Updated
Overview
Honduras has about 55% more people than Nicaragua: 11.01 million against 7.01 million (2025).
Honduras's economy is about 80% larger than Nicaragua's, at $39.60B versus $22.24B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Honduras | Nicaragua | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $39.60B | $22.24B | 2025 | $37.09B / $19.69B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $3,598 | $3,173 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.8% | Higher: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 4.6% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 4.6% / 4.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.9% | 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $433 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $464 | $210 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.19 | $5.11 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.01 million | 7.01 million | 2025 | 9.53 million / 6.74 million |
| Population growth | 1.7% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 24.2 yrs | 26.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.45 | 2.18 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.0 yrs | Higher: 75.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 59% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 59% | Higher: 61% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 112,492 km² | 130,373 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 97.8/km² | 53.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 13 Mt | Lower: 5.63 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 1.2 t | Lower: 0.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $581.27M | $105.26M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 0.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 23,000 | 12,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Nicaragua is growing faster: 4.9% annual GDP growth versus 3.8%.
Honduras runs the hotter price environment: 4.6% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Nicaragua: a price level of 34 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 24.2 (Honduras) and 26.0 (Nicaragua).
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in Nicaragua (75.1 vs 73.0).
Geography
By land area, Honduras is 14% smaller than Nicaragua: 112,492 km² versus 130,373 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Honduras spends 5.5 times as much on defence as Nicaragua: $581.27M versus $105.26M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Honduras carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.5%.
Honduras fields the larger armed forces: 23,000 personnel against 12,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Honduras bigger than Nicaragua?
- Nicaragua is larger by land area. Honduras covers 112,492 km² while Nicaragua covers 130,373 km², so Nicaragua is 16% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Honduras or Nicaragua?
- Honduras has the larger population: 11.01 million versus 7.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Honduras richer than Nicaragua?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Honduras is richer: $3,598 against $3,173. Total GDP tells the same story: $39.60B for Honduras versus $22.24B for Nicaragua.
- Who spends more on their military, Honduras or Nicaragua?
- Honduras spends more: $581.27M versus $105.26M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).