Nicaragua Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1968–2026)
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$107 million
Ranked #134 of 148 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
0.6%
Ranked #145 of 157 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+2.9%
From $104M in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$116 million
Reached in 1990
Nicaragua Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Nicaragua is estimated to have spent $107 million on military and defense, representing 0.6% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Nicaragua is the #134 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 2.9%, from $104 million to $107 million. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 4.3% in 1981. The historical average military budget is 1.2% of GDP.
Data source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Values are in constant 2023 US dollars. Data for 2026 is an estimate based on government budget announcements.
Historical Military Spending
Military Spending (% of GDP)
Military Spending (USD Billions, 2023 prices)
Historical Data
| Year | Percent of GDP | USD (millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(estimate) | 0.55% | $107M |
| 2025(estimate) | 0.55% | $104M |
| 2024 | 0.55% | $101M |
| 2023 | 0.55% | $99M |
| 2022 | 0.54% | $90M |
| 2021 | 0.55% | $89M |
| 2020 | 0.63% | $94M |
| 2019 | 0.61% | $90M |
| 2018 | 0.63% | $97M |
| 2017 | 0.63% | $102M |
| 2016 | 0.64% | $100M |
| 2015 | 0.78% | $114M |
| 2014 | 0.69% | $93M |
| 2013 | 0.68% | $86M |
| 2012 | 0.67% | $83M |
| 2011 | 0.53% | $62M |
| 2010 | 0.51% | $55M |
| 2009 | 0.50% | $52M |
| 2008 | 0.50% | $52M |
| 2007 | 0.53% | $55M |