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Economy of China vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 2/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

China vs Costa Rica GDP by year

China
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Costa Rica
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $95,350,423,177
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $86,497,941,439
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $69,243,626,029
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $64,960,725,734
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $62,395,610,760
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $64,417,670,521
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $62,420,164,992
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $60,516,044,657
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $58,847,019,610
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $56,441,920,821
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $52,016,408,854
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $50,949,668,842
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $47,231,655,432
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $42,762,613,699
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $37,658,616,952
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $30,745,714,313
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $30,801,745,700
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $26,884,700,709
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $22,715,540,324
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $20,040,642,477
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $18,610,594,846
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $17,271,760,507
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $16,578,820,687
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $15,976,174,337
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $15,013,629,662
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $14,254,866,285
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $13,684,255,947
1997 $967,753,570,435 $12,614,602,382
1996 $868,523,936,530 $11,678,424,507
1995 $738,190,896,228 $11,578,594,260
1994 $566,929,539,493 $10,489,903,725
1993 $446,557,291,212 $9,564,815,975
1992 $428,502,354,788 $8,579,754,758
1991 $384,510,452,962 $7,215,725,487
1990 $361,560,229,446 $5,711,687,787
1989 $348,380,566,802 $5,251,025,767
1988 $312,888,888,889 $4,614,629,898
1987 $273,455,156,951 $4,532,952,047
1986 $301,310,144,928 $4,418,983,871
1985 $310,064,625,850 $3,919,203,960
1984 $260,442,857,143 $3,660,477,856
1983 $231,130,268,199 $3,146,772,631
1982 $205,480,916,031 $2,606,623,555
1981 $196,218,253,968 $2,623,803,096
1980 $191,487,500,000 $4,831,447,001
1979 $178,573,913,043 $4,035,519,323
1978 $149,788,617,886 $3,523,208,810
1977 $175,226,595,860 $3,072,427,013
1976 $154,196,810,059 $2,412,555,426
1975 $163,687,619,736 $1,960,863,466
1974 $144,418,433,058 $1,666,544,754
1973 $138,764,340,892 $1,528,925,846
1972 $113,871,930,714 $1,238,251,696
1971 $99,959,013,880 $1,077,147,538
1970 $92,752,930,873 $984,830,158
1969 $79,847,786,729 $853,630,204
1968 $70,980,323,819 $773,841,494
1967 $73,011,350,596 $699,456,619
1966 $76,854,053,259 $647,305,630
1965 $70,565,994,356 $592,981,162
1964 $59,821,862,703 $542,578,367
1963 $50,812,227,919 $511,902,137
1962 $47,310,737,754 $479,180,824
1961 $50,162,299,350 $490,325,182
1960 $59,846,235,025 $507,513,830

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Costa Rica by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $12,590 $21,498
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $969 $2,964 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $881 $2,690 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $835 $2,483 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $787 $2,297 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $713 $2,088 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $613 $1,884 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $476 $1,680 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $379 $1,471 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $368 $1,276 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $334 $1,105 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $319 $991 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $311 - $1,725 -
1988 $284 - $1,555 -
1987 $252.3 - $1,567 -
1986 $282.4 - $1,569 -
1985 $295 - $1,429 -
1984 $251.2 - $1,372 -
1983 $225.9 - $1,213 -
1982 $203.7 - $1,032 -
1981 $197.4 - $1,068 -
1980 $195.1 - $2,021 -
1979 $184.3 - $1,735 -
1978 $156.7 - $1,556 -
1977 $185.7 - $1,393 -
1976 $165.7 - $1,123 -
1975 $178.6 - $937 -
1974 $160.4 - $817 -
1973 $157.3 - $769 -
1972 $132.1 - $639 -
1971 $118.8 - $570 -
1970 $113.3 - $536 -
1969 $100.3 - $477 -
1968 $91.6 - $445 -
1967 $96.8 - $414 -
1966 $104.5 - $395 -
1965 $98.7 - $374 -
1964 $85.7 - $354 -
1963 $74.5 - $346 -
1962 $71.1 - $335 -
1961 $76 - $356 -
1960 $89.7 - $382 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

China Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$2.23B
2022
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
6.94%
2024
Population
1402578808
5181862

