,473 people | -3.9% |
| 2010 | 1,426 people | -3.2% |
| 2011 | 1,464 people | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 1,526 people | +4.2% |
| 2013 | 1,530 people | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 1,580 people | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 1,469 people | -7.0% |
| 2016 | 1,409 people | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 1,467 people | +4.1% |
| 2018 | 1,671 people | +13.9% |
| 2019 | 4,376 people | +161.9% |
| 2020 | 8,701 people | +98.8% |
| 2021 | 11,041 people | +26.9% |
| 2022 | 16,087 people | +45.7% |
| 2023 | 25,483 people | +58.4% |
| 2024 | 30,020 people | +17.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 80,700 people | 16,600 people | 144,800 people | 2 |
| 1980s | 45,397 people | 960 people | 97,698 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 31,654 people | 20,572 people | 52,617 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,752 people | 1,463 people | 5,070 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,792 people | 1,409 people | 4,376 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 18,266 people | 8,701 people | 30,020 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nicaragua
- 37 Mexico 39,241 people compare
- 38 Mauritania 38,111 people compare
- 39 Guatemala 36,323 people compare
- 41 Cote d'Ivoire 29,442 people compare
- 42 Bangladesh 28,473 people compare
- 43 Bosnia and Herzegovina 26,821 people compare
More population data for Nicaragua
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4231 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.18 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4231 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3894 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 9,095 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.15 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7708 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.4% (2100)
- Population density 71.56 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 394,954 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of origin in Nicaragua?
- Refugees by country of origin in Nicaragua was 30,020 people in 2024, according to UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugees by country of origin recorded in Nicaragua?
- The highest recorded value was 144,800 people in 1978.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in Nicaragua?
- The lowest recorded value was 960 people in 1980.
- How does Nicaragua rank for refugees by country of origin?
- Nicaragua ranks 40th out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in Nicaragua?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,800.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nicaragua data come from?
- The figures come from UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Refugees by country of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People who fled their country of origin and are in need of international protection. Refugees are those who have already been granted asylum status in the country they moved to. This includes all refugees, not just those who fled that year.