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Economy of Costa Rica vs Marshall Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $290M for the Marshall Islands, ranking 73/197 and 193/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $38.4M (13.2% of GDP) in the Marshall Islands.

Costa Rica vs Marshall Islands GDP by year

Costa Rica
Marshall Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Marshall Islands
2024 $95,350,423,177 $290,108,490
2023 $86,497,941,439 $263,761,322
2022 $69,243,626,029 $258,723,511
2021 $64,960,725,734 $261,245,544
2020 $62,395,610,760 $241,800,000
2019 $64,417,670,521 $232,900,000
2018 $62,420,164,992 $220,000,000
2017 $60,516,044,657 $213,700,000
2016 $58,847,019,610 $201,800,000
2015 $56,441,920,821 $183,700,000
2014 $52,016,408,854 $186,000,000
2013 $50,949,668,842 $186,400,000
2012 $47,231,655,432 $180,700,000
2011 $42,762,613,699 $172,300,000
2010 $37,658,616,952 $161,100,000
2009 $30,745,714,313 $151,200,000
2008 $30,801,745,700 $146,600,000
2007 $26,884,700,709 $150,500,000
2006 $22,715,540,324 $143,200,000
2005 $20,040,642,477 $138,000,000
2004 $18,610,594,846 $132,900,000
2003 $17,271,760,507 $131,128,500
2002 $16,578,820,687 $131,960,000
2001 $15,976,174,337 $122,406,100
2000 $15,013,629,662 $114,838,500
1999 $14,254,866,285 $113,352,100
1998 $13,684,255,947 $112,070,100
1997 $12,614,602,382 $109,884,700
1996 $11,678,424,507 $110,858,000
1995 $11,578,594,260 $120,230,000
1994 $10,489,903,725 $108,071,000
1993 $9,564,815,975 $99,461,000
1992 $8,579,754,758 $91,063,000
1991 $7,215,725,487 $82,507,000
1990 $5,711,687,787 $78,476,000
1989 $5,251,025,767 $72,798,000
1988 $4,614,629,898 $70,688,000
1987 $4,532,952,047 $62,983,000
1986 $4,418,983,871 $55,989,000
1985 $3,919,203,960 $43,879,000
1984 $3,660,477,856 $45,144,000
1983 $3,146,772,631 $41,749,000
1982 $2,606,623,555 $34,918,000
1981 $2,623,803,096 $31,020,000
1980 $4,831,447,001 $26,710,653
1979 $4,035,519,323 $25,545,346
1978 $3,523,208,810 $22,209,370
1977 $3,072,427,013 $20,210,069
1976 $2,412,555,426 $18,153,647
1975 $1,960,863,466 $16,691,301
1974 $1,666,544,754 $15,217,532
1973 $1,528,925,846 $11,607,366
1972 $1,238,251,696 $9,973,652
1971 $1,077,147,538 $9,116,810
1970 $984,830,158 $8,408,486
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/marshall-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Marshall Islands by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Marshall Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $7,726 $8,195
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $6,793 $7,549
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $6,456 $7,431
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $6,315 $6,768
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $5,662 $6,137
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $5,292 $6,045
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $4,858 $5,232
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $4,593 $4,719
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $4,230 $4,366
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $3,764 $4,125
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $3,735 $3,931
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $3,678 $3,845
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $3,514 $3,590
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $3,319 $3,537
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $3,095 $3,473
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $2,907 $3,253
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $2,818 $3,118
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $2,892 $3,309
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $2,754 $3,110
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $2,659 $3,017
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $2,566 $2,880
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $2,539 $2,824
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $2,566 $2,825
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $2,394 $2,700
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $2,265 $2,490
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $2,258 $2,400
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $2,254 $2,422
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $2,231 $2,434
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $2,273 $2,583
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $2,491 $2,858
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $2,265 $2,617
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $2,112 $2,452
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,963 $2,293
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,811 $2,131
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,758 $2,102
1989 $1,725 - $1,670 -
1988 $1,555 - $1,670 -
1987 $1,567 - $1,543 -
1986 $1,569 - $1,425 -
1985 $1,429 - $1,162 -
1984 $1,372 - $1,245 -
1983 $1,213 - $1,199 -
1982 $1,032 - $1,046 -
1981 $1,068 - $969 -
1980 $2,021 - $868 -
1979 $1,735 - $859 -
1978 $1,556 - $771 -
1977 $1,393 - $724 -
1976 $1,123 - $672 -
1975 $937 - $638 -
1974 $817 - $602 -
1973 $769 - $472 -
1972 $639 - $416 -
1971 $570 - $390 -
1970 $536 - $373 -
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/marshall-islands | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $7,726 in the Marshall Islands, ranking 96/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Marshall Islands
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$290M
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
193/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$7,726
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
96/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$8,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
139/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$38.4M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
13.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,022
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
142/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$5,044
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
27.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
71.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
5.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
9.82%
2021
Population
5181862
35058

