Skip to content

Economy of Costa Rica vs Guyana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $24.7B for Guyana, ranking 73/197 and 120/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $5.99B (24.3% of GDP) in Guyana.

Costa Rica vs Guyana GDP by year

Costa Rica
Guyana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Guyana
2024 $95,350,423,177 $24,662,709,832
2023 $86,497,941,439 $16,918,503,597
2022 $69,243,626,029 $14,718,388,489
2021 $64,960,725,734 $8,041,362,110
2020 $62,395,610,760 $5,471,256,595
2019 $64,417,670,521 $5,173,760,192
2018 $62,420,164,992 $4,787,636,998
2017 $60,516,044,657 $4,748,174,334
2016 $58,847,019,610 $4,482,697,337
2015 $56,441,920,821 $4,279,840,194
2014 $52,016,408,854 $4,127,660,152
2013 $50,949,668,842 $4,167,800,929
2012 $47,231,655,432 $4,063,088,536
2011 $42,762,613,699 $3,691,384,318
2010 $37,658,616,952 $3,432,912,517
2009 $30,745,714,313 $3,165,663,153
2008 $30,801,745,700 $3,025,187,433
2007 $26,884,700,709 $2,730,971,595
2006 $22,715,540,324 $2,379,817,991
2005 $20,040,642,477 $824,880,550
2004 $18,610,594,846 $787,814,379
2003 $17,271,760,507 $743,063,950
2002 $16,578,820,687 $726,131,435
2001 $15,976,174,337 $712,167,450
2000 $15,013,629,662 $712,667,897
1999 $14,254,866,285 $694,754,988
1998 $13,684,255,947 $717,530,683
1997 $12,614,602,382 $749,138,010
1996 $11,678,424,507 $705,406,001
1995 $11,578,594,260 $621,626,786
1994 $10,489,903,725 $540,874,934
1993 $9,564,815,975 $454,101,382
1992 $8,579,754,758 $373,573,141
1991 $7,215,725,487 $348,533,095
1990 $5,711,687,787 $396,582,263
1989 $5,251,025,767 $379,779,390
1988 $4,614,629,898 $413,799,990
1987 $4,532,952,047 $354,591,847
1986 $4,418,983,871 $504,651,140
1985 $3,919,203,960 $453,488,372
1984 $3,660,477,856 $437,631,605
1983 $3,146,772,631 $489,333,333
1982 $2,606,623,555 $482,000,000
1981 $2,623,803,096 $570,357,107
1980 $4,831,447,001 $603,200,000
1979 $4,035,519,323 $530,440,000
1978 $3,523,208,810 $507,080,000
1977 $3,072,427,013 $449,880,000
1976 $2,412,555,426 $454,440,000
1975 $1,960,863,466 $494,791,667
1974 $1,666,544,754 $433,954,545
1973 $1,528,925,846 $307,047,619
1972 $1,238,251,696 $285,380,952
1971 $1,077,147,538 $282,050,000
1970 $984,830,158 $267,800,000
1969 $853,630,204 $249,300,000
1968 $773,841,494 $229,750,000
1967 $699,456,619 $250,176,471
1966 $647,305,630 $228,705,882
1965 $592,981,162 $213,235,294
1964 $542,578,367 $194,774,513
1963 $511,902,137 $175,757,894
1962 $479,180,824 $194,949,513
1961 $490,325,182 $185,849,535
1960 $507,513,830 $170,216,241

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Guyana by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Guyana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $29,675 $80,155
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $20,474 $54,729
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $17,913 $39,711
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $9,861 $22,866
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $6,776 $16,819
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $6,406 $13,241
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $6,048 $12,443
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $6,179 $12,243
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $5,871 $11,516
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $5,640 $11,408
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $5,473 $11,145
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $5,557 $11,200
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $5,444 $10,627
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $4,947 $10,066
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $4,582 $9,337
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $4,209 $8,824
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $4,009 $8,437
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $3,608 $8,110
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $3,136 $7,346
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $1,084 $6,761
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $1,033 $6,673
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $974 $6,392
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $951 $6,304
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $932 $6,131
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $932 $5,860
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $909 $5,812
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $940 $5,573
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $983 $5,615
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $928 $5,210
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $820 $4,753
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $716 $4,447
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $603 $4,027
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $498 $3,651
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $466 $3,322
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $529 $3,022
1989 $1,725 - $503 -
1988 $1,555 - $545 -
1987 $1,567 - $464 -
1986 $1,569 - $657 -
1985 $1,429 - $588 -
1984 $1,372 - $565 -
1983 $1,213 - $631 -
1982 $1,032 - $621 -
1981 $1,068 - $735 -
1980 $2,021 - $779 -
1979 $1,735 - $689 -
1978 $1,556 - $663 -
1977 $1,393 - $593 -
1976 $1,123 - $604 -
1975 $937 - $664 -
1974 $817 - $588 -
1973 $769 - $421 -
1972 $639 - $395 -
1971 $570 - $396 -
1970 $536 - $381 -
1969 $477 - $361 -
1968 $445 - $340 -
1967 $414 - $378 -
1966 $395 - $353 -
1965 $374 - $336 -
1964 $354 - $313 -
1963 $346 - $288.8 -
1962 $335 - $327 -
1961 $356 - $319 -
1960 $382 - $299.1 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $29,675 in Guyana, ranking 41/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Guyana
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$24.7B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
120/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
43.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$29,675
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
41/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$80,155
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
15/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$5.99B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
24.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$7,213
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
66/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$13,212
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
34.4%
1998
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.1%
1998
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
13.2%
2019
Population
5181862
842249

