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Economy of Costa Rica vs Djibouti compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $4.15B for Djibouti, ranking 73/197 and 165/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $1.36B (32.9% of GDP) in Djibouti.

Costa Rica vs Djibouti GDP by year

Costa Rica
Djibouti
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Djibouti
2024 $95,350,423,177 $4,152,145,940
2023 $86,497,941,439 $3,898,447,007
2022 $69,243,626,029 $3,562,814,909
2021 $64,960,725,734 $3,392,796,953
2020 $62,395,610,760 $3,144,136,197
2019 $64,417,670,521 $3,088,851,450
2018 $62,420,164,992 $2,913,464,658
2017 $60,516,044,657 $2,762,581,334
2016 $58,847,019,610 $2,604,955,229
2015 $56,441,920,821 $2,424,391,785
2014 $52,016,408,854 $2,220,637,966
2013 $50,949,668,842 $2,044,440,443
2012 $47,231,655,432 $1,353,632,942
2011 $42,762,613,699 $1,239,144,502
2010 $37,658,616,952 $1,128,611,700
2009 $30,745,714,313 $1,049,110,685
2008 $30,801,745,700 $999,105,339
2007 $26,884,700,709 $847,918,929
2006 $22,715,540,324 $768,873,684
2005 $20,040,642,477 $708,633,195
2004 $18,610,594,846 $666,072,102
2003 $17,271,760,507 $622,044,666
2002 $16,578,820,687 $591,122,040
2001 $15,976,174,337 $572,417,441
2000 $15,013,629,662 $551,230,862
1999 $14,254,866,285 $536,080,148
1998 $13,684,255,947 $514,267,869
1997 $12,614,602,382 $502,675,542
1996 $11,678,424,507 $494,004,648
1995 $11,578,594,260 $497,723,961
1994 $10,489,903,725 $491,689,221
1993 $9,564,815,975 $466,048,469
1992 $8,579,754,758 $478,058,305
1991 $7,215,725,487 $462,421,999
1990 $5,711,687,787 $452,328,087
1989 $5,251,025,767 $409,220,087
1988 $4,614,629,898 $395,794,539
1987 $4,532,952,047 $373,371,738
1986 $4,418,983,871 -
1985 $3,919,203,960 $340,989,528
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Djibouti by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Djibouti
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $3,553 $7,810
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $3,381 $7,226
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $3,133 $6,621
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $3,026 $5,960
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $2,845 $5,527
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $2,837 $5,398
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $2,718 $5,083
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $2,619 $4,677
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $2,510 $4,432
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $2,376 $4,264
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $2,215 $3,978
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $2,076 $3,762
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $1,400 -
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $1,306 -
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $1,213 -
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $1,151 -
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $1,119 -
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $970 -
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $898 -
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $844 -
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $806 -
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $765 -
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $743 -
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $742 -
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $738 -
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $740 -
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $735 -
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $748 -
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $762 -
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $786 -
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $785 -
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $759 -
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $764 -
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $733 -
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $780 -
1989 $1,725 - $782 -
1988 $1,555 - $817 -
1987 $1,567 - $822 -
1986 $1,569 - - -
1985 $1,429 - $847 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $3,553 in Djibouti, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Djibouti
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$4.15B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
165/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
6.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$3,553
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
133/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$7,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
143/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$1.36B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
32.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,167
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
137/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$2,690
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
32.3%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.9%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
20.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
40%
2017
Population
5181862
1203929

