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Economy of Bangladesh vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bangladesh has a GDP of $450B compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 36/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $184B in government debt (41% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Bangladesh vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Bangladesh
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Costa Rica
2024 $450,119,432,069 $95,350,423,177
2023 $437,415,333,018 $86,497,941,439
2022 $460,131,689,083 $69,243,626,029
2021 $416,271,647,911 $64,960,725,734
2020 $373,979,442,362 $62,395,610,760
2019 $351,231,654,604 $64,417,670,521
2018 $321,362,752,442 $62,420,164,992
2017 $293,732,446,625 $60,516,044,657
2016 $265,224,515,675 $58,847,019,610
2015 $195,146,608,978 $56,441,920,821
2014 $172,886,611,654 $52,016,408,854
2013 $149,998,957,434 $50,949,668,842
2012 $133,310,747,603 $47,231,655,432
2011 $128,607,482,310 $42,762,613,699
2010 $115,275,540,051 $37,658,616,952
2009 $102,475,158,191 $30,745,714,313
2008 $91,636,997,371 $30,801,745,700
2007 $79,611,644,975 $26,884,700,709
2006 $71,795,736,172 $22,715,540,324
2005 $69,476,001,239 $20,040,642,477
2004 $65,108,544,250 $18,610,594,846
2003 $60,158,929,188 $17,271,760,507
2002 $54,724,081,491 $16,578,820,687
2001 $53,991,289,844 $15,976,174,337
2000 $53,369,787,319 $15,013,629,662
1999 $51,270,569,884 $14,254,866,285
1998 $49,984,559,471 $13,684,255,947
1997 $48,244,309,133 $12,614,602,382
1996 $46,438,484,108 $11,678,424,507
1995 $37,939,748,769 $11,578,594,260
1994 $33,768,660,883 $10,489,903,725
1993 $33,166,519,418 $9,564,815,975
1992 $31,708,874,594 $8,579,754,758
1991 $30,957,483,950 $7,215,725,487
1990 $31,598,340,778 $5,711,687,787
1989 $28,781,715,189 $5,251,025,767
1988 $26,579,005,558 $4,614,629,898
1987 $24,298,032,258 $4,532,952,047
1986 $21,774,033,333 $4,418,983,871
1985 $22,278,423,077 $3,919,203,960
1984 $18,920,840,000 $3,660,477,856
1983 $17,609,048,822 $3,146,772,631
1982 $18,525,399,202 $2,606,623,555
1981 $20,249,694,002 $2,623,803,096
1980 $18,138,049,096 $4,831,447,001
1979 $15,565,480,322 $4,035,519,323
1978 $13,281,767,143 $3,523,208,810
1977 $9,651,149,302 $3,072,427,013
1976 $10,117,113,333 $2,412,555,426
1975 $19,448,348,073 $1,960,863,466
1974 $12,512,460,520 $1,666,544,754
1973 $8,086,725,729 $1,528,925,846
1972 $6,288,245,867 $1,238,251,696
1971 $8,751,843,188 $1,077,147,538
1970 $8,992,722,167 $984,830,158
1969 $8,471,006,438 $853,630,204
1968 $7,483,685,771 $773,841,494
1967 $7,253,575,688 $699,456,619
1966 $6,439,687,854 $647,305,630
1965 $5,906,636,792 $592,981,162
1964 $5,386,054,833 $542,578,367
1963 $5,319,458,563 $511,902,137
1962 $5,081,413,542 $479,180,824
1961 $4,817,580,375 $490,325,182
1960 $4,274,894,083 $507,513,830

