Nicaragua es uno de los países más desiguales en América Latina y de los que menos destina al gasto social The CEPAL report “Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025” indicates a slight decrease in income poverty across the region between 2023 and 2024. However, Nicaragua is identified as one of the most unequal countries with minimal social investment, contradicting government claims. While Uruguay and Chile lead in social spending, Central American nations like Nicaragua lag significantly behind.

• CEPAL’s “Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025” reports a slight decrease in income poverty in the region for 2024.
• Nicaragua is identified as one of the most unequal countries in the region with very low social spending.
• Uruguay and Chile have the highest social spending per capita, while Central American nations like Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala spend less than $600 per person.
• Panama is highlighted as the most unequal country in Central America, despite medium-high social spending.
• Costa Rica stands out for its social investment and lower inequality in Central America.
• In Central America, the richest 10% earn over 34% of the total income, while the poorest 10% receive only 2%.
• Extreme poverty affected 9.8% of the Latin American population in 2024, a decrease from the previous year but still higher than in 2014.
• CEPAL recommends reducing educational inequality, creating quality jobs, advancing gender equality, protecting vulnerable groups, and strengthening social institutions and their funding.