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Economy of Costa Rica vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $308M for Kiribati, ranking 73/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $30.5M (9.92% of GDP) in Kiribati.

Costa Rica vs Kiribati GDP by year

Costa Rica
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Kiribati
2024 $95,350,423,177 $307,862,564
2023 $86,497,941,439 $288,610,748
2022 $69,243,626,029 $270,040,453
2021 $64,960,725,734 $285,259,881
2020 $62,395,610,760 $220,898,020
2019 $64,417,670,521 $216,985,388
2018 $62,420,164,992 $233,514,717
2017 $60,516,044,657 $222,875,736
2016 $58,847,019,610 $206,467,819
2015 $56,441,920,821 $191,559,399
2014 $52,016,408,854 $200,287,282
2013 $50,949,668,842 $201,730,861
2012 $47,231,655,432 $207,001,546
2011 $42,762,613,699 $195,970,140
2010 $37,658,616,952 $165,458,433
2009 $30,745,714,313 $140,177,384
2008 $30,801,745,700 $147,017,895
2007 $26,884,700,709 $138,054,946
2006 $22,715,540,324 $112,338,353
2005 $20,040,642,477 $113,895,437
2004 $18,610,594,846 $104,085,892
2003 $17,271,760,507 $96,105,619
2002 $16,578,820,687 $74,743,869
2001 $15,976,174,337 $64,935,850
2000 $15,013,629,662 $74,910,527
1999 $14,254,866,285 $77,323,978
1998 $13,684,255,947 $74,905,706
1997 $12,614,602,382 $80,205,807
1996 $11,678,424,507 $81,456,854
1995 $11,578,594,260 $68,596,395
1994 $10,489,903,725 $67,055,334
1993 $9,564,815,975 $58,953,596
1992 $8,579,754,758 $61,491,369
1991 $7,215,725,487 $41,247,792
1990 $5,711,687,787 $36,534,295
1989 $5,251,025,767 $37,645,319
1988 $4,614,629,898 $38,278,810
1987 $4,532,952,047 $29,554,413
1986 $4,418,983,871 $25,993,009
1985 $3,919,203,960 $26,126,615
1984 $3,660,477,856 $34,394,167
1983 $3,146,772,631 $31,000,546
1982 $2,606,623,555 $32,742,713
1981 $2,623,803,096 $35,267,489
1980 $4,831,447,001 $33,157,723
1979 $4,035,519,323 $34,466,197
1978 $3,523,208,810 $36,563,965
1977 $3,072,427,013 $31,335,459
1976 $2,412,555,426 $33,246,817
1975 $1,960,863,466 $44,547,454
1974 $1,666,544,754 $69,256,489
1973 $1,528,925,846 $25,645,040
1972 $1,238,251,696 $15,314,346
1971 $1,077,147,538 $12,356,134
1970 $984,830,158 $11,560,877
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Kiribati by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $2,289 $3,702
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $2,178 $3,486
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $2,070 $3,329
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $2,222 $3,020
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $1,751 $2,763
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $1,913 $2,672
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $1,853 $2,562
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $810 $1,605
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $719 $1,591
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $845 $1,638
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $887 $1,526
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $874 $1,593
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $953 $1,535
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $986 $1,519
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $844 $1,518
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $838 $1,469
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $748 $1,431
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $792 $1,421
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $540 $1,139
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $488 $1,192
1989 $1,725 - $515 -
1988 $1,555 - $536 -
1987 $1,567 - $424 -
1986 $1,569 - $382 -
1985 $1,429 - $393 -
1984 $1,372 - $527 -
1983 $1,213 - $483 -
1982 $1,032 - $519 -
1981 $1,068 - $568 -
1980 $2,021 - $542 -
1979 $1,735 - $573 -
1978 $1,556 - $611 -
1977 $1,393 - $520 -
1976 $1,123 - $548 -
1975 $937 - $730 -
1974 $817 - $1,131 -
1973 $769 - $422 -
1972 $639 - $256.2 -
1971 $570 - $210.7 -
1970 $536 - $201 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $2,289 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$308M
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
192/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
5.27%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$2,289
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
152/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$30.5M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
9.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$226.9
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
181/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,967
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
22.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
98.1%
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
2.79%
2023
Population
5181862
139020

