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Economy of Costa Rica vs Madagascar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $17.4B for Madagascar, ranking 73/197 and 136/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $8.77B (50.3% of GDP) in Madagascar.

Costa Rica vs Madagascar GDP by year

Costa Rica
Madagascar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Madagascar
2024 $95,350,423,177 $17,420,501,490
2023 $86,497,941,439 $15,869,945,478
2022 $69,243,626,029 $15,325,603,273
2021 $64,960,725,734 $14,354,731,964
2020 $62,395,610,760 $13,051,441,204
2019 $64,417,670,521 $14,104,664,679
2018 $62,420,164,992 $13,760,033,282
2017 $60,516,044,657 $13,176,313,594
2016 $58,847,019,610 $11,848,613,858
2015 $56,441,920,821 $11,323,020,701
2014 $52,016,408,854 $12,522,957,399
2013 $50,949,668,842 $12,423,555,455
2012 $47,231,655,432 $11,578,975,062
2011 $42,762,613,699 $11,551,819,618
2010 $37,658,616,952 $9,982,711,338
2009 $30,745,714,313 $9,616,879,409
2008 $30,801,745,700 $10,725,137,724
2007 $26,884,700,709 $8,524,620,890
2006 $22,715,540,324 $6,395,712,491
2005 $20,040,642,477 $5,859,269,753
2004 $18,610,594,846 $5,064,732,626
2003 $17,271,760,507 $6,372,498,890
2002 $16,578,820,687 $5,351,701,663
2001 $15,976,174,337 $5,438,332,602
2000 $15,013,629,662 $4,629,247,204
1999 $14,254,866,285 $4,277,903,780
1998 $13,684,255,947 $4,401,967,633
1997 $12,614,602,382 $4,262,965,420
1996 $11,678,424,507 $4,931,861,039
1995 $11,578,594,260 $3,838,100,904
1994 $10,489,903,725 $3,522,227,092
1993 $9,564,815,975 $4,063,298,919
1992 $8,579,754,758 $3,714,966,678
1991 $7,215,725,487 $3,254,713,056
1990 $5,711,687,787 $3,931,334,875
1989 $5,251,025,767 $3,175,638,333
1988 $4,614,629,898 $3,189,456,965
1987 $4,532,952,047 $3,212,900,556
1986 $4,418,983,871 $4,347,989,788
1985 $3,919,203,960 $3,802,557,895
1984 $3,660,477,856 $3,905,938,481
1983 $3,146,772,631 $4,686,457,031
1982 $2,606,623,555 $4,784,977,326
1981 $2,623,803,096 $4,759,333,998
1980 $4,831,447,001 $5,201,818,348
1979 $4,035,519,323 $3,463,565,854
1978 $3,523,208,810 $2,669,755,115
1977 $3,072,427,013 $2,358,930,406
1976 $2,412,555,426 $2,181,844,179
1975 $1,960,863,466 $2,283,049,215
1974 $1,666,544,754 $1,917,508,190
1973 $1,528,925,846 $1,653,062,335
1972 $1,238,251,696 $1,341,590,690
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,199,507,631
1970 $984,830,158 $1,111,859,571
1969 $853,630,204 $1,056,391,056
1968 $773,841,494 $1,031,669,637
1967 $699,456,619 $956,436,932
1966 $647,305,630 $900,264,585
1965 $592,981,162 $833,563,473
1964 $542,578,367 $802,482,184
1963 $511,902,137 $759,345,864
1962 $479,180,824 $739,286,908
1961 $490,325,182 $699,161,945
1960 $507,513,830 $673,081,725

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Madagascar by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Madagascar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $545 $1,884
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $509 $1,808
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $504 $1,717
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $483 $1,577
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $451 $1,490
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $500 $1,612
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $500 $1,547
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $492 $1,547
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $454 $1,562
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $445 $1,497
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $506 $1,499
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $515 $1,473
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $494 $1,464
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $506 $1,475
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $450 $1,464
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $446 $1,480
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $513 $1,577
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $420 $1,493
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $324 $1,416
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $306 $1,343
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $272.2 $1,280
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $353 $1,219
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $305 $1,121
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $319 $1,299
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $280.3 $1,236
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $267.4 $1,194
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $284.2 $1,162
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $284.4 $1,142
