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Economy of Costa Rica vs Eswatini compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $4.86B for Eswatini, ranking 73/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $1.93B (39.8% of GDP) in Eswatini.

Costa Rica vs Eswatini GDP by year

Costa Rica
Eswatini
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Eswatini
2024 $95,350,423,177 $4,858,885,841
2023 $86,497,941,439 $4,621,191,262
2022 $69,243,626,029 $4,746,660,274
2021 $64,960,725,734 $4,807,069,277
2020 $62,395,610,760 $4,134,677,810
2019 $64,417,670,521 $4,617,018,959
2018 $62,420,164,992 $4,643,751,059
2017 $60,516,044,657 $4,462,640,651
2016 $58,847,019,610 $3,722,306,117
2015 $56,441,920,821 $3,908,217,914
2014 $52,016,408,854 $4,285,065,665
2013 $50,949,668,842 $4,463,396,204
2012 $47,231,655,432 $4,747,813,067
2011 $42,762,613,699 $4,722,912,047
2010 $37,658,616,952 $4,360,714,359
2009 $30,745,714,313 $3,525,213,502
2008 $30,801,745,700 $3,235,921,171
2007 $26,884,700,709 $3,391,122,887
2006 $22,715,540,324 $3,215,307,901
2005 $20,040,642,477 $3,097,946,371
2004 $18,610,594,846 $2,710,331,785
2003 $17,271,760,507 $2,149,632,433
2002 $16,578,820,687 $1,393,945,031
2001 $15,976,174,337 $1,502,870,486
2000 $15,013,629,662 $1,697,161,558
1999 $14,254,866,285 $1,547,888,496
1998 $13,684,255,947 $1,576,908,856
1997 $12,614,602,382 $1,716,714,070
1996 $11,678,424,507 $1,602,741,834
1995 $11,578,594,260 $1,698,989,464
1994 $10,489,903,725 $1,419,294,254
1993 $9,564,815,975 $1,357,189,552
1992 $8,579,754,758 $1,284,759,928
1991 $7,215,725,487 $1,156,135,718
1990 $5,711,687,787 $1,114,694,041
1989 $5,251,025,767 $696,921,542
1988 $4,614,629,898 $692,026,455
1987 $4,532,952,047 $584,126,092
1986 $4,418,983,871 $449,140,318
1985 $3,919,203,960 $360,079,419
1984 $3,660,477,856 $494,483,409
1983 $3,146,772,631 $555,336,146
1982 $2,606,623,555 $537,568,059
1981 $2,623,803,096 $570,774,825
1980 $4,831,447,001 $541,976,853
1979 $4,035,519,323 $412,093,134
1978 $3,523,208,810 $340,630,085
1977 $3,072,427,013 $304,060,076
1976 $2,412,555,426 $272,550,068
1975 $1,960,863,466 $288,299,789
1974 $1,666,544,754 $264,320,941
1973 $1,528,925,846 $221,915,128
1972 $1,238,251,696 $146,736,479
1971 $1,077,147,538 $136,462,081
1970 $984,830,158 $112,139,955
1969 $853,630,204 $105,419,958
1968 $773,841,494 $79,799,968
1967 $699,456,619 $74,759,970
1966 $647,305,630 $76,859,969
1965 $592,981,162 $70,279,972
1964 $542,578,367 $64,980,554
1963 $511,902,137 $54,129,438
1962 $479,180,824 $45,927,962
1961 $490,325,182 $43,026,043
1960 $507,513,830 $35,076,846

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Eswatini by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Eswatini
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $3,910 $11,799
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $3,756 $11,300
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $3,894 $10,635
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $3,984 $9,990
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $3,467 $9,329
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $3,913 $9,248
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $3,973 $8,535
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $3,853 $8,584
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $3,238 $8,484
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $3,420 $8,391
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $3,771 $8,366
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $3,950 $8,231
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $4,225 $7,760
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $4,225 $7,571
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $3,923 $7,324
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $3,190 $7,011
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $2,947 $6,914
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $3,109 $6,732
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $2,965 $6,319
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $2,871 $5,773
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $2,526 $5,310
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $2,015 $5,020
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $1,316 $4,742
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,430 $4,521
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $1,630 $4,401
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $1,502 $4,272
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,547 $4,137
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $1,705 $4,038
