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Country comparison

NicaraguavsPanama

See the biggest differences first, then scan the geographic, economic, and practical reference data.

This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.

The biggest differences first

Population

Nicaragua is higher

Nicaragua records 6,916,140, about 1.53× the other value.

Surface area

Nicaragua is higher

Nicaragua records 130,370 km², about 1.73× the other value.

Nominal GDP

Panama is higher

Panama records $86.52 billion, about 4.39× the other value.

What stands out

Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.

Population

🇳🇮 Nicaragua6,916,140
🇵🇦 Panama4,515,577

Nicaragua’s population is 53% larger than that of Panama, a difference of 2,400,563.

Surface area

🇳🇮 Nicaragua130,370 km²
🇵🇦 Panama75,320 km²

Nicaragua’s surface area is 73% larger than that of Panama, a difference of 55,050 km².

Population density

🇳🇮 Nicaragua53.1 /km²
🇵🇦 Panama60 /km²

Panama’s population density is 13% higher than that of Nicaragua, a difference of 6.9 /km².

Nominal GDP

🇳🇮 Nicaragua$19.69 billion · 2024
🇵🇦 Panama$86.52 billion · 2024

Panama’s nominal GDP is 339% larger than that of Nicaragua, a difference of $66.83 billion.

GDP per capita

🇳🇮 Nicaragua$2,848 · 2024
🇵🇦 Panama$19,161 · 2024

Panama’s GDP per capita is 573% higher than that of Nicaragua, a difference of $16,314.

Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.

Full side-by-side comparison

Capital

Managua

Panama City

Population

6,916,140

4,515,577

Surface area

130,370 km²

75,320 km²

Population density

53.1 /km²

60 /km²

Nominal GDP

$19.69 billion · 2024

$86.52 billion · 2024

GDP per capita

$2,848 · 2024

$19,161 · 2024

Region

Americas

Americas

Subregion

Central America

Central America

Currency

Nicaraguan córdoba · NIO · C$

Panamanian balboa · PAB · B/.

Nationality

Nicaraguan

Panamanian

Phone code

+505

+507

Internet domain

.ni

.pa

ISO codes

NI / NIC

PA / PAN

Time zone

America/Managua

America/Panama

Native name

Nicaragua

Panamá

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About Nicaragua

Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the largest country in Central America. It is bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south.

Full Nicaragua profile →

About Panama

Panama is a transcontinental country connecting Central America with South America. It is renowned for the Panama Canal, a vital waterway that allows ships to travel between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, significantly reducing travel time and cost.

Full Panama profile →

Nicaragua & Panama: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Nicaragua?

The capital of Nicaragua is Managua.

What is the population of Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has a recorded population of approximately 6,916,140 people.

How big is Nicaragua?

Nicaragua covers an area of about 130,370 km².

What is the population density of Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has a population density of roughly 53.1 /km² (people per square kilometre).

What is the GDP of Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $19.69 billion as of 2024.

What is the GDP per capita of Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has a GDP per capita of approximately $2,848.

What currency is used in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua uses the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO), with the symbol C$.

Where is Nicaragua located?

Nicaragua is located in Central America, Americas.

What are people from Nicaragua called?

People from Nicaragua are referred to as Nicaraguan.

What is the phone calling code for Nicaragua?

The international dialing code for Nicaragua is +505.

What is the internet domain for Nicaragua?

The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Nicaragua is .ni.

What time zone is Nicaragua in?

Nicaragua uses the America/Managua time zone.

What is Nicaragua known for?

Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the largest country in Central America. It is bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south.

What is the capital of Panama?

The capital of Panama is Panama City.

What is the population of Panama?

Panama has a recorded population of approximately 4,515,577 people.

How big is Panama?

Panama covers an area of about 75,320 km².

What is the population density of Panama?

Panama has a population density of roughly 60 /km² (people per square kilometre).

What is the GDP of Panama?

Panama has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $86.52 billion as of 2024.

What is the GDP per capita of Panama?

Panama has a GDP per capita of approximately $19,161.

What currency is used in Panama?

Panama uses the Panamanian balboa (PAB), with the symbol B/..

Where is Panama located?

Panama is located in Central America, Americas.

What is the native name of Panama?

The native name of Panama is Panamá.

What are people from Panama called?

People from Panama are referred to as Panamanian.

What is the phone calling code for Panama?

The international dialing code for Panama is +507.

What is the internet domain for Panama?

The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Panama is .pa.

What time zone is Panama in?

Panama uses the America/Panama time zone.

What is Panama known for?

Panama is a transcontinental country connecting Central America with South America. It is renowned for the Panama Canal, a vital waterway that allows ships to travel between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, significantly reducing travel time and cost.