Bank Account Ownership Statistics in Nicaragua (2026)
In 2024, 21.5% of adults in Nicaragua had an account at a bank or similar financial institution, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Down from 23.2% in 2021 to 21.5% in 2024 (−1.7 percentage points). Nicaragua ranks #21 of 21 economies in Latin America & Caribbean on this measure, and #127 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 21.5% (2024)
- Bank Account Ownership in Nicaragua as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −1.7 pp (2024)
- Down from 23.2% in 2021 to 21.5% in 2024 (−1.7 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 14.2% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 14.2% in 2011 to 21.5% in 2024.
- Peak value (2017)
- 28.4% (2017)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 21.5%.
- Rank in Latin America & Caribbean
- #21 of 21 (2024)
- Nicaragua ranks 21 of 21 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #127 of 145 (2024)
- Nicaragua ranks 127 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Latin America & Caribbean average
- 60.2% (2024)
- Nicaragua (21.5%) is below the average of 60.2% across the 21 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 19.3% (2024)
- Value for women in Nicaragua, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 24% (2024)
- Value for men in Nicaragua, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −4.8 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 19.3% for women and 24% for men — 4.8 percentage points lower among women.
- In rural areas (2024)
- 18.7% (2024)
- Value for rural residents of Nicaragua in 2024.
- Rural gap vs national
- −2.8 pp (2024)
- Rural residents (18.7%) are 2.8 percentage points below the national figure (21.5%).
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 17.6% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Nicaragua in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −3.9 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (17.6%) are 3.9 percentage points below the national figure (21.5%).
- Internet use in Nicaragua (2024)
- 61.4% (2024)
- 61.4% of the population in Nicaragua used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 6.9 million (2024)
- Nicaragua had a population of 6.9 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21.5% | −1.7 pp |
| 2021 | 23.2% | −5.2 pp |
| 2017 | 28.4% | +9.6 pp |
| 2014 | 18.9% | +4.6 pp |
| 2011 | 14.2% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Nicaragua had an account at a bank or similar financial institution?
21.5% of adults in Nicaragua had an account at a bank or similar financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
Where does the bank account ownership data for Nicaragua come from?
The data comes from the World Bank Global Findex (indicator fiaccount.t.d). The latest observation for Nicaragua is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has bank account ownership in Nicaragua changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 14.2% in 2011 to 21.5% in 2024.
How does Nicaragua compare with other countries in Latin America & Caribbean?
Nicaragua ranks 21 of 21 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data, with 21.5% versus a regional average of 60.2% (latest values per country).
Where does Nicaragua rank globally on bank account ownership?
Nicaragua ranks 127 of 145 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fiaccount.t.d, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .