Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Nicaragua

Nicaragua: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 5.2% in 2018. ▬ Flat

Latest (2018)
5.2%
Change on year
up 67.7%
World rank
83rd
of 181 countries
All-time high
7.4%
in 2003
All-time low
2.6%
in 1985
Years of data
19
1985–2018

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Nicaragua, 1985–2018

345671985200120181985: 2.61986: 3.81987: 4.71988: 4.91989: 7.12001: 42003: 7.42004: 5.52005: 5.12006: 5.52007: 4.82008: 5.72012: 4.82013: 5.12014: 3.82015: 4.22016: 3.62017: 3.12018: 5.2

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

Nicaragua recorded 5.2% for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in 2018.

The figure is up 67.7% on the previous year and down 8.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Nicaragua peaked at 7.4% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 2.6%, in 1985.

Nicaragua ranks 83rd of 181 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Nicaragua, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate) in Nicaragua, 1985 to 2018.
Year Value Change
1985 2.6%
1986 3.8% +46.2%
1987 4.7% +23.7%
1988 4.9% +4.3%
1989 7.1% +44.6%
2001 4.0% -43.4%
2003 7.4% +85.9%
2004 5.5% -26.5%
2005 5.1% -6.4%
2006 5.5% +7.7%
2007 4.8% -13.1%
2008 5.7% +18.8%
2012 4.8% -16.1%
2013 5.1% +7.4%
2014 3.8% -25.3%
2015 4.2% +9.5%
2016 3.6% -14.3%
2017 3.1% -13.9%
2018 5.2% +67.7%

Nicaragua compared with similar countries

  • Nicaragua's 5.2% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.8%, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
  • Nicaragua's 5.2% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 5.8%, 90% of the median. (35 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 4.6% 2.6% 7.1% 5
2000s 5.4% 4.0% 7.4% 7
2010s 4.3% 3.1% 5.2% 7

Countries ranked near Nicaragua

  1. 80 Portugal 5.6% compare
  2. 81 Croatia 5.4% compare
  3. 82 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 5.2% compare
  4. 84 Zambia 5.2% compare
  5. 85 Slovakia 5.1% compare
  6. 86 New Zealand 5.1% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Nicaragua

All data for Nicaragua →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Nicaragua?
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Nicaragua was 5.2% in 2018, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Nicaragua?
The highest recorded value was 7.4% in 2003.
What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Nicaragua?
The lowest recorded value was 2.6% in 1985.
How does Nicaragua rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Nicaragua ranks 83rd out of 181 countries with data for 2018.
Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Nicaragua?
Over the last ten years it is down 8.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Nicaragua data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Nicaragua. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-national-estimate/nicaragua/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
205 places, 5,415 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.