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Economy of Costa Rica vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 73/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Costa Rica vs Romania GDP by year

Costa Rica
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Romania
2024 $95,350,423,177 $382,564,217,989
2023 $86,497,941,439 $347,757,995,759
2022 $69,243,626,029 $295,319,437,557
2021 $64,960,725,734 $285,071,280,114
2020 $62,395,610,760 $250,625,048,304
2019 $64,417,670,521 $250,080,428,512
2018 $62,420,164,992 $241,791,427,224
2017 $60,516,044,657 $210,147,385,855
2016 $58,847,019,610 $185,290,759,249
2015 $56,441,920,821 $177,885,131,240
2014 $52,016,408,854 $199,722,319,676
2013 $50,949,668,842 $189,798,603,751
2012 $47,231,655,432 $179,117,323,107
2011 $42,762,613,699 $192,623,977,894
2010 $37,658,616,952 $170,064,350,672
2009 $30,745,714,313 $174,110,532,659
2008 $30,801,745,700 $214,315,932,061
2007 $26,884,700,709 $174,588,782,939
2006 $22,715,540,324 $122,023,735,993
2005 $20,040,642,477 $98,454,380,120
2004 $18,610,594,846 $74,973,656,852
2003 $17,271,760,507 $57,806,384,143
2002 $16,578,820,687 $46,065,502,703
2001 $15,976,174,337 $40,395,116,581
2000 $15,013,629,662 $37,253,739,511
1999 $14,254,866,285 $35,953,156,754
1998 $13,684,255,947 $41,696,091,974
1997 $12,614,602,382 $35,575,214,078
1996 $11,678,424,507 $36,937,074,278
1995 $11,578,594,260 $37,430,162,103
1994 $10,489,903,725 $30,072,805,104
1993 $9,564,815,975 $26,361,160,450
1992 $8,579,754,758 $25,121,666,667
1991 $7,215,725,487 $28,850,634,900
1990 $5,711,687,787 $38,247,882,300
1989 $5,251,025,767 $41,450,777,202
1988 $4,614,629,898 $40,424,528,302
1987 $4,532,952,047 $38,067,567,568
1986 $4,418,983,871 -
1985 $3,919,203,960 -
1984 $3,660,477,856 -
1983 $3,146,772,631 -
1982 $2,606,623,555 -
1981 $2,623,803,096 -
1980 $4,831,447,001 -
1979 $4,035,519,323 -
1978 $3,523,208,810 -
1977 $3,072,427,013 -
1976 $2,412,555,426 -
1975 $1,960,863,466 -
1974 $1,666,544,754 -
1973 $1,528,925,846 -
1972 $1,238,251,696 -
1971 $1,077,147,538 -
1970 $984,830,158 -
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Romania by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $1,725 - $1,790 -
1988 $1,555 - $1,753 -
1987 $1,567 - $1,659 -
1986 $1,569 - - -
1985 $1,429 - - -
1984 $1,372 - - -
1983 $1,213 - - -
1982 $1,032 - - -
1981 $1,068 - - -
1980 $2,021 - - -
1979 $1,735 - - -
1978 $1,556 - - -
1977 $1,393 - - -
1976 $1,123 - - -
1975 $937 - - -
1974 $817 - - -
1973 $769 - - -
1972 $639 - - -
1971 $570 - - -
1970 $536 - - -
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/romania | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Romania
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
5181862
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 19.2% 63% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 37% 51.5%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 31% 37.1%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 35% 32.6%
2010 18% 28.1% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 16.7% 26% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 15.2% 24% 35.3% 13%
2007 14.6% 27% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 15.2% 33% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 17% 41% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 35% 29.6%
1999 16.7% 39% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 16% 40.7% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 33.5% 15%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 33.5% 11%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 17.4% 27% 33.1% -
1993 13.8% 24.4% 33.5% -
1992 13.7% 23.3% 41.5% -
1991 14% 28.4% 38.3% -
1990 18.9% 18.5% 38.4% -
1989 26.1% 19.3% 40.1% -
1988 24.5% 18.2% 36.6% -
1987 27.2% 21.2% 40.7% -
1986 26.4% 26.1% 42.5% -
1985 21.8% 22.8% 41.6% -
1984 22.8% 25.2% 28.6% -
1983 23.6% 29.8% 25.8% -
1982 18.4% 31.8% 28.5% -
1981 21% 32.3% 30.4% -
1980 25% 37.7% 33.6% -
1979 24.9% 39.5% 42% -
1978 23.2% 41.7% 42.1% -
