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Economy of Costa Rica vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 73/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Costa Rica vs Israel GDP by year

Costa Rica
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Israel
2024 $95,350,423,177 $540,379,921,262
2023 $86,497,941,439 $512,184,638,999
2022 $69,243,626,029 $525,181,008,026
2021 $64,960,725,734 $489,851,549,972
2020 $62,395,610,760 $410,768,352,658
2019 $64,417,670,521 $400,645,216,359
2018 $62,420,164,992 $376,299,083,108
2017 $60,516,044,657 $358,451,839,053
2016 $58,847,019,610 $321,940,971,558
2015 $56,441,920,821 $303,469,434,072
2014 $52,016,408,854 $315,017,088,117
2013 $50,949,668,842 $298,478,070,673
2012 $47,231,655,432 $263,589,172,712
2011 $42,762,613,699 $268,094,998,225
2010 $37,658,616,952 $239,679,036,634
2009 $30,745,714,313 $213,403,181,853
2008 $30,801,745,700 $221,231,658,863
2007 $26,884,700,709 $184,681,214,673
2006 $22,715,540,324 $158,900,547,825
2005 $20,040,642,477 $147,519,922,009
2004 $18,610,594,846 $140,047,984,605
2003 $17,271,760,507 $131,408,914,824
2002 $16,578,820,687 $125,332,331,884
2001 $15,976,174,337 $135,002,039,613
2000 $15,013,629,662 $136,512,300,542
1999 $14,254,866,285 $121,417,185,062
1998 $13,684,255,947 $120,547,409,279
1997 $12,614,602,382 $119,459,826,347
1996 $11,678,424,507 $115,116,595,545
1995 $11,578,594,260 $105,497,418,059
1994 $10,489,903,725 $90,740,103,829
1993 $9,564,815,975 $79,855,877,174
1992 $8,579,754,758 $79,457,685,757
1991 $7,215,725,487 $70,998,755,007
1990 $5,711,687,787 $62,016,729,541
1989 $5,251,025,767 $52,443,479,454
1988 $4,614,629,898 $52,650,948,910
1987 $4,532,952,047 $43,049,543,635
1986 $4,418,983,871 $35,834,154,874
1985 $3,919,203,960 $28,905,736,367
1984 $3,660,477,856 $30,645,607,293
1983 $3,146,772,631 $32,675,755,462
1982 $2,606,623,555 $29,255,285,401
1981 $2,623,803,096 $26,882,009,819
1980 $4,831,447,001 $25,395,256,478
1979 $4,035,519,323 $22,609,741,060
1978 $3,523,208,810 $17,701,286,907
1977 $3,072,427,013 $18,257,113,904
1976 $2,412,555,426 $15,956,349,550
1975 $1,960,863,466 $16,141,767,373
1974 $1,666,544,754 $17,172,607,138
1973 $1,528,925,846 $11,902,574,259
1972 $1,238,251,696 $9,222,557,539
1971 $1,077,147,538 $7,052,544,000
1970 $984,830,158 $7,406,712,876
1969 $853,630,204 $6,297,852,761
1968 $773,841,494 $5,458,427,928
1967 $699,456,619 $4,762,386,783
1966 $647,305,630 $4,703,300,098
1965 $592,981,162 $4,329,084,429
1964 $542,578,367 $4,024,344,853
1963 $511,902,137 $3,535,949,089
1962 $479,180,824 $2,966,154,031
1961 $490,325,182 $3,708,586,471
1960 $507,513,830 $3,070,585,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Israel by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $1,725 - $11,608 -
1988 $1,555 - $11,853 -
1987 $1,567 - $9,853 -
1986 $1,569 - $8,335 -
1985 $1,429 - $6,829 -
1984 $1,372 - $7,369 -
1983 $1,213 - $7,960 -
1982 $1,032 - $7,258 -
1981 $1,068 - $6,795 -
1980 $2,021 - $6,549 -
1979 $1,735 - $5,972 -
1978 $1,556 - $4,797 -
1977 $1,393 - $5,053 -
1976 $1,123 - $4,516 -
1975 $937 - $4,672 -
1974 $817 - $5,085 -
1973 $769 - $3,631 -
1972 $639 - $2,930 -
1971 $570 - $2,298 -
1970 $536 - $2,490 -
1969 $477 - $2,189 -
1968 $445 - $1,947 -
1967 $414 - $1,735 -
1966 $395 - $1,789 -
1965 $374 - $1,689 -
