- Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, and with a population just under 6 million has the lowest population density.
- While the government claims only a 3.8% unemployment rate, the level of underemployment is estimated at 46.5%.
- The percent of the population living below the poverty line is 48%. About half of those live in extreme poverty.
- 65% of the population is under 25 years old.
- Over 1 million Nicaraguans are living and working in other countries, mainly Costa Rica, the US and Spain. Many of those in the US and Costa Rica are undocumented.
- The largest sources of foreign exchange are aid and remittances (from Nicaraguans working overseas), followed by exports and tourism. Remittances account for 18% of GDP, the highest in Central America.
Economy:
- The average level of schooling completed is 4.5 years.
- Only half the students who are enrolled in primary school complete and pass the grade in that year. The percent of students who completed primary school in six years was 41% in 2003.
- The literacy rate was increased to 87% by a massive literacy campaign in the early 1980?s, but has decreased since to 67% or 77% according to various reports. The rate for rural areas is 49%. These rates are among the lowest in Latin America.
Education:
- Nicaragua existed in a state of war for 19 years, from 1972 through 1991. Over 50,000 people died, about 2% of the population.
- While the levels of crime and violence that affect tourists or foreign residents is the lowest in Central America, domestic violence, alcoholism, and crime within the poor barrios are major problems.
- According to a UN study, “a large share of the population witnessed, experienced or participated in atrocities.” This has resulted in an acceptance of violence which has now been passed along to the next generation.