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Marshall Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 71.6% 13.2%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 68.4% 18.2%
2022 19.2% 63% 67.7% 19.8%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 69.8% 20.1%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 67.8% 21.7%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 65.5% 25.1%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 60.5% 24.7%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 63.7% 26.5%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 56.8% 29.2%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 56.3% 33.9%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 49.2% 34.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 55% 33.4%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 53.2% 37.6%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 55.9% 35.9%
2010 18% 28.1% 59.2% 38.8%
2009 16.7% 26% 63.1% 41.2%
2008 15.2% 24% 64.3% 44.1%
2007 14.6% 27% 67.2% 42.2%
2006 15.2% 33% 61.2% 44.4%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 85.3% 45.8%
2004 17% 41% 54.5% 46.8%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 52.9% 43.7%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 55.2% 37.2%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 58.8% 32.7%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 56.5% 27.3%
1999 16.7% 39% 48.7% 26.1%
1998 16% 40.7% 50.5% 18.1%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 55% 8.73%
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/marshall-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while the Marshall Islands spent $208M, or 71.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 13.2% in the Marshall Islands, ranking 79/185 and 179/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Marshall Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Marshall Islands
2024 -3.78% 3.61%
2023 -3.25% 1.14%
2022 -2.81% 0.68%
2021 -5.09% 0.18%
2020 -8.38% 2.54%
2019 -6.68% -1.8%
2018 -5.66% 2.55%
2017 -5.88% 4.38%
2016 -5.09% 3.88%
2015 -5.52% 2.81%
2014 -5.45% 3.2%
2013 -5.25% -0.23%
2012 -4.22% -0.76%
2011 -3.91% 2.13%
2010 -4.96% 3.51%
2009 -3.25% 1.51%
2008 0.18% 3.68%
2007 0.56% 0.27%
2006 -1.04% 0.24%
2005 -2.09% -22.3%
2004 -3.42% -1.6%
2003 -3.43% 10.5%
2002 -4.99% 5.12%
2001 -3.47% 7.83%
2000 -3.68% 7.84%
1999 -2.88% 9.01%
1998 -2.96% 13.5%
1997 -3.39% 7.91%
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/marshall-islands | 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 the Marshall Islands' surplus of $10.5M, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while the Marshall Islands ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.92% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.55% of GDP for the Marshall Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Marshall Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Marshall Islands
2024 -0.41% 5.2%
2023 0.53% 7.4%
2022 8.27% 2.8%
2021 1.73% 2.2%
2020 0.72% -0.7%
2019 2.1% -0.1%
2018 2.22% 0.8%
2017 1.63% 0.1%
2016 -0.02% -1.5%
2015 0.8% -2.2%
2014 4.52% 1.1%
2013 5.23% 1.9%
2012 4.5% 4.3%
2011 4.88% 5.4%
2010 5.66% 1.8%
2009 7.84% 0.5%
2008 13.4% 14.7%
2007 9.36% 2.6%
2006 11.5% 5.3%
2005 13.8% 3.5%
2004 12.3% 2%
2003 9.45% -
2002 9.17% -
2001 11.3% -
2000 11% -
1999 10% -
1998 11.7% -
1997 13.2% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/marshall-islands | CC BY

Over the past 21 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.26%, compared with 2.72% in the Marshall Islands. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 5.2% in the Marshall Islands.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $22K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Marshall Islands
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Marshall Islands
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$76.3M
2021
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
70/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+29.2%
2021
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$133M
2021
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$121M
2021
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$73.1M
2021
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$9.44M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
81.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
42.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Marshall Islands
Economic freedom 69.1 58
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 113/197
Property rights 66 n/a
Government integrity 64.1 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 n/a
Tax burden 78.6 n/a
Government spending 89.3 n/a
Fiscal health 75.6 n/a
Business freedom 79.9 n/a
Labor freedom 55.9 n/a
Monetary freedom 78.2 n/a
Trade freedom 75 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Marshall Islands
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
67%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
13.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
19.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$319M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$9,680
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
-$499K
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$1.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
7.2%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
20.7%
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/marshall-islands | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (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.