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Economy of Costa Rica vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $136B for Kenya, ranking 74/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $94.3B (69.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Costa Rica vs Kenya GDP by year

Costa Rica
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Kenya
2025 $102,904,921,157 $135,941,278,879
2024 $96,715,644,331 $120,397,537,850
2023 $87,512,637,056 $107,500,884,685
2022 $71,001,226,361 $114,448,978,153
2021 $65,588,938,787 $109,703,658,905
2020 $62,806,591,555 $100,657,505,751
2019 $64,753,504,730 $100,378,436,207
2018 $62,567,765,946 $92,202,979,985
2017 $60,516,044,661 $82,036,510,877
2016 $58,847,019,588 $74,815,144,164
2015 $56,441,920,888 $70,120,446,897
2014 $52,016,408,816 $68,285,796,514
2013 $50,949,668,763 $61,671,440,408
2012 $47,231,655,493 $56,396,704,672
2011 $42,762,613,785 $46,869,473,151
2010 $37,658,616,966 $45,405,615,064
2009 $30,745,714,234 $42,347,217,913
2008 $30,801,745,703 $35,895,153,328
2007 $26,884,700,688 $31,958,195,182
2006 $22,715,540,342 $25,825,512,284
2005 $20,040,642,421 $18,737,895,513
2004 $18,610,594,844 $16,095,337,094
2003 $17,271,760,397 $14,904,517,650
2002 $16,578,820,799 $13,147,736,899
2001 $15,976,174,476 $12,986,007,426
2000 $15,013,629,579 $12,705,350,098
1999 $14,254,866,284 $12,896,010,459
1998 $13,684,255,998 $14,093,998,844
1997 $12,614,602,322 $13,115,764,358
1996 $11,678,424,727 $12,045,865,396
1995 $11,578,594,333 $9,046,320,255
1994 $10,489,903,834 $7,148,148,564
1993 $9,564,816,063 $5,751,786,643
1992 $8,579,754,953 $8,209,120,763
1991 $7,215,725,635 $8,151,488,783
1990 $5,711,687,787 $8,572,359,038
1989 $5,251,025,767 $8,283,114,514
1988 $4,614,629,898 $8,355,380,879
1987 $4,532,952,047 $7,970,820,369
1986 $4,418,983,871 $7,239,126,568
1985 $3,919,203,960 $6,135,034,214
1984 $3,660,477,856 $6,191,437,070
1983 $3,146,772,631 $5,979,198,314
1982 $2,606,623,555 $6,431,579,357
1981 $2,623,803,096 $6,854,491,706
1980 $4,831,447,001 $7,265,315,820
1979 $4,035,519,323 $6,234,391,113
1978 $3,523,208,810 $5,303,735,111
1977 $3,072,427,013 $4,494,378,764
1976 $2,412,555,426 $3,474,542,392
1975 $1,960,863,466 $3,259,345,083
1974 $1,666,544,754 $2,969,958,812
1973 $1,528,925,846 $2,509,001,324
1972 $1,238,251,696 $2,107,279,157
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,778,391,289
1970 $984,830,158 $1,603,447,359
1969 $853,630,204 $1,458,379,417
1968 $773,841,494 $1,353,295,459
1967 $699,456,619 $1,232,559,507
1966 $647,305,630 $1,164,519,674
1965 $592,981,162 $997,919,321
1964 $542,578,367 $998,759,334
1963 $511,902,137 $926,589,349
1962 $479,180,824 $868,111,401
1961 $490,325,182 $792,959,473
1960 $507,513,830 $791,265,459

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Kenya by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - $2,363 -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $2,133 $6,644
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $916 $2,459
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $840 $2,481
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $700 $2,330
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $523 $2,189
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $464 $2,066
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $443 $1,975
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $403 $1,940
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $411 $1,961
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $415 $1,907
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $434 $1,910
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $488 $1,895
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $467 $1,865
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $441 $1,875
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $340 $1,818
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $229 $1,723
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $337 $1,728
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $345 $1,756
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $374 $1,729
1989 $1,725 - $374 -
1988 $1,555 - $391 -
1987 $1,567 - $387 -
1986 $1,569 - $364 -
1985 $1,429 - $320 -
1984 $1,372 - $334 -
1983 $1,213 - $335 -
1982 $1,032 - $374 -
1981 $1,068 - $413 -
1980 $2,021 - $454 -
1979 $1,735 - $403 -
1978 $1,556 - $355 -
1977 $1,393 - $311 -
1976 $1,123 - $248.9 -
1975 $937 - $241.2 -
1974 $817 - $227.2 -
1973 $769 - $198.6 -
1972 $639 - $172.6 -
1971 $570 - $150.9 -
1970 $536 - $141 -
1969 $477 - $133.3 -
1968 $445 - $128.7 -
1967 $414 - $121.9 -
1966 $395 - $119.8 -
1965 $374 - $106.9 -
1964 $354 - $111.3 -
1963 $346 - $107.4 -
1962 $335 - $104.6 -
1961 $356 - $99.3 -
1960 $382 - $102.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $2,363 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Kenya
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$136B
2025
GDP rank
74/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
4.63%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$2,363
2025
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
154/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$94.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
69.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$1,638
2025
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
126/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$2,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$22.8B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
30.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
4.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
8.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
5.44%
2022
Population
5186356
59218766

