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Economy of Costa Rica vs Croatia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $105B for Croatia, ranking 74/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $58.7B (55.9% of GDP) in Croatia.

Costa Rica vs Croatia GDP by year

Costa Rica
Croatia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Croatia
2025 $102,904,921,157 $105,060,182,186
2024 $96,715,644,331 $92,981,894,168
2023 $87,512,637,056 $85,621,337,533
2022 $71,001,226,361 $71,196,460,237
2021 $65,588,938,787 $69,002,262,505
2020 $62,806,591,555 $57,959,824,238
2019 $64,753,504,730 $61,467,261,345
2018 $62,567,765,946 $61,668,280,700
2017 $60,516,044,661 $56,182,225,079
2016 $58,847,019,588 $52,650,804,052
2015 $56,441,920,888 $50,999,271,059
2014 $52,016,408,816 $59,607,109,597
2013 $50,949,668,763 $59,846,869,999
2012 $47,231,655,493 $57,547,495,860
2011 $42,762,613,785 $62,889,150,894
2010 $37,658,616,966 $58,975,127,201
2009 $30,745,714,234 $62,315,450,611
2008 $30,801,745,703 $68,473,103,477
2007 $26,884,700,688 $59,290,547,254
2006 $22,715,540,342 $49,583,643,048
2005 $20,040,642,421 $45,012,776,906
2004 $18,610,594,844 $41,836,096,243
2003 $17,271,760,397 $35,244,797,329
2002 $16,578,820,799 $26,757,633,353
2001 $15,976,174,476 $23,067,071,478
2000 $15,013,629,579 $22,134,069,750
1999 $14,254,866,284 $23,776,940,769
1998 $13,684,255,998 $25,889,813,449
1997 $12,614,602,322 $24,175,272,572
1996 $11,678,424,727 $24,151,469,717
1995 $11,578,594,333 $22,772,224,146
1994 $10,489,903,834 $15,062,911,617
1993 $9,564,816,063 $11,259,647,874
1992 $8,579,754,953 $10,621,169,291
1991 $7,215,725,635 $18,760,386,775
1990 $5,711,687,787 $25,650,213,280
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Croatia by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Croatia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - $27,104 -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $24,050 $49,551
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $22,183 $47,760
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $18,466 $42,125
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $17,789 $36,930
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $14,808 $31,594
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $15,564 $33,064
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $15,460 $29,789
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $13,902 $27,888
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $12,820 $25,803
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $12,284 $23,750
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $14,187 $22,706
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $14,135 $22,430
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $13,508 $21,619
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $14,692 $21,191
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $13,730 $20,139
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $14,475 $20,358
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $15,888 $21,018
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $13,756 $19,568
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $11,501 $17,629
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $10,443 $15,451
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $9,719 $14,686
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $8,190 $13,692
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $6,220 $12,775
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $5,365 $11,653
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $4,954 $10,675
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $5,269 $9,943
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $5,712 $9,890
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $5,331 $9,536
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $5,300 $8,806
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $4,929 $8,052
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $3,238 $7,337
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $2,448 $6,861
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $2,321 $7,326
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $4,001 $7,918
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $5,369 $9,526
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $27,104 in Croatia, ranking 49/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Croatia
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$105B
2025
GDP rank
74/197
2025
73/197
2025
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
3.4%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$27,104
2025
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
49/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$49,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
46/197
2024
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$58.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
55.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$15,144
2025
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
44/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$20,376
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$37.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
23.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
2.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
49.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
3.69%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
4.9%
2025
Population
5186356
3849788

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Croatia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Croatia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 49.3% 55.9%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 48% 57.4%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 46.3% 60.9%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 45% 68.5%
2021 20.6% 67% 48.2% 78.2%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 53.8% 86.5%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 44.4% 70.9%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 45% 72.8%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 44.1% 76.2%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 45.9% 79.3%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 47.6% 82.8%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 48.7% 83.2%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 48% 79.5%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 47.3% 68.9%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 48.6% 63.1%
2010 18% 28.1% 48.2% 56.8%
2009 16.7% 26% 49.3% 47.9%
2008 15.2% 24% 46.3% 38.9%
2007 14.6% 27% 46.4% 37.1%
2006 15.2% 33% 44.6% 38.4%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 46.5% 40.9%
2004 17% 41% 49% 40%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 49.6% 37.8%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 49.2% 36.5%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 50.6% 36.6%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 54.6% 35.4%
1999 16.7% 39% 58.9% 30%
1998 16% 40.7% 56.8% 23.3%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 51.7% 22.5%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 52.1% -
1995 16.4% 29.1% 50.3% -
1994 17.4% 27% 45.4% -
1993 13.8% 24.4% 35.9% -
1992 13.7% 23.3% 37.1% -
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/costa-rica/croatia | CC BY

