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Economy of Bangladesh vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bangladesh has a GDP of $456B compared to $103B for Costa Rica, ranking 38/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $192B in government debt (42% of GDP), compared to $62.2B (60.4% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Bangladesh vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Bangladesh
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Costa Rica
2025 $456,319,229,256 $102,904,921,157
2024 $450,119,432,069 $96,715,644,331
2023 $437,415,333,018 $87,512,637,056
2022 $460,131,689,083 $71,001,226,361
2021 $416,271,647,911 $65,588,938,787
2020 $373,979,442,362 $62,806,591,555
2019 $351,231,654,604 $64,753,504,730
2018 $321,362,752,442 $62,567,765,946
2017 $293,732,446,625 $60,516,044,661
2016 $265,224,515,675 $58,847,019,588
2015 $195,146,608,978 $56,441,920,888
2014 $172,886,611,654 $52,016,408,816
2013 $149,998,957,434 $50,949,668,763
2012 $133,310,747,603 $47,231,655,493
2011 $128,607,482,310 $42,762,613,785
2010 $115,275,540,051 $37,658,616,966
2009 $102,475,158,191 $30,745,714,234
2008 $91,636,997,371 $30,801,745,703
2007 $79,611,644,975 $26,884,700,688
2006 $71,795,736,172 $22,715,540,342
2005 $69,476,001,239 $20,040,642,421
2004 $65,108,544,250 $18,610,594,844
2003 $60,158,929,188 $17,271,760,397
2002 $54,724,081,491 $16,578,820,799
2001 $53,991,289,844 $15,976,174,476
2000 $53,369,787,319 $15,013,629,579
1999 $51,270,569,884 $14,254,866,284
1998 $49,984,559,471 $13,684,255,998
1997 $48,244,309,133 $12,614,602,322
1996 $46,438,484,108 $11,678,424,727
1995 $37,939,748,769 $11,578,594,333
1994 $33,768,660,883 $10,489,903,834
1993 $33,166,519,418 $9,564,816,063
1992 $31,708,874,594 $8,579,754,953
1991 $30,957,483,950 $7,215,725,635
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $2,597 - $19,970 -
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $18,853 $31,107
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $17,141 $28,909
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $13,972 $26,226
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $12,962 $23,853
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $12,476 $22,100
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $12,952 $23,340
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $12,620 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,597, ranking 151/197, compared to $19,970 in Costa Rica, ranking 59/197. 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
$456B
2025
$103B
2025
GDP rank
38/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP growth
3.49%
2024-2025
4.56%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,597
2025
$19,970
2025
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$192B
2025
$62.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42%
2025
60.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,092
2025
$12,064
2025
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2025
51/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,829
2026
$12,879
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$26.2B
2025
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
34.3%
2025
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
1.8%
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
10.9%
2025
17.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
10%
2024-2025
-0.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
6.34%
2025
Population
178936470
5186356

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
2025 10.9% 42% 17.8% 60.4%
2024 12% 41% 18.6% 58.9%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 18.3% 60.4%
2022 13% 37.9% 18.7% 61.4%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 20.6% 67%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 22.1% 66.5%
2019 13.6% 32% 21.6% 56.1%
2018 13% 29.6% 18.9% 51.7%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bangladesh's government spending was $49.6B, accounting for 10.9% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18.3B, or 17.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42% in Bangladesh and 60.4% in Costa Rica, ranking 124/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Costa Rica
2025 -2.93% -3.35%
2024 -3.7% -3.73%
2023 -4.39% -3.21%
2022 -4.53% -2.74%
2021 -3.56% -5.04%
2020 -4.84% -8.32%
2019 -5.41% -6.65%
2018 -4.07% -5.65%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.4B, equivalent to 2.93% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.45B, or 3.35% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.78% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Costa Rica
2025 10% -0.07%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.54%, compared with 6.42% in Costa Rica. In 2025, inflation was 10% in Bangladesh and -0.07% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.95M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.44M
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Metals $1.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $242K
Machinery & equipment $225K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $43K
Wood & paper products $20K

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Costa Rica
Current account balance
-$239M
2025
-$687M
2025
Current account balance ranking
93/190
2025
108/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.05%
2025
-0.67%
2025
Goods imports
$66B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Goods exports
$43.8B
2025
$23.5B
2025
Service imports
$14.7B
2025
$8.64B
2025
Service exports
$8.42B
2025
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
32.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.1%
2025
38.8%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
52.1%
2025
69.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34%
2025
19.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.4%
2025
3.37%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$499B
2025
$92.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,710
2025
$30,760
2025
Total reserves including gold
$28.6B
2025
$17.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2025
70/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.84B
2025
-$5.12B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.28B
2024
$5.4B
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
17.1%
2025
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
15.8%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.