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Guyana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Guyana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 23.2% 24.3%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 23.7% 26.7%
2022 19.2% 63% 20.3% 24.8%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 24.8% 45.7%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 30.5% 59.5%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 28.1% 54%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 27.6% 47.9%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 26.3% 46.1%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 25.2% 44%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 21.7% 42.2%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 23.1% 38.7%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 21.4% 41.4%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 21.8% 44.7%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 23.5% 51.7%
2010 18% 28.1% 23.9% 53.1%
2009 16.7% 26% 25.4% 52.3%
2008 15.2% 24% 24.1% 48.2%
2007 14.6% 27% 25.5% 47.7%
2006 15.2% 33% 29% 74.5%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 28.4% 90.7%
2004 17% 41% 23.7% 91.8%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 23.5% 95.6%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 23.1% 105.1%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 24% 104.6%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 22.9% 97.2%
1999 16.7% 39% 17.6% 97.1%
1998 16% 40.7% 19.7% 108%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 20.9% 101.3%
1996 17.3% 33.7% - -
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/guyana | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Guyana spent $5.72B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 24.3% in Guyana, ranking 79/185 and 168/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Guyana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Guyana
2024 -3.78% -7.31%
2023 -3.25% -5.78%
2022 -2.81% -5.11%
2021 -5.09% -6.94%
2020 -8.38% -7.78%
2019 -6.68% -2.52%
2018 -5.66% -2.52%
2017 -5.88% -3.14%
2016 -5.09% -3.21%
2015 -5.52% -0.75%
2014 -5.45% -3.88%
2013 -5.25% -2.16%
2012 -4.22% -3.11%
2011 -3.91% -2.13%
2010 -4.96% -1.88%
2009 -3.25% -2.5%
2008 0.18% -2.78%
2007 0.56% -3.35%
2006 -1.04% -6.16%
2005 -2.09% -6.54%
2004 -3.42% -2.88%
2003 -3.43% -4.81%
2002 -4.99% -2.42%
2001 -3.47% -3.71%
2000 -3.68% -2.27%
1999 -2.88% -0.47%
1998 -2.96% -2.67%
1997 -3.39% -1.7%
1996 -4.32% -
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/guyana | 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 Guyana's deficit of $1.8B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Guyana ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.59% of GDP for Guyana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Guyana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Guyana
2024 -0.41% 2.5%
2023 0.53% 4.5%
2022 8.27% 6.5%
2021 1.73% 3.3%
2020 0.72% 1.2%
2019 2.1% 2.1%
2018 2.22% 1.3%
2017 1.63% 1.9%
2016 -0.02% 0.8%
2015 0.8% -0.9%
2014 4.52% 0.7%
2013 5.23% 1.9%
2012 4.5% 2.4%
2011 4.88% 4.4%
2010 5.66% 4.3%
2009 7.84% 3%
2008 13.4% 8.1%
2007 9.36% 12.2%
2006 11.5% 6.7%
2005 13.8% 6.9%
2004 12.3% 4.7%
2003 9.45% 6%
2002 9.17% 5.4%
2001 11.3% 2.6%
2000 11% 6.1%
1999 10% 7.5%
1998 11.7% 4.6%
1997 13.2% 3.6%

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/guyana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 4.08% in Guyana. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 2.5% in Guyana.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.26M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.1M
Metals $3.02M
Chemicals & pharma $1.85M
Raw agricultural goods $1.47M
Raw materials & minerals $1.43M
Machinery & equipment $614K
Miscellaneous $157K
Wood & paper products $89K
Animal & marine products $13K
Guyana
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $189K
Raw materials & minerals $98K
Raw agricultural goods $17K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Guyana
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$2.35B
2023
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
43/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+13.9%
2023
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$6B
2023
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$13.2B
2023
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$4.95B
2023
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$529M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
109.7%
2005
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
84.6%
2005

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Guyana
Economic freedom 69.1 58.7
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 109/197
Property rights 66 46.7
Government integrity 64.1 38.8
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 48.6
Tax burden 78.6 76.4
Government spending 89.3 85
Fiscal health 75.6 39.9
Business freedom 79.9 70.9
Labor freedom 55.9 76
Monetary freedom 78.2 78.5
Trade freedom 75 59.2
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Guyana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Guyana
2026 69.1 58.7
2025 68.6 58.2
2024 67.7 57.3
2023 66.5 56.9
2022 65.4 59.5
2021 64.2 57.4
2020 65.8 56.2
2019 65.3 56.8
2018 65.6 58.7
2017 65 58.5
2016 67.4 55.4
2015 67.2 55.5
2014 66.9 55.7
2013 67 53.8
2012 68 51.3
2011 67.3 49.4
2010 65.9 48.4
2009 66.4 48.4
2008 64.2 48.8
2007 64 53.7
2006 65.9 56.6
2005 66.1 56.5
2004 66.4 53
2003 67 50.3
2002 67.5 54.3
2001 67.6 53.3
2000 68.4 52.4
1999 67.4 53.3
1998 65.6 52.7
1997 65.6 53.2
1996 66.4 50.1
1995 68 45.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 58.7 for Guyana, ranking 109/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Guyana
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
14.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
76%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
7.62%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$52,290
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
141/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
$1.14B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$8.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$5.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
3.73%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
35%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
32.3%
2005

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/guyana | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.