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Economy of Costa Rica vs Kazakhstan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $306B for Kazakhstan, ranking 74/197 and 49/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $75.2B (24.6% of GDP) in Kazakhstan.

Costa Rica vs Kazakhstan GDP by year

Costa Rica
Kazakhstan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Kazakhstan
2025 $102,904,921,157 $306,239,209,650
2024 $96,715,644,331 $291,480,274,649
2023 $87,512,637,056 $261,840,101,060
2022 $71,001,226,361 $225,496,328,925
2021 $65,588,938,787 $197,112,255,361
2020 $62,806,591,555 $171,082,365,861
2019 $64,753,504,730 $181,667,184,855
2018 $62,567,765,946 $179,339,977,690
2017 $60,516,044,661 $166,805,788,827
2016 $58,847,019,588 $137,278,320,084
2015 $56,441,920,888 $184,388,404,706
2014 $52,016,408,816 $221,415,613,595
2013 $50,949,668,763 $236,634,603,409
2012 $47,231,655,493 $207,998,568,866
2011 $42,762,613,785 $192,626,464,617
2010 $37,658,616,966 $148,047,348,241
2009 $30,745,714,234 $115,308,686,941
2008 $30,801,745,703 $133,441,648,852
2007 $26,884,700,688 $104,849,915,058
2006 $22,715,540,342 $81,003,864,630
2005 $20,040,642,421 $57,123,671,734
2004 $18,610,594,844 $43,151,647,003
2003 $17,271,760,397 $30,833,692,900
2002 $16,578,820,799 $24,636,598,527
2001 $15,976,174,476 $22,152,689,180
2000 $15,013,629,579 $18,291,990,662
1999 $14,254,866,284 $16,870,817,182
1998 $13,684,255,998 $22,135,245,507
1997 $12,614,602,322 $22,165,932,063
1996 $11,678,424,727 $21,035,357,937
1995 $11,578,594,333 $20,374,302,652
1994 $10,489,903,834 $21,250,792,886
1993 $9,564,816,063 $23,409,260,880
1992 $8,579,754,953 $24,917,355,372
1991 $7,215,725,635 $24,923,076,923
1990 $5,711,687,787 $26,932,016,270
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Kazakhstan by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kazakhstan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Kazakhstan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - $14,692 -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $14,155 $40,891
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $12,879 $38,515
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $11,255 $35,895
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $9,984 $32,946
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $8,782 $29,040
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $9,457 $28,689
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $9,472 $25,096
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $8,943 $23,973
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $7,476 $23,023
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $10,196 $22,484
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $12,428 $23,958
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $13,478 $23,754
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $12,019 $21,367
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $11,287 $20,160
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $8,793 $18,642
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $6,938 $17,389
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $8,124 $17,278
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $6,449 $16,581
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $5,030 $14,966
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $3,577 $13,226
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $2,722 $11,777
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $1,958 $10,532
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $1,574 $9,504
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,422 $8,568
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $1,180 $7,418
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $1,092 $6,626
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,415 $6,284
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $1,382 $6,178
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $1,281 $5,836
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,218 $5,595
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,247 $5,860
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,355 $6,477
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,438 $6,945
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,442 $7,193
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,570 $7,874
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $14,692 in Kazakhstan, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Kazakhstan ranks 58th at $40,891.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Kazakhstan
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$306B
2025
GDP rank
74/197
2025
49/197
2025
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
6.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$14,692
2025
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
73/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$40,891
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
58/197
2024
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$75.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
24.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$3,609
2025
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
96/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$8,395
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$158B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
44,307
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
4.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
21.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
11.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
17%
2026
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
4.9%
2022
Population
5186356
21211812

