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Costa Rica vs Palau statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 17.7K in Palau (ranked 194/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 177.6 sq mi for Palau (ranked 126th vs. 180th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Palau ranks 194/197 ($277M). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Palau ranks 67/197 ($15,611).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Palau
Population
5181862
17629
Population rank 126/197 194/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$277M
2023
GDP rank 73/197 194/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$15,611
2023
GDP per capita rank 62/197 67/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$18,230
2023
Government debt
$57B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank 50/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$9,869
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 177.6 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
99.3 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
1.91
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
39.2 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
69.6 years
2026

Costa Rica and Palau: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Palau economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Palau
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Palau
2024 $95,350,423,177 -
2023 $86,497,941,439 $276,733,063
2022 $69,243,626,029 $243,826,813
2021 $64,960,725,734 $231,343,460
2020 $62,395,610,760 $261,688,507
2019 $64,417,670,521 $282,041,290
2018 $62,420,164,992 $287,998,352
2017 $60,516,044,657 $292,148,590
2016 $58,847,019,610 $305,227,020
2015 $56,441,920,821 $287,057,526
2014 $52,016,408,854 $245,591,095
2013 $50,949,668,842 $224,110,611
2012 $47,231,655,432 $215,616,882
2011 $42,762,613,699 $198,742,371
2010 $37,658,616,952 $188,042,374
2009 $30,745,714,313 $189,854,706
2008 $30,801,745,700 $201,067,734
2007 $26,884,700,709 $200,789,764
2006 $22,715,540,324 $193,611,359
2005 $20,040,642,477 $190,961,685
2004 $18,610,594,846 $166,363,739
2003 $17,271,760,507 $154,566,788
2002 $16,578,820,687 $162,658,722
2001 $15,976,174,337 $159,446,228
2000 $15,013,629,662 $149,551,483
1999 $14,254,866,285 $144,206,500
1998 $13,684,255,947 $149,079,600
1997 $12,614,602,382 $143,860,800
1996 $11,678,424,507 $137,494,600
1995 $11,578,594,260 $121,018,500
1994 $10,489,903,725 $106,138,500
1993 $9,564,815,975 $96,455,700
1992 $8,579,754,758 $104,771,300
1991 $7,215,725,487 $106,555,300
1990 $5,711,687,787 $97,702,303
1989 $5,251,025,767 $85,800,543
1988 $4,614,629,898 $75,348,615
1987 $4,532,952,047 $66,169,905
1986 $4,418,983,871 $58,109,314
1985 $3,919,203,960 $51,030,637
1984 $3,660,477,856 $44,814,259
1983 $3,146,772,631 $39,661,530
1982 $2,606,623,555 $36,027,583
1981 $2,623,803,096 $32,726,594
1980 $4,831,447,001 $29,728,054
1979 $4,035,519,323 $27,004,251
1978 $3,523,208,810 $24,530,015
1977 $3,072,427,013 $22,308,104
1976 $2,412,555,426 $20,364,420
1975 $1,960,863,466 $18,521,112
1974 $1,666,544,754 $16,848,759
1973 $1,528,925,846 $15,331,889
1972 $1,238,251,696 $13,956,474
1971 $1,077,147,538 $12,706,874
1970 $984,830,158 $11,563,041
1969 $853,630,204 -
1968 $773,841,494 -
1967 $699,456,619 -
1966 $647,305,630 -
1965 $592,981,162 -
1964 $542,578,367 -
1963 $511,902,137 -
1962 $479,180,824 -
1961 $490,325,182 -
1960 $507,513,830 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/palau | CC BY

Costa Rica and Palau economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Palau
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Palau
2024 $18,587 -
2023 $16,942 $15,611
2022 $13,626 $13,730
2021 $12,838 $13,009
2020 $12,394 $14,708
2019 $12,885 $15,847
2018 $12,590 $16,167
2017 $12,317 $16,402
2016 $12,091 $17,150
2015 $11,715 $16,154
2014 $10,911 $13,863
2013 $10,803 $12,699
2012 $10,127 $12,137
2011 $9,276 $10,994
2010 $8,266 $10,222
2009 $6,833 $10,148
2008 $6,937 $10,578
2007 $6,138 $10,403
2006 $5,257 $9,882
2005 $4,703 $9,635
2004 $4,431 $8,394
2003 $4,173 $7,862
2002 $4,068 $8,340
2001 $3,985 $8,239
2000 $3,813 $7,798
1999 $3,691 $7,630
1998 $3,617 $8,048
1997 $3,408 $7,945
1996 $3,227 $7,788
1995 $3,275 $7,038
1994 $3,040 $6,329
1993 $2,840 $5,892
1992 $2,612 $6,553
1991 $2,253 $6,824
1990 $1,830 $6,403
1989 $1,725 $5,741
1988 $1,555 $5,145
1987 $1,567 $4,616
1986 $1,569 $4,144
1985 $1,429 $3,728
1984 $1,372 $3,360
1983 $1,213 $3,049
1982 $1,032 $2,838
1981 $1,068 $2,639
1980 $2,021 $2,423
1979 $1,735 $2,189
1978 $1,556 $1,972
1977 $1,393 $1,781
1976 $1,123 $1,616
1975 $937 $1,464
1974 $817 $1,328
1973 $769 $1,221
1972 $639 $1,145
1971 $570 $1,081
1970 $536 $1,017
1969 $477 -
1968 $445 -
1967 $414 -
1966 $395 -
1965 $374 -
1964 $354 -
1963 $346 -
1962 $335 -
1961 $356 -
1960 $382 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/palau | CC BY