1977 19.3% 27.8% 39.9% -
1976 20.1% 29.5% 37.5% -
1975 19.1% 26.1% 40.6% -
1974 18.3% 30.3% 37.6% -
1973 18.4% 32.8% 32.6% -
1972 17.2% 31.8% 29.9% -
1971 17.5% 30.4% 27.2% -
1970 14.9% 28.6% 28.1% -
1969 14.5% 26.1% 32.1% -
1968 13.8% 27.7% 31.8% -
1967 14.7% 26.7% 30.6% -
1966 14.3% 24.8% 27.3% -
1965 13.8% 24.1% 25.6% -
1964 13.5% 22.7% 25.1% -
1963 13.3% 21.8% 23.1% -
1962 14% 19.7% 43.4% -
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 (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 79/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Romania
2024 -3.78% -8.68%
2023 -3.25% -5.61%
2022 -2.81% -5.83%
2021 -5.09% -6.7%
2020 -8.38% -9.54%
2019 -6.68% -4.55%
2018 -5.66% -2.74%
2017 -5.88% -2.86%
2016 -5.09% -2.5%
2015 -5.52% -1.35%
2014 -5.45% -1.76%
2013 -5.25% -2.44%
2012 -4.22% -2.39%
2011 -3.91% -4.14%
2010 -4.96% -6.22%
2009 -3.25% -6.86%
2008 0.18% -4.6%
2007 0.56% -3.05%
2006 -1.04% -1.36%
2005 -2.09% -0.69%
2004 -3.42% -3.39%
2003 -3.43% -2.29%
2002 -4.99% -2.59%
2001 -3.47% -3.2%
2000 -3.68% -3.99%
1999 -2.88% -3.58%
1998 -2.96% -5.33%
1997 -3.39% -5.19%
1996 -4.32% -4.74%
1995 -3.68% -3.32%
1994 -5.46% -2.2%
1993 -1.52% -0.35%
1992 -1.51% -4.55%
1991 -2.41% 3.23%
1990 -4.4% 1.03%
1989 -1.55% -2.87%
1988 0.57% 8.4%
1987 -2.57% 2.37%
1986 -4.26% 5.72%
1985 -1.06% 6.36%
1984 -0.5% 15.2%
1983 -1.84% 9.35%
1982 -0.94% 0.36%
1981 -3.14% 0.61%
1980 -7.24% -1.95%
1979 -6.6% 0%
1978 -4.12% 0%
1977 -2.63% 0.23%
1976 -2.42% 0.66%
1975 -1.13% 0.41%
1974 0.26% 0.51%
1973 -2.41% 1.53%
1972 -4.54% 1.21%
1971 -4.72% 0.89%
1970 -1.41% 0.52%
1969 -1.61% 0.93%
1968 -1.72% 1.65%
1967 -3.03% 1.23%
1966 -2.12% 0.91%
1965 -1.71% -1.29%
1964 -1.51% -3.11%
1963 -2.01% -1.61%
1962 -1.99% -4.86%
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/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Romania
2024 -0.41% 5.6%
2023 0.53% 10.4%
2022 8.27% 13.8%
2021 1.73% 5%
2020 0.72% 2.6%
2019 2.1% 3.8%
2018 2.22% 4.6%
2017 1.63% 1.3%
2016 -0.02% -1.6%
2015 0.8% -0.6%
2014 4.52% 1.1%
2013 5.23% 4%
2012 4.5% 3.3%
2011 4.88% 5.8%
2010 5.66% 6.1%
2009 7.84% 5.6%
2008 13.4% 7.8%
2007 9.36% 4.8%
2006 11.5% 6.6%
2005 13.8% 9%
2004 12.3% 11.9%
2003 9.45% 15.4%
2002 9.17% 22.5%
2001 11.3% 34.5%
2000 11% 45.7%
1999 10% 45.8%
1998 11.7% 59.1%
1997 13.2% 154.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.49M
Metals $497K
Machinery & equipment $343K
Raw materials & minerals $264K
Chemicals & pharma $67K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.05M
Wood & paper products $679K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $387K
Chemicals & pharma $165K
Textiles & consumer goods $99K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Metals $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Romania
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Romania
Economic freedom 69.1 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 64/197
Property rights 66 81
Government integrity 64.1 50
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 67
Tax burden 78.6 89.1
Government spending 89.3 56.7
Fiscal health 75.6 21.4
Business freedom 79.9 74.4
Labor freedom 55.9 63.6
Monetary freedom 78.2 72.7
Trade freedom 75 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Romania
2026 69.1 65.4
2025 68.6 66.5
2024 67.7 64.4
2023 66.5 64.5
2022 65.4 67.1
2021 64.2 69.5
2020 65.8 69.7
2019 65.3 68.6
2018 65.6 69.4
2017 65 69.7
2016 67.4 65.6
2015 67.2 66.6
2014 66.9 65.5
2013 67 65.1
2012 68 64.4
2011 67.3 64.7
2010 65.9 64.2
2009 66.4 63.2
2008 64.2 61.7
2007 64 61.2
2006 65.9 58.2
2005 66.1 52.1
2004 66.4 50
2003 67 50.6
2002 67.5 48.7
2001 67.6 50
2000 68.4 52.1
1999 67.4 50.1
1998 65.6 54.4
1997 65.6 50.8
1996 66.4 46.2
1995 68 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Romania
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
25%
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/romania | 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 (1956–1999, 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.