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Economy of Costa Rica vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 73/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

Costa Rica vs Mali GDP by year

Costa Rica
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Mali
2024 $95,350,423,177 $26,794,747,240
2023 $86,497,941,439 $24,813,860,599
2022 $69,243,626,029 $22,539,987,719
2021 $64,960,725,734 $22,999,245,263
2020 $62,395,610,760 $20,698,560,939
2019 $64,417,670,521 $20,477,421,885
2018 $62,420,164,992 $20,368,015,381
2017 $60,516,044,657 $18,308,362,040
2016 $58,847,019,610 $16,743,796,800
2015 $56,441,920,821 $15,583,181,170
2014 $52,016,408,854 $17,081,681,993
2013 $50,949,668,842 $15,747,192,681
2012 $47,231,655,432 $14,795,114,603
2011 $42,762,613,699 $15,452,791,789
2010 $37,658,616,952 $12,710,739,159
2009 $30,745,714,313 $12,155,217,833
2008 $30,801,745,700 $11,462,490,840
2007 $26,884,700,709 $9,699,047,443
2006 $22,715,540,324 $8,212,007,554
2005 $20,040,642,477 $7,429,066,951
2004 $18,610,594,846 $6,485,774,930
2003 $17,271,760,507 $5,605,613,011
2002 $16,578,820,687 $4,647,238,257
2001 $15,976,174,337 $4,124,281,594
2000 $15,013,629,662 $3,521,570,876
1999 $14,254,866,285 $4,091,446,054
1998 $13,684,255,947 $3,894,433,432
1997 $12,614,602,382 $3,414,879,486
1996 $11,678,424,507 $3,743,103,420
1995 $11,578,594,260 $3,373,322,735
1994 $10,489,903,725 $2,655,768,636
1993 $9,564,815,975 $3,632,801,877
1992 $8,579,754,758 $3,680,775,037
1991 $7,215,725,487 $3,576,562,682
1990 $5,711,687,787 $3,248,417,791
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,824,822,489
1988 $4,614,629,898 $2,712,207,901
1987 $4,532,952,047 $2,437,004,680
1986 $4,418,983,871 $2,132,938,007
1985 $3,919,203,960 $1,594,347,021
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,387,809,615
1983 $3,146,772,631 $1,496,616,127
1982 $2,606,623,555 $1,680,304,773
1981 $2,623,803,096 $2,234,583,940
1980 $4,831,447,001 $2,704,362,789
1979 $4,035,519,323 $1,595,422,956
1978 $3,523,208,810 $1,222,702,573
1977 $3,072,427,013 $1,049,838,548
1976 $2,412,555,426 $939,228,017
1975 $1,960,863,466 $830,710,615
1974 $1,666,544,754 $538,747,340
1973 $1,528,925,846 $563,683,703
1972 $1,238,251,696 $486,617,280
1971 $1,077,147,538 $395,218,629
1970 $984,830,158 $359,772,315
1969 $853,630,204 $339,913,867
1968 $773,841,494 $343,771,973
1967 $699,456,619 $275,494,478
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/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Mali by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $977 $3,014
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $953 $2,724
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $972 $2,820
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $996 $2,684
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $924 $2,607
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $872 $2,532
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $838 $2,330
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $948 $2,185
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $902 $2,059
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $873 $1,990
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $938 $2,046
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $797 $2,012
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $787 $1,945
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $767 $1,893
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $671 $1,852
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $587 $1,832
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $549 $1,771
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $495 $1,730
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $442 $1,715
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $378 $1,581
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $346 $1,559
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $305 $1,357
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $364 $1,376
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $357 $1,332
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $321 $1,267
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $360 $1,224
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $331 $1,154
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $372 $1,087
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $385 $1,039
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $382 $1,091
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $354 $956
1989 $1,725 - $314 -
1988 $1,555 - $307 -
1987 $1,567 - $280.7 -
1986 $1,569 - $250 -
1985 $1,429 - $190.4 -
1984 $1,372 - $169.1 -
1983 $1,213 - $186.3 -
1982 $1,032 - $213.8 -
1981 $1,068 - $290.5 -
1980 $2,021 - $359 -
1979 $1,735 - $216.3 -
1978 $1,556 - $169.1 -
1977 $1,393 - $148.1 -
1976 $1,123 - $134.9 -
1975 $937 - $121.5 -
1974 $817 - $80.2 -
1973 $769 - $85.4 -
1972 $639 - $75.1 -
1971 $570 - $62 -
1970 $536 - $57.3 -
1969 $477 - $55 -
1968 $445 - $56.5 -
1967 $414 - $46 -
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/mali | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Mali
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,463
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
5.45%
2023
Population
5181862
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 19.2% 63% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 20% 26.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 20.6% 24%
2010 18% 28.1% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 16.7% 26% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 15.2% 24% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 14.6% 27% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 15.2% 33% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 17% 41% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 19.4% 90.5%
1999 16.7% 39% - -
1998 16% 40.7% - -
1997 16.3% 30.6% - -
1996 17.3% 33.7% - -
1995 16.4% 29.1% - -
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/mali | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 79/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Mali
2024 -3.78% -2.57%
2023 -3.25% -3.57%
2022 -2.81% -4.75%
2021 -5.09% -4.91%
2020 -8.38% -5.42%
2019 -6.68% -1.68%
2018 -5.66% -4.74%
2017 -5.88% -2.86%
2016 -5.09% -3.95%
2015 -5.52% -1.82%
2014 -5.45% -2.89%
2013 -5.25% -2.37%
2012 -4.22% -0.96%
2011 -3.91% -3.42%
2010 -4.96% -2.57%
2009 -3.25% -3.71%
2008 0.18% -1.97%
2007 0.56% -2.78%
2006 -1.04% 27.8%
2005 -2.09% -2.76%
2004 -3.42% -2.36%
2003 -3.43% -1.19%
2002 -4.99% -3.09%
2001 -3.47% -2.8%
2000 -3.68% -2.64%
1999 -2.88% -
1998 -2.96% -
1997 -3.39% -
1996 -4.32% -
1995 -3.68% -
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/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 4.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Mali
2024 -0.41% 3.2%
2023 0.53% 2.1%
2022 8.27% 9.7%
2021 1.73% 3.8%
2020 0.72% 0.5%
2019 2.1% -3%
2018 2.22% 1.9%
2017 1.63% 2.4%
2016 -0.02% -1.8%
2015 0.8% 1.4%
2014 4.52% 0.9%
2013 5.23% -0.6%
2012 4.5% 5.3%
2011 4.88% 3%
2010 5.66% 1.2%
2009 7.84% 2.4%
2008 13.4% 9.2%
2007 9.36% 1.4%
2006 11.5% 1.6%
2005 13.8% 6.4%
2004 12.3% -3.1%
2003 9.45% -1.3%
2002 9.17% 5%
2001 11.3% 5.2%
2000 11% -0.8%
1999 10% -1.2%
1998 11.7% 4.1%
1997 13.2% -0.7%