Costa Rica vs. Palau life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Palau
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Palau
2026 81.4 69.6
2025 81.2 69.5
2024 81 69.4
2023 80.8 69.3
2022 79.3 68.9
2021 78.1 68.6
2020 79.7 68.7
2019 80.3 69
2018 80.1 69
2017 80 69
2016 80 69
2015 80.4 69.1
2014 80.2 69.1
2013 80.2 69
2012 79.9 68.9
2011 79.6 68.6
2010 79.4 68.3
2009 79.4 68
2008 79.2 67.6
2007 79.1 67.1
2006 79 66.6
2005 78.9 66.2
2004 78.5 65.8
2003 78.2 65.4
2002 77.9 65.1
2001 77.6 64.8
2000 77.3 64.5
1999 77.1 64.2
1998 76.9 64
1997 76.6 63.7
1996 76.4 63.5
1995 76.4 63.3
1994 76.3 63.1
1993 76.3 63
1992 76.4 62.9
1991 76.2 62.8
1990 76.1 62.8
1989 75.9 62.8
1988 75.5 62.8
1987 75.2 62.8
1986 74.9 62.8
1985 74.8 62.7
1984 74.6 62.6
1983 74.2 62.5
1982 73.9 62.3
1981 73.4 62.1
1980 73 61.9
1979 72.5 61.6
1978 72 61.3
1977 71.5 60.9
1976 70.9 60.5
1975 70.3 60
1974 69.4 59.5
1973 68.7 59
1972 68 58.6
1971 67.4 58.1
1970 66.8 57.7
1969 66.4 57.3
1968 65.8 56.9
1967 65.6 56.5
1966 65.1 56.2
1965 64.8 55.9
1964 64.5 55.8
1963 64.3 55.6
1962 64.2 55.4
1961 63.9 55.1
1960 63.5 54.9
1959 62.9 54.6
1958 62.3 54.4
1957 61.6 54.1
1956 61.2 53.9
1955 60.5 53.7
1954 59.9 53.5
1953 59.1 53.3
1952 58.1 53.1
1951 57.8 52.9
1950 57.5 52.7

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/palau | CC BY

Costa Rica and Palau population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Palau
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Palau
2024 5,129,910 17,695
2023 5,105,525 17,727
2022 5,081,765 17,759
2021 5,059,988 17,783
2020 5,034,320 17,792
2019 4,999,553 17,798
2018 4,957,818 17,814
2017 4,913,177 17,812
2016 4,866,998 17,797
2015 4,818,038 17,770
2014 4,767,119 17,715
2013 4,716,147 17,648
2012 4,663,934 17,765
2011 4,609,833 18,078
2010 4,555,962 18,396
2009 4,499,791 18,709
2008 4,440,056 19,009
2007 4,380,248 19,302
2006 4,321,340 19,593
2005 4,261,240 19,819
2004 4,200,078 19,820
2003 4,138,784 19,659
2002 4,075,705 19,503
2001 4,008,947 19,352
2000 3,937,739 19,178
1999 3,862,101 18,901
1998 3,782,838 18,524
1997 3,701,711 18,108
1996 3,619,013 17,654
1995 3,535,176 17,195
1994 3,451,122 16,770
1993 3,367,434 16,372
1992 3,284,258 15,989
1991 3,202,176 15,614
1990 3,121,706 15,259
1989 3,043,827 14,945
1988 2,968,103 14,645
1987 2,892,699 14,334
1986 2,817,216 14,024
1985 2,741,894 13,688
1984 2,667,595 13,337
1983 2,595,153 13,006
1982 2,524,806 12,694
1981 2,456,637 12,402
1980 2,390,633 12,271
1979 2,326,490 12,337
1978 2,264,510 12,440
1977 2,205,025 12,525
1976 2,147,774 12,598
1975 2,092,719 12,655
1974 2,039,643 12,687
1973 1,988,343 12,552
1972 1,938,248 12,194
1971 1,888,539 11,759
1970 1,838,949 11,368
1969 1,789,276 11,159
1968 1,739,731 11,080
1967 1,689,523 10,988
1966 1,638,116 10,805
1965 1,586,208 10,547
1964 1,533,960 10,292
1963 1,481,604 10,037
1962 1,429,445 9,793
1961 1,377,920 9,555
1960 1,327,496 9,328