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 98.1% 9.92%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 95.3% 11.4%
2022 19.2% 63% 87.5% 16.3%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 84% 17.3%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 102.2% 21%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 108.3% 19%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 108.8% 19%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 99% 21.2%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 78% 8.86%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 18% 28.1% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 16.7% 26% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 15.2% 24% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 14.6% 27% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 15.2% 33% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 17% 41% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 101.3% 17%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 66% 12.7%
1999 16.7% 39% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 16% 40.7% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 68.4% 11%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 17.4% 27% 54.6% 12.3%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 55.3% 10.9%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 65.9% 7.31%
1991 14% 28.4% 82.1% 8.43%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 105.5% 7.72%
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/kiribati | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $302M, or 98.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 9.92% in Kiribati, ranking 79/185 and 180/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Kiribati
2024 -3.78% -22%
2023 -3.25% 0.13%
2022 -2.81% -18.3%
2021 -5.09% -10.8%
2020 -8.38% 3.57%
2019 -6.68% 10.8%
2018 -5.66% 5.18%
2017 -5.88% 34.1%
2016 -5.09% 20.1%
2015 -5.52% 42.5%
2014 -5.45% 35%
2013 -5.25% 11.8%
2012 -4.22% -5.43%
2011 -3.91% -17.6%
2010 -4.96% -7.8%
2009 -3.25% -8.56%
2008 0.18% -15.8%
2007 0.56% -12.5%
2006 -1.04% -12.3%
2005 -2.09% -9.96%
2004 -3.42% -19.2%
2003 -3.43% -8.93%
2002 -4.99% 3.13%
2001 -3.47% -10.9%
2000 -3.68% -0.03%
1999 -2.88% -1.81%
1998 -2.96% 14.6%
1997 -3.39% 5.92%
1996 -4.32% -20.2%
1995 -3.68% -5.14%
1994 -5.46% 0.74%
1993 -1.52% 6.27%
1992 -1.51% 0.79%
1991 -2.41% 3.87%
1990 -4.4% -4.62%
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/kiribati | 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 Kiribati's deficit of $67.7M, or 22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.38% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Kiribati
2024 -0.41% 2.5%
2023 0.53% 9.3%
2022 8.27% 5.3%
2021 1.73% 2.1%
2020 0.72% 2.6%
2019 2.1% -1.8%
2018 2.22% 0.6%
2017 1.63% 0.4%
2016 -0.02% 1.9%
2015 0.8% 0.6%
2014 4.52% 2.1%
2013 5.23% -1.5%
2012 4.5% -3%
2011 4.88% 1.5%
2010 5.66% -3.9%
2009 7.84% 9.8%
2008 13.4% 13.7%
2007 9.36% 3.6%
2006 11.5% -1%
2005 13.8% -0.4%
2004 12.3% -0.7%
2003 9.45% 1.6%
2002 9.17% 3.2%
2001 11.3% 6%
2000 11% 0.4%
1999 10% 1.8%
1998 11.7% 3.7%
1997 13.2% 2.6%

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/kiribati | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 2.25% in Kiribati. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 2.5% in Kiribati.

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Kiribati
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$59.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
85/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-19.3%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$227M
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$8.49M
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$108M
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$7M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
94.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
6.27%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Kiribati
Economic freedom 69.1 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 158/197
Property rights 66 69.6
Government integrity 64.1 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 54.6
Tax burden 78.6 72.6
Government spending 89.3 0
Fiscal health 75.6 19.8
Business freedom 79.9 60.2
Labor freedom 55.9 65.3
Monetary freedom 78.2 76.7
Trade freedom 75 80
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Kiribati
2026 69.1 50.8
2025 68.6 50.9
2024 67.7 51.3
2023 66.5 58.8
2022 65.4 59.2
2021 64.2 44.4
2020 65.8 45.2
2019 65.3 47.3
2018 65.6 50.8
2017 65 50.9
2016 67.4 46.2
2015 67.2 46.4
2014 66.9 46.3
2013 67 45.9
2012 68 46.9
2011 67.3 44.8
2010 65.9 43.7
2009 66.4 45.7
2008 64.2 -
2007 64 -
2006 65.9 -
2005 66.1 -
2004 66.4 -
2003 67 -
2002 67.5 -
2001 67.6 -
2000 68.4 -
1999 67.4 -
1998 65.6 -
1997 65.6 -
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 50.8 for Kiribati, ranking 158/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
67.1%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
11.5%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
27.2%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$493M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$6,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$8.06M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$16.4K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
25.8%
2023

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/kiribati | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.