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Economy of Costa Rica vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $150B for Ethiopia, ranking 73/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $48.9B (32.7% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Costa Rica vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Costa Rica
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Ethiopia
2024 $95,350,423,177 $149,740,297,953
2023 $86,497,941,439 $135,874,093,202
2022 $69,243,626,029 $123,140,304,666
2021 $64,960,725,734 $109,070,960,372
2020 $62,395,610,760 $98,676,811,061
2019 $64,417,670,521 $91,834,517,113
2018 $62,420,164,992 $83,337,901,072
2017 $60,516,044,657 $76,366,081,767
2016 $58,847,019,610 $68,475,871,210
2015 $56,441,920,821 $62,103,418,182
2014 $52,016,408,854 $55,612,228,234
2013 $50,949,668,842 $47,648,276,605
2012 $47,231,655,432 $43,310,721,414
2011 $42,762,613,699 $31,952,763,089
2010 $37,658,616,952 $29,933,790,334
2009 $30,745,714,313 $32,437,389,116
2008 $30,801,745,700 $27,066,912,635
2007 $26,884,700,709 $19,707,616,773
2006 $22,715,540,324 $15,280,861,835
2005 $20,040,642,477 $12,401,139,454
2004 $18,610,594,846 $10,131,187,261
2003 $17,271,760,507 $8,623,691,300
2002 $16,578,820,687 $7,850,809,498
2001 $15,976,174,337 $8,231,326,016
2000 $15,013,629,662 $8,242,349,618
1999 $14,254,866,285 $7,892,973,532
1998 $13,684,255,947 $8,013,274,132
1997 $12,614,602,382 $8,803,539,988
1996 $11,678,424,507 $8,761,215,548
1995 $11,578,594,260 $7,855,205,207
1994 $10,489,903,725 $7,100,806,754
1993 $9,564,815,975 $9,051,043,870
1992 $8,579,754,758 $10,754,799,037
1991 $7,215,725,487 $13,799,799,324
1990 $5,711,687,787 $12,478,943,895
1989 $5,251,025,767 $11,762,932,007
1988 $4,614,629,898 $11,181,119,718
1987 $4,532,952,047 $10,790,001,558
1986 $4,418,983,871 $10,094,328,898
1985 $3,919,203,960 $9,717,392,687
1984 $3,660,477,856 $8,298,309,581
1983 $3,146,772,631 $8,781,664,427
1982 $2,606,623,555 $7,899,988,841
1981 $2,623,803,096 $7,507,663,567
1980 $4,831,447,001 $7,012,585,454
1979 $4,035,519,323 $6,586,048,398
1978 $3,523,208,810 $6,014,961,435
1977 $3,072,427,013 $5,651,840,585
1976 $2,412,555,426 $4,943,806,093
1975 $1,960,863,466 $4,577,047,854
1974 $1,666,544,754 $4,577,209,966
1973 $1,528,925,846 $4,070,570,550
1972 $1,238,251,696 $3,520,252,938
1971 $1,077,147,538 $3,224,280,835
1970 $984,830,158 $3,045,354,455
1969 $853,630,204 $2,768,987,372
1968 $773,841,494 $2,619,948,865
1967 $699,456,619 $2,461,762,003
1966 $647,305,630 $2,324,466,416
1965 $592,981,162 $2,159,998,591
1964 $542,578,367 $1,984,129,186
1963 $511,902,137 $1,825,058,828
1962 $479,180,824 $1,747,566,307
1961 $490,325,182 $1,680,859,514
1960 $507,513,830 $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Ethiopia by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $982 $2,845
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $893 $2,588
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $830 $2,407
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $793 $2,242
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $740 $2,095
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $696 $2,005
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $642 $1,858
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $598 $1,633
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $550 $1,485
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $484 $1,253
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $452 $1,179
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $343 $1,098
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $331 $996
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $369 $899
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $316 $845
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $237.1 $770
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $189.3 $693
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $158.2 $625
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $133.2 $558
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $116.8 $493
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $109.6 $509
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $118.5 $509
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $122.3 $474
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $120.7 $450
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $126.5 $436
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $143.4 $461
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $147.3 $453
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $136.5 $409
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $127.7 $391
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $168.5 $384
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $207.4 $343
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $277.6 $383
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $262.1 $417
1989 $1,725 - $256.4 -
1988 $1,555 - $253.2 -
1987 $1,567 - $254.1 -
1986 $1,569 - $246 -
1985 $1,429 - $243.9 -
1984 $1,372 - $214.2 -
1983 $1,213 - $232.7 -
1982 $1,032 - $215.3 -
1981 $1,068 - $212.7 -
1980 $2,021 - $203.7 -
1979 $1,735 - $192.4 -
1978 $1,556 - $178.3 -
1977 $1,393 - $170.4 -
1976 $1,123 - $152 -
1975 $937 - $144.3 -
1974 $817 - $147.9 -
1973 $769 - $134.9 -
1972 $639 - $119.8 -
1971 $570 - $112.7 -
1970 $536 - $109.4 -
1969 $477 - $102.3 -
1968 $445 - $99.5 -
1967 $414 - $96.1 -
1966 $395 - $93.2 -
1965 $374 - $88.9 -
1964 $354 - $83.8 -
1963 $346 - $79.2 -
1962 $335 - $77.8 -
1961 $356 - $76.7 -
1960 $382 - $75.3 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $1,134 in Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$150B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
