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Economy of Bolivia vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 88/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Bolivia vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Bolivia
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Costa Rica
2024 $54,881,327,453 $95,350,423,177
2023 $52,340,206,946 $86,497,941,439
2022 $50,959,081,954 $69,243,626,029
2021 $47,877,892,402 $64,960,725,734
2020 $42,313,784,081 $62,395,610,760
2019 $49,056,643,589 $64,417,670,521
2018 $48,414,038,842 $62,420,164,992
2017 $45,927,439,595 $60,516,044,657
2016 $33,941,126,194 $58,847,019,610
2015 $33,000,198,249 $56,441,920,821
2014 $32,996,188,017 $52,016,408,854
2013 $30,659,338,886 $50,949,668,842
2012 $27,084,497,482 $47,231,655,432
2011 $23,963,164,697 $42,762,613,699
2010 $19,649,723,722 $37,658,616,952
2009 $17,339,992,194 $30,745,714,313
2008 $16,674,276,286 $30,801,745,700
2007 $13,120,108,008 $26,884,700,709
2006 $11,451,844,902 $22,715,540,324
2005 $9,549,122,905 $20,040,642,477
2004 $8,773,451,752 $18,610,594,846
2003 $8,082,399,640 $17,271,760,507
2002 $7,905,485,146 $16,578,820,687
2001 $8,141,516,928 $15,976,174,337
2000 $8,397,855,485 $15,013,629,662
1999 $8,285,064,435 $14,254,866,285
1998 $8,497,494,652 $13,684,255,947
1997 $7,925,736,821 $12,614,602,382
1996 $7,396,949,126 $11,678,424,507
1995 $6,715,161,732 $11,578,594,260
1994 $5,981,222,859 $10,489,903,725
1993 $5,734,699,489 $9,564,815,975
1992 $5,643,868,749 $8,579,754,758
1991 $5,343,262,457 $7,215,725,487
1990 $4,867,582,598 $5,711,687,787
1989 $4,715,973,437 $5,251,025,767
1988 $4,597,612,362 $4,614,629,898
1987 $4,347,956,338 $4,532,952,047
1986 $3,959,382,833 $4,418,983,871
1985 $5,377,276,555 $3,919,203,960
1984 $6,169,483,225 $3,660,477,856
1983 $5,422,656,823 $3,146,772,631
1982 $5,594,126,369 $2,606,623,555
1981 $5,891,598,695 $2,623,803,096
1980 $4,537,479,608 $4,831,447,001
1979 $4,421,336,383 $4,035,519,323
1978 $3,758,220,890 $3,523,208,810
1977 $3,227,436,282 $3,072,427,013
1976 $2,731,984,008 $2,412,555,426
1975 $2,404,697,651 $1,960,863,466
1974 $2,100,249,875 $1,666,544,754
1973 $1,262,968,516 $1,528,925,846
1972 $1,257,615,645 $1,238,251,696
1971 $1,095,622,896 $1,077,147,538
1970 $1,017,003,367 $984,830,158
1969 $929,629,630 $853,630,204
1968 $857,912,458 $773,841,494
1967 $755,808,081 $699,456,619
1966 $669,191,919 $647,305,630
1965 $604,377,104 $592,981,162
1964 $544,023,569 $542,578,367
1963 $482,828,283 $511,902,137
1962 $448,400,673 $479,180,824
1961 $410,101,010 $490,325,182
1960 $377,020,202 $507,513,830

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

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Costa Rica by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $12,590 $21,498
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $953 $4,663 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $893 $4,433 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $888 $4,304 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $930 $4,205 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $976 $4,113 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $979 $3,991 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $970 $3,822 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $922 $3,645 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $853 $3,494 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $774 $3,331 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $757 $3,177 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $760 $3,036 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $734 $2,981 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $683 $2,797 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $675 - $1,725 -
1988 $673 - $1,555 -
1987 $650 - $1,567 -
1986 $604 - $1,569 -
1985 $838 - $1,429 -
1984 $982 - $1,372 -
1983 $882 - $1,213 -
1982 $930 - $1,032 -
1981 $1,001 - $1,068 -
1980 $788 - $2,021 -
1979 $785 - $1,735 -
1978 $683 - $1,556 -
1977 $600 - $1,393 -
1976 $520 - $1,123 -
1975 $468 - $937 -
1974 $418 - $817 -
1973 $257.2 - $769 -
1972 $261.9 - $639 -
1971 $233.4 - $570 -
1970 $221.6 - $536 -
1969 $207.1 - $477 -
1968 $195.5 - $445 -
1967 $176.1 - $414 -
1966 $159.3 - $395 -
1965 $147.1 - $374 -
1964 $135.2 - $354 -
1963 $122.6 - $346 -
1962 $116.2 - $335 -
1961 $108.5 - $356 -
1960 $101.8 - $382 -

