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Economy of Belarus vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belarus has a GDP of $76B compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 83/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belarus has $30.3B in government debt (39.9% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Belarus vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Belarus
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belarus Costa Rica
2024 $75,961,865,472 $95,350,423,177
2023 $72,478,760,370 $86,497,941,439
2022 $73,775,179,925 $69,243,626,029
2021 $69,673,747,132 $64,960,725,734
2020 $61,371,673,345 $62,395,610,760
2019 $64,410,170,653 $64,417,670,521
2018 $60,031,026,576 $62,420,164,992
2017 $54,725,405,751 $60,516,044,657
2016 $47,723,545,321 $58,847,019,610
2015 $56,454,769,845 $56,441,920,821
2014 $78,813,069,121 $52,016,408,854
2013 $75,527,558,966 $50,949,668,842
2012 $65,685,890,439 $47,231,655,432
2011 $61,762,382,328 $42,762,613,699
2010 $57,231,904,543 $37,658,616,952
2009 $50,873,167,326 $30,745,714,313
2008 $60,752,106,347 $30,801,745,700
2007 $45,275,711,996 $26,884,700,709
2006 $36,961,894,281 $22,715,540,324
2005 $30,210,091,837 $20,040,642,477
2004 $23,141,566,293 $18,610,594,846
2003 $17,825,444,724 $17,271,760,507
2002 $14,594,900,945 $16,578,820,687
2001 $12,354,820,144 $15,976,174,337
2000 $12,736,856,828 $15,013,629,662
1999 $12,138,486,532 $14,254,866,285
1998 $15,222,012,660 $13,684,255,947
1997 $14,128,408,566 $12,614,602,382
1996 $14,500,437,520 $11,678,424,507
1995 $13,972,683,274 $11,578,594,260
1994 $14,931,435,232 $10,489,903,725
1993 $16,275,073,527 $9,564,815,975
1992 $16,939,790,094 $8,579,754,758
1991 $18,404,907,975 $7,215,725,487
1990 $17,389,558,233 $5,711,687,787
1989 - $5,251,025,767
1988 - $4,614,629,898
1987 - $4,532,952,047
1986 - $4,418,983,871
1985 - $3,919,203,960
1984 - $3,660,477,856
1983 - $3,146,772,631
1982 - $2,606,623,555
1981 - $2,623,803,096
1980 - $4,831,447,001
1979 - $4,035,519,323
1978 - $3,523,208,810
1977 - $3,072,427,013
1976 - $2,412,555,426
1975 - $1,960,863,466
1974 - $1,666,544,754
1973 - $1,528,925,846
1972 - $1,238,251,696
1971 - $1,077,147,538
1970 - $984,830,158
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/economy/belarus/costa-rica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belarus vs Costa Rica by year

Belarus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belarus Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,318 $33,010 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $7,897 $30,834 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $7,995 $28,429 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $7,490 $27,611 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $6,543 $24,872 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $6,838 $22,302 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $6,360 $20,026 $12,590 $21,498
2017 $5,786 $18,414 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $5,040 $17,832 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $5,967 $18,134 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $8,341 $19,038 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $7,998 $19,014 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $6,953 $18,115 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $6,528 $16,563 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $6,035 $15,339 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $5,352 $14,034 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $6,376 $13,886 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $4,735 $12,320 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $3,848 $10,995 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $3,126 $9,637 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $2,378 $8,483 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $1,820 $7,362 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $1,479 $6,697 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $1,244 $6,238 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $1,276 $5,796 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $1,211 $5,331 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $1,511 $5,061 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $1,396 $4,596 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $1,427 $4,039 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $1,371 $3,846 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $1,460 $4,190 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $1,590 $4,641 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $1,658 $4,917 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $1,805 $5,330 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $1,707 $5,220 $1,830 $5,021
1989 - - $1,725 -
1988 - - $1,555 -
1987 - - $1,567 -
1986 - - $1,569 -
1985 - - $1,429 -
1984 - - $1,372 -
1983 - - $1,213 -
1982 - - $1,032 -
1981 - - $1,068 -
1980 - - $2,021 -
1979 - - $1,735 -
1978 - - $1,556 -
1977 - - $1,393 -
1976 - - $1,123 -
1975 - - $937 -
1974 - - $817 -
1973 - - $769 -
1972 - - $639 -
1971 - - $570 -
1970 - - $536 -
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/economy/belarus/costa-rica | CC BY

Belarus' GDP per capita is $8,318, ranking 92/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belarus ranks 68th at $33,010, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Belarus Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$76B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
83/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
4.01%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,318
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
92/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,010
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
68/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$30.3B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.9%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,318
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,345
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.01B
2024
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
20.7%
2020
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
4.5%
2020
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.7%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2025
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.04%
2024
6.94%
2024
Population
9013835
5181862

