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Economy of Costa Rica vs Luxembourg compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $93.3B for Luxembourg, ranking 73/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $24.5B (26.3% of GDP) in Luxembourg.

Costa Rica vs Luxembourg GDP by year

Costa Rica
Luxembourg
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Luxembourg
2024 $95,350,423,177 $93,279,851,863
2023 $86,497,941,439 $88,788,881,539
2022 $69,243,626,029 $80,801,680,397
2021 $64,960,725,734 $86,386,759,695
2020 $62,395,610,760 $73,670,782,100
2019 $64,417,670,521 $69,872,035,114
2018 $62,420,164,992 $71,085,623,495
2017 $60,516,044,657 $65,712,180,343
2016 $58,847,019,610 $62,216,885,436
2015 $56,441,920,821 $60,071,584,216
2014 $52,016,408,854 $68,804,811,898
2013 $50,949,668,842 $65,203,276,467
2012 $47,231,655,432 $59,776,383,527
2011 $42,762,613,699 $61,696,281,326
2010 $37,658,616,952 $56,213,985,987
2009 $30,745,714,313 $54,467,289,898
2008 $30,801,745,700 $58,844,277,702
2007 $26,884,700,709 $51,587,401,416
2006 $22,715,540,324 $42,910,146,296
2005 $20,040,642,477 $37,672,280,120
2004 $18,610,594,846 $35,064,843,793
2003 $17,271,760,507 $29,667,268,248
2002 $16,578,820,687 $23,649,833,332
2001 $15,976,174,337 $21,387,533,703
2000 $15,013,629,662 $21,230,182,989
1999 $14,254,866,285 $21,899,317,599
1998 $13,684,255,947 $20,150,053,345
1997 $12,614,602,382 $19,563,836,265
1996 $11,678,424,507 $20,895,314,658
1995 $11,578,594,260 $20,853,093,870
1994 $10,489,903,725 $17,701,798,891
1993 $9,564,815,975 $15,925,521,222
1992 $8,579,754,758 $15,518,702,635
1991 $7,215,725,487 $13,834,219,728
1990 $5,711,687,787 $12,778,792,854
1989 $5,251,025,767 $10,037,674,038
1988 $4,614,629,898 $9,418,167,855
1987 $4,532,952,047 $8,320,902,215
1986 $4,418,983,871 $6,685,595,088
1985 $3,919,203,960 $4,577,211,767
1984 $3,660,477,856 $4,438,435,493
1983 $3,146,772,631 $4,524,217,751
1982 $2,606,623,555 $4,602,316,793
1981 $2,623,803,096 $5,053,665,797
1980 $4,831,447,001 $6,019,805,490
1979 $4,035,519,323 $5,516,982,664
1978 $3,523,208,810 $4,718,539,772
1977 $3,072,427,013 $3,789,321,328
1976 $2,412,555,426 $3,423,586,207
1975 $1,960,863,466 $3,123,333,333
1974 $1,666,544,754 $3,183,637,117
1973 $1,528,925,846 $2,609,875,802
1972 $1,238,251,696 $1,901,697,370
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,518,773,421
1970 $984,830,158 $1,457,768,455
1969 $853,630,204 $1,245,432,991
1968 $773,841,494 $1,075,561,623
1967 $699,456,619 $983,052,315
1966 $647,305,630 $976,717,015
1965 $592,981,162 $929,477,285
1964 $542,578,367 $910,877,686
1963 $511,902,137 $797,902,154
1962 $479,180,824 $747,846,862
1961 $490,325,182 $710,163,719
1960 $507,513,830 $709,941,874

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Luxembourg by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Luxembourg
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Luxembourg
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $137,782 $155,941
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $133,231 $150,508
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $123,720 $146,919
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $134,966 $136,772
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $116,860 $122,067
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $112,697 $121,372
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $116,927 $116,638
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $110,193 $114,986
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $106,899 $113,365
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $105,462 $107,860
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $123,679 $105,296
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $120,000 $100,925
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $112,585 $96,636
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $119,025 $94,475
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $110,886 $90,336
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $109,420 $86,919
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $120,422 $90,971
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $107,475 $85,126
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $90,789 $78,861
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $80,988 $68,788
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $76,545 $64,686
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $65,689 $60,192
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $53,006 $58,576
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $48,440 $56,136
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $48,660 $55,136
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $50,872 $49,845
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $47,445 $44,270
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $46,642 $42,488
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $50,444 $39,722
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $51,032 $38,345
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $43,933 $37,551
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $40,067 $35,899
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $39,571 $34,108
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $35,747 $33,191
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $33,465 $29,949
1989 $1,725 - $26,618 -
1988 $1,555 - $25,219 -
1987 $1,567 - $22,443 -
1986 $1,569 - $18,150 -
1985 $1,429 - $12,482 -
1984 $1,372 - $12,127 -
1983 $1,213 - $12,374 -
1982 $1,032 - $12,591 -
1981 $1,068 - $13,837 -
1980 $2,021 - $16,531 -
1979 $1,735 - $15,204 -
1978 $1,556 - $13,034 -
1977 $1,393 - $10,486 -
1976 $1,123 - $9,491 -
1975 $937 - $8,701 -
1974 $817 - $8,967 -
1973 $769 - $7,447 -
1972 $639 - $5,487 -
1971 $570 - $4,435 -
1970 $536 - $4,298 -
1969 $477 - $3,690 -
1968 $445 - $3,203 -
1967 $414 - $2,935 -
1966 $395 - $2,925 -
1965 $374 - $2,804 -
1964 $354 - $2,779 -
1963 $346 - $2,462 -
1962 $335 - $2,332 -
1961 $356 - $2,241 -
1960 $382 - $2,261 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $137,782 in Luxembourg, ranking 3/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Luxembourg ranks 1st at $155,941.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Luxembourg
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$93.3B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
0.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$137,782
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$155,941
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
1/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$24.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$36,221
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
19/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$69,593
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$41.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
46.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
2.05%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
6.42%
2024
Population
5181862
693885