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/palau | CC BY

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Palau

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Palau
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Palau
2023 1.33 1.91
2022 1.34 1.93
2021 1.35 1.95
2020 1.45 1.97
2019 1.6 1.98
2018 1.71 1.97
2017 1.71 2.02
2016 1.75 2.06
2015 1.8 2
2014 1.8 2.03
2013 1.78 2.05
2012 1.85 2.01
2011 1.88 1.97
2010 1.83 1.94
2009 1.95 1.94
2008 1.98 1.95
2007 1.95 1.97
2006 1.94 2
2005 2.04 2.02
2004 2.03 1.99
2003 2.08 1.96
2002 2.16 1.92
2001 2.31 1.87
2000 2.41 1.82
1999 2.48 1.91
1998 2.53 2.01
1997 2.59 2.19
1996 2.68 2.39
1995 2.78 2.55
1994 2.86 2.66
1993 2.93 2.73
1992 3 2.71
1991 3.08 2.74
1990 3.17 2.88
1989 3.24 2.92
1988 3.31 2.91
1987 3.38 2.93
1986 3.45 2.98
1985 3.51 3.01
1984 3.52 3.08
1983 3.53 3.14
1982 3.54 3.22
1981 3.56 3.28
1980 3.58 3.35
1979 3.65 3.49
1978 3.66 3.74
1977 3.7 4.09
1976 3.75 4.53
1975 3.8 4.9
1974 3.89 5.26
1973 3.99 5.59
1972 4.16 5.9
1971 4.36 6.16
1970 4.59 6.39
1969 4.84 6.58
1968 5.03 6.71
1967 5.42 6.84
1966 5.7 6.93
1965 5.96 7.01
1964 6.19 7.08
1963 6.39 7.12
1962 6.54 7.15
1961 6.65 7.17
1960 6.71 7.19

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/palau | CC BY

Costa Rica and Palau demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Palau
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Palau
2024 35.6 39.2
2023 35.1 38.8
2022 34.5 38.5
2021 34 38.1
2020 33.5 37.8
2019 33 37.4
2018 32.6 37
2017 32.1 36.7
2016 31.7 36.3
2015 31.2 36
2014 30.7 35.6
2013 30.3 35.3
2012 29.8 35
2011 29.4 34.6
2010 29 34.2
2009 28.6 33.9
2008 28.2 33.5
2007 27.8 33.1
2006 27.4 32.7
2005 27 32.3
2004 26.7 32
2003 26.3 31.8
2002 25.9 31.5
2001 25.5 31.2
2000 25.2 30.8
1999 24.9 30.2
1998 24.7 29.4
1997 24.4 28.8
1996 24.1 28.3
1995 23.9 27.8
1994 23.6 27.4
1993 23.4 26.9
1992 23.2 26.4
1991 22.9 26
1990 22.7 25.6
1989 22.5 24.9
1988 22.3 24
1987 22.1 23.1
1986 21.8 22.2
1985 21.6 21.6
1984 21.4 21.1
1983 21.2 20.5
1982 20.9 19.9
1981 20.6 19.3
1980 20.3 18.9
1979 20 18.6
1978 19.7 18.3
1977 19.5 18.1
1976 19.2 17.8
1975 18.9 17.4
1974 18.6 17.1
1973 18.4 16.8
1972 18.1 16.6
1971 17.8 16.6
1970 17.6 16.5
1969 17.3 16.1
1968 17.1 15.7
1967 16.9 15.2
1966 16.8 14.9
1965 16.7 14.9
1964 16.7 15
1963 16.7 15.1
1962 16.7 15.5
1961 16.8 16.1
1960 16.8 16.7

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/palau | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Palau
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$262M
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
52.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
3.53%
2023
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
n/a
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
+1.67%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
2.09%
2023
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
74.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
10.1%
2023
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
62
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
n/a
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$1.95M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
18,399
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
93.5%
2017
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
n/a

Energy

Costa Rica Palau
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
4,814 kg
1990
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$2
1990
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
1.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
82.8 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
0%
1990
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
0.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
n/a
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
4.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Palau
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.0002%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-16
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
79.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
53.9:46.1
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.6 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
52.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
49
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
n/a
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
11.2
2018
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
4.78
2013
Visa free countries
142
2025
120
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
100%
2020
English speaking
8.15%
2023
92.5%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
27%
2004

Health

Costa Rica Palau
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$1,684
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$203.8
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
69.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
18.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
1.81
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
89
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
22.3
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
42.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
19.3%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
65
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
17.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
n/a

Territory

Costa Rica Palau
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.0003%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
10,037 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
16.6 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
160.8 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
n/a

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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