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Kazakhstan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Kazakhstan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 21.8% 24.6%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 22.7% 24.4%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 23.4% 23%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 21.7% 23.5%
2021 20.6% 67% 22.1% 25.1%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 24.5% 26.4%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 20.2% 19.9%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 18.8% 20.3%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 24.1% 19.9%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 21.5% 19.7%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 22.9% 21.9%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 21.3% 14.5%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 19.8% 12.6%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 21.9% 12.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 21.2% 10.2%
2010 18% 28.1% 22.5% 10.7%
2009 16.7% 26% 23.5% 10.2%
2008 15.2% 24% 27.1% 6.77%
2007 14.6% 27% 23.7% 4.09%
2006 15.2% 33% 19.8% 6.68%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 22% 8.1%
2004 17% 41% 21.3% 11.4%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 21.4% 15%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 20.5% 17.6%
2001 17.3% 39.6% - -
2000 16.9% 38.9% - -
1999 16.7% 39% - -
1998 16% 40.7% - -
1997 16.3% 30.6% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Kazakhstan spent $66.9B, or 21.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 24.6% in Kazakhstan, ranking 77/185 and 167/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Kazakhstan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Kazakhstan
2025 -3.35% -3.11%
2024 -3.73% -3.43%
2023 -3.21% -1.41%
2022 -2.74% 0.11%
2021 -5.04% -4.97%
2020 -8.32% -7.04%
2019 -6.65% -0.57%
2018 -5.65% 2.58%
2017 -5.88% -4.27%
2016 -5.09% -4.5%
2015 -5.52% -6.26%
2014 -5.45% 2.48%
2013 -5.25% 4.95%
2012 -4.22% 4.43%
2011 -3.91% 5.81%
2010 -4.96% 1.47%
2009 -3.25% -1.33%
2008 0.18% 1.23%
2007 0.56% 5.13%
2006 -1.04% 7.65%
2005 -2.09% 6.08%
2004 -3.42% 3.29%
2003 -3.43% 4%
2002 -4.99% 1.92%
2001 -3.47% -
2000 -3.68% -
1999 -2.88% -
1998 -2.96% -
1997 -3.39% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.45B, equivalent to 3.35% of GDP. This compares to Kazakhstan's deficit of $9.54B, or 3.11% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Kazakhstan ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 4.02% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.59% of GDP for Kazakhstan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Kazakhstan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Kazakhstan
2025 -0.07% 11.4%
2024 -0.41% 8.7%
2023 0.53% 14.5%
2022 8.27% 15%
2021 1.73% 8%
2020 0.72% 6.8%
2019 2.1% 5.3%
2018 2.22% 6%
2017 1.63% 7.5%
2016 -0.02% 14.6%
2015 0.8% 6.8%
2014 4.52% 6.6%
2013 5.23% 5.8%
2012 4.5% 5.1%
2011 4.88% 8.4%
2010 5.66% 7.1%
2009 7.84% 7.3%
2008 13.4% 17.2%
2007 9.36% 10.8%
2006 11.5% 8.6%
2005 13.8% 7.4%
2004 12.3% 7%
2003 9.45% 6.4%
2002 9.17% 6%
2001 11.3% 8.4%
2000 11% 13.2%
1999 10% 8.3%
1998 11.7% 7.1%
1997 13.2% 17.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 9.06% in Kazakhstan. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and 11.4% in Kazakhstan.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $63K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Animal & marine products $5K
Kazakhstan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Kazakhstan
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
-$12.5B
2025
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
177/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
-4.07%
2025
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$66.3B
2025
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$77.3B
2025
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$14B
2025
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$12.8B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
31.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Kazakhstan
Economic freedom 69.1 64.2
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 75/197
Property rights 66 54.9
Government integrity 64.1 40.7
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 33.8
Tax burden 78.6 91.2
Government spending 89.3 85.6
Fiscal health 75.6 97.2
Business freedom 79.9 64.9
Labor freedom 55.9 63.5
Monetary freedom 78.2 64.3
Trade freedom 75 74.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Kazakhstan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Kazakhstan
2026 69.1 64.2
2025 68.6 63.8
2024 67.7 62
2023 66.5 62.1
2022 65.4 64.4
2021 64.2 71.1
2020 65.8 69.6
2019 65.3 65.4
2018 65.6 69.1
2017 65 69
2016 67.4 63.6
2015 67.2 63.3
2014 66.9 63.7
2013 67 63
2012 68 63.6
2011 67.3 62.1
2010 65.9 61
2009 66.4 60.1
2008 64.2 61.1
2007 64 59.6
2006 65.9 60.2
2005 66.1 53.9
2004 66.4 49.7
2003 67 52.3
2002 67.5 52.4
2001 67.6 51.8
2000 68.4 50.4
1999 67.4 47.3
1998 65.6 41.7
1997 65.6 -
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 64.2 for Kazakhstan, ranking 75/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Kazakhstan
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
57.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
32.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
3.74%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$286B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$41,090
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$66.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
40/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
$1.38B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
$2.09B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
-$1.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
5%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
27.2%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.