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Economy of Costa Rica vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $21.6B for Niger, ranking 74/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $9.82B (45.4% of GDP) in Niger.

Costa Rica vs Niger GDP by year

Costa Rica
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Niger
2025 $102,904,921,157 $21,646,191,388
2024 $96,715,644,331 $19,729,786,047
2023 $87,512,637,056 $16,949,765,464
2022 $71,001,226,361 $15,531,799,641
2021 $65,588,938,787 $14,936,154,253
2020 $62,806,591,555 $13,648,332,190
2019 $64,753,504,730 $12,420,836,507
2018 $62,567,765,946 $12,800,907,986
2017 $60,516,044,661 $11,359,273,443
2016 $58,847,019,588 $10,341,025,540
2015 $56,441,920,888 $9,683,867,926
2014 $52,016,408,816 $10,862,943,544
2013 $50,949,668,763 $10,224,897,438
2012 $47,231,655,493 $9,426,912,648
2011 $42,762,613,785 $8,772,950,778
2010 $37,658,616,966 $7,851,192,502
2009 $30,745,714,234 $7,352,131,310
2008 $30,801,745,703 $7,297,600,226
2007 $26,884,700,688 $5,731,485,052
2006 $22,715,540,342 $4,756,361,252
2005 $20,040,642,421 $4,383,315,965
2004 $18,610,594,844 $3,760,443,738
2003 $17,271,760,397 $3,394,084,732
2002 $16,578,820,799 $2,782,192,879
2001 $15,976,174,476 $2,448,714,704
2000 $15,013,629,579 $2,241,753,193
1999 $14,254,866,284 $2,537,789,821
1998 $13,684,255,998 $2,643,363,519
1997 $12,614,602,322 $2,290,318,910
1996 $11,678,424,727 $2,405,686,940
1995 $11,578,594,333 $2,302,537,562
1994 $10,489,903,834 $1,938,058,175
1993 $9,564,816,063 $3,052,673,849
1992 $8,579,754,953 $3,386,232,579
1991 $7,215,725,635 $3,285,796,875
1990 $5,711,687,787 $3,512,356,508
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,179,567,114
1988 $4,614,629,898 $2,280,356,193
1987 $4,532,952,047 $2,233,006,105
1986 $4,418,983,871 $1,904,096,998
1985 $3,919,203,960 $1,440,581,652
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,461,243,326
1983 $3,146,772,631 $1,803,099,561
1982 $2,606,623,555 $2,017,612,216
1981 $2,623,803,096 $2,170,893,414
1980 $4,831,447,001 $2,508,524,721
1979 $4,035,519,323 $2,109,277,666
1978 $3,523,208,810 $1,774,365,590
1977 $3,072,427,013 $1,291,458,041
1976 $2,412,555,426 $1,064,517,601
1975 $1,960,863,466 $1,048,690,933
1974 $1,666,544,754 $1,026,137,111
1973 $1,528,925,846 $946,385,105
1972 $1,238,251,696 $742,779,661
1971 $1,077,147,538 $693,573,704
1970 $984,830,158 $649,916,621
1969 $853,630,204 $625,867,985
1968 $773,841,494 $641,214,226
1967 $699,456,619 $665,586,872
1966 $647,305,630 $702,296,079
1965 $592,981,162 $673,383,511
1964 $542,578,367 $582,816,396
1963 $511,902,137 $586,294,879
1962 $479,180,824 $531,736,599
1961 $490,325,182 $485,785,231
1960 $507,513,830 $449,526,873

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Niger by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - $775 -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $730 $2,050
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $648 $1,875
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $614 $1,840
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $610 $1,586
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $575 $1,497
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $541 $1,419
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $577 $1,276
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $530 $1,208
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $500 $1,189
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $486 $1,172
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $565 $1,161
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $552 $1,138
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $529 $1,162
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $511 $1,064
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $474 $1,058
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $461 $999
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $475 $1,010
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $387 $955
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $333 $935
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $319 $888
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $283.5 $832
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $265.2 $837
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $225.3 $832
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $205.4 $809
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $194.8 $764
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $228.3 $783
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $246.1 $801
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $220.6 $745
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $239.5 $746
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $237 $757
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $206.2 $748
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $335 $742
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $384 $746
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $384 $738
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $424 $739
1989 $1,725 - $271.3 -
1988 $1,555 - $292.6 -
1987 $1,567 - $295.3 -
1986 $1,569 - $259.6 -
1985 $1,429 - $202.4 -
1984 $1,372 - $211.5 -
1983 $1,213 - $268.8 -
1982 $1,032 - $310 -
1981 $1,068 - $343 -
1980 $2,021 - $409 -
1979 $1,735 - $354 -
1978 $1,556 - $307 -
1977 $1,393 - $229.8 -
1976 $1,123 - $194.8 -
1975 $937 - $197.2 -
1974 $817 - $198.3 -
1973 $769 - $187.9 -
1972 $639 - $151.4 -
1971 $570 - $145.2 -
1970 $536 - $139.8 -
1969 $477 - $138.3 -
1968 $445 - $145.6 -
1967 $414 - $155.4 -
1966 $395 - $168.6 -
1965 $374 - $166.3 -
1964 $354 - $148.1 -
1963 $346 - $153.3 -
1962 $335 - $143.2 -
1961 $356 - $134.6 -
1960 $382 - $128.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $775 in Niger, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Niger
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$21.6B
2025
GDP rank
74/197
2025
129/197
2025
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
7.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$775
2025
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
188/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$9.82B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
45.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$352
2025
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
175/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$1,418
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
14.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
-4.45%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
0.4%
2022
Population
5186356
29294628

