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Economy of Costa Rica vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $42.9B for Nepal, ranking 73/197 and 101/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $20.7B (48.3% of GDP) in Nepal.

Costa Rica vs Nepal GDP by year

Costa Rica
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Nepal
2024 $95,350,423,177 $42,914,268,287
2023 $86,497,941,439 $41,047,772,331
2022 $69,243,626,029 $41,182,939,601
2021 $64,960,725,734 $36,924,841,394
2020 $62,395,610,760 $33,433,659,301
2019 $64,417,670,521 $34,186,180,699
2018 $62,420,164,992 $33,111,525,237
2017 $60,516,044,657 $28,971,588,940
2016 $58,847,019,610 $24,524,109,484
2015 $56,441,920,821 $24,360,801,287
2014 $52,016,408,854 $22,731,612,922
2013 $50,949,668,842 $22,162,204,925
2012 $47,231,655,432 $21,703,100,877
2011 $42,762,613,699 $21,573,872,421
2010 $37,658,616,952 $16,002,656,434
2009 $30,745,714,313 $12,854,985,464
2008 $30,801,745,700 $12,545,438,605
2007 $26,884,700,709 $10,325,618,017
2006 $22,715,540,324 $9,043,715,356
2005 $20,040,642,477 $8,130,258,378
2004 $18,610,594,846 $7,273,938,315
2003 $17,271,760,507 $6,330,473,097
2002 $16,578,820,687 $6,050,875,807
2001 $15,976,174,337 $6,007,055,042
2000 $15,013,629,662 $5,494,252,208
1999 $14,254,866,285 $5,033,642,384
1998 $13,684,255,947 $4,856,255,044
1997 $12,614,602,382 $4,918,691,917
1996 $11,678,424,507 $4,521,580,381
1995 $11,578,594,260 $4,401,104,418
1994 $10,489,903,725 $4,066,775,510
1993 $9,564,815,975 $3,660,041,667
1992 $8,579,754,758 $3,401,211,581
1991 $7,215,725,487 $3,921,476,085
1990 $5,711,687,787 $3,627,560,239
1989 $5,251,025,767 $3,525,225,787
1988 $4,614,629,898 $3,487,009,748
1987 $4,532,952,047 $2,957,255,380
1986 $4,418,983,871 $2,850,782,044
1985 $3,919,203,960 $2,619,913,956
1984 $3,660,477,856 $2,581,207,388
1983 $3,146,772,631 $2,447,174,803
1982 $2,606,623,555 $2,395,423,742
1981 $2,623,803,096 $2,275,583,317
1980 $4,831,447,001 $1,945,916,583
1979 $4,035,519,323 $1,851,250,008
1978 $3,523,208,810 $1,604,162,497
1977 $3,072,427,013 $1,382,400,000
1976 $2,412,555,426 $1,452,788,985
1975 $1,960,863,466 $1,575,789,254
1974 $1,666,544,754 $1,217,953,547
1973 $1,528,925,846 $972,101,725
1972 $1,238,251,696 $1,024,098,400
1971 $1,077,147,538 $882,765,472
1970 $984,830,158 $865,975,309
1969 $853,630,204 $788,641,965
1968 $773,841,494 $772,231,387
1967 $699,456,619 $841,974,025
1966 $647,305,630 $906,811,944
1965 $592,981,162 $735,267,082
1964 $542,578,367 $496,098,775
1963 $511,902,137 $496,947,904
1962 $479,180,824 $574,091,101
1961 $490,325,182 $531,959,562
1960 $507,513,830 $508,334,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Nepal by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $1,447 $5,737
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $877 $2,976
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $876 $2,957
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $821 $2,901
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $803 $2,658
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $788 $2,466
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $786 $2,248
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $585 $2,139
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $473 $2,029
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $465 $1,942
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $385 $1,809
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $340 $1,718
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $309 $1,628
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $172.8 $952
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $165 $920
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $195.7 $889
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $185.8 $830
1989 $1,725 - $185 -
1988 $1,555 - $187.1 -
1987 $1,567 - $162 -
1986 $1,569 - $159.5 -
1985 $1,429 - $149.9 -
1984 $1,372 - $151.1 -
1983 $1,213 - $146.6 -
1982 $1,032 - $147 -
1981 $1,068 - $142.9 -
1980 $2,021 - $125.1 -
1979 $1,735 - $121.9 -
1978 $1,556 - $108.1 -
1977 $1,393 - $95.3 -
1976 $1,123 - $102.5 -
1975 $937 - $113.6 -
1974 $817 - $89.8 -
1973 $769 - $73.2 -
1972 $639 - $78.8 -
1971 $570 - $69.5 -
1970 $536 - $69.6 -
1969 $477 - $64.8 -
1968 $445 - $64.9 -
1967 $414 - $72.3 -
1966 $395 - $79.5 -
1965 $374 - $65.8 -
1964 $354 - $45.3 -
1963 $346 - $46.3 -
1962 $335 - $54.6 -
1961 $356 - $51.6 -
1960 $382 - $50.2 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $1,447 in Nepal, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Nepal
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$42.9B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
101/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
3.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$1,447
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$20.7B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
48.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$700
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
154/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$2,170
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
22.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
4.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
10.7%
2017
Population
5181862
29596762

