Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Nicaragua
Nicaragua: Share of workers in vulnerable employment was 38.9% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Nicaragua, 1991–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, share of workers in vulnerable employment in Nicaragua stood at 38.9%. That is the lowest value across all 35 years on record.
The figure is down 0.6% on the previous year and down 3.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in vulnerable employment in Nicaragua peaked at 42.7% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 38.9%, in 2025.
Nicaragua ranks 68th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Nicaragua, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 40.4% | — |
| 1992 | 40.5% | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 40.6% | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 40.6% | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 40.5% | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 40.3% | -0.5% |
| 1997 | 40.1% | -0.4% |
| 1998 | 40.0% | -0.3% |
| 1999 | 39.8% | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 39.7% | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 39.5% | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 40.3% | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 41.2% | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 41.9% | +1.8% |
| 2005 | 42.7% | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 42.4% | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 42.1% | -0.7% |
| 2008 | 41.8% | -0.8% |
| 2009 | 41.8% | -0.0% |
| 2010 | 41.6% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 41.3% | -0.7% |
| 2012 | 41.1% | -0.7% |
| 2013 | 40.8% | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 40.5% | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 40.2% | -0.8% |
| 2016 | 40.0% | -0.7% |
| 2017 | 39.7% | -0.7% |
| 2018 | 39.6% | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 39.6% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 40.3% | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 39.8% | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 39.6% | -0.5% |
| 2023 | 39.3% | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 39.1% | -0.6% |
| 2025 | 38.9% | -0.6% |
Nicaragua compared with similar countries
- Nicaragua's 38.9% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 59.3%, 66% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Nicaragua's 38.9% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 26.1%, 1.5× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 40.3% | 39.8% | 40.6% | 9 |
| 2000s | 41.3% | 39.5% | 42.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.4% | 39.6% | 41.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.5% | 38.9% | 40.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nicaragua
More work & labour data for Nicaragua
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 1.36 % change on previous year (2024)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 1.41 % change on previous year (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 1.36 % change on previous year (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.2248 % change on previous year (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.45 % change on previous year (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,954 1000 No (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 2,653 1000 No (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 3,468 1000 No (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 3,356 1000 No (2023)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 6,916 1000 No (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of workers in vulnerable employment in Nicaragua?
- Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Nicaragua was 38.9% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Nicaragua?
- The highest recorded value was 42.7% in 2005.
- What is the lowest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Nicaragua?
- The lowest recorded value was 38.9% in 2025.
- How does Nicaragua rank for share of workers in vulnerable employment?
- Nicaragua ranks 68th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of workers in vulnerable employment rising or falling in Nicaragua?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Nicaragua data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in vulnerable employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of employed population who are working as independent own-account workers (self-employed without staff), or contributing family workers (self-employed in a household business or farm).