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

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
6.94%
2024
Population
12798112
5181862

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 36% 80.1% 19.2% 63%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 36.8% 78% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 18.9% 51.8%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 40% 46.5% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 36% 35.4% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 18% 28.1%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 16.7% 26%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 15.2% 24%
2007 32.7% 40% 14.6% 27%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 15.2% 33%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 17% 41%
2003 32% 95.6% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 32% 83% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 29.4% 61.7% 16.7% 39%
1998 30% 61.2% 16% 40.7%
1997 28.3% 64.6% 16.3% 30.6%
1996 26% 72.4% 17.3% 33.7%
1995 25.8% 81.7% 16.4% 29.1%
1994 26.8% 87.6% 17.4% 27%
1993 27.2% 83.8% 13.8% 24.4%
1992 25.3% 92.4% 13.7% 23.3%
1991 24.2% 92.8% 14% 28.4%
1990 22.8% 102.9% 18.9% 18.5%
1989 24.4% 98% 26.1% 19.3%
1988 24% 115.9% 24.5% 18.2%
1987 24.4% 145.3% 27.2% 21.2%
1986 22.2% 149% 26.4% 26.1%
1985 21.8% 205.2% 21.8% 22.8%
1984 29% 166.5% 22.8% 25.2%
1983 32.1% 157.3% 23.6% 29.8%
1982 25% 155.4% 18.4% 31.8%
1981 16.6% 121.7% 21% 32.3%
1980 19.8% 100% 25% 37.7%
1979 18% 92% 24.9% 39.5%
1978 17.3% 82.5% 23.2% 41.7%
1977 18.6% 82.4% 19.3% 27.8%
1976 16.8% 68.9% 20.1% 29.5%
1975 14.4% 56.2% 19.1% 26.1%
1974 14.2% 52.7% 18.3% 30.3%
1973 14.1% 80.9% 18.4% 32.8%
1972 11.8% 77.7% 17.2% 31.8%
1971 11.3% 65.7% 17.5% 30.4%
1970 10% 63.9% 14.9% 28.6%
1969 12.3% - 14.5% 26.1%
1968 14.1% - 13.8% 27.7%
1967 13.1% - 14.7% 26.7%
1966 12.9% - 14.3% 24.8%
1965 12.9% - 13.8% 24.1%
1964 10.8% - 13.5% 22.7%
1963 10.8% - 13.3% 21.8%
1962 10.2% - 14% 19.7%
1961 10.7% - 13.2% 20.3%
1960 10.1% - 12.5% 16.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 26/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Costa Rica
2024 -10.6% -3.78%
2023 -10.9% -3.25%
2022 -7.12% -2.81%
2021 -9.33% -5.09%
2020 -12.7% -8.38%
2019 -7.25% -6.68%
2018 -8.17% -5.66%
2017 -7.86% -5.88%
2016 -7.24% -5.09%
2015 -6.93% -5.52%
2014 -3.41% -5.45%
2013 0.6% -5.25%
2012 1.72% -4.22%
2011 0.83% -3.91%
2010 1.62% -4.96%
2009 2.63% -3.25%
2008 3.53% 0.18%
2007 -1.54% 0.56%
2006 4.47% -1.04%
2005 -2.24% -2.09%
2004 -5.54% -3.42%
2003 -7.88% -3.43%
2002 -8.79% -4.99%
2001 -6.82% -3.47%
2000 -3.73% -3.68%
1999 -3.84% -2.88%
1998 -5.1% -2.96%
1997 -3.28% -3.39%
1996 -1.9% -4.32%
1995 -1.82% -3.68%
1994 -3% -5.46%
1993 -6.1% -1.52%
1992 -4.4% -1.51%
1991 -4.2% -2.41%
1990 -4.4% -4.4%
1989 -5.5% -1.55%
1988 -6.5% 0.57%
1987 -7.7% -2.57%
1986 -2.7% -4.26%
1985 -9.8% -1.06%
1984 -25.4% -0.5%
1983 -19.8% -1.84%
1982 -15.9% -0.94%
1981 -12.3% -3.14%
1980 -15.3% -7.24%
1979 -11.2% -6.6%
1978 -9.97% -4.12%
1977 -11.2% -2.63%
1976 -1.15% -2.42%
1975 -2.33% -1.13%
1974 -1.87% 0.26%
1973 -3.72% -2.41%
1972 -3.69% -4.54%
1971 -3.67% -4.72%
1970 -1.92% -1.41%
1969 -4.16% -1.61%
1968 -5.67% -1.72%
1967 -4.29% -3.03%
1966 -3.55% -2.12%
1965 -4.12% -1.71%
1964 -2.68% -1.51%
1963 -3.02% -2.01%
1962 -2.8% -1.99%
1961 -2.81% -0.71%
1960 -3.35% -0.19%
1959 -4.32% 0.49%
1958 -2.95% 0%
1957 -1.11% 0.3%
1956 -0.11% 0.05%
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 58 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 61 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 5.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.11% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Costa Rica
2024 5.1% -0.41%
2023 2.58% 0.53%
2022 1.75% 8.27%
2021 0.74% 1.73%
2020 0.94% 0.72%
2019 1.84% 2.1%
2018 2.27% 2.22%
2017 2.82% 1.63%
2016 3.62% -0.02%
2015 4.06% 0.8%
2014 5.77% 4.52%
2013 5.74% 5.23%
2012 4.52% 4.5%
2011 9.88% 4.88%
2010 2.5% 5.66%
2009 3.35% 7.84%
2008 14% 13.4%
2007 8.71% 9.36%
2006 4.28% 11.5%
2005 5.39% 13.8%
2004 4.44% 12.3%
2003 3.34% 9.45%
2002 0.93% 9.17%
2001 1.59% 11.3%
2000 4.61% 11%
1999 2.16% 10%
1998 7.67% 11.7%
1997 4.71% 13.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and -0.41% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.53M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.04M
Raw agricultural goods $870K
Machinery & equipment $263K
Chemicals & pharma $175K
Metals $94K
Miscellaneous $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $273K
Raw materials & minerals $184K
Textiles & consumer goods $180K
Machinery & equipment $73K
Raw agricultural goods $46K
Metals $36K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $34K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Costa Rica
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
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.