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belarus
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belarus Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 40.9% 39.9% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 40.3% 40.7% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 38% 40.8% 19.2% 63%
2021 36.7% 41.2% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 38% 47.5% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 37.4% 41% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 37.8% 47.5% 18.9% 51.8%
2017 39% 53.2% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 40.7% 53.5% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 41.8% 53% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 38.8% 38.8% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 40.8% 36.9% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 38.9% 36.9% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 40.3% 58.2% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 44.3% 36.8% 18% 28.1%
2009 51.7% 32.5% 16.7% 26%
2008 60% 20.3% 15.2% 24%
2007 49.2% 15.8% 14.6% 27%
2006 47.2% 12.3% 15.2% 33%
2005 45% 8.12% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 44% 9.22% 17% 41%
2003 43.5% - 17.6% 40.6%
2002 43.8% - 18.6% 41.4%
2001 42.4% - 17.3% 39.6%
2000 - - 16.9% 38.9%
1999 - - 16.7% 39%
1998 - - 16% 40.7%
1997 - - 16.3% 30.6%
1996 - - 17.3% 33.7%
1995 - - 16.4% 29.1%
1994 - - 17.4% 27%
1993 - - 13.8% 24.4%
1992 - - 13.7% 23.3%
1991 - - 14% 28.4%
1990 - - 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 (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belarus' government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 40.9% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.9% in Belarus and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 133/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belarus

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belarus Costa Rica
2024 1.05% -3.78%
2023 0.76% -3.25%
2022 -1.98% -2.81%
2021 -0.22% -5.09%
2020 -2.87% -8.38%
2019 0.91% -6.68%
2018 1.8% -5.66%
2017 -0.34% -5.88%
2016 -1.66% -5.09%
2015 -2.96% -5.52%
2014 0.09% -5.45%
2013 -0.98% -5.25%
2012 0.36% -4.22%
2011 -2.81% -3.91%
2010 -4.19% -4.96%
2009 -7.23% -3.25%
2008 -10.9% 0.18%
2007 -7.82% 0.56%
2006 -7.71% -1.04%
2005 -6.71% -2.09%
2004 -7.06% -3.42%
2003 -6.74% -3.43%
2002 -7.81% -4.99%
2001 -4.74% -3.47%
2000 - -3.68%
1999 - -2.88%
1998 - -2.96%
1997 - -3.39%
1996 - -4.32%
1995 - -3.68%
1994 - -5.46%
1993 - -1.52%
1992 - -1.51%
1991 - -2.41%
1990 - -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/belarus/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, Belarus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $796M, equivalent to 1.05% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Belarus recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Belarus posted an annual deficit equal to 3.32% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.04% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belarus

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belarus Costa Rica
2024 5.7% -0.41%
2023 5% 0.53%
2022 15.2% 8.27%
2021 9.5% 1.73%
2020 5.5% 0.72%
2019 5.6% 2.1%
2018 4.9% 2.22%
2017 6% 1.63%
2016 11.8% -0.02%
2015 13.5% 0.8%
2014 18.1% 4.52%
2013 18.3% 5.23%
2012 59.2% 4.5%
2011 53.2% 4.88%
2010 7.7% 5.66%
2009 13% 7.84%
2008 14.8% 13.4%
2007 8.4% 9.36%
2006 7% 11.5%
2005 10.3% 13.8%
2004 18.1% 12.3%
2003 28.4% 9.45%
2002 42.6% 9.17%
2001 61.1% 11.3%
2000 168.6% 11%
1999 293.7% 10%
1998 73% 11.7%
1997 63.8% 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/belarus/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belarus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 37.2%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 5.7% in Belarus and -0.41% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Belarus
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $7.59M
Transport & tourism services $1.05M
Wood & paper products $178K
Business & finance services $114K
Chemicals & pharma $48K
IT & IP services $6K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Belarus Costa Rica
Current account balance
-$1.94B
2024
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
142/190
2024
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$44.2B
2024
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$39.5B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$6.82B
2024
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.9%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.1%
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.

Belarus Costa Rica
Economic freedom 49.1 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 166/197 43/197
Property rights 20 66
Government integrity 28.3 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 11.5 76.9
Tax burden 93.5 78.6
Government spending 52.6 89.3
Fiscal health 96.8 75.6
Business freedom 50.3 79.9
Labor freedom 48 55.9
Monetary freedom 69 78.2
Trade freedom 69.2 75
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belarus
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belarus Costa Rica
2026 49.1 69.1
2025 48.9 68.6
2024 48.4 67.7
2023 51 66.5
2022 53 65.4
2021 61 64.2
2020 61.7 65.8
2019 57.9 65.3
2018 58.1 65.6
2017 58.6 65
2016 48.8 67.4
2015 49.8 67.2
2014 50.1 66.9
2013 48 67
2012 49 68
2011 47.9 67.3
2010 48.7 65.9
2009 45 66.4
2008 45.3 64.2
2007 47 64
2006 47.5 65.9
2005 46.7 66.1
2004 43.1 66.4
2003 39.7 67
2002 39 67.5
2001 38 67.6
2000 41.3 68.4
1999 35.4 67.4
1998 38 65.6
1997 39.8 65.6
1996 38.7 66.4
1995 40.4 68

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belarus is 49.1, ranking 166/197, 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

Belarus Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
49.7%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.87%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$75.4B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$32,300
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$8.91B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
82/177
2024
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.57B
2024
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.74B
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$170M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.19%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
3.9%
2022
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
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/belarus/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 (1956–1995, 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 (2020–2021, 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.