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $340 $1,119
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $273.1 $1,111
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $258.7 $1,104
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $308 $1,116
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $290.2 $1,101
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $262 $1,096
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $326 $1,166
1989 $1,725 - $271.3 -
1988 $1,555 - $280.5 -
1987 $1,567 - $290.8 -
1986 $1,569 - $405 -
1985 $1,429 - $364 -
1984 $1,372 - $385 -
1983 $1,213 - $476 -
1982 $1,032 - $501 -
1981 $1,068 - $513 -
1980 $2,021 - $578 -
1979 $1,735 - $396 -
1978 $1,556 - $315 -
1977 $1,393 - $286.9 -
1976 $1,123 - $273.5 -
1975 $937 - $295 -
1974 $817 - $255.3 -
1973 $769 - $226.8 -
1972 $639 - $189.6 -
1971 $570 - $174.6 -
1970 $536 - $166.6 -
1969 $477 - $162.9 -
1968 $445 - $163.6 -
1967 $414 - $155.9 -
1966 $395 - $150.7 -
1965 $374 - $143.2 -
1964 $354 - $141.5 -
1963 $346 - $137.4 -
1962 $335 - $137.3 -
1961 $356 - $133.3 -
1960 $382 - $131.7 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $545 in Madagascar, ranking 193/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Madagascar
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
136/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$545
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
193/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$1,884
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
187/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$8.77B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
50.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$274.3
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
180/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,268
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
16.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
9.87%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
3.19%
2022
Population
5181862
33750171

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Madagascar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Madagascar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 16.2% 50.3%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 17.9% 52.7%
2022 19.2% 63% 16.2% 49.9%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 13.9% 49.4%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 16.4% 52.9%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 15.4% 41.3%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 14.4% 42.9%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 14.9% 40.1%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 13.5% 40.3%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 13% 44.1%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 12.6% 37.8%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 12.7% 36.2%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 11.5% 30.4%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 12% 29.9%
2010 18% 28.1% 12.3% 32.3%
2009 16.7% 26% 12.5% 34.9%
2008 15.2% 24% 15.7% 31%
2007 14.6% 27% 16.1% 28.2%
2006 15.2% 33% 18.5% 32.2%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 18.4% 74.4%
2004 17% 41% 21.7% 81.9%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 16.6% 85.9%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 12.4% 86.7%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 15.3% 82.1%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 15.3% 90.2%
1999 16.7% 39% 15.5% 104.1%
1998 16% 40.7% 16.9% 108.5%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 14.5% 89.7%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 14.4% 98.7%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 14.5% 95.8%
1994 17.4% 27% 16.7% 96%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 17.1% 105.2%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 16.2% 110.9%
1991 14% 28.4% 13.5% 113.8%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 13.3% 92.7%
1989 26.1% 19.3% 15.5% 122%
1988 24.5% 18.2% 11.4% 126.6%
1987 27.2% 21.2% 10.4% 127.5%
1986 26.4% 26.1% 11.1% 84.9%
1985 21.8% 22.8% 11.8% 82.7%
1984 22.8% 25.2% 13.9% 70.9%
1983 23.6% 29.8% 13.4% 57.5%
1982 18.4% 31.8% 14.3% 56.1%
1981 21% 32.3% 18.2% 51.5%
1980 25% 37.7% 22.7% 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/madagascar | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Madagascar spent $2.82B, or 16.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 50.3% in Madagascar, ranking 79/185 and 106/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Madagascar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Madagascar
2024 -3.78% -2.48%
2023 -3.25% -4.19%
