Skip to content

Economy of Costa Rica vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 74/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Costa Rica vs Qatar GDP by year

Costa Rica
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Qatar
2025 $102,904,921,157 $215,559,615,385
2024 $96,715,644,331 $216,294,505,495
2023 $87,512,637,056 $213,002,809,341
2022 $71,001,226,361 $235,709,325,714
2021 $65,588,938,787 $179,732,009,560
2020 $62,806,591,555 $144,411,363,352
2019 $64,753,504,730 $176,371,267,692
2018 $62,567,765,946 $183,334,953,819
2017 $60,516,044,661 $161,099,122,225
2016 $58,847,019,588 $151,732,181,868
2015 $56,441,920,888 $161,739,955,577
2014 $52,016,408,816 $206,224,598,571
2013 $50,949,668,763 $198,727,642,967
2012 $47,231,655,493 $186,833,502,363
2011 $42,762,613,785 $167,775,274,725
2010 $37,658,616,966 $125,122,252,747
2009 $30,745,714,234 $97,798,351,648
2008 $30,801,745,703 $115,269,780,220
2007 $26,884,700,688 $79,711,813,187
2006 $22,715,540,342 $60,882,142,857
2005 $20,040,642,421 $44,530,494,505
2004 $18,610,594,844 $31,734,065,934
2003 $17,271,760,397 $23,533,791,209
2002 $16,578,820,799 $19,363,736,264
2001 $15,976,174,476 $17,538,461,538
2000 $15,013,629,579 $17,759,890,110
1999 $14,254,866,284 $12,393,131,868
1998 $13,684,255,998 $10,255,494,505
1997 $12,614,602,322 $11,297,802,198
1996 $11,678,424,727 $9,059,340,659
1995 $11,578,594,333 $8,137,912,088
1994 $10,489,903,834 $7,374,450,549
1993 $9,564,816,063 $7,156,593,407
1992 $8,579,754,953 $7,646,153,846
1991 $7,215,725,635 $6,883,516,484
1990 $5,711,687,787 $7,360,439,560
1989 $5,251,025,767 $6,487,912,088
1988 $4,614,629,898 $6,038,186,813
1987 $4,532,952,047 $5,446,428,571
1986 $4,418,983,871 $5,053,021,978
1985 $3,919,203,960 $6,153,296,703
1984 $3,660,477,856 $6,870,329,670
1983 $3,146,772,631 $6,484,890,110
1982 $2,606,623,555 $7,611,263,736
1981 $2,623,803,096 $8,672,527,473
1980 $4,831,447,001 $7,837,915,956
1979 $4,035,519,323 $5,632,962,997
1978 $3,523,208,810 $4,052,000,413
1977 $3,072,427,013 $3,617,564,638
1976 $2,412,555,426 $3,284,273,987
1975 $1,960,863,466 $2,512,773,166
1974 $1,666,544,754 $2,401,403,227
1973 $1,528,925,846 $793,885,560
1972 $1,238,251,696 $510,262,500
1971 $1,077,147,538 $387,703,106
1970 $984,830,158 $301,791,302
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Qatar by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - $72,525 -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $1,725 - $15,243 -
1988 $1,555 - $14,682 -
1987 $1,567 - $13,719 -
1986 $1,569 - $13,213 -
1985 $1,429 - $16,815 -
1984 $1,372 - $19,749 -
1983 $1,213 - $19,669 -
1982 $1,032 - $24,431 -
1981 $1,068 - $29,543 -
1980 $2,021 - $28,407 -
1979 $1,735 - $21,777 -
1978 $1,556 - $16,757 -
1977 $1,393 - $16,058 -
1976 $1,123 - $15,710 -
1975 $937 - $13,014 -
1974 $817 - $13,540 -
1973 $769 - $4,905 -
1972 $639 - $3,483 -
1971 $570 - $2,952 -
1970 $536 - $2,594 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Qatar
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
74/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
0.1%
2024
Population
5186356
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 26% 41.3%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 20.6% 67% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 31% 32.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 18% 28.1% 32% 30.4%
2009 16.7% 26% 36.4% 36%
