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Economy of Costa Rica vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 73/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

Costa Rica vs Eritrea GDP by year

Costa Rica
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Eritrea
2024 $95,350,423,177 -
2023 $86,497,941,439 -
2022 $69,243,626,029 -
2021 $64,960,725,734 -
2020 $62,395,610,760 -
2019 $64,417,670,521 -
2018 $62,420,164,992 -
2017 $60,516,044,657 -
2016 $58,847,019,610 -
2015 $56,441,920,821 -
2014 $52,016,408,854 -
2013 $50,949,668,842 -
2012 $47,231,655,432 -
2011 $42,762,613,699 $2,065,001,626
2010 $37,658,616,952 $1,589,515,447
2009 $30,745,714,313 $1,856,695,551
2008 $30,801,745,700 $1,380,188,800
2007 $26,884,700,709 $1,317,974,491
2006 $22,715,540,324 $1,211,161,880
2005 $20,040,642,477 $1,098,424,686
2004 $18,610,594,846 $1,109,054,005
2003 $17,271,760,507 $870,248,268
2002 $16,578,820,687 $729,321,680
2001 $15,976,174,337 $752,371,689
2000 $15,013,629,662 $706,370,816
1999 $14,254,866,285 $688,918,537
1998 $13,684,255,947 $745,523,117
1997 $12,614,602,382 $686,490,090
1996 $11,678,424,507 $693,535,954
1995 $11,578,594,260 $578,015,625
1994 $10,489,903,725 $531,688,312
1993 $9,564,815,975 $467,872,715
1992 $8,579,754,758 $477,101,652
1991 $7,215,725,487 -
1990 $5,711,687,787 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Eritrea by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 - -
2023 $16,942 $28,909 - -
2022 $13,626 $26,226 - -
2021 $12,838 $23,853 - -
2020 $12,394 $22,100 - -
2019 $12,885 $23,340 - -
2018 $12,590 $21,498 - -
2017 $12,317 $20,499 - -
2016 $12,091 $19,202 - -
2015 $11,715 $17,525 - -
2014 $10,911 $16,394 - -
2013 $10,803 $15,232 - -
2012 $10,127 $14,464 - -
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $689 $1,742
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $540 $1,599
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $643 $1,577
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $490 $1,547
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $480 $1,727
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $448 $1,682
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $413 $1,674
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $427 $1,621
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $349 $1,621
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $305 $1,702
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $325 $1,684
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $314 $1,558
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $311 $1,597
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $342 $1,598
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $319 $1,573
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $326 $1,449
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $265.2 $1,021
1991 $2,253 $5,175 - -
1990 $1,830 $5,021 - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
73/197
2024
179/197
2011
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
188/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
191/197
2011
Government debt
$57B
2024
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
136/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,129
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
1.3%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
5.8%
2017
Population
5181862
3700586

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% - -
2023 18.5% 61.1% - -
2022 19.2% 63% - -
2021 20.8% 67.6% - -
2020 22.3% 66.9% - -
2019 21.7% 56.4% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 18% 28.1% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 16.7% 26% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 15.2% 24% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 14.6% 27% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 15.2% 33% 50.5% 199%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 17% 41% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 58.1% 264%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 16.7% 39% 106.1% -
1998 16% 40.7% 88% -
1997 16.3% 30.6% 60.1% -
1996 17.3% 33.7% 68.6% -
1995 16.4% 29.1% 81.2% -
1994 17.4% 27% 50.4% -
1993 13.8% 24.4% 67.2% -
1992 13.7% 23.3% 32.7% -
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/eritrea | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 79/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Eritrea
2024 -3.78% -
2023 -3.25% -
2022 -2.81% -
2021 -5.09% -
2020 -8.38% -
2019 -6.68% 2.72%
2018 -5.66% 5.22%
2017 -5.88% -5.74%
2016 -5.09% -1.44%
2015 -5.52% -2.77%
2014 -5.45% -0.12%
2013 -5.25% -7.62%
2012 -4.22% -5.21%
2011 -3.91% -5.5%
2010 -4.96% -16.5%
2009 -3.25% -22.2%
2008 0.18% -38%
2007 0.56% -19.8%
2006 -1.04% -15.5%
2005 -2.09% -31%
2004 -3.42% -7.65%
2003 -3.43% 6.23%
2002 -4.99% -13.3%
2001 -3.47% -9.62%
2000 -3.68% -25.4%
1999 -2.88% -59.7%
1998 -2.96% -40.3%
1997 -3.39% -5.65%
1996 -4.32% -18.4%
1995 -3.68% -22.9%
1994 -5.46% 8.69%
1993 -1.52% 4.22%
1992 -1.51% 6.85%
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/eritrea | CC BY

In 2011, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.67B, equivalent to 3.91% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 16.3% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Eritrea
2024 -0.41% -
2023 0.53% -
2022 8.27% -
2021 1.73% -
2020 0.72% -
2019 2.1% 1.3%
2018 2.22% -14.4%
2017 1.63% -13.3%
2016 -0.02% -5.6%
2015 0.8% 28.5%
2014 4.52% 8.4%
2013 5.23% 6.3%
2012 4.5% 6%
2011 4.88% 5.9%
2010 5.66% 10.3%
2009 7.84% 33.9%
2008 13.4% 22.2%
2007 9.36% 9.4%
2006 11.5% 7.7%
2005 13.8% 12.5%
2004 12.3% 25.1%
2003 9.45% 22.7%
2002 9.17% 16.9%
2001 11.3% 14.6%
2000 11% 19.9%
1999 10% 8.4%
1998 11.7% 9.5%
1997 13.2% 3.7%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 23 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.63%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Eritrea
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
89/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Eritrea
Economic freedom 69.1 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 188/197
Property rights 66 4.8
Government integrity 64.1 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 5.5
Tax burden 78.6 80.3
Government spending 89.3 62.3
Fiscal health 75.6 69
Business freedom 79.9 30.7
Labor freedom 55.9 43.4
Monetary freedom 78.2 80
Trade freedom 75 68.4
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Eritrea
2026 69.1 39.6
2025 68.6 38.6
2024 67.7 39.5
2023 66.5 39.5
2022 65.4 39.7
2021 64.2 42.3
2020 65.8 38.5
2019 65.3 38.9
2018 65.6 41.7
2017 65 42.2
2016 67.4 42.7
2015 67.2 38.9
2014 66.9 38.5
2013 67 36.3
2012 68 36.2
2011 67.3 36.7
2010 65.9 35.3
2009 66.4 38.5
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 -
1999 67.4 -
1998 65.6 -
1997 65.6 -
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
12.6%
2011

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/eritrea | 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.