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 14.8% 45.4%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 13.4% 47.7%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 21.6% 50.7%
2021 20.6% 67% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 22.4% 45%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 21.2% 37%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 18% 28.1% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 16.7% 26% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 15.2% 24% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 14.6% 27% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 15.2% 33% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 17% 41% 16.1% 55%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 14% 60.6%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 14.4% 69%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 13.7% 74%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 16.7% 39% 15% 63.3%
1998 16% 40.7% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 12.9% 69.1%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 10.9% 63.5%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 12.5% 69.4%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Niger spent $3.2B, or 14.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 45.4% in Niger, ranking 77/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Niger
2025 -3.35% -3.28%
2024 -3.73% -4.27%
2023 -3.21% -5.37%
2022 -2.74% -6.77%
2021 -5.04% -6.1%
2020 -8.32% -4.82%
2019 -6.65% -3.56%
2018 -5.65% -3.01%
2017 -5.88% -4.12%
2016 -5.09% -4.46%
2015 -5.52% -6.75%
2014 -5.45% -6.12%
2013 -5.25% -1.93%
2012 -4.22% -0.83%
2011 -3.91% -2.19%
2010 -4.96% -0.99%
2009 -3.25% -3.93%
2008 0.18% 1.11%
2007 0.56% -0.75%
2006 -1.04% 31%
2005 -2.09% -1.53%
2004 -3.42% -2.76%
2003 -3.43% -2.17%
2002 -4.99% -2.21%
2001 -3.47% -2.59%
2000 -3.68% -2.83%
1999 -2.88% -4.27%
1998 -2.96% -2.23%
1997 -3.39% -2.39%
1996 -4.32% -0.36%
1995 -3.68% -3.19%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.45B, equivalent to 3.35% of GDP. This compares to Niger's deficit of $711M, or 3.28% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.9% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Niger
2025 -0.07% -4.45%
2024 -0.41% 9.07%
2023 0.53% 3.7%
2022 8.27% 4.23%
2021 1.73% 3.84%
2020 0.72% 2.9%
2019 2.1% -2.49%
2018 2.22% 2.97%
2017 1.63% 2.8%
2016 -0.02% 1.65%
2015 0.8% -0.58%
2014 4.52% -0.93%
2013 5.23% 2.3%
2012 4.5% 0.46%
2011 4.88% 2.94%
2010 5.66% 0.8%
2009 7.84% 0.58%
2008 13.4% 11.3%
2007 9.36% 0.05%
2006 11.5% 0.04%
2005 13.8% 7.8%
2004 12.3% 0.26%
2003 9.45% -1.61%
2002 9.17% 2.63%
2001 11.3% 4.01%
2000 11% 2.9%
1999 10% -2.3%
1998 11.7% 4.55%
1997 13.2% 2.93%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 2.15% in Niger. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and -4.45% in Niger.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $43K
Niger
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Niger
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
-$1.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
123/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
-6.09%
2024
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$2B
2024
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$1.52B
2024
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$1.03B
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$248M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
18.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Niger
Economic freedom 69.1 51
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 156/197
Property rights 66 16.6
Government integrity 64.1 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 28
Tax burden 78.6 78.2
Government spending 89.3 91.4
Fiscal health 75.6 47.6
Business freedom 79.9 32.4
Labor freedom 55.9 54.7
Monetary freedom 78.2 67.9
Trade freedom 75 65.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Niger
2026 69.1 51
2025 68.6 51.5
2024 67.7 52.3
2023 66.5 53.7
2022 65.4 54.9
2021 64.2 57.3
2020 65.8 54.7
2019 65.3 51.6
2018 65.6 49.5
2017 65 50.8
2016 67.4 54.3
2015 67.2 54.6
2014 66.9 55.1
2013 67 53.9
2012 68 54.3
2011 67.3 54.3
2010 65.9 52.9
2009 66.4 53.8
2008 64.2 52.9
2007 64 53.2
2006 65.9 52.5
2005 66.1 54.1
2004 66.4 54.6
2003 67 54.2
2002 67.5 48.2
2001 67.6 48.9
2000 68.4 45.9
1999 67.4 48.6
1998 65.6 47.5
1997 65.6 46.6
1996 66.4 45.8
1995 68 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Niger
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
31.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
47.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$20.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$2,150
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
-$337M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
1.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
22%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.