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 24% 69.3%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 23.2% 67.3%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 22.6% 73.4%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 23.1% 67.8%
2021 20.6% 67% 24% 68.2%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 24.8% 68%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 25.3% 50.4%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 18% 28.1% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 16.7% 26% 20.3% 36%
2008 15.2% 24% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 14.6% 27% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 15.2% 33% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 17% 41% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 16% 43.8%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 15.7% 42%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 16.7% 39% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 16% 40.7% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 15.6% 36%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 17.4% 27% 18.8% 57%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 18.9% 61.6%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 17.6% 41.2%
1991 14% 28.4% 16.4% 43%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 17.2% 37.6%
1989 26.1% 19.3% 16.3% 33.4%
1988 24.5% 18.2% 15.9% 33.9%
1987 27.2% 21.2% 15.5% 36.3%
1986 26.4% 26.1% 15.3% 31.3%
1985 21.8% 22.8% 15.6% 28.8%
1984 22.8% 25.2% 14.9% 25.6%
1983 23.6% 29.8% 14.6% 26.1%
1982 18.4% 31.8% 16.2% 26.9%
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 (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $32.6B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 69.3% in Kenya, ranking 77/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Kenya
2025 -3.35% -6.41%
2024 -3.73% -5.74%
2023 -3.21% -5.61%
2022 -2.74% -6.01%
2021 -5.04% -7.2%
2020 -8.32% -8.13%
2019 -6.65% -7.4%
2018 -5.65% -6.91%
2017 -5.88% -7.37%
2016 -5.09% -7.45%
2015 -5.52% -6.68%
2014 -5.45% -5.75%
2013 -5.25% -5.25%
2012 -4.22% -5.29%
2011 -3.91% -3.64%
2010 -4.96% -3.67%
2009 -3.25% -3.12%
2008 0.18% -1.95%
2007 0.56% -0.95%
2006 -1.04% -0.43%
2005 -2.09% -0.19%
2004 -3.42% 0.5%
2003 -3.43% -0.73%
2002 -4.99% -1.29%
2001 -3.47% -0.53%
2000 -3.68% 0.38%
1999 -2.88% 0.84%
1998 -2.96% -0.03%
1997 -3.39% -0.91%
1996 -4.32% -0.49%
1995 -3.68% -0.23%
1994 -5.46% -4.14%
1993 -1.52% -8.57%
1992 -1.51% -8.28%
1991 -2.41% -6.56%
1990 -4.4% -3.28%
1989 -1.55% -2.39%
1988 0.57% -1.97%
1987 -2.57% -2.27%
1986 -4.26% -2.98%
1985 -1.06% -3.05%
1984 -0.5% -2.55%
1983 -1.84% -2.17%
1982 -0.94% -3.07%
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/kenya | 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 Kenya's deficit of $8.72B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 41 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 41 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.61% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Kenya
2025 -0.07% 4.07%
2024 -0.41% 4.49%
2023 0.53% 7.67%
2022 8.27% 7.66%
2021 1.73% 6.11%
2020 0.72% 5.41%
2019 2.1% 5.24%
2018 2.22% 4.69%
2017 1.63% 8.01%
2016 -0.02% 6.3%
2015 0.8% 6.58%
2014 4.52% 6.88%
2013 5.23% 5.72%
2012 4.5% 9.38%
2011 4.88% 14%
2010 5.66% 3.96%
2009 7.84% 9.23%
2008 13.4% 26.2%
2007 9.36% 9.76%
2006 11.5% 14.5%
2005 13.8% 10.3%
2004 12.3% 11.6%
2003 9.45% 9.82%
2002 9.17% 1.96%
2001 11.3% 5.74%
2000 11% 9.98%
1999 10% 5.74%
1998 11.7% 6.72%
1997 13.2% 11.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 8.25% in Kenya. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and 4.07% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.06M
Machinery & equipment $1.04M
Chemicals & pharma $40K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Metals $1K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $193K
Raw agricultural goods $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Metals $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Kenya
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
21.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Kenya
Economic freedom 69.1 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 128/197
Property rights 66 40.2
Government integrity 64.1 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 47
Tax burden 78.6 76.3
Government spending 89.3 84.1
Fiscal health 75.6 36.2
Business freedom 79.9 61.5
Labor freedom 55.9 56.5
Monetary freedom 78.2 75.1
Trade freedom 75 52
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Kenya
2026 69.1 55.5
2025 68.6 54.8
2024 67.7 53.6
2023 66.5 52.5
2022 65.4 52.6
2021 64.2 54.9
2020 65.8 55.3
2019 65.3 55.1
2018 65.6 54.7
2017 65 53.5
2016 67.4 57.5
2015 67.2 55.6
2014 66.9 57.1
2013 67 55.9
2012 68 57.5
2011 67.3 57.4
2010 65.9 57.5
2009 66.4 58.7
2008 64.2 59.3
2007 64 59.6
2006 65.9 59.7
2005 66.1 57.9
2004 66.4 57.7
2003 67 58.6
2002 67.5 58.2
2001 67.6 57.6
2000 68.4 59.7
1999 67.4 58.2
1998 65.6 58.4
1997 65.6 60.1
1996 66.4 56.4
1995 68 54.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Kenya
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
55.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
16.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
23.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$127B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$6,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$12.4B
2025
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
76/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
4.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
17%
2025

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/kenya | 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 (1956–1997, 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 (2021–2025, 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.