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/costa-rica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs Costa Rica by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $12,590 $21,498
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $958 $3,691 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $860 $3,434 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $837 $3,051 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $757 $2,834 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $679 $2,675 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $613 $2,555 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $538 $2,388 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $490 $2,195 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $480 $2,020 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $456 $1,862 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $427 $1,746 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $394 $1,659 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $395 $1,598 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $397 $1,512 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $388 $1,430 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $386 $1,373 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $379 $1,315 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $372 $1,261 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $309 $1,206 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $272.1 $987 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $283.1 $941 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $263 - $1,725 -
1988 $247.9 - $1,555 -
1987 $231.5 - $1,567 -
1986 $212.1 - $1,569 -
1985 $222.2 - $1,429 -
1984 $193.4 - $1,372 -
1983 $184.7 - $1,213 -
1982 $199.6 - $1,032 -
1981 $224.2 - $1,068 -
1980 $206.1 - $2,021 -
1979 $181.1 - $1,735 -
1978 $158.3 - $1,556 -
1977 $117.9 - $1,393 -
1976 $126.7 - $1,123 -
1975 $249.8 - $937 -
1974 $165 - $817 -
1973 $109.7 - $769 -
1972 $87.8 - $639 -
1971 $124.5 - $570 -
1970 $130.2 - $536 -
1969 $125.9 - $477 -
1968 $114.4 - $445 -
1967 $114.2 - $414 -
1966 $104.4 - $395 -
1965 $98.6 - $374 -
1964 $92.6 - $354 -
1963 $94.1 - $346 -
1962 $92.6 - $335 -
1961 $90.4 - $356 -
1960 $82.5 - $382 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/costa-rica | CC BY

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,593, ranking 146/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$450B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
36/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
4.22%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,593
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
146/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$184B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,063
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
139/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,222
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$87.9B
2024
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.7%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
6.94%
2024
Population
178415186
5181862

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12% 41% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 13% 37.9% 19.2% 63%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 13.6% 32% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 13% 29.6% 18.9% 51.8%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 18% 28.1%
2009 10.6% 33% 16.7% 26%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 15.2% 24%
2007 9.63% 35% 14.6% 27%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 15.2% 33%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 17% 41%
2003 10.2% 37% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 10.7% 37.1% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 9.76% 31.2% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 8.66% 32.7% 16.7% 39%
1998 9.82% 31.1% 16% 40.7%
1997 9.89% 29.1% 16.3% 30.6%
1996 9.79% 31% 17.3% 33.7%
1995 10.5% 32.9% 16.4% 29.1%
1994 10% 35.5% 17.4% 27%
1993 9.74% 34.1% 13.8% 24.4%
1992 8.8% 33.1% 13.7% 23.3%
1991 8.86% 31.8% 14% 28.4%
1990 9.14% 31.5% 18.9% 18.5%
1989 - - 26.1% 19.3%
1988 - - 24.5% 18.2%
1987 - - 27.2% 21.2%
1986 - - 26.4% 26.1%
1985 - - 21.8% 22.8%
1984 - - 22.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 23.6% 29.8%
1982 - - 18.4% 31.8%
1981 - - 21% 32.3%
1980 - - 25% 37.7%
1979 - - 24.9% 39.5%
1978 - - 23.2% 41.7%
1977 - - 19.3% 27.8%
1976 - - 20.1% 29.5%
1975 - - 19.1% 26.1%
1974 - - 18.3% 30.3%
1973 - - 18.4% 32.8%
1972 - - 17.2% 31.8%
1971 - - 17.5% 30.4%
1970 - - 14.9% 28.6%
1969 - - 14.5% 26.1%
1968 - - 13.8% 27.7%
1967 - - 14.7% 26.7%
1966 - - 14.3% 24.8%
1965 - - 13.8% 24.1%
1964 - - 13.5% 22.7%
1963 - - 13.3% 21.8%
1962 - - 14% 19.7%
1961 - - 13.2% 20.3%
1960 - - 12.5% 16.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, Bangladesh's government spending was $54.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41% in Bangladesh and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 131/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Costa Rica
2024 -3.69% -3.78%
2023 -4.39% -3.25%
2022 -4.53% -2.81%
2021 -3.56% -5.09%
2020 -4.84% -8.38%
2019 -5.41% -6.68%
2018 -4.07% -5.66%
2017 -4.17% -5.88%
2016 -3.16% -5.09%
2015 -3.29% -5.52%
2014 -2.62% -5.45%
2013 -2.86% -5.25%
2012 -2.56% -4.22%
2011 -2.96% -3.91%
2010 -2.23% -4.96%
2009 -2.68% -3.25%
2008 -3.36% 0.18%
2007 -1.86% 0.56%
2006 -2.15% -1.04%
2005 -2.4% -2.09%
2004 -2.21% -3.42%
2003 -1.96% -3.43%
2002 -2.3% -4.99%
2001 -3.44% -3.47%
2000 -2.5% -3.68%
1999 -1.35% -2.88%
1998 -2.2% -2.96%
1997 -1.94% -3.39%
1996 -2.01% -4.32%
1995 -0.38% -3.68%
1994 0.03% -5.46%
1993 0.43% -1.52%
1992 0.36% -1.51%
1991 0.44% -2.41%
1990 -0.15% -4.4%
1989 - -1.55%
1988 - 0.57%
1987 - -2.57%
1986 - -4.26%
1985 - -1.06%
1984 - -0.5%
1983 - -1.84%
1982 - -0.94%
1981 - -3.14%
1980 - -7.24%
1979 - -6.6%
1978 - -4.12%
1977 - -2.63%
1976 - -2.42%
1975 - -1.13%
1974 - 0.26%
1973 - -2.41%
1972 - -4.54%
1971 - -4.72%
1970 - -1.41%
1969 - -1.61%
1968 - -1.72%
1967 - -3.03%
1966 - -2.12%
1965 - -1.71%
1964 - -1.51%
1963 - -2.01%
1962 - -1.99%
1961 - -0.71%
1960 - -0.19%
1959 - 0.49%
1958 - 0%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - 0.05%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.6B, equivalent to 3.69% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.8% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Costa Rica
2024 9.7% -0.41%
2023 9% 0.53%
2022 6.1% 8.27%
2021 5.6% 1.73%
2020 5.6% 0.72%
2019 5.5% 2.1%
2018 5.8% 2.22%
2017 5.4% 1.63%
2016 5.9% -0.02%
2015 6.4% 0.8%
2014 7.3% 4.52%
2013 6.8% 5.23%
2012 8.9% 4.5%
2011 8.8% 4.88%
2010 7.3% 5.66%
2009 6.7% 7.84%
2008 9.9% 13.4%
2007 7.2% 9.36%
2006 7.2% 11.5%
2005 6.5% 13.8%
2004 8.1% 12.3%
2003 3.9% 9.45%
2002 2.4% 9.17%
2001 1.8% 11.3%
2000 3.6% 11%
1999 8.9% 10%
1998 6.7% 11.7%
1997 2.7% 13.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 9.7% in Bangladesh and -0.41% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $959K
Textiles & consumer goods $770K
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Metals $2.99M
Machinery & equipment $249K
Textiles & consumer goods $242K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $43K
Wood & paper products $20K