1964 $354 - $1,626 -
1963 $346 - $1,486 -
1962 $335 - $1,294 -
1961 $356 - $1,697 -
1960 $382 - $1,452 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Israel
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
2.9%
2024
Population
5181862
10290887

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 19.2% 63% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 40% 67.7%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 38.3% 59.8%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 38.3% 64.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 39.7% 66%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 18% 28.1% 39.7% 69%
2009 16.7% 26% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 15.2% 24% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 14.6% 27% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 15.2% 33% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 17% 41% 43% 88.3%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 50% 87.2%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 16.7% 39% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 16% 40.7% 55% 101%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 52.6% 99.3%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 53.2% 100.3%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 52.8% 102.3%
1994 17.4% 27% 41.7% 110.2%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 42.2% 118.3%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 44.1% 119.6%
1991 14% 28.4% 34.4% 123.7%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 46.8% 138.3%
1989 26.1% 19.3% 47.5% 147.4%
1988 24.5% 18.2% 46.5% 145.4%
1987 27.2% 21.2% 52.8% 143.2%
1986 26.4% 26.1% 55.7% 162.5%
1985 21.8% 22.8% 65.2% 199%
1984 22.8% 25.2% - 284%
1983 23.6% 29.8% - 260.5%
1982 18.4% 31.8% 69.7% -
1981 21% 32.3% 71.8% -
1980 25% 37.7% 69.4% 154.3%
1979 24.9% 39.5% 70.1% 155.5%
1978 23.2% 41.7% 62.2% 133.6%
1977 19.3% 27.8% 69.1% 142%
1976 20.1% 29.5% 66.3% 97.4%
1975 19.1% 26.1% 62% 85.1%
1974 18.3% 30.3% - 79.8%
1973 18.4% 32.8% - 62.1%
1972 17.2% 31.8% - 63.9%
1971 17.5% 30.4% - -
1970 14.9% 28.6% 41.6% -
1969 14.5% 26.1% 41.1% -
1968 13.8% 27.7% 39.4% -
1967 14.7% 26.7% 33.9% -
1966 14.3% 24.8% 29.6% -
1965 13.8% 24.1% 27.8% -
1964 13.5% 22.7% 28.2% -
1963 13.3% 21.8% 26.9% -
1962 14% 19.7% 27.7% -
1961 13.2% 20.3% 30.3% -
1960 12.5% 16.1% 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 79/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Israel
2024 -3.78% -8.26%
2023 -3.25% -5.06%
2022 -2.81% 0.32%
2021 -5.09% -3.37%
2020 -8.38% -10.7%
2019 -6.68% -3.79%
2018 -5.66% -3.56%
2017 -5.88% -1.13%
2016 -5.09% -1.79%
2015 -5.52% -1.21%
2014 -5.45% -2.29%
2013 -5.25% -4.06%
2012 -4.22% -4.46%
2011 -3.91% -3.43%
2010 -4.96% -3.72%
2009 -3.25% -6.53%
2008 0.18% -3.5%
2007 0.56% -0.43%
2006 -1.04% -0.95%
2005 -2.09% -2.74%
2004 -3.42% -3.4%
2003 -3.43% -5.03%
2002 -4.99% -8.22%
2001 -3.47% -4.06%
2000 -3.68% -0.8%
1999 -2.88% -6.26%
1998 -2.96% -7.99%
1997 -3.39% -4.84%
1996 -4.32% -5.97%
1995 -3.68% -4.28%
1994 -5.46% -5.62%
1993 -1.52% -5.62%
1992 -1.51% -8%
1991 -2.41% -7.04%
1990 -4.4% -9.67%
1989 -1.55% -9.03%
1988 0.57% -7.57%
1987 -2.57% -7.47%
1986 -4.26% -7.51%
1985 -1.06% -14.2%
1984 -0.5% -
1983 -1.84% -
1982 -0.94% -13.8%
1981 -3.14% -23.5%
1980 -7.24% -19.6%
1979 -6.6% -16.7%