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $1,619 $3,916
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,751 $3,777
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,461 $3,526
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,397 $3,371
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,362 $3,289
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,273 $3,236
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,278 $3,202
1989 $1,725 - $832 -
1988 $1,555 - $865 -
1987 $1,567 - $765 -
1986 $1,569 - $611 -
1985 $1,429 - $510 -
1984 $1,372 - $726 -
1983 $1,213 - $843 -
1982 $1,032 - $843 -
1981 $1,068 - $925 -
1980 $2,021 - $908 -
1979 $1,735 - $714 -
1978 $1,556 - $610 -
1977 $1,393 - $563 -
1976 $1,123 - $521 -
1975 $937 - $568 -
1974 $817 - $536 -
1973 $769 - $463 -
1972 $639 - $315 -
1971 $570 - $301 -
1970 $536 - $254.2 -
1969 $477 - $245.2 -
1968 $445 - $190.4 -
1967 $414 - $182.8 -
1966 $395 - $192.7 -
1965 $374 - $181 -
1964 $354 - $171.6 -
1963 $346 - $146.4 -
1962 $335 - $127.1 -
1961 $356 - $121.8 -
1960 $382 - $101.6 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $3,910 in Eswatini, ranking 131/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Eswatini
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$4.86B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
2.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$3,910
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$11,799
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
126/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$1.93B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
39.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
130/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$3,913
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$234M
2007
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
42.7%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.4%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
33.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
2.6%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
34.6%
2023
Population
5181862
1273390

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Eswatini
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Eswatini
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 33.3% 39.8%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 32% 40%
2022 19.2% 63% 29.6% 40.5%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 30.1% 38.4%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 32.7% 38.2%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 32.9% 30.7%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 32.2% 27%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 33.9% 21.9%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 34.7% 20.5%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 35.3% 16.4%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 33.3% 14.3%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 29.4% 15.5%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 27.8% 15.2%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 26% 15.1%
2010 18% 28.1% 31.6% 14.5%
2009 16.7% 26% 34.5% 10.8%
2008 15.2% 24% 34.4% 15%
2007 14.6% 27% 31.2% 16.6%
2006 15.2% 33% 28.2% 15%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 29.7% 13.9%
2004 17% 41% 32% 15.5%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 26.4% 18%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 27.2% 17.6%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 26.4% 22.4%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 25.3% 18.7%
1999 16.7% 39% 26.5% 17.2%
1998 16% 40.7% 22.5% 15.9%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 21.2% 13%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 23.3% 12%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 20.5% 12.9%
1994 17.4% 27% 24.7% 13.8%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 24% 15.6%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 26% 16.6%
1991 14% 28.4% 20.3% 20.1%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 18.7% 20.4%
1989 26.1% 19.3% 15.8% 26.8%
1988 24.5% 18.2% 15.6% 27.5%
1987 27.2% 21.2% 17% 36.1%
1986 26.4% 26.1% 19.8% 44%
1985 21.8% 22.8% 22.3% 45.5%
1984 22.8% 25.2% 22.2% 29.7%
1983 23.6% 29.8% 23.2% 28.7%
1982 18.4% 31.8% 24% 29.2%
1981 21% 32.3% 23.8% 24.3%
1980 25% 37.7% 19.6% 27.2%
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/eswatini | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Eswatini spent $1.62B, or 33.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 39.8% in Eswatini, ranking 79/185 and 134/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Eswatini