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 32.7% 82% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 19.2% 63%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 34.8% 69% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 18.9% 51.8%
2017 32% 53.9% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 18% 28.1%
2009 25.2% 34% 16.7% 26%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 15.2% 24%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 14.6% 27%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 15.2% 33%
2005 18% 25.9% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 17.6% 26% 17% 41%
2003 18% 26.4% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 16.7% 39%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 16% 40.7%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 16.3% 30.6%
1996 11% 21.2% 17.3% 33.7%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 16.4% 29.1%
1994 12.4% - 17.4% 27%
1993 13.4% - 13.8% 24.4%
1992 14.6% - 13.7% 23.3%
1991 16.5% - 14% 28.4%
1990 18.2% - 18.9% 18.5%
1989 18.6% - 26.1% 19.3%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 24.5% 18.2%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 27.2% 21.2%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 26.4% 26.1%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 21.8% 22.8%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 22.8% 25.2%
1983 28.3% - 23.6% 29.8%
1982 27.9% - 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/china/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 34/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Costa Rica
2024 -7.34% -3.78%
2023 -6.71% -3.25%
2022 -7.32% -2.81%
2021 -5.9% -5.09%
2020 -9.56% -8.38%
2019 -6% -6.68%
2018 -4.2% -5.66%
2017 -3.34% -5.88%
2016 -3.33% -5.09%
2015 -2.5% -5.52%
2014 -0.67% -5.45%
2013 -0.82% -5.25%
2012 -0.3% -4.22%
2011 -0.1% -3.91%
2010 -0.36% -4.96%
2009 -1.72% -3.25%
2008 -0.02% 0.18%
2007 0.06% 0.56%
2006 -1.13% -1.04%
2005 -1.38% -2.09%
2004 -1.49% -3.42%
2003 -2.36% -3.43%
2002 -2.84% -4.99%
2001 -2.56% -3.47%
2000 -2.81% -3.68%
1999 -2.3% -2.88%
1998 -1.08% -2.96%
1997 -0.73% -3.39%
1996 -0.73% -4.32%
1995 -0.94% -3.68%
1994 -1.68% -5.46%
1993 -0.89% -1.52%
1992 -1.22% -1.51%
1991 -1.04% -2.41%
1990 -0.72% -4.4%
1989 -0.91% -1.55%
1988 -2.22% 0.57%
1987 -2.08% -2.57%
1986 -1.82% -4.26%
1985 -0.45% -1.06%
1984 -1.44% -0.5%
1983 -1.61% -1.84%
1982 -1.33% -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/china/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.38% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Costa Rica
2024 0.2% -0.41%
2023 0.2% 0.53%
2022 2% 8.27%
2021 0.9% 1.73%
2020 2.5% 0.72%
2019 2.9% 2.1%
2018 2.1% 2.22%
2017 1.6% 1.63%
2016 2% -0.02%
2015 1.5% 0.8%
2014 2% 4.52%
2013 2.7% 5.23%
2012 2.6% 4.5%
2011 5.4% 4.88%
2010 3.3% 5.66%
2009 -0.7% 7.84%
2008 5.9% 13.4%
2007 4.7% 9.36%
2006 1.5% 11.5%
2005 1.8% 13.8%
2004 3.9% 12.3%
2003 1.1% 9.45%
2002 -0.8% 9.17%
2001 0.7% 11.3%
2000 0.4% 11%
1999 -1.4% 10%
1998 -0.8% 11.7%
1997 2.8% 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/china/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and -0.41% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.7B
Textiles & consumer goods $528M
Metals $524M
Chemicals & pharma $316M
Raw materials & minerals $121M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $71.3M
Wood & paper products $55.2M
Miscellaneous $37.6M
Raw agricultural goods $15.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $7.84M
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $285M
Animal & marine products $46.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21M
Chemicals & pharma $13.6M
Metals $7.75M
Raw agricultural goods $7.68M
Wood & paper products $1.71M
Raw materials & minerals $221K
Textiles & consumer goods $69K

Balance of trade

China Costa Rica
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
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.

China Costa Rica
Economic freedom 48.3 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 43/197
Property rights 40.9 66
Government integrity 42.3 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 76.9
Tax burden 69.3 78.6
Government spending 67.8 89.3
Fiscal health 4.4 75.6
Business freedom 68.7 79.9
Labor freedom 57.9 55.9
Monetary freedom 76.1 78.2
Trade freedom 73.4 75
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Costa Rica
2026 48.3 69.1
2025 49 68.6
2024 48.5 67.7
2023 48.3 66.5
2022 48 65.4
2021 58.4 64.2
2020 59.5 65.8
2019 58.4 65.3
2018 57.8 65.6
2017 57.4 65
2016 52 67.4
2015 52.7 67.2
2014 52.5 66.9
2013 51.9 67
2012 51.2 68
2011 52 67.3
2010 51 65.9
2009 53.2 66.4
2008 53.1 64.2
2007 52 64
2006 53.6 65.9
2005 53.7 66.1
2004 52.5 66.4
2003 52.6 67
2002 52.8 67.5
2001 52.6 67.6
2000 56.4 68.4
1999 54.8 67.4
1998 53.1 65.6
1997 51.7 65.6
1996 51.3 66.4
1995 52 68

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
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/china/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 (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.