2008 15.2% 24% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 14.6% 27% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 15.2% 33% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 29% 19.1%
2004 17% 41% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 16.7% 39% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 16% 40.7% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 17.4% 27% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 14% 28.4% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 50% 12.6%
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/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 77/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Qatar
2025 -3.35% -1%
2024 -3.73% 0.71%
2023 -3.21% 5.51%
2022 -2.74% 10.4%
2021 -5.04% 0.24%
2020 -8.32% -2.13%
2019 -6.65% 1%
2018 -5.65% 2.26%
2017 -5.88% -6.82%
2016 -5.09% -9.2%
2015 -5.52% 18.4%
2014 -5.45% 13.4%
2013 -5.25% 19.3%
2012 -4.22% 8.55%
2011 -3.91% 5.24%
2010 -4.96% 4.6%
2009 -3.25% 14.1%
2008 0.18% 9.49%
2007 0.56% 10.3%
2006 -1.04% 8.39%
2005 -2.09% 9.8%
2004 -3.42% 17.7%
2003 -3.43% 6.71%
2002 -4.99% 7.89%
2001 -3.47% 4.48%
2000 -3.68% 4.62%
1999 -2.88% -4.35%
1998 -2.96% -7%
1997 -3.39% -9.4%
1996 -4.32% -8.73%
1995 -3.68% -5.78%
1994 -5.46% -11.8%
1993 -1.52% -9.53%
1992 -1.51% -2.74%
1991 -2.41% -2.57%
1990 -4.4% 3.23%
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/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.78% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Qatar
2025 -0.07% 0.6%
2024 -0.41% 1.2%
2023 0.53% 3.1%
2022 8.27% 5%
2021 1.73% 2.3%
2020 0.72% -2.5%
2019 2.1% -0.9%
2018 2.22% 0.1%
2017 1.63% 0.6%
2016 -0.02% 2.7%
2015 0.8% 0.9%
2014 4.52% 4.2%
2013 5.23% 3.1%
2012 4.5% 1.8%
2011 4.88% 2%
2010 5.66% -2.4%
2009 7.84% -4.9%
2008 13.4% 15.1%
2007 9.36% 13.7%
2006 11.5% 11.7%
2005 13.8% 9%
2004 12.3% 6.8%
2003 9.45% 2.3%
2002 9.17% 0.2%
2001 11.3% 1.7%
2000 11% 1.6%
1999 10% 2.2%
1998 11.7% 2.9%
1997 13.2% 2.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $113K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $98K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Metals $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Metals $3.73M
Chemicals & pharma $3.34M
Machinery & equipment $334K
Raw materials & minerals $118K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Qatar
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$90B
2025
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Qatar
Economic freedom 69.1 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 37/197
Property rights 66 66.2
Government integrity 64.1 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 41.5
Tax burden 78.6 99.9
Government spending 89.3 79.9
Fiscal health 75.6 96.6
Business freedom 79.9 68
Labor freedom 55.9 58.5
Monetary freedom 78.2 76
Trade freedom 75 81.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Qatar
2026 69.1 70.2
2025 68.6 70.2
2024 67.7 68.8
2023 66.5 68.6
2022 65.4 67.7
2021 64.2 72
2020 65.8 72.3
2019 65.3 72.6
2018 65.6 72.6
2017 65 73.1
2016 67.4 70.7
2015 67.2 70.8
2014 66.9 71.2
2013 67 71.3
2012 68 71.3
2011 67.3 70.5
2010 65.9 69
2009 66.4 65.8
2008 64.2 62.2
2007 64 62.9
2006 65.9 62.4
2005 66.1 63.5
2004 66.4 66.5
2003 67 65.9
2002 67.5 61.9
2001 67.6 60
2000 68.4 62
1999 67.4 62
1998 65.6 -
1997 65.6 -
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Qatar
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.