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Economy of Bulgaria vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 67/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Bulgaria vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Bulgaria
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Costa Rica
2024 $113,343,355,780 $95,350,423,177
2023 $102,199,231,385 $86,497,941,439
2022 $90,506,153,294 $69,243,626,029
2021 $84,374,613,233 $64,960,725,734
2020 $70,486,877,546 $62,395,610,760
2019 $68,507,731,354 $64,417,670,521
2018 $66,097,226,262 $62,420,164,992
2017 $59,167,647,388 $60,516,044,657
2016 $53,929,397,039 $58,847,019,610
2015 $50,765,918,159 $56,441,920,821
2014 $57,080,897,012 $52,016,408,854
2013 $55,819,262,375 $50,949,668,842
2012 $54,297,052,002 $47,231,655,432
2011 $57,681,293,007 $42,762,613,699
2010 $50,689,051,382 $37,658,616,952
2009 $52,023,801,230 $30,745,714,313
2008 $54,480,684,188 $30,801,745,700
2007 $44,431,257,129 $26,884,700,709
2006 $34,380,536,496 $22,715,540,324
2005 $29,868,657,858 $20,040,642,477
2004 $26,157,743,369 $18,610,594,846
2003 $21,144,957,990 $17,271,760,507
2002 $16,403,043,850 $16,578,820,687
2001 $14,183,446,026 $15,976,174,337
2000 $13,245,990,274 $15,013,629,662
1999 $13,637,098,579 $14,254,866,285
1998 $15,031,055,047 $13,684,255,947
1997 $11,316,127,379 $12,614,602,382
1996 $12,294,964,838 $11,678,424,507
1995 $18,991,484,420 $11,578,594,260
1994 $9,709,240,034 $10,489,903,725
1993 $10,832,064,942 $9,564,815,975
1992 $8,602,887,623 $8,579,754,758
1991 $7,628,738,475 $7,215,725,487
1990 $20,632,090,909 $5,711,687,787
1989 $21,988,444,444 $5,251,025,767
1988 $22,555,941,176 $4,614,629,898
1987 $28,101,000,000 $4,532,952,047
1986 $20,249,294,118 $4,418,983,871
1985 $17,155,421,053 $3,919,203,960
1984 $17,594,944,444 $3,660,477,856
1983 $16,563,666,667 $3,146,772,631
1982 $19,342,000,000 $2,606,623,555
1981 $19,870,000,000 $2,623,803,096
1980 $19,839,230,769 $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/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
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $12,590 $21,498
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $7,822 $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 $6,988 $14,188 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $7,271 $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 $2,719 $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 $1,820 $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 $2,367 $7,548 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $2,477 - $1,725 -
1988 $2,511 - $1,555 -
1987 $3,132 - $1,567 -
1986 $2,260 - $1,569 -
1985 $1,915 - $1,429 -
1984 $1,964 - $1,372 -
1983 $1,853 - $1,213 -
1982 $2,169 - $1,032 -
1981 $2,235 - $1,068 -
1980 $2,239 - $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/bulgaria/costa-rica | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. 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
$113B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$2.23B
2022
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
6.94%
2024
Population
6359449
5181862

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
2024 36.7% 24.1% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 19.2% 63%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 36% 18.4% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 18.9% 51.8%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 169/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Costa Rica
2024 -3.04% -3.78%
2023 -3.03% -3.25%
2022 -0.8% -2.81%
2021 -2.8% -5.09%
2020 -2.92% -8.38%
2019 -0.96% -6.68%
2018 0.12% -5.66%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.44B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.93% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Costa Rica
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and -0.41% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.67M
Machinery & equipment $1.47M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.16M
Chemicals & pharma $610K
Metals $207K
Precious metals & jewellery $84K
Raw agricultural goods $51K
Miscellaneous $15K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Wood & paper products $7K
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $143K
Raw agricultural goods $59K
Wood & paper products $3K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Costa Rica
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
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.

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 2026-03-09).

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
63.8%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
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/bulgaria/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 (1924–1997, 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 (2022–2024, 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.