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Economy of Costa Rica vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 73/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Costa Rica vs Nigeria GDP by year

Costa Rica
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Nigeria
2024 $95,350,423,177 $252,261,880,141
2023 $86,497,941,439 $487,387,801,881
2022 $69,243,626,029 $646,950,257,578
2021 $64,960,725,734 $609,147,716,973
2020 $62,395,610,760 $598,586,817,819
2019 $64,417,670,521 $668,219,992,691
2018 $62,420,164,992 $421,739,251,509
2017 $60,516,044,657 $375,745,731,053
2016 $58,847,019,610 $404,649,125,252
2015 $56,441,920,821 $493,026,682,801
2014 $52,016,408,854 $574,183,763,412
2013 $50,949,668,842 $520,117,180,314
2012 $47,231,655,432 $463,971,018,239
2011 $42,762,613,699 $414,466,676,831
2010 $37,658,616,952 $366,990,417,129
2009 $30,745,714,313 $295,008,835,381
2008 $30,801,745,700 $339,476,276,258
2007 $26,884,700,709 $278,260,846,800
2006 $22,715,540,324 $238,454,997,161
2005 $20,040,642,477 $175,670,569,969
2004 $18,610,594,846 $135,764,731,646
2003 $17,271,760,507 $104,738,954,264
2002 $16,578,820,687 $95,054,059,303
2001 $15,976,174,337 $73,557,840,064
2000 $15,013,629,662 $69,171,451,627
1999 $14,254,866,285 $59,145,077,039
1998 $13,684,255,947 $218,416,200,673
1997 $12,614,602,382 $200,850,397,618
1996 $11,678,424,507 $185,730,236,700
1995 $11,578,594,260 $140,919,776,986
1994 $10,489,903,725 $80,399,613,064
1993 $9,564,815,975 $56,721,051,402
1992 $8,579,754,758 $52,058,181,854
1991 $7,215,725,487 $59,526,833,412
1990 $5,711,687,787 $54,035,795,388
1989 $5,251,025,767 $44,003,061,108
1988 $4,614,629,898 $49,648,470,440
1987 $4,532,952,047 $52,676,041,931
1986 $4,418,983,871 $54,805,852,581
1985 $3,919,203,960 $73,745,821,158
1984 $3,660,477,856 $73,484,359,521
1983 $3,146,772,631 $97,094,911,792
1982 $2,606,623,555 $142,769,363,314
1981 $2,623,803,096 $164,475,209,516
1980 $4,831,447,001 $64,201,788,123
1979 $4,035,519,323 $47,259,911,894
1978 $3,523,208,810 $36,527,862,209
1977 $3,072,427,013 $36,035,407,725
1976 $2,412,555,426 $36,308,883,249
1975 $1,960,863,466 $27,778,934,625
1974 $1,666,544,754 $24,846,641,318
1973 $1,528,925,846 $15,162,871,287
1972 $1,238,251,696 $12,274,416,018
1971 $1,077,147,538 $9,181,769,912
1970 $984,830,158 $12,546,094,982
1969 $853,630,204 $6,634,317,346
1968 $773,841,494 $5,200,997,920
1967 $699,456,619 $5,203,237,919
1966 $647,305,630 $6,366,917,453
1965 $592,981,162 $5,874,537,650
1964 $542,578,367 $5,552,931,319
1963 $511,902,137 $5,165,590,254
1962 $479,180,824 $4,909,399,176
1961 $490,325,182 $4,467,287,893
1960 $507,513,830 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Nigeria by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $962 $4,381
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $763 $4,015
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $712 $3,770
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $566 $3,309
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $547 $3,139
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $481 $3,002
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $745 $2,853
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $540 $2,921
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $509 $2,991
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $597 $2,870
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $556 $2,840
1989 $1,725 - $465 -
1988 $1,555 - $540 -
1987 $1,567 - $588 -
1986 $1,569 - $628 -
1985 $1,429 - $869 -
1984 $1,372 - $890 -
1983 $1,213 - $1,207 -
1982 $1,032 - $1,822 -
1981 $1,068 - $2,162 -
1980 $2,021 - $870 -
1979 $1,735 - $661 -
1978 $1,556 - $527 -
1977 $1,393 - $536 -
1976 $1,123 - $556 -
1975 $937 - $438 -
1974 $817 - $403 -
1973 $769 - $252.4 -
1972 $639 - $209.5 -
1971 $570 - $160.5 -
1970 $536 - $224.5 -
1969 $477 - $121.4 -
1968 $445 - $97.3 -
1967 $414 - $99.5 -
1966 $395 - $124.4 -
1965 $374 - $117.3 -
1964 $354 - $113.3 -
1963 $346 - $107.7 -
1962 $335 - $104.5 -
1961 $356 - $97.1 -