Bolivia Costa Rica
Economic freedom 42.4 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 43/197
Property rights 20.2 66
Government integrity 27.1 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 76.9
Tax burden 86.4 78.6
Government spending 56.3 89.3
Fiscal health 0.8 75.6
Business freedom 53.6 79.9
Labor freedom 52.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 67.1 78.2
Trade freedom 60.6 75
Investment freedom 15 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Costa Rica
2026 42.4 69.1
2025 44.1 68.6
2024 43.5 67.7
2023 43.4 66.5
2022 43 65.4
2021 42.7 64.2
2020 42.8 65.8
2019 42.3 65.3
2018 44.1 65.6
2017 47.7 65
2016 47.4 67.4
2015 46.8 67.2
2014 48.4 66.9
2013 47.9 67
2012 50.2 68
2011 50 67.3
2010 49.4 65.9
2009 53.6 66.4
2008 53.1 64.2
2007 54.2 64
2006 57.8 65.9
2005 58.4 66.1
2004 64.5 66.4
2003 64.3 67
2002 65.1 67.5
2001 68 67.6
2000 65 68.4
1999 65.6 67.4
1998 68.8 65.6
1997 65.1 65.6
1996 65.2 66.4
1995 56.8 68

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
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/bolivia/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2021–2024, 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.