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Economy of Bulgaria vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $103B for Costa Rica, ranking 63/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $62.2B (60.4% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Bulgaria vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Bulgaria
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Costa Rica
2025 $130,777,235,530 $102,904,921,157
2024 $113,349,149,167 $96,715,644,331
2023 $102,204,457,335 $87,512,637,056
2022 $90,510,784,778 $71,001,226,361
2021 $84,378,926,047 $65,588,938,787
2020 $70,490,478,088 $62,806,591,555
2019 $68,511,235,459 $64,753,504,730
2018 $66,100,606,677 $62,567,765,946
2017 $59,170,671,046 $60,516,044,661
2016 $53,932,152,154 $58,847,019,588
2015 $50,768,512,173 $56,441,920,888
2014 $57,083,817,240 $52,016,408,816
2013 $55,822,115,861 $50,949,668,763
2012 $54,299,825,600 $47,231,655,493
2011 $57,684,243,980 $42,762,613,785
2010 $50,691,645,231 $37,658,616,966
2009 $52,026,461,290 $30,745,714,234
2008 $54,483,464,293 $30,801,745,703
2007 $44,433,521,725 $26,884,700,688
2006 $34,382,295,487 $22,715,540,342
2005 $29,870,182,425 $20,040,642,421
2004 $26,159,078,743 $18,610,594,844
2003 $21,146,038,619 $17,271,760,397
2002 $16,403,880,783 $16,578,820,799
2001 $14,184,170,319 $15,976,174,476
2000 $13,246,669,554 $15,013,629,579
1999 $13,637,793,854 $14,254,866,284
1998 $15,031,821,788 $13,684,255,998
1997 $11,316,706,412 $12,614,602,322
1996 $12,295,588,924 $11,678,424,727
1995 $18,992,388,645 $11,578,594,333
1994 $9,709,230,161 $10,489,903,834
1993 $10,832,041,595 $9,564,816,063
1992 $8,602,874,120 $8,579,754,953
1991 $7,628,764,750 $7,215,725,635
1990 $20,726,605,649 $5,711,687,787
1989 $21,746,286,447 $5,251,025,767
1988 $23,003,003,708 $4,614,629,898
1987 $28,428,718,531 $4,532,952,047
1986 $20,261,546,635 $4,418,983,871
1985 $17,562,270,447 $3,919,203,960
1984 $17,410,894,971 $3,660,477,856
1983 $16,959,180,922 $3,146,772,631
1982 $19,803,624,625 $2,606,623,555
1981 $20,055,685,481 $2,623,803,096
1980 $20,039,544,133 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Costa Rica by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $20,328 - $19,970 -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 $18,853 $31,107
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $17,141 $28,909
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $13,972 $26,226
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $12,962 $23,853
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $12,476 $22,100
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $12,952 $23,340
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $12,620 $21,498
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $884 $7,215 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $2,377 $7,548 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $2,450 - $1,725 -
1988 $2,561 - $1,555 -
1987 $3,169 - $1,567 -
1986 $2,262 - $1,569 -
1985 $1,960 - $1,429 -
1984 $1,943 - $1,372 -
1983 $1,897 - $1,213 -
1982 $2,221 - $1,032 -
1981 $2,256 - $1,068 -
1980 $2,261 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $19,970 in Costa Rica, ranking 59/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$131B
2025
$103B
2025
GDP rank
63/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
4.56%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$19,970
2025
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$62.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
60.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$12,064
2025
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
51/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$12,879
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
$2.23B
2022
Number of billionaires
2
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
34.3%
2025
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
1.8%
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
17.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
-0.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
6.34%
2025
Population
6390149
5186356