1960 $382 - $93.1 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
5181862
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 19.2% 63% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 8.51% 18%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 10% 13%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 18% 28.1% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 16.7% 26% 11% 6.12%
2008 15.2% 24% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 14.6% 27% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 15.2% 33% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 17% 41% 13% 25.2%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 16.7% 39% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 16% 40.7% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 17.4% 27% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 20% 50.4%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 14% 28.4% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 14.2% 50.9%
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/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 79/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Nigeria
2024 -3.78% -1.57%
2023 -3.25% -3.12%
2022 -2.81% -4%
2021 -5.09% -3.97%
2020 -8.38% -4.03%
2019 -6.68% -3.31%
2018 -5.66% -3.06%
2017 -5.88% -3.85%
2016 -5.09% -3.3%
2015 -5.52% -2.7%
2014 -5.45% -1.72%
2013 -5.25% -1.89%
2012 -4.22% -0.09%
2011 -3.91% 0.31%
2010 -4.96% -2.96%
2009 -3.25% -3.78%
2008 0.18% 4.05%
2007 0.56% -0.79%
2006 -1.04% 6.22%
2005 -2.09% 3.49%
2004 -3.42% 3.9%
2003 -3.43% -1.56%
2002 -4.99% 0.95%
2001 -3.47% -2.29%
2000 -3.68% 2.89%
1999 -2.88% -1.39%
1998 -2.96% -3.47%
1997 -3.39% 1.14%
1996 -4.32% 3.37%
1995 -3.68% 2.52%
1994 -5.46% -2.96%
1993 -1.52% -6.07%
1992 -1.51% 0.94%
1991 -2.41% -1.18%
1990 -4.4% -0.48%
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/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Nigeria
2024 -0.41% 33.2%
2023 0.53% 24.7%
2022 8.27% 18.8%
2021 1.73% 17%
2020 0.72% 13.2%
2019 2.1% 11.4%
2018 2.22% 12.1%
2017 1.63% 16.5%
2016 -0.02% 15.7%
2015 0.8% 9.01%
2014 4.52% 8.05%
2013 5.23% 8.5%
2012 4.5% 12.2%
2011 4.88% 10.8%
2010 5.66% 13.7%
2009 7.84% 12.5%
2008 13.4% 11.6%
2007 9.36% 5.39%
2006 11.5% 8.23%
2005 13.8% 17.9%
2004 12.3% 15%
2003 9.45% 14%
2002 9.17% 12.9%
2001 11.3% 18.9%
2000 11% 6.93%
1999 10% 6.62%
1998 11.7% 10%
1997 13.2% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.26M
Chemicals & pharma $205K
Textiles & consumer goods $94K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $78K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Metals $2K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $279K
Raw agricultural goods $181K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Metals $6K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Nigeria
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Nigeria
Economic freedom 69.1 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 132/197
Property rights 66 29.7
Government integrity 64.1 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 34.4
Tax burden 78.6 84.6
Government spending 89.3 96.3
Fiscal health 75.6 83.5
Business freedom 79.9 50.3
Labor freedom 55.9 75.4
Monetary freedom 78.2 56.1
Trade freedom 75 64.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Nigeria
2026 69.1 54.8
2025 68.6 53.4
2024 67.7 53.1
2023 66.5 53.9
2022 65.4 54.4
2021 64.2 58.7
2020 65.8 57.2
2019 65.3 57.3
2018 65.6 58.5
2017 65 57.1
2016 67.4 57.5
2015 67.2 55.6
2014 66.9 54.3
2013 67 55.1
2012 68 56.3
2011 67.3 56.7
2010 65.9 56.8
2009 66.4 55.1
2008 64.2 55.1
2007 64 55.6
2006 65.9 48.7
2005 66.1 48.4
2004 66.4 49.2
2003 67 49.5
2002 67.5 50.9
2001 67.6 49.6
2000 68.4 53.1
1999 67.4 55.7
1998 65.6 52.3
1997 65.6 52.8
1996 66.4 47.4
1995 68 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
n/a

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/nigeria | 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 (2021–2024, 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.