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Economy of Costa Rica vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $26B for Lebanon, ranking 74/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $41B (139.4% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Costa Rica vs Lebanon GDP by year

Costa Rica
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Lebanon
2025 $102,904,921,157 -
2024 $96,715,644,331 $25,971,643,441
2023 $87,512,637,056 $20,078,620,357
2022 $71,001,226,361 $20,992,421,949
2021 $65,588,938,787 $23,131,941,557
2020 $62,806,591,555 $31,712,128,254
2019 $64,753,504,730 $51,605,959,131
2018 $62,567,765,946 $54,901,519,156
2017 $60,516,044,661 $53,027,680,686
2016 $58,847,019,588 $51,147,308,774
2015 $56,441,920,888 $49,929,337,837
2014 $52,016,408,816 $48,095,213,747
2013 $50,949,668,763 $46,880,103,081
2012 $47,231,655,493 $44,016,799,516
2011 $42,762,613,785 $39,927,125,962
2010 $37,658,616,966 $38,443,907,042
2009 $30,745,714,234 $35,399,582,929
2008 $30,801,745,703 $29,118,916,105
2007 $26,884,700,688 $24,827,355,015
2006 $22,715,540,342 $22,022,709,851
2005 $20,040,642,421 $21,497,336,499
2004 $18,610,594,844 $21,159,827,992
2003 $17,271,760,397 $20,082,918,740
2002 $16,578,820,799 $19,152,238,806
2001 $15,976,174,476 $17,649,751,244
2000 $15,013,629,579 $17,260,364,842
1999 $14,254,866,284 $17,391,056,369
1998 $13,684,255,998 $17,247,179,006
1997 $12,614,602,322 $15,751,867,489
1996 $11,678,424,727 $13,690,217,334
1995 $11,578,594,333 $11,718,795,529
1994 $10,489,903,834 $9,599,127,050
1993 $9,564,816,063 $7,941,744,492
1992 $8,579,754,953 $5,843,579,161
1991 $7,215,725,635 $4,690,415,093
1990 $5,711,687,787 $2,838,485,354
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,717,998,688
1988 $4,614,629,898 $3,313,540,068
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/lebanon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Lebanon by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - - -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $4,473 -
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $790 $2,990
1989 $1,725 - $771 -
1988 $1,555 - $959 -
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/lebanon | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $4,473 in Lebanon, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$26B
2024
GDP rank
74/197
2025
121/197
2024
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
-7.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$4,473
2024
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
139.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$7,061
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$3,055
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
25.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
14.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
11.3%
2019
Population
5186356
5921719

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 15.5% 139.4%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 15.3% 157.9%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 14.3% 185.8%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 12.9% 235.9%
2021 20.6% 67% 10.5% 346%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 24.5% 157.2%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 31.3% 171.9%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 32.1% 154%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 30.7% 150.4%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 28.6% 147.9%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 26.7% 140.9%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 28.9% 138.5%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 18% 28.1% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 16.7% 26% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 15.2% 24% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 14.6% 27% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 15.2% 33% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 17% 41% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 16.7% 39% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 16% 40.7% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 17.4% 27% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 23% 50.5%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 14% 28.4% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 40% 99.7%
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 (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $3.98B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 139.4% in Lebanon, ranking 77/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Lebanon
2025 -3.35% 3.25%
2024 -3.73% 0.39%
2023 -3.21% -1.64%
2022 -2.74% -7.49%
2021 -5.04% -2.57%
2020 -8.32% -7.79%
2019 -6.65% -10.5%
2018 -5.65% -11.2%
2017 -5.88% -8.68%
2016 -5.09% -8.98%
2015 -5.52% -7.49%
2014 -5.45% -6.22%
2013 -5.25% -8.83%
2012 -4.22% -8.43%
2011 -3.91% -5.94%
2010 -4.96% -7.47%
2009 -3.25% -8.1%
2008 0.18% -9.86%
2007 0.56% -10.9%
2006 -1.04% -10.6%
2005 -2.09% -8.57%
2004 -3.42% -9.83%
2003 -3.43% -14%
2002 -4.99% -16.2%
2001 -3.47% -21%
2000 -3.68% -23.9%
1999 -2.88% -16.7%
1998 -2.96% -17.3%
1997 -3.39% -24.5%
1996 -4.32% -25.7%
1995 -3.68% -13.6%
1994 -5.46% -29.1%
1993 -1.52% -7.19%
1992 -1.51% -24%
1991 -2.41% -19.5%
1990 -4.4% -30.2%
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/lebanon | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.61B, equivalent to 3.73% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's surplus of $102M, or 0.39% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 12.7% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Lebanon
2025 -0.07% 14.6%
2024 -0.41% 45.2%
2023 0.53% 221.3%
2022 8.27% 171.2%
2021 1.73% 154.8%
2020 0.72% 84.9%
2019 2.1% 2.9%
2018 2.22% 6.1%
2017 1.63% 4.4%
2016 -0.02% -0.8%
2015 0.8% -3.7%
2014 4.52% 1.9%
2013 5.23% 4.8%
2012 4.5% 6.6%
2011 4.88% 5%
2010 5.66% 4%
2009 7.84% 1.2%
2008 13.4% 10.7%
2007 9.36% 4.1%
2006 11.5% 4.1%
2005 13.8% -1.4%
2004 12.3% 1.7%
2003 9.45% 1.3%
2002 9.17% 1.8%
2001 11.3% -0.4%
2000 11% -0.4%
1999 10% 0.2%
1998 11.7% 4.5%
1997 13.2% 7.7%

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/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 26.1% in Lebanon. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and 14.6% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.78M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $300K
Wood & paper products $35K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $84K
Machinery & equipment $22K
Miscellaneous $10K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Lebanon
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
166/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
58.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
23.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Lebanon
Economic freedom 69.1 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 183/197
Property rights 66 21.8
Government integrity 64.1 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 23.8
Tax burden 78.6 90.3
Government spending 89.3 93.3
Fiscal health 75.6 63.4
Business freedom 79.9 47.6
Labor freedom 55.9 48.4
Monetary freedom 78.2 0
Trade freedom 75 65.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Lebanon
2026 69.1 43.1
2025 68.6 44.1
2024 67.7 48.3
2023 66.5 45.6
2022 65.4 47.3
2021 64.2 51.4
2020 65.8 51.7
2019 65.3 51.1
2018 65.6 53.2
2017 65 53.3
2016 67.4 59.5
2015 67.2 59.3
2014 66.9 59.4
2013 67 59.5
2012 68 60.1
2011 67.3 60.1
2010 65.9 59.5
2009 66.4 58.1
2008 64.2 60
2007 64 60.4
2006 65.9 57.5
2005 66.1 57.2
2004 66.4 56.9
2003 67 56.7
2002 67.5 57.1
2001 67.6 61
2000 68.4 56.1
1999 67.4 59.1
1998 65.6 59
1997 65.6 63.9
1996 66.4 63.2
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
35.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
2.63%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
1.05%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$11,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
56/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
9.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
1.44%
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/lebanon | 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 (1956–1999, 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 (2023–2025, 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.