According to a report from the Center for Transdisciplinary Studies of Central America (Cetcam), Nicaragua’s per capita income was US$2,953, the lowest in Central America. explained exiled Nicaraguan economist Marco Aurelio Peña, author of the study Economy of unrest: Economic unrest and deficient institutional environment in the autocratic context in Nicaragua (2023–2025).
During that period, Panama had the highest per capita income in the region, with a GDP per capita of US$19,802. closely followed by Costa Rica, with US$19,104, according to the report.
Then Guatemala was located, with a GDP per capita of US$6,478; El Salvador, with US$5,744; and Honduras, with US$3,637, according to the study.
“In comparative terms, this shows the low total productivity of Nicaragua in relation to its total number of inhabitants, without forgetting that geographically it is the largest in Central America and with an abundance of natural resources,” said the analyst in the release of the study in Costa Rica.
In relation to the data projected for 2025, Nicaragua’s per capita income is 6.7 times lower than that of Panama, which is the highest in the region, and is 1.2 times lower than that of Honduras, the second lowest, indicated the economist, who explained that he based his study on the official data of each country.
In the case of Guatemala, the per capita GDP is 2.1 times that of the country that occupies last place, but three times lower than that of Panama (which occupies first place).
Nicaragua
Nicaraguan GDP It grew 4.9% in 2025 compared to 2024, the year in which a growth of 3.6% had been recorded. Last year is the fifth consecutive year of increase after three periods with a balance in the red, according to the Central Bank of that country.
The author of the study called this growth “the macroeconomics of the mirage” because Nicaragua continues to have the lowest average income per inhabitant in Central America and Its inhabitants do not cover even 50% of the cost of the basic basket with the average minimum wagewhich is also the lowest in the region.
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Family remittances, which represent 26.6% of GDP, are what function as “lifesavers” in Nicaraguan homes, said Peña.
“The macroeconomic x-ray is perceived as unreal when it is contrasted with the economic realities of people and communities,” he insisted.
The Central Bank of Nicaragua maintained its economic growth forecast for 2026 unchanged, between 3.5% and 4.5%, despite “an international environment that continues to be marked by the uncertainty associated with the geopolitical and commercial situation.”
National figures for Guatemala
According to data from the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat), disclosed on its website, Guatemala’s GDP per capita in recent years has been recorded as:
- In 2023 it was US$5,923, with a growth of 7.6% compared to the previous year.
- In 2024 it grew 7.1% to US$6,344.20.
- While in 2025 it had a growth of 7.5%, reaching US$6,820.4.
- In quetzales it is reported at Q46 thousand 406.1; Q49 thousand 228.3 and Q52 thousand 379.2, respectively, with growth of 8.7%, 6.1% and 6.4%.
The country’s economic growth remains stable in 2026, despite the international situation.
Through family remittances, during 2025 Guatemala received US$25,530.2 million, equivalent to Q195,306 million, transfers sent by migrants, mainly from the United States, and representing around 20.7% of GDP.