2006年尼加拉瓜每人平均國內生產毛額（GDP per capita）為959美元，在西半球國家中排名為倒數第二名；於世界上190個存有該統計的國家中，則排名第140名。尼國不僅存有嚴重的貧窮及所得分配不均問題，同時亦為世界上的重度負債國之一，使其於2004年成為少數獲得使用「重債窮國倡議」（HIPC）外債減免方案的國家。
最後，希望藉由本研究的探討，能夠對尼國近代的貧窮及低度發展提出一些見解及解釋，同時希望藉由對學術研究的回顧，能更清晰的闡述經濟發展的概念，及相關要素是如何相互影響及運作。 In 2006, Nicaragua had the second lowest per capital income of any country in the Western Hemisphere, at $959 US. This income level was listed as number 140 out of 190 nations of the world. Poverty and unequal income distribution are the major problems facing this nation. Moreover, Nicaragua is one of the most heavily indebted countries in the world, which qualified them for foreign debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative in 2004.
However, it is wondered why a nation with biggest territory in Central America and plenty of natural and human resources has become such a poorly developed country. Therefore, this research intends to define and induce the elements and barriers that promote and baffle the economical development; thereafter, this research will proceed further compare and analyze the modern developing history of Nicaragua, to discover the reasons that cause poverty and poor development.
This research is mainly discusses the economical and social developments of Nicaragua during the period from 1990-2006. However, some social problems were pre existing and required a review of data from the periods of 1960-1989. By understanding those social problems, it is helpful in comprehending how social and economical factors influenced each other.
In sum, this research wishes to provide some understandings and explanations of the poor development and poverty problems facing Nicaragua; meanwhile to illustrate the concepts of economic development and how social/economic elements function and influence each other.