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Costa Rica
Current account balance
$1.43B
2024
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.32%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$63.8B
2024
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$12.3B
2024
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$7.47B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.3%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.5%
2024
38.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bangladesh Costa Rica
Economic freedom 54.8 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 43/197
Property rights 32.1 66
Government integrity 22.7 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 76.9
Tax burden 79.9 78.6
Government spending 95.3 89.3
Fiscal health 68.4 75.6
Business freedom 52.7 79.9
Labor freedom 50.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 65.8 78.2
Trade freedom 63 75
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh Costa Rica
2026 54.8 69.1
2025 54.7 68.6
2024 54.4 67.7
2023 54.4 66.5
2022 52.7 65.4
2021 56.5 64.2
2020 56.4 65.8
2019 55.6 65.3
2018 55.1 65.6
2017 55 65
2016 53.3 67.4
2015 53.9 67.2
2014 54.1 66.9
2013 52.6 67
2012 53.2 68
2011 53 67.3
2010 51.1 65.9
2009 47.5 66.4
2008 44.2 64.2
2007 46.7 64
2006 52.9 65.9
2005 47.5 66.1
2004 50 66.4
2003 49.3 67
2002 51.9 67.5
2001 51.2 67.6
2000 48.9 68.4
1999 50 67.4
1998 52 65.6
1997 49.9 65.6
1996 51.1 66.4
1995 40.9 68

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/costa-rica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, compared to 69.1 for Costa Rica, ranking 43/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bangladesh Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.1%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.2%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$490B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,060
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$21.4B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
61/177
2024
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.49B
2024
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.31B
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
15.7%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/costa-rica | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2015–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.