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Croatia spent $51.8B, or 49.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 55.9% in Croatia, ranking 77/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Croatia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Croatia
2025 -3.35% -2.89%
2024 -3.73% -1.95%
2023 -3.21% -0.79%
2022 -2.74% 0.14%
2021 -5.04% -2.57%
2020 -8.32% -7.24%
2019 -6.65% 2.32%
2018 -5.65% 0.22%
2017 -5.88% 0.81%
2016 -5.09% -1.04%
2015 -5.52% -3.53%
2014 -5.45% -5.19%
2013 -5.25% -5.51%
2012 -4.22% -5.46%
2011 -3.91% -7.51%
2010 -4.96% -6.45%
2009 -3.25% -7.15%
2008 0.18% -2.33%
2007 0.56% -2.27%
2006 -1.04% -2%
2005 -2.09% -3.24%
2004 -3.42% -6.09%
2003 -3.43% -5.03%
2002 -4.99% -4.9%
2001 -3.47% -4.79%
2000 -3.68% -9.2%
1999 -2.88% -11.1%
1998 -2.96% -6.36%
1997 -3.39% -4.93%
1996 -4.32% -4.41%
1995 -3.68% -4.23%
1994 -5.46% -0.82%
1993 -1.52% -2.67%
1992 -1.51% -5.69%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.45B, equivalent to 3.35% of GDP. This compares to Croatia's deficit of $3.04B, or 2.89% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Croatia ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.94% of GDP for Croatia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Croatia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Croatia
2025 -0.07% 3.69%
2024 -0.41% 2.97%
2023 0.53% 7.94%
2022 8.27% 10.8%
2021 1.73% 2.55%
2020 0.72% 0.15%
2019 2.1% 0.77%
2018 2.22% 1.5%
2017 1.63% 1.13%
2016 -0.02% -1.12%
2015 0.8% -0.46%
2014 4.52% -0.22%
2013 5.23% 2.22%
2012 4.5% 3.41%
2011 4.88% 2.27%
2010 5.66% 1.03%
2009 7.84% 2.38%
2008 13.4% 6.08%
2007 9.36% 2.9%
2006 11.5% 3.19%
2005 13.8% 3.32%
2004 12.3% 2.06%
2003 9.45% 1.77%
2002 9.17% 1.67%
2001 11.3% 3.78%
2000 11% 4.61%
1999 10% 4.02%
1998 11.7% 6.4%
1997 13.2% 4.17%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 2.93% in Croatia. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and 3.69% in Croatia.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $799K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Croatia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $70K
Textiles & consumer goods $57K
Machinery & equipment $51K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33K
Chemicals & pharma $26K
Metals $7K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Croatia
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
-$1.93B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
141/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
-2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$42.5B
2024
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$21.9B
2024
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$8.42B
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$24.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
53%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
48%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Costa Rica Croatia
Economic freedom 69.1 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 56/197
Property rights 66 81.1
Government integrity 64.1 52.6
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 71.7
Tax burden 78.6 70
Government spending 89.3 34.9
Fiscal health 75.6 92.2
Business freedom 79.9 79.6
Labor freedom 55.9 58.9
Monetary freedom 78.2 69.9
Trade freedom 75 79.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Croatia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Croatia
2026 69.1 67.5
2025 68.6 68.7
2024 67.7 67.2
2023 66.5 66.4
2022 65.4 67.6
2021 64.2 63.6
2020 65.8 62.2
2019 65.3 61.4
2018 65.6 61
2017 65 59.4
2016 67.4 59.1
2015 67.2 61.5
2014 66.9 60.4
2013 67 61.3
2012 68 60.9
2011 67.3 61.1
2010 65.9 59.2
2009 66.4 55.1
2008 64.2 54.1
2007 64 53.4
2006 65.9 53.6
2005 66.1 51.9
2004 66.4 53.1
2003 67 53.3
2002 67.5 51.1
2001 67.6 50.7
2000 68.4 53.6
1999 67.4 53.1
1998 65.6 51.7
1997 65.6 46.7
1996 66.4 48
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 67.5 for Croatia, ranking 56/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Croatia
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
60.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
19%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
2.83%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$98.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$50,410
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$4.22B
2025
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
110/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
-$1.74B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
$4.54B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$2.79B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
24.6%
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/costa-rica/croatia | 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 (1956–1997, 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 (2021–2025, 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.