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/mali | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 2.08% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $206K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Mali
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Mali
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Mali
Economic freedom 69.1 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 150/197
Property rights 66 13.8
Government integrity 64.1 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 23.3
Tax burden 78.6 67.9
Government spending 89.3 81.8
Fiscal health 75.6 73.6
Business freedom 79.9 40.8
Labor freedom 55.9 54.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 78.2
Trade freedom 75 64
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Mali
2026 69.1 52.1
2025 68.6 52.6
2024 67.7 52.5
2023 66.5 54.5
2022 65.4 55.9
2021 64.2 55.6
2020 65.8 55.9
2019 65.3 58.1
2018 65.6 57.6
2017 65 58.6
2016 67.4 56.5
2015 67.2 56.4
2014 66.9 55.5
2013 67 56.4
2012 68 55.8
2011 67.3 56.3
2010 65.9 55.6
2009 66.4 55.6
2008 64.2 55.6
2007 64 54.7
2006 65.9 54.1
2005 66.1 57.3
2004 66.4 56.6
2003 67 58.6
2002 67.5 61.1
2001 67.6 60.1
2000 68.4 60.3
1999 67.4 58.4
1998 65.6 57.3
1997 65.6 56.4
1996 66.4 57
1995 68 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Mali
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$3,230
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
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
19.5%
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/mali | 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 (2022–2023, 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.