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Eswatini
2024 -3.78% -1.36%
2023 -3.25% -0.67%
2022 -2.81% -5.4%
2021 -5.09% -4.68%
2020 -8.38% -4.27%
2019 -6.68% -6.26%
2018 -5.66% -6.72%
2017 -5.88% -5.68%
2016 -5.09% -8.54%
2015 -5.52% -6.03%
2014 -5.45% -1.18%
2013 -5.25% 0.59%
2012 -4.22% 3.48%
2011 -3.91% -4.02%
2010 -4.96% -9.52%
2009 -3.25% -3.06%
2008 0.18% 1.63%
2007 0.56% 2.44%
2006 -1.04% 8.88%
2005 -2.09% -1.7%
2004 -3.42% -4.1%
2003 -3.43% -2.15%
2002 -4.99% -3.78%
2001 -3.47% -2.31%
2000 -3.68% -1.22%
1999 -2.88% -1.27%
1998 -2.96% 1.07%
1997 -3.39% 2.11%
1996 -4.32% -1%
1995 -3.68% 0.9%
1994 -5.46% -3.61%
1993 -1.52% -3.29%
1992 -1.51% -2.9%
1991 -2.41% 3.4%
1990 -4.4% 5.61%
1989 -1.55% 5.82%
1988 0.57% 3.23%
1987 -2.57% 2.03%
1986 -4.26% -2.41%
1985 -1.06% -1.33%
1984 -0.5% 1.25%
1983 -1.84% -0.6%
1982 -0.94% 0.11%
1981 -3.14% -4.29%
1980 -7.24% 6.55%
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/eswatini | 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 Eswatini's deficit of $66.2M, or 1.36% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Eswatini ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.21% of GDP for Eswatini.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Eswatini
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Eswatini
2024 -0.41% -
2023 0.53% -
2022 8.27% -
2021 1.73% -
2020 0.72% -
2019 2.1% 2.6%
2018 2.22% 4.82%
2017 1.63% 6.22%
2016 -0.02% 7.85%
2015 0.8% 4.95%
2014 4.52% 5.68%
2013 5.23% 5.62%
2012 4.5% 8.94%
2011 4.88% 6.11%
2010 5.66% 4.51%
2009 7.84% 7.45%
2008 13.4% 12.7%
2007 9.36% 8.08%
2006 11.5% 5.3%
2005 13.8% 4.77%
2004 12.3% 3.45%
2003 9.45% 7.29%
2002 9.17% 12%
2001 11.3% 5.94%
2000 11% 12.2%
1999 10% 6.09%
1998 11.7% 8.11%
1997 13.2% 7.13%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.63%, compared with 6.86% in Eswatini. In 2019, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 2.6% in Eswatini.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Eswatini
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Eswatini
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$78.3M
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+1.61%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$2.07B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$2.33B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$542M
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$234M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
53.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Eswatini
Economic freedom 69.1 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 116/197
Property rights 66 42.5
Government integrity 64.1 29.7
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 35.5
Tax burden 78.6 78.6
Government spending 89.3 71
Fiscal health 75.6 87.5
Business freedom 79.9 49.9
Labor freedom 55.9 55.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 76.8
Trade freedom 75 73.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Eswatini
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Eswatini
2026 69.1 57.5
2025 68.6 56.4
2024 67.7 55.6
2023 66.5 54.9
2022 65.4 51.4
2021 64.2 55.1
2020 65.8 55.3
2019 65.3 54.7
2018 65.6 55.9
2017 65 61.1
2016 67.4 59.7
2015 67.2 59.9
2014 66.9 61.2
2013 67 57.2
2012 68 57.2
2011 67.3 59.1
2010 65.9 57.4
2009 66.4 59.1
2008 64.2 58.4
2007 64 60.1
2006 65.9 61.4
2005 66.1 59.4
2004 66.4 58.6
2003 67 59.6
2002 67.5 60.9
2001 67.6 63.6
2000 68.4 62.6
1999 67.4 62.1
1998 65.6 62
1997 65.6 59.4
1996 66.4 58.6
1995 68 63.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 57.5 for Eswatini, ranking 116/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Eswatini
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
51.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
34.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
6.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$4.46B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$10,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$479M
2023
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
159/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$11.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$75.5M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$63.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
4.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
58.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
15%
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/eswatini | 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 (2020–2024, 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.