Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Nicaragua
Nicaragua: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 77.4% in 2012. ▲ Rising
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Nicaragua, 1981–2012
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Nicaragua is 77.4%, measured in 2012. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 17.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Nicaragua peaked at 77.4% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 22.8%, in 1981.
Nicaragua ranks 5th of 113 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Nicaragua, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 22.8% | — |
| 1993 | 45.1% | +98.0% |
| 1998 | 57.4% | +27.2% |
| 2001 | 66.1% | +15.2% |
| 2007 | 69.8% | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 77.4% | +10.9% |
Nicaragua compared with similar countries
- Nicaragua's 77.4% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.1%, 1.7× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- Nicaragua's 77.4% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 59.0%, 1.3× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 22.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 51.3% | 45.1% | 57.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 68.0% | 66.1% | 69.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 77.4% | 77.4% | 77.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Nicaragua
More gender data for Nicaragua
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 1,949 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.4088 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 5,493 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 5,493 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.7 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 64,268 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 66,389 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 64,149 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 66,225 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 64,050 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Nicaragua?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Nicaragua was 77.4% in 2012, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Nicaragua?
- The highest recorded value was 77.4% in 2012.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Nicaragua?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.8% in 1981.
- How does Nicaragua rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Nicaragua ranks 5th out of 113 countries with data for 2012.
- Is share of women using modern contraceptive methods rising or falling in Nicaragua?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nicaragua data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.