THE PEOPLE OF NICARAGUA There are over 5,000,000 people in Nicaragua and this number is expected to double in number by 2025. Females have a life expectancy of 70 years: males 65 years. 66% of adults are literate. 44% of the population lives on less than $1 a day. 39% of the population does not have access to safe water and 17% live without access to adequate health services. Out of 174 nations, Nicaragua ranks 126 on the U.N. Human Development Index. According to the U.N., Nicaragua is the second-most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere. From 1937 until 1979, Nicaragua was virtually the fiefdom of the powerful Somoza family. Then came the Contra War of the 1980s and massive bloodshed. The victorious Sandinistas ultimately instituted democratic elections and today the country is peaceful even as it copes with continuing economic crisis. The explosive growth in urban regions which is changing the character of the Nicaraguan society. Katalysis Partners in Nicaragua ACODEP - Asociación de Consultores Para el Desarrollo de la Mediana Pequeña y Micro Empresa FUNDENUSE - Fundación para el Desarrollo de Nueva Segovia Fundación León 2000 PRODESA - La Fundación para la Promocion y el Desarrollo (Foundation for Promotion and Development << Back to map