7.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$1,134
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$48.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$370
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
172/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,946
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
9.54%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
3.94%
2021
Population
5181862
139917664

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 9.54% 32.7%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 19.2% 63% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 14.5% 53.7%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 18% 55.3%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 18% 28.1% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 16.7% 26% 17.1% 30%
2008 15.2% 24% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 14.6% 27% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 15.2% 33% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 17% 41% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 27% 103.7%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 16.7% 39% 25.8% 94.3%
1998 16% 40.7% 20.4% 86%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 17.3% 77.4%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 18.2% 129%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 16.9% 142.3%
1994 17.4% 27% 17.1% 150.7%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 13.4% 136.9%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 13.8% 85.4%
1991 14% 28.4% 16.8% 89.3%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 20.3% 91.6%
1989 26.1% 19.3% 24% 84.7%
1988 24.5% 18.2% 21.6% 84.3%
1987 27.2% 21.2% 18.4% 82.3%
1986 26.4% 26.1% 19.8% 75.7%
1985 21.8% 22.8% 19.7% 67.7%
1984 22.8% 25.2% 18.8% 65.4%
1983 23.6% 29.8% 21.3% 55.2%
1982 18.4% 31.8% 16.4% 48.8%
1981 21% 32.3% 14.2% 30.6%
1980 25% 37.7% 13.5% 18.5%
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/ethiopia | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $14.3B, or 9.54% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 32.7% in Ethiopia, ranking 79/185 and 150/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Ethiopia
2024 -3.78% -1.99%
2023 -3.25% -2.6%
2022 -2.81% -4.16%
2021 -5.09% -2.77%
2020 -8.38% -2.76%
2019 -6.68% -2.53%
2018 -5.66% -3.03%
2017 -5.88% -3.24%
2016 -5.09% -2.3%
2015 -5.52% -1.95%
2014 -5.45% -2.58%
2013 -5.25% -1.93%
2012 -4.22% -1.17%
2011 -3.91% -1.61%
2010 -4.96% -1.32%
2009 -3.25% -0.93%
2008 0.18% -2.88%
2007 0.56% -3.57%
2006 -1.04% -3.79%
2005 -2.09% -4.12%
2004 -3.42% -2.65%
2003 -3.43% -5.59%
2002 -4.99% -5.76%
2001 -3.47% -3.76%
2000 -3.68% -8.88%
1999 -2.88% -8.23%
1998 -2.96% -3.51%
1997 -3.39% -1.7%
1996 -4.32% -3.81%
1995 -3.68% -2.68%
1994 -5.46% -5.23%
1993 -1.52% -4%
1992 -1.51% -4.78%
1991 -2.41% -5.83%
1990 -4.4% -6.66%
1989 -1.55% -4.33%
1988 0.57% -3.48%
1987 -2.57% -3.54%
1986 -4.26% -3.98%
1985 -1.06% -4.71%
1984 -0.5% -3.69%
1983 -1.84% -7.59%
1982 -0.94% -3.6%
1981 -3.14% -2.19%
1980 -7.24% -2.56%
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/ethiopia | 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 Ethiopia's deficit of $2.98B, or 1.99% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 45 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.64% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Ethiopia
2024 -0.41% 21%
2023 0.53% 30.2%
2022 8.27% 33.9%
2021 1.73% 26.8%
2020 0.72% 20.4%
2019 2.1% 15.8%
2018 2.22% 13.8%
2017 1.63% 10.7%
2016 -0.02% 6.63%
2015 0.8% 9.57%
2014 4.52% 6.89%
2013 5.23% 7.46%
2012 4.5% 23.6%
2011 4.88% 33.2%
2010 5.66% 8.15%
2009 7.84% 8.48%
2008 13.4% 44.4%
2007 9.36% 17.2%
2006 11.5% 12.3%
2005 13.8% 9.97%
2004 12.3% 3.33%
2003 9.45% 13.7%
2002 9.17% 0.68%
2001 11.3% -8.24%
2000 11% 0.66%
1999 10% 7.94%
1998 11.7% 0.89%
1997 13.2% 2.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 21% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $187K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Metals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Ethiopia
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
160/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
11.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
5.54%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Ethiopia
Economic freedom 69.1 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 171/197
Property rights 66 22.1
Government integrity 64.1 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 19.1
Tax burden 78.6 78.6
Government spending 89.3 96.4
Fiscal health 75.6 84.3
Business freedom 79.9 44.5
Labor freedom 55.9 37.8
Monetary freedom 78.2 53.7
Trade freedom 75 57.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Ethiopia
2026 69.1 48.1
2025 68.6 48.1
2024 67.7 47.9
2023 66.5 48.3
2022 65.4 49.6
2021 64.2 51.7
2020 65.8 53.6
2019 65.3 53.6
2018 65.6 52.8
2017 65 52.7
2016 67.4 51.5
2015 67.2 51.5
2014 66.9 50
2013 67 49.4
2012 68 52
2011 67.3 50.5
2010 65.9 51.2
2009 66.4 53
2008 64.2 52.5
2007 64 53.6
2006 65.9 50.9
2005 66.1 51.1
2004 66.4 54.5
2003 67 48.8
2002 67.5 49.8
2001 67.6 48.9
2000 68.4 50.2
1999 67.4 46.7
1998 65.6 49.2
1997 65.6 48.1
1996 66.4 45.9
1995 68 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
37.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
25.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
34.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$146B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$3,280
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
109/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
20.6%
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/ethiopia | 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.