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Economy of Costa Rica vs Maldives compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $7.06B for Maldives, ranking 73/197 and 159/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $9.41B (133.3% of GDP) in Maldives.

Costa Rica vs Maldives GDP by year

Costa Rica
Maldives
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Maldives
2024 $95,350,423,177 $7,061,608,267
2023 $86,497,941,439 $6,621,008,704
2022 $69,243,626,029 $6,177,123,352
2021 $64,960,725,734 $5,252,457,370
2020 $62,395,610,760 $3,712,604,583
2019 $64,417,670,521 $5,726,094,799
2018 $62,420,164,992 $5,404,344,163
2017 $60,516,044,657 $4,816,426,257
2016 $58,847,019,610 $4,409,942,624
2015 $56,441,920,821 $4,129,505,319
2014 $52,016,408,854 $3,697,353,039
2013 $50,949,668,842 $3,295,009,238
2012 $47,231,655,432 $2,886,163,997
2011 $42,762,613,699 $2,774,350,240
2010 $37,658,616,952 $2,588,176,055
2009 $30,745,714,313 $2,345,294,875
2008 $30,801,745,700 $2,271,646,188
2007 $26,884,700,709 $1,868,383,461
2006 $22,715,540,324 $1,575,200,391
2005 $20,040,642,477 $1,163,362,438
2004 $18,610,594,846 $1,226,829,563
2003 $17,271,760,507 $1,052,121,055
2002 $16,578,820,687 $897,031,250
2001 $15,976,174,337 $870,031,677
2000 $15,013,629,662 $624,337,145
1999 $14,254,866,285 $589,239,754
1998 $13,684,255,947 $540,096,398
1997 $12,614,602,382 $508,223,602
1996 $11,678,424,507 $450,382,328
1995 $11,578,594,260 $398,988,955
1994 $10,489,903,725 $356,014,932
1993 $9,564,815,975 $322,417,837
1992 $8,579,754,758 $284,875,809
1991 $7,215,725,487 $244,396,762
1990 $5,711,687,787 $215,043,970
1989 $5,251,025,767 $189,514,434
1988 $4,614,629,898 $168,514,513
1987 $4,532,952,047 $141,223,029
1986 $4,418,983,871 $141,882,254
1985 $3,919,203,960 $127,190,758
1984 $3,660,477,856 $109,503,546
1983 $3,146,772,631 $57,829,787
1982 $2,606,623,555 $47,911,340
1981 $2,623,803,096 $44,781,457
1980 $4,831,447,001 $42,463,576
1979 $4,035,519,323 $38,523,364
1978 $3,523,208,810 $24,369,109
1977 $3,072,427,013 $20,853,789
1976 $2,412,555,426 $22,399,467
1975 $1,960,863,466 $24,540,878
1974 $1,666,544,754 $39,120,171
1973 $1,528,925,846 $30,862,042
1972 $1,238,251,696 $25,177,138
1971 $1,077,147,538 $21,566,404
1970 $984,830,158 $19,328,038
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/maldives | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Maldives by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Maldives
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $13,379 $26,183
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $12,588 $24,786
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $11,786 $22,881
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $10,176 $19,053
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $7,394 $13,425
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $11,740 $23,077
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $11,423 $21,899
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $10,510 $19,768
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $9,948 $18,770
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $9,645 $17,875
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $8,939 $16,723
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $8,236 $15,264
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $7,461 $13,989
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $7,425 $13,726
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $7,174 $12,797
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $6,734 $12,266
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $6,757 $13,779
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $5,758 $12,852
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $5,019 $12,075
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $3,797 $9,704
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $4,070 $10,770
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $3,549 $10,065
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $3,076 $8,823
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $3,034 $8,236
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $2,214 $8,526
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $2,124 $8,162
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,980 $7,710
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $1,898 $7,226
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $1,717 $6,687
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,555 $6,223
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,419 $5,520
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,317 $5,138
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,194 $4,881
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,054 $4,604
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $957 $4,528
1989 $1,725 - $870 -
1988 $1,555 - $799 -
1987 $1,567 - $692 -
1986 $1,569 - $720 -
1985 $1,429 - $669 -
1984 $1,372 - $594 -
1983 $1,213 - $323 -
1982 $1,032 - $274.8 -
1981 $1,068 - $264.1 -
1980 $2,021 - $257.6 -
1979 $1,735 - $240.2 -
1978 $1,556 - $156.1 -
1977 $1,393 - $137.3 -
1976 $1,123 - $151.8 -
1975 $937 - $171.4 -
1974 $817 - $281.5 -
1973 $769 - $228.7 -
1972 $639 - $192.2 -
1971 $570 - $169.8 -
1970 $536 - $156.9 -
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/maldives | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $13,379 in Maldives, ranking 75/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Maldives
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$7.06B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
3.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$13,379
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
75/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$26,183
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
81/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$9.41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
133.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$17,837
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
35/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$9,909
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
23.3%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
46.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
1.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
4.56%
2019
Population
5181862
532057

