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Economy of Costa Rica vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 73/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Costa Rica vs DR Congo GDP by year

Costa Rica
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica DR Congo
2024 $95,350,423,177 $70,962,185,791
2023 $86,497,941,439 $69,843,655,425
2022 $69,243,626,029 $70,422,346,142
2021 $64,960,725,734 $59,067,289,574
2020 $62,395,610,760 $46,691,989,749
2019 $64,417,670,521 $46,845,900,350
2018 $62,420,164,992 $46,659,954,092
2017 $60,516,044,657 $37,537,521,566
2016 $58,847,019,610 $38,600,224,214
2015 $56,441,920,821 $40,179,574,490
2014 $52,016,408,854 $38,352,980,553
2013 $50,949,668,842 $34,891,189,160
2012 $47,231,655,432 $30,029,369,929
2011 $42,762,613,699 $26,392,379,642
2010 $37,658,616,952 $24,161,641,931
2009 $30,745,714,313 $18,607,259,481
2008 $30,801,745,700 $22,723,488,723
2007 $26,884,700,709 $18,374,807,773
2006 $22,715,540,324 $15,484,044,535
2005 $20,040,642,477 $12,609,728,573
2004 $18,610,594,846 $10,297,483,481
2003 $17,271,760,507 $8,937,567,060
2002 $16,578,820,687 $8,728,038,525
2001 $15,976,174,337 $7,438,189,100
2000 $15,013,629,662 $19,088,046,306
1999 $14,254,866,285 $4,711,259,427
1998 $13,684,255,947 $6,217,805,821
1997 $12,614,602,382 $6,090,838,693
1996 $11,678,424,507 $5,771,456,952
1995 $11,578,594,260 $5,643,439,376
1994 $10,489,903,725 $5,820,382,248
1993 $9,564,815,975 $10,706,259,937
1992 $8,579,754,758 $8,227,343,907
1991 $7,215,725,487 $9,625,436,873
1990 $5,711,687,787 $9,349,764,580
1989 $5,251,025,767 $9,021,862,775
1988 $4,614,629,898 $8,861,299,977
1987 $4,532,952,047 $7,661,625,473
1986 $4,418,983,871 $8,095,367,168
1985 $3,919,203,960 $7,195,042,616
1984 $3,660,477,856 $7,857,729,193
1983 $3,146,772,631 $11,006,712,650
1982 $2,606,623,555 $13,651,667,371
1981 $2,623,803,096 $12,537,821,038
1980 $4,831,447,001 $14,394,927,495
1979 $4,035,519,323 $15,068,422,236
1978 $3,523,208,810 $15,372,608,002
1977 $3,072,427,013 $12,344,424,764
1976 $2,412,555,426 $9,648,583,225
1975 $1,960,863,466 $10,237,343,174
1974 $1,666,544,754 $9,596,960,180
1973 $1,528,925,846 $7,870,239,461
1972 $1,238,251,696 $6,173,712,814
1971 $1,077,147,538 $5,594,770,359
1970 $984,830,158 $4,877,684,910
1969 $853,630,204 $5,032,434,970
1968 $773,841,494 $3,909,780,539
1967 $699,456,619 $3,384,063,372
1966 $647,305,630 $4,532,660,182
1965 $592,981,162 $4,043,901,818
1964 $542,578,367 $2,881,545,273
1963 $511,902,137 $6,213,185,743
1962 $479,180,824 $3,779,841,429
1961 $490,325,182 $3,086,746,857
1960 $507,513,830 $3,359,404,118