2022 -2.81% -5.46%
2021 -5.09% -2.83%
2020 -8.38% -3.96%
2019 -6.68% -1.42%
2018 -5.66% -1.34%
2017 -5.88% -2.1%
2016 -5.09% -1.11%
2015 -5.52% -2.85%
2014 -5.45% -1.96%
2013 -5.25% -3.4%
2012 -4.22% -2.24%
2011 -3.91% -2.04%
2010 -4.96% -0.76%
2009 -3.25% -2.26%
2008 0.18% -1.72%
2007 0.56% -2.31%
2006 -1.04% -5.71%
2005 -2.09% -2.47%
2004 -3.42% -4.23%
2003 -3.43% -3.32%
2002 -4.99% -4.09%
2001 -3.47% -3.61%
2000 -3.68% -2.35%
1999 -2.88% -2.42%
1998 -2.96% -5.31%
1997 -3.39% -2%
1996 -4.32% -3.97%
1995 -3.68% -5.09%
1994 -5.46% -7.23%
1993 -1.52% -6.34%
1992 -1.51% -5%
1991 -2.41% -4.4%
1990 -4.4% -0.49%
1989 -1.55% -3.35%
1988 0.57% -0.57%
1987 -2.57% -2.12%
1986 -4.26% -2.24%
1985 -1.06% -2.39%
1984 -0.5% -6.09%
1983 -1.84% -6.04%
1982 -0.94% -6.97%
1981 -3.14% -9.97%
1980 -7.24% -11%
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/madagascar | 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 Madagascar's deficit of $432M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Madagascar ran a deficit in 45 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.63% of GDP for Madagascar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Madagascar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Madagascar
2024 -0.41% -
2023 0.53% 9.87%
2022 8.27% 8.16%
2021 1.73% 5.81%
2020 0.72% 4.2%
2019 2.1% 5.61%
2018 2.22% 8.59%
2017 1.63% 8.61%
2016 -0.02% 6.04%
2015 0.8% 7.4%
2014 4.52% 6.08%
2013 5.23% 5.83%
2012 4.5% 5.71%
2011 4.88% 9.48%
2010 5.66% 9.25%
2009 7.84% 8.95%
2008 13.4% 9.3%
2007 9.36% 10.3%
2006 11.5% 10.8%
2005 13.8% 18.4%
2004 12.3% 14%
2003 9.45% -1.7%
2002 9.17% 16.5%
2001 11.3% 7.92%
2000 11% 11.9%
1999 10% 9.93%
1998 11.7% 6.21%
1997 13.2% 4.49%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.92%, compared with 8.42% in Madagascar. In 2023, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 9.87% in Madagascar.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $29K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Madagascar
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $28K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Madagascar
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$829M
2022
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
119/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-5.41%
2022
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$4.52B
2022
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$3.55B
2022
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$1.52B
2022
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$1.14B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
31.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
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 Madagascar
Economic freedom 69.1 57
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 119/197
Property rights 66 39.8
Government integrity 64.1 26.8
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 33.7
Tax burden 78.6 90.5
Government spending 89.3 91.5
Fiscal health 75.6 68.8
Business freedom 79.9 37.3
Labor freedom 55.9 56.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 71.8
Trade freedom 75 67.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Madagascar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Madagascar
2026 69.1 57
2025 68.6 57
2024 67.7 57.3
2023 66.5 58.9
2022 65.4 58.9
2021 64.2 57.7
2020 65.8 60.5
2019 65.3 56.6
2018 65.6 56.8
2017 65 57.4
2016 67.4 61.1
2015 67.2 61.7
2014 66.9 61.7
2013 67 62
2012 68 62.4
2011 67.3 61.2
2010 65.9 63.2
2009 66.4 62.2
2008 64.2 62.4
2007 64 61.1
2006 65.9 61
2005 66.1 63.1
2004 66.4 60.9
2003 67 62.8
2002 67.5 56.8
2001 67.6 53.9
2000 68.4 54.4
1999 67.4 52.8
1998 65.6 51.8
1997 65.6 53.8
1996 66.4 52.2
1995 68 51.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 57 for Madagascar, ranking 119/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Madagascar
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
47.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
22.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$16.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$2.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
120/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$326M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$606M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$134M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
1.72%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
75.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
22.2%
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/madagascar | 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 (2021–2024, 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.