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Maldives
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Maldives
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 46.1% 133.3%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 46.7% 122.4%
2022 19.2% 63% 42% 111.6%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 40.6% 123.4%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 50.4% 155.7%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 32.9% 77.2%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 31.9% 70.7%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 30.4% 63.8%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 37.3% 61.9%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 33.8% 54.8%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 29.1% 55.1%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 27% 55.9%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 29.8% 57.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 31.3% 51.9%
2010 18% 28.1% 33.2% 52.7%
2009 16.7% 26% 37% 48.4%
2008 15.2% 24% 35.6% 39%
2007 14.6% 27% 34.8% 35.8%
2006 15.2% 33% 35% 36.8%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 38.8% 43.2%
2004 17% 41% 24.1% 34.7%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 26.4% 37.6%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 29.6% 44.3%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 29.6% 41.8%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 29% 39%
1999 16.7% 39% 28% 38.9%
1998 16% 40.7% 25.9% 39.3%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 25.2% 38.1%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 27.3% 46.9%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 31.3% 52.2%
1994 17.4% 27% 30.7% 54.6%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 34.7% 55.7%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 36.1% 49%
1991 14% 28.4% 37.7% 46.7%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 33.3% 42.4%
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 (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Maldives spent $3.25B, or 46.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 133.3% in Maldives, ranking 79/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Maldives
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Maldives
2024 -3.78% -13.9%
2023 -3.25% -13.2%
2022 -2.81% -11.2%
2021 -5.09% -14.2%
2020 -8.38% -23.7%
2019 -6.68% -6.54%
2018 -5.66% -5.17%
2017 -5.88% -3.02%
2016 -5.09% -9.93%
2015 -5.52% -6.52%
2014 -5.45% -2.42%
2013 -5.25% -3.49%
2012 -4.22% -6.91%
2011 -3.91% -8.13%
2010 -4.96% -13.6%
2009 -3.25% -17.9%
2008 0.18% -9.92%
2007 0.56% -3.16%
2006 -1.04% -4.52%
2005 -2.09% -7.81%
2004 -3.42% -2.26%
2003 -3.43% -3.45%
2002 -4.99% -3.97%
2001 -3.47% -3.97%
2000 -3.68% -3.89%
1999 -2.88% -3.03%
1998 -2.96% -2.25%
1997 -3.39% -1.46%
1996 -4.32% -2.01%
1995 -3.68% -5.66%
1994 -5.46% -4.82%
1993 -1.52% -13.9%
1992 -1.51% -12.6%
1991 -2.41% -10.2%
1990 -4.4% -12.8%
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/maldives | 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 Maldives' deficit of $982M, or 13.9% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Maldives ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.75% of GDP for Maldives.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Maldives
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Maldives
2024 -0.41% 1.4%
2023 0.53% 2.6%
2022 8.27% 2.6%
2021 1.73% 0.2%
2020 0.72% -1.6%
2019 2.1% 1.3%
2018 2.22% 1.4%
2017 1.63% 2.3%
2016 -0.02% 0.8%
2015 0.8% 1.4%
2014 4.52% 2.4%
2013 5.23% 4%
2012 4.5% 10.9%
2011 4.88% 11.3%
2010 5.66% 6.1%
2009 7.84% 4.5%
2008 13.4% 12%
2007 9.36% 6.8%
2006 11.5% 3.5%
2005 13.8% 2.5%
2004 12.3% 6.3%
2003 9.45% -2.8%
2002 9.17% 0.9%
2001 11.3% 0.7%
2000 11% -1.2%
1999 10% 3%
1998 11.7% -1.4%
1997 13.2% 7.6%

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/maldives | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 3.2% in Maldives. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 1.4% in Maldives.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Maldives
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.01M

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Maldives
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-18.7%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$3.46B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$383M
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$1.89B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$5.03B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
78.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Maldives
Economic freedom 69.1 47.6
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 174/197
Property rights 66 52.2
Government integrity 64.1 41.9
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 39.3
Tax burden 78.6 89.9
Government spending 89.3 39.5
Fiscal health 75.6 0
Business freedom 79.9 49.7
Labor freedom 55.9 54.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 76.4
Trade freedom 75 62.8
Investment freedom 50 35
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Maldives
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Maldives
2026 69.1 47.6
2025 68.6 48.3
2024 67.7 47.8
2023 66.5 46.6
2022 65.4 47.3
2021 64.2 55.2
2020 65.8 56.5
2019 65.3 53.2
2018 65.6 51.1
2017 65 50.3
2016 67.4 53.9
2015 67.2 53.4
2014 66.9 51
2013 67 49
2012 68 49.2
2011 67.3 48.3
2010 65.9 49
2009 66.4 51.3
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/maldives | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 47.6 for Maldives, ranking 174/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Maldives
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
72.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
9.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
3.84%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$6.15B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$23,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$674M
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$806M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$806M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
7.95%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
15%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
30.8%
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/maldives | 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 (1956–1996, 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)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.