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 22.1% 48.3%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 25.1% 47%
2022 19.2% 63% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 27.1% 34%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 28% 31.1%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 23.6% 25%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 19% 25%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 18% 28.1% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 16.7% 26% 17% 39.5%
2008 15.2% 24% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 14.6% 27% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 15.2% 33% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 12% 45.1%
2004 17% 41% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 12% 53%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 13% 51.8%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 11.4% 50.8%
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/nepal | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.5B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 48.3% in Nepal, ranking 79/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Nepal
2024 -3.78% -2.76%
2023 -3.25% -5.81%
2022 -2.81% -3.12%
2021 -5.09% -3.98%
2020 -8.38% -7.47%
2019 -6.68% -4.27%
2018 -5.66% -5.83%
2017 -5.88% -2.69%
2016 -5.09% 1.2%
2015 -5.52% 0.46%
2014 -5.45% 1.36%
2013 -5.25% 1.57%
2012 -4.22% -1.18%
2011 -3.91% -0.72%
2010 -4.96% -0.67%
2009 -3.25% -2.24%
2008 0.18% -0.29%
2007 0.56% -0.67%
2006 -1.04% 0.24%
2005 -2.09% 0.24%
2004 -3.42% -0.14%
2003 -3.43% -0.34%
2002 -4.99% -2.46%
2001 -3.47% -2.35%
2000 -3.68% -1.48%
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/nepal | 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 Nepal's deficit of $1.19B, or 2.76% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 4.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.74% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Nepal
2024 -0.41% 4.69%
2023 0.53% 7.12%
2022 8.27% 7.67%
2021 1.73% 4.13%
2020 0.72% 5.06%
2019 2.1% 5.57%
2018 2.22% 4.41%
2017 1.63% 2.78%
2016 -0.02% 8.79%
2015 0.8% 7.87%
2014 4.52% 8.36%
2013 5.23% 9.04%
2012 4.5% 9.46%
2011 4.88% 9.23%
2010 5.66% 9.33%
2009 7.84% 11.1%
2008 13.4% 9.91%
2007 9.36% 2.27%
2006 11.5% 6.92%
2005 13.8% 6.84%
2004 12.3% 2.84%
2003 9.45% 5.71%
2002 9.17% 3.03%
2001 11.3% 2.69%
2000 11% 2.48%
1999 10% 7.45%
1998 11.7% 11.2%
1997 13.2% 4.01%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 6.43% in Nepal. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 4.69% in Nepal.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8K
Nepal
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Metals $3K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Nepal
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
50/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
7.62%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Nepal
Economic freedom 69.1 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 144/197
Property rights 66 38.8
Government integrity 64.1 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 42.9
Tax burden 78.6 84.3
Government spending 89.3 82.1
Fiscal health 75.6 71
Business freedom 79.9 60.8
Labor freedom 55.9 48.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 69.4
Trade freedom 75 58.6
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Nepal
2026 69.1 52.9
2025 68.6 52.5
2024 67.7 52.1
2023 66.5 51.4
2022 65.4 49.7
2021 64.2 50.7
2020 65.8 54.2
2019 65.3 53.8
2018 65.6 54.1
2017 65 55.1
2016 67.4 50.9
2015 67.2 51.3
2014 66.9 50.1
2013 67 50.4
2012 68 50.2
2011 67.3 50.1
2010 65.9 52.7
2009 66.4 53.2
2008 64.2 54.1
2007 64 54.4
2006 65.9 53.7
2005 66.1 51.4
2004 66.4 51.2
2003 67 51.5
2002 67.5 52.3
2001 67.6 51.6
2000 68.4 51.3
1999 67.4 53.1
1998 65.6 53.5
1997 65.6 53.6
1996 66.4 50.3
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Nepal
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
55.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
11.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
21.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$5,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$12.5B
2023
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
74/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
30.4%
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/nepal | 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 (2020–2024, 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.