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/dr-congo | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs DR Congo by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $649 $1,821
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $660 $1,731
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $688 $1,590
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $596 $1,402
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $486 $1,089
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $504 $1,056
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $518 $1,049
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $431 $991
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $460 $950
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $496 $910
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $489 $859
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $460 $761
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $410 $648
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $373 $644
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $352 $606
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $280.2 $573
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $353 $584
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $294.1 $550
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $255.4 $508
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $214.5 $484
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $180.7 $456
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $161.5 $428
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $162.4 $410
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $142.7 $404
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $378 $417
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $96.3 $452
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $131.5 $481
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $132.3 $497
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $127.4 $526
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $127 $532
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $136.5 $540
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $263.3 $576
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $209.7 $674
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $253.8 $762
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $254.9 $832
1989 $1,725 - $254.2 -
1988 $1,555 - $257.7 -
1987 $1,567 - $230.1 -
1986 $1,569 - $250.9 -
1985 $1,429 - $230.1 -
1984 $1,372 - $259.8 -
1983 $1,213 - $376 -
1982 $1,032 - $482 -
1981 $1,068 - $456 -
1980 $2,021 - $539 -
1979 $1,735 - $582 -
1978 $1,556 - $615 -
1977 $1,393 - $509 -
1976 $1,123 - $408 -
1975 $937 - $445 -
1974 $817 - $428 -
1973 $769 - $361 -
1972 $639 - $290.5 -
1971 $570 - $270.3 -
1970 $536 - $242.2 -
1969 $477 - $257.1 -
1968 $445 - $205.6 -
1967 $414 - $183.3 -
1966 $395 - $252.8 -
1965 $374 - $232 -
1964 $354 - $169.9 -
1963 $346 - $376 -
1962 $335 - $235.1 -
1961 $356 - $197.1 -
1960 $382 - $220.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/dr-congo | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
1.47%
2020
Population
5181862
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 16.5% 27%
2022 19.2% 63% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 14% 19.4%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 14.3% 33%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 16% 25.5%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 18% 28.1% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 16.7% 26% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 15.2% 24% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 14.6% 27% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 15.2% 33% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 7.59% 112%
2004 17% 41% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 4.17% 136%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 2.49% 135%
1999 16.7% 39% 2.15% -
1998 16% 40.7% 2.78% -
1997 16.3% 30.6% 2.51% -
1996 17.3% 33.7% 2.17% -
1995 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 (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 79/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica DR Congo
2024 -3.78% -1.48%
2023 -3.25% -1.65%
2022 -2.81% -1.01%
2021 -5.09% -1.68%
2020 -8.38% -3.17%
2019 -6.68% -3.17%
2018 -5.66% -1.34%
2017 -5.88% -0.05%
2016 -5.09% -0.93%
2015 -5.52% -1.35%
2014 -5.45% 3.73%
2013 -5.25% 3.28%
2012 -4.22% 1.71%
2011 -3.91% -0.94%
2010 -4.96% -0.95%
2009 -3.25% 0.92%
2008 0.18% -0.41%
2007 0.56% 1.12%
2006 -1.04% 1.97%
2005 -2.09% 1.3%
2004 -3.42% -0.17%
2003 -3.43% -3.92%
2002 -4.99% 0.89%
2001 -3.47% -1.13%
2000 -3.68% -1.85%
1999 -2.88% -1.35%
1998 -2.96% -1.55%
1997 -3.39% -1.06%
1996 -4.32% -0.56%
1995 -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% -

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/dr-congo | 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 the DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.94% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica DR Congo
2024 -0.41% -
2023 0.53% -
2022 8.27% -
2021 1.73% -
2020 0.72% -
2019 2.1% -
2018 2.22% -
2017 1.63% -
2016 -0.02% 2.89%
2015 0.8% 0.74%
2014 4.52% 1.24%
2013 5.23% 0.81%
2012 4.5% 9.72%
2011 4.88% 15.3%
2010 5.66% 7.1%
2009 7.84% 2.8%
2008 13.4% 17.3%
2007 9.36% 16.9%
2006 11.5% 13.1%
2005 13.8% 21.3%
2004 12.3% 3.99%
2003 9.45% 12.9%
2002 9.17% 31.5%
2001 11.3% 360%
2000 11% 514%
1999 10% 284.9%
1998 11.7% 29.1%
1997 13.2% 198.5%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/dr-congo | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.48%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $75K
DR Congo
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica DR Congo
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica DR Congo
Economic freedom 69.1 47
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 176/197
Property rights 66 15.4
Government integrity 64.1 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 11.7
Tax burden 78.6 73.8
Government spending 89.3 91.2
Fiscal health 75.6 95.9
Business freedom 79.9 32.3
Labor freedom 55.9 54.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 58.6
Trade freedom 75 68.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica DR Congo
2026 69.1 47
2025 68.6 47.3
2024 67.7 47.6
2023 66.5 47.9
2022 65.4 47.6
2021 64.2 49
2020 65.8 49.5
2019 65.3 50.3
2018 65.6 52.1
2017 65 56.4
2016 67.4 46.4
2015 67.2 45
2014 66.9 40.6
2013 67 39.6
2012 68 41.1
2011 67.3 40.7
2010 65.9 41.4
2009 66.4 42.8
2008 64.2 -
2007 64 -
2006 65.9 -
2005 66.1 -
2004 66.4 -
2003 67 -
2002 67.5 -
2001 67.6 -
2000 68.4 34.8
1999 67.4 34
1998 65.6 40.6
1997 65.6 39.5
1996 66.4 39.5
1995 68 41.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/dr-congo | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 47 for the DR Congo, ranking 176/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
32.5%
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/dr-congo | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.