Nicaragua · Americas
How many people die in Nicaragua every day?
In Nicaragua, about 99 people die every day, roughly one death every 15 minutes. That is about 36,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 119th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 74.5 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
99
Deaths per year
36,000
Life expectancy
74.5 years
Population
7,046,310
Death rate
5.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Nicaragua
74.5
World avg
72.8
+1.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Nicaragua
5.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Nicaragua by time period
| Per hour | 4.1 |
| Per day | 99 |
| Per week | 690 |
| Per month | 3,000 |
| Per year | 36,000 |
What people die of in Nicaragua
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Nicaragua in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 15.3% of all deaths, about 11 a day. It was followed by kidney diseases and diabetes.
Deaths from diabetes have more than doubled since 2000, from about 735 to 1,848 a year. Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have fallen by 42% since 2000, from about 1,446 to 833 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 3,888 | 11 | 15.3% | +57% |
| 2 | Kidney diseases | 2,742 | 7.5 | 10.8% | +148% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 1,848 | 5.1 | 7.3% | +151% |
| 4 | Stroke | 1,517 | 4.2 | 6% | +3% |
| 5 | COPD | 931 | 2.6 | 3.7% | +90% |
| 6 | Road injuries | 881 | 2.4 | 3.5% | +26% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 833 | 2.3 | 3.3% | -42% |
| 8 | Hypertensive heart disease | 819 | 2.2 | 3.2% | +121% |
| 9 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 803 | 2.2 | 3.2% | +57% |
| 10 | Congenital anomalies | 497 | 1.4 | 2% | -21% |
Deaths in Nicaragua since 2000
WHO estimates that about 25,472 people died in Nicaragua in 2023, 24% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 20,530 deaths |
| 2010 | 22,741 deaths |
| 2019 | 24,386 deaths |
| 2023 | 25,472 deaths |
Life expectancy in Nicaragua since 1950
A baby born in Nicaragua in 1950 could expect to live about 40.6 years. By 2023 that had risen to 74.9, a gain of 34.3 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 40.6 years |
| 1980 | 58 years |
| 2000 | 66.4 years |
| 2010 | 71.8 years |
| 2019 | 73.8 years |
| 2023 | 74.9 years |
Nicaragua compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Nicaragua ranks 15th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua | 99 | 74.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Paraguay | 99 | 74.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| El Salvador | 115 | 73.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Costa Rica | 71 | 80.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Honduras | 142 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Panama | 60 | 78.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Nicaragua every day?
In Nicaragua, about 99 people die every day, or roughly one death every 15 minutes. That adds up to about 36,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Nicaragua?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Nicaragua. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 15.3% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Nicaragua?
Life expectancy at birth in Nicaragua is 74.5 years, 1.7 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 85th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Nicaragua high?
Nicaragua records about 5.1 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.