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Luxembourg
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Luxembourg
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 46.9% 26.3%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 46.4% 24.7%
2022 19.2% 63% 44.3% 24.9%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 42.4% 24.2%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 47% 24.5%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 43.1% 22.3%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 42.3% 20.9%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 41.3% 21.8%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 40% 19.6%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 40.4% 21.1%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 40.6% 21.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 41.2% 22.4%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 41.8% 20.8%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 41.5% 18.5%
2010 18% 28.1% 42% 19.1%
2009 16.7% 26% 42.7% 15.3%
2008 15.2% 24% 37.9% 14.6%
2007 14.6% 27% 37.4% 8.09%
2006 15.2% 33% 39.4% 8.21%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 43.4% 7.95%
2004 17% 41% 43.7% 7.83%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 43.3% 7.43%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 41.8% 7.45%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 38.1% 7.62%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 38% 7.49%
1999 16.7% 39% 41.7% 8.39%
1998 16% 40.7% 43.9% 9.51%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 44.2% 10.1%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 42.5% 10.2%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 42% 10.3%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Luxembourg spent $43.7B, or 46.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 26.3% in Luxembourg, ranking 79/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Luxembourg
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Luxembourg
2024 -3.78% 1.03%
2023 -3.25% -0.78%
2022 -2.81% 0.18%
2021 -5.09% 1%
2020 -8.38% -3.09%
2019 -6.68% 2.68%
2018 -5.66% 3.17%
2017 -5.88% 1.37%
2016 -5.09% 1.89%
2015 -5.52% 1.3%
2014 -5.45% 1.33%
2013 -5.25% 0.84%
2012 -4.22% 0.5%
2011 -3.91% 0.65%
2010 -4.96% -0.26%
2009 -3.25% -0.21%
2008 0.18% 3.37%
2007 0.56% 4.35%
2006 -1.04% 1.9%
2005 -2.09% -0.21%
2004 -3.42% -1.39%
2003 -3.43% 0.28%
2002 -4.99% 2.03%
2001 -3.47% 5.62%
2000 -3.68% 5.55%
1999 -2.88% 3.24%
1998 -2.96% 2.98%
1997 -3.39% 2.65%
1996 -4.32% 2.37%
1995 -3.68% 2.71%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/luxembourg | 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 Luxembourg's surplus of $961M, or 1.03% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Luxembourg ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.93% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.57% of GDP for Luxembourg.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Luxembourg
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Luxembourg
2024 -0.41% 2.05%
2023 0.53% 3.74%
2022 8.27% 6.34%
2021 1.73% 2.53%
2020 0.72% 0.82%
2019 2.1% 1.74%
2018 2.22% 1.53%
2017 1.63% 1.73%
2016 -0.02% 0.29%
2015 0.8% 0.47%
2014 4.52% 0.63%
2013 5.23% 1.73%
2012 4.5% 2.66%
2011 4.88% 3.41%
2010 5.66% 2.27%
2009 7.84% 0.37%
2008 13.4% 3.4%
2007 9.36% 2.31%
2006 11.5% 2.67%
2005 13.8% 2.49%
2004 12.3% 2.23%
2003 9.45% 2.05%
2002 9.17% 2.07%
2001 11.3% 2.66%
2000 11% 3.15%
1999 10% 1.03%
1998 11.7% 0.96%
1997 13.2% 1.37%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 2.1% in Luxembourg. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 2.05% in Luxembourg.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Metals $10.1M
Machinery & equipment $18K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Luxembourg
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $945K
Chemicals & pharma $426K
Metals $92K
Textiles & consumer goods $69K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Animal & marine products $4K
Miscellaneous $3K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Luxembourg
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
35/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+4.4%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$29.4B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$31.3B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$150B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
159.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
191.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Luxembourg
Economic freedom 69.1 79.7
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 7/197
Property rights 66 96.6
Government integrity 64.1 88.7
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 99.1
Tax burden 78.6 62.3
Government spending 89.3 36.9
Fiscal health 75.6 98.6
Business freedom 79.9 89.5
Labor freedom 55.9 56.7
Monetary freedom 78.2 74.1
Trade freedom 75 79.4
Investment freedom 50 95
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Luxembourg
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Luxembourg
2026 69.1 79.7
2025 68.6 79.5
2024 67.7 79.2
2023 66.5 78.4
2022 65.4 80.6
2021 64.2 76
2020 65.8 75.8
2019 65.3 75.9
2018 65.6 76.4
2017 65 75.9
2016 67.4 73.9
2015 67.2 73.2
2014 66.9 74.2
2013 67 74.2
2012 68 74.5
2011 67.3 76.2
2010 65.9 75.4
2009 66.4 75.2
2008 64.2 74.7
2007 64 74.6
2006 65.9 75.3
2005 66.1 76.3
2004 66.4 78.9
2003 67 79.9
2002 67.5 79.4
2001 67.6 80.1
2000 68.4 76.4
1999 67.4 72.4
1998 65.6 72.7
1997 65.6 72.8
1996 66.4 72.5
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 79.7 for Luxembourg, ranking 7/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Luxembourg
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
81.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
9.66%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
0.21%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$57.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$110,650
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$2.79B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
119/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
$21.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$106B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$109B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
17.3%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
15.8%
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/luxembourg | 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.