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.9% 27.1% 17.8% 60.4%
2024 36.3% 23.8% 18.6% 58.9%
2023 37.5% 22.9% 18.3% 60.4%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 18.7% 61.4%
2021 38.5% 23.9% 20.6% 67%
2020 37.7% 22.7% 22.1% 66.5%
2019 36.1% 18.4% 21.6% 56.1%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 18.9% 51.7%
2017 32% 22.9% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 32.7% 27% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 32% 14.3% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 18% 28.1%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 16.7% 26%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 15.2% 24%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 14.6% 27%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 15.2% 33%
2005 34% 28.5% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 17% 41%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 16.7% 39%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 16% 40.7%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 16.3% 30.6%
1996 44% 113.8% 17.3% 33.7%
1995 45.4% 72% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18.3B, or 17.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 60.4% in Costa Rica, ranking 164/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Costa Rica
2025 -3.01% -3.35%
2024 -3.01% -3.73%
2023 -3.04% -3.21%
2022 -0.8% -2.74%
2021 -2.8% -5.04%
2020 -2.92% -8.32%
2019 -0.96% -6.65%
2018 0.12% -5.65%
2017 0.82% -5.88%
2016 1.54% -5.09%
2015 -2.77% -5.52%
2014 -3.65% -5.45%
2013 -1.75% -5.25%
2012 -0.43% -4.22%
2011 -1.83% -3.91%
2010 -3.77% -4.96%
2009 -0.86% -3.25%
2008 2.73% 0.18%
2007 3.09% 0.56%
2006 3.22% -1.04%
2005 2.19% -2.09%
2004 1.59% -3.42%
2003 0.003% -3.43%
2002 -0.61% -4.99%
2001 -0.58% -3.47%
2000 -0.6% -3.68%
1999 0.15% -2.88%
1998 1.08% -2.96%
1997 0.83% -3.39%
1996 -10.1% -4.32%
1995 -7.98% -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%
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 -0.3% -
1941 3.96% -
1940 0.75% -
1939 0.72% -
1938 1% -
1937 1.41% -
1936 1.17% -
1935 1.34% -
1934 -0.12% -
1933 -0.56% -
1932 -2.14% -
1931 -3.07% -
1930 -5.48% -
1929 -6.67% -
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.94B, equivalent to 3.01% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.45B, or 3.35% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.9% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Costa Rica
2025 3.5% -0.07%
2024 2.6% -0.41%
2023 8.6% 0.53%
2022 13% 8.27%
2021 2.8% 1.73%
2020 1.2% 0.72%
2019 2.5% 2.1%
2018 2.6% 2.22%
2017 1.2% 1.63%
2016 -1.3% -0.02%
2015 -1.1% 0.8%
2014 -1.6% 4.52%
2013 0.4% 5.23%
2012 2.4% 4.5%
2011 3.4% 4.88%
2010 3% 5.66%
2009 2.5% 7.84%
2008 12% 13.4%
2007 7.6% 9.36%
2006 7.4% 11.5%
2005 6% 13.8%
2004 6.1% 12.3%
2003 2.3% 9.45%
2002 5.8% 9.17%
2001 7.4% 11.3%
2000 10.3% 11%
1999 2.6% 10%
1998 18.7% 11.7%
1997 1,061% 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/bulgaria/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 41.1%, compared with 6.42% in Costa Rica. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and -0.07% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.35M
Machinery & equipment $1.82M
Chemicals & pharma $720K
Textiles & consumer goods $645K
Precious metals & jewellery $81K
Raw agricultural goods $69K
Metals $63K
Raw materials & minerals $25K
Miscellaneous $15K
Wood & paper products $11K
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $143K
Metals $79K
Raw agricultural goods $59K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Wood & paper products $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Costa Rica
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
-$687M
2025
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
108/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
-0.67%
2025
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$23.5B
2025
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$8.64B
2025
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
32.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
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.

Bulgaria Costa Rica
Economic freedom 68.9 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 43/197
Property rights 75.8 66
Government integrity 48.4 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 76.9
Tax burden 89.1 78.6
Government spending 58.4 89.3
Fiscal health 90.4 75.6
Business freedom 78.2 79.9
Labor freedom 62.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 75.8 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 75
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Costa Rica
2026 68.9 69.1
2025 68.8 68.6
2024 68.5 67.7
2023 69.3 66.5
2022 71 65.4
2021 70.4 64.2
2020 70.2 65.8
2019 69 65.3
2018 68.3 65.6
2017 67.9 65
2016 65.9 67.4
2015 66.8 67.2
2014 65.7 66.9
2013 65 67
2012 64.7 68
2011 64.9 67.3
2010 62.3 65.9
2009 64.6 66.4
2008 63.7 64.2
2007 62.7 64
2006 64.1 65.9
2005 62.3 66.1
2004 59.2 66.4
2003 57 67
2002 57.1 67.5
2001 51.9 67.6
2000 47.3 68.4
1999 46.2 67.4
1998 45.7 65.6
1997 47.6 65.6
1996 48.6 66.4
1995 50 68

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, 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

Bulgaria Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
63.3%
2025
69.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
19.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
3.37%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$92.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$30,760
2025
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$17.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
70/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
-$5.12B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
$5.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
17.1%
2025
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.7%
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/bulgaria/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 (1924–1997, 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 (2022–2025, 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.