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Djibouti
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Djibouti
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 20.6% 32.9%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 21.5% 35.4%
2022 19.2% 63% 21% 38.3%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 23.1% 40.3%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 25.8% 42.1%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 24.9% 41.1%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 25.9% 47.5%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 23.9% 48%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 25.9% 45.9%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 42% 40.3%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 29% 26.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 26.8% 24.6%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 26.5% 25%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 25.3% 25.7%
2010 18% 28.1% 26.6% 27.9%
2009 16.7% 26% 31% 29.5%
2008 15.2% 24% 28.8% 59.3%
2007 14.6% 27% 26.6% 56.6%
2006 15.2% 33% 23.8% 58.3%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 26.2% 60.3%
2004 17% 41% 26.7% 65.3%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 25.8% 66.3%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 23.4% 63.7%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 21% 58.1%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 23.2% 58.1%
1999 16.7% 39% 23.5% 58.5%
1998 16% 40.7% 24% 55.2%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 25% 56%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 23.7% 53.1%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 27% 50.9%
1994 17.4% 27% 30.9% -
1993 13.8% 24.4% 35.3% -
1992 13.7% 23.3% 34.9% -
1991 14% 28.4% 27.7% -
1990 18.9% 18.5% 30.2% -
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 (1960–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Djibouti spent $856M, or 20.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 32.9% in Djibouti, ranking 79/185 and 149/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Djibouti
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Djibouti
2024 -3.78% -2.6%
2023 -3.25% -3.46%
2022 -2.81% -1.48%
2021 -5.09% -3.05%
2020 -8.38% -2.58%
2019 -6.68% -0.98%
2018 -5.66% -1.98%
2017 -5.88% -0.21%
2016 -5.09% -0.76%
2015 -5.52% -15.5%
2014 -5.45% -6.92%
2013 -5.25% -0.34%
2012 -4.22% -2.04%
2011 -3.91% -1.18%
2010 -4.96% -1.04%
2009 -3.25% -3.88%
2008 0.18% 0.62%
2007 0.56% -1.88%
2006 -1.04% 0.26%
2005 -2.09% -1.18%
2004 -3.42% -3.67%
2003 -3.43% -4.13%
2002 -4.99% -4.56%
2001 -3.47% -3.61%
2000 -3.68% -3.97%
1999 -2.88% -5.2%
1998 -2.96% -3.59%
1997 -3.39% -2.86%
1996 -4.32% -1.77%
1995 -3.68% -5.13%
1994 -5.46% -4.97%
1993 -1.52% -7.1%
1992 -1.51% -6.13%
1991 -2.41% -0.86%
1990 -4.4% -3.25%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.61B, equivalent to 3.78% of GDP. This compares to Djibouti's deficit of $108M, or 2.6% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Djibouti ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Djibouti.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Djibouti
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Djibouti
2024 -0.41% 2.1%
2023 0.53% 1.4%
2022 8.27% 5.2%
2021 1.73% 1.2%
2020 0.72% 1.8%
2019 2.1% 3.3%
2018 2.22% 0.1%
2017 1.63% 0.6%
2016 -0.02% 2.4%
2015 0.8% -0.5%
2014 4.52% 1.3%
2013 5.23% 1.1%
2012 4.5% 4.2%
2011 4.88% 5.2%
2010 5.66% 2.5%
2009 7.84% 5.6%
2008 13.4% 8.7%
2007 9.36% 5.9%
2006 11.5% 3.5%
2005 13.8% 3.3%
2004 12.3% 2.4%
2003 9.45% 1.6%
2002 9.17% 1.4%
2001 11.3% 1.9%
2000 11% 1.2%
1999 10% -0.4%
1998 11.7% 2.2%
1997 13.2% 2.5%

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/costa-rica/djibouti | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 2.56% in Djibouti. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 2.1% in Djibouti.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Chemicals & pharma $22K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Djibouti
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $237K
Chemicals & pharma $175K
Textiles & consumer goods $95K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Djibouti
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$610M
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+14.7%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$4.04B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$4.08B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$730M
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$1.17B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
114.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
126.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Djibouti
Economic freedom 69.1 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 122/197
Property rights 66 30.4
Government integrity 64.1 27.9
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 28.6
Tax burden 78.6 83.5
Government spending 89.3 86.7
Fiscal health 75.6 87.7
Business freedom 79.9 52.9
Labor freedom 55.9 57.5
Monetary freedom 78.2 70.6
Trade freedom 75 49.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Djibouti
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Djibouti
2026 69.1 56.3
2025 68.6 55.7
2024 67.7 55.8
2023 66.5 56.1
2022 65.4 55.3
2021 64.2 56.2
2020 65.8 52.9
2019 65.3 47.1
2018 65.6 45.1
2017 65 46.7
2016 67.4 56
2015 67.2 57.5
2014 66.9 55.9
2013 67 53.9
2012 68 53.9
2011 67.3 54.5
2010 65.9 51
2009 66.4 51.3
2008 64.2 51.2
2007 64 52.4
2006 65.9 53.2
2005 66.1 55.2
2004 66.4 55.6
2003 67 55.7
2002 67.5 57.8
2001 67.6 58.3
2000 68.4 55.1
1999 67.4 57.1
1998 65.6 55.9
1997 65.6 54.5
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 56.3 for Djibouti, ranking 122/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Djibouti
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
76.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
15.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
2.51%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$4.25B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$8,030
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$349M
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
165/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$67.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$67.8M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
3.27%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
23%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
0.25%
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/costa-rica/djibouti | 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 (1956–2008, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.