1978 -4.12% -14.7%
1977 -2.63% -20.3%
1976 -2.42% -19.4%
1975 -1.13% -19.6%
1974 0.26% -
1973 -2.41% -
1972 -4.54% -
1971 -4.72% -
1970 -1.41% -16%
1969 -1.61% -15.3%
1968 -1.72% -11.7%
1967 -3.03% -7.68%
1966 -2.12% -4.35%
1965 -1.71% -2.72%
1964 -1.51% -3.65%
1963 -2.01% -4.41%
1962 -1.99% -4.09%
1961 -0.71% -5.86%
1960 -0.19% -6.62%
1959 0.49% -7.23%
1958 0% -8.31%
1957 0.3% -7.17%
1956 0.05% -9.3%
1955 - -4.3%
1954 - -7.84%
1953 - -8.32%
1952 - -7.19%
1951 - -8.13%
1950 - -10.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 61 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 58 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.11% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.34% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Israel
2024 -0.41% 3.07%
2023 0.53% 4.23%
2022 8.27% 4.41%
2021 1.73% 1.48%
2020 0.72% -0.58%
2019 2.1% 0.82%
2018 2.22% 0.81%
2017 1.63% 0.25%
2016 -0.02% -0.54%
2015 0.8% -0.62%
2014 4.52% 0.47%
2013 5.23% 1.59%
2012 4.5% 1.68%
2011 4.88% 3.49%
2010 5.66% 2.7%
2009 7.84% 3.37%
2008 13.4% 4.53%
2007 9.36% 0.47%
2006 11.5% 2.05%
2005 13.8% 1.34%
2004 12.3% -0.42%
2003 9.45% 0.71%
2002 9.17% 5.8%
2001 11.3% 1.12%
2000 11% 1.03%
1999 10% 5.19%
1998 11.7% 5.49%
1997 13.2% 8.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 3.07% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $16.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.34M
Metals $1.3M
Machinery & equipment $860K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13.4M
Chemicals & pharma $9.72M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.06M
Raw agricultural goods $3.78M
Raw materials & minerals $2.2M
Metals $1.92M
Textiles & consumer goods $542K
Precious metals & jewellery $33K
Wood & paper products $24K
Miscellaneous $21K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Israel
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$70B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
28.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Israel
Economic freedom 69.1 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 47/197
Property rights 66 73.1
Government integrity 64.1 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 68.1
Tax burden 78.6 60.2
Government spending 89.3 52
Fiscal health 75.6 60.8
Business freedom 79.9 72.4
Labor freedom 55.9 56.8
Monetary freedom 78.2 78.2
Trade freedom 75 82.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Israel
2026 69.1 68.4
2025 68.6 69.9
2024 67.7 70.1
2023 66.5 68.9
2022 65.4 68
2021 64.2 73.8
2020 65.8 74
2019 65.3 72.8
2018 65.6 72.2
2017 65 69.7
2016 67.4 70.7
2015 67.2 70.5
2014 66.9 68.4
2013 67 66.9
2012 68 67.8
2011 67.3 68.5
2010 65.9 67.7
2009 66.4 67.6
2008 64.2 66.3
2007 64 64.8
2006 65.9 64.4
2005 66.1 62.6
2004 66.4 61.4
2003 67 62.7
2002 67.5 66.9
2001 67.6 66.1
2000 68.4 65.5
1999 67.4 68.3
1998 65.6 68
1997 65.6 62.7
1996 66.4 62
1995 68 61.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Israel
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$4.86B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$9.92B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
23.4%
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/israel | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (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.