Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua
Nicaragua: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 35,341 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua, 1978–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua is 35,341, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 17.7% on the previous year and up 2,305.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua peaked at 144,800 in 1978 and was at its lowest, 960, in 1980.
Nicaragua ranks 39th of 205 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 144,800 | — |
| 1979 | 16,600 | -88.5% |
| 1980 | 960 | -94.2% |
| 1981 | 2,500 | +160.4% |
| 1982 | 18,970 | +658.8% |
| 1983 | 23,520 | +24.0% |
| 1984 | 35,020 | +48.9% |
| 1985 | 52,650 | +50.3% |
| 1986 | 67,550 | +28.3% |
| 1987 | 68,540 | +1.5% |
| 1988 | 86,563 | +26.3% |
| 1989 | 97,698 | +12.9% |
| 1990 | 52,617 | -46.1% |
| 1991 | 46,789 | -11.1% |
| 1992 | 44,275 | -5.4% |
| 1993 | 33,056 | -25.3% |
| 1994 | 28,596 | -13.5% |
| 1995 | 23,936 | -16.3% |
| 1996 | 22,818 | -4.7% |
| 1997 | 22,495 | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 21,390 | -4.9% |
| 1999 | 20,572 | -3.8% |
| 2000 | 5,070 | -75.4% |
| 2001 | 4,397 | -13.3% |
| 2002 | 4,049 | -7.9% |
| 2003 | 3,984 | -1.6% |
| 2004 | 1,822 | -54.3% |
| 2005 | 1,463 | -19.7% |
| 2006 | 1,827 | +24.9% |
| 2007 | 1,899 | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 1,533 | -19.3% |
| 2009 | 1,473 | -3.9% |
| 2010 | 1,426 | -3.2% |
| 2011 | 1,464 | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 1,526 | +4.2% |
| 2013 | 1,530 | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 1,580 | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 1,469 | -7.0% |
| 2016 | 1,409 | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 1,467 | +4.1% |
| 2018 | 1,671 | +13.9% |
| 2019 | 4,376 | +161.9% |
| 2020 | 8,701 | +98.8% |
| 2021 | 11,041 | +26.9% |
| 2022 | 16,087 | +45.7% |
| 2023 | 25,483 | +58.4% |
| 2024 | 30,020 | +17.8% |
| 2025 | 35,341 | +17.7% |
Nicaragua compared with similar countries
- Nicaragua's 35,341 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9,568, 3.7× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nicaragua's 35,341 is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 559, 63.2× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | +658.8% | 2,500 | 18,970 |
| 2019 | +161.9% | 1,671 | 4,376 |
| 1981 | +160.4% | 960 | 2,500 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 80,700 | 16,600 | 144,800 | 2 |
| 1980s | 45,397 | 960 | 97,698 | 10 |
| 1990s | 31,654 | 20,572 | 52,617 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,752 | 1,463 | 5,070 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,792 | 1,409 | 4,376 | 10 |
| 2020s | 21,112 | 8,701 | 35,341 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nicaragua
- 36 Mauritania 43,906 compare
- 37 India 42,610 compare
- 38 Mexico 41,307 compare
- 40 Guatemala 34,994 compare
- 41 Cote d'Ivoire 32,506 compare
- 42 Bangladesh 31,862 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)
- Population growth rate -0.43 (2100)
- Population density 71.56 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 394,954 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Nicaragua was 35,341 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Nicaragua?
- The highest recorded value was 144,800 in 1978.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Nicaragua?
- The lowest recorded value was 960 in 1980.
- How does Nicaragua rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Nicaragua ranks 39th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Nicaragua?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,305.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nicaragua data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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