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Economy of Costa Rica vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 74/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Costa Rica vs Rwanda GDP by year

Costa Rica
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Rwanda
2025 $102,904,921,157 $16,372,132,990
2024 $96,715,644,331 $15,111,064,182
2023 $87,512,637,056 $14,806,501,437
2022 $71,001,226,361 $13,747,404,814
2021 $65,588,938,787 $11,252,894,910
2020 $62,806,591,555 $10,487,146,253
2019 $64,753,504,730 $10,519,272,170
2018 $62,567,765,946 $9,650,161,136
2017 $60,516,044,661 $9,164,345,443
2016 $58,847,019,588 $8,596,812,241
2015 $56,441,920,888 $8,447,064,079
2014 $52,016,408,816 $8,129,984,484
2013 $50,949,668,763 $7,714,276,920
2012 $47,231,655,493 $7,556,673,276
2011 $42,762,613,785 $6,802,676,034
2010 $37,658,616,966 $6,052,276,078
2009 $30,745,714,234 $5,603,399,015
2008 $30,801,745,703 $5,120,655,375
2007 $26,884,700,688 $4,017,977,507
2006 $22,715,540,342 $3,274,207,945
2005 $20,040,642,421 $2,933,819,766
2004 $18,610,594,844 $2,376,496,067
2003 $17,271,760,397 $2,138,237,279
2002 $16,578,820,799 $1,966,003,468
2001 $15,976,174,476 $1,966,600,715
2000 $15,013,629,579 $2,068,836,754
1999 $14,254,866,284 $2,157,108,263
1998 $13,684,255,998 $1,989,343,546
1997 $12,614,602,322 $1,851,558,197
1996 $11,678,424,727 $1,382,334,879
1995 $11,578,594,333 $1,293,535,193
1994 $10,489,903,834 $753,636,370
1993 $9,564,816,063 $1,971,525,712
1992 $8,579,754,953 $2,029,026,962
1991 $7,215,725,635 $1,911,600,237
1990 $5,711,687,787 $2,550,185,679
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,405,022,593
1988 $4,614,629,898 $2,395,492,687
1987 $4,532,952,047 $2,157,432,668
1986 $4,418,983,871 $1,944,710,684
1985 $3,919,203,960 $1,715,626,331
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,587,413,084
1983 $3,146,772,631 $1,479,687,587
1982 $2,606,623,555 $1,407,243,139
1981 $2,623,803,096 $1,407,062,527
1980 $4,831,447,001 $1,254,765,642
1979 $4,035,519,323 $1,109,346,131
1978 $3,523,208,810 $905,709,076
1977 $3,072,427,013 $746,650,613
1976 $2,412,555,426 $637,753,853
1975 $1,960,863,466 $571,863,500
1974 $1,666,544,754 $308,458,423
1973 $1,528,925,846 $290,746,157
1972 $1,238,251,696 $246,457,838
1971 $1,077,147,538 $222,952,504
1970 $984,830,158 $219,900,006
1969 $853,630,204 $188,700,037
1968 $773,841,494 $172,200,018
1967 $699,456,619 $159,560,018
1966 $647,305,630 $124,525,703
1965 $592,981,162 $148,799,980
1964 $542,578,367 $129,999,994
1963 $511,902,137 $128,000,000
1962 $479,180,824 $125,000,008
1961 $490,325,182 $122,000,016
1960 $507,513,830 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Rwanda by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - $1,124 -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $843 $2,733
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $803 $2,285
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $823 $2,336
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $773 $2,125
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $751 $1,968
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $721 $1,866
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $726 $1,781
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $715 $1,678
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $695 $1,512
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $698 $1,455
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $643 $1,413
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $587 $1,314
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $557 $1,241
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $522 $1,191
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $421 $1,079
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $352 $1,002
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $324 $914
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $269.5 $832
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $249 $775
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $234 $760
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $237.3 $670
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $251.9 $609
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $264.7 $554
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $246.2 $528
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $238.7 $500
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $206 $499
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $228 $514
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $111 $311
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $247 $521
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $264.1 $575
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $254 $542
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $346 $549
1989 $1,725 - $335 -
1988 $1,555 - $344 -
1987 $1,567 - $320 -
1986 $1,569 - $297.7 -
1985 $1,429 - $271.6 -
1984 $1,372 - $259.9 -
1983 $1,213 - $250.6 -
1982 $1,032 - $246.4 -
1981 $1,068 - $254.6 -
1980 $2,021 - $234.4 -
1979 $1,735 - $213.8 -
1978 $1,556 - $179.9 -
1977 $1,393 - $152.7 -
1976 $1,123 - $134.4 -
1975 $937 - $124.1 -
1974 $817 - $68.9 -
1973 $769 - $66.9 -
1972 $639 - $58.4 -
1971 $570 - $54.4 -
1970 $536 - $55.2 -
1969 $477 - $48.9 -
1968 $445 - $46 -
1967 $414 - $44 -
1966 $395 - $35.4 -
1965 $374 - $43.5 -
1964 $354 - $39 -
1963 $346 - $39.3 -
1962 $335 - $39.2 -
1961 $356 - $39.3 -
1960 $382 - $39.4 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $1,124 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
74/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$3.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
5.36%
2025
Population
5186356
15062056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 28.7% 59%
2021 20.6% 67% 31% 66.2%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 26.5% 27%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 25% 18.9%
2010 18% 28.1% 24.1% 19%
2009 16.7% 26% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 15.2% 24% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 14.6% 27% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 15.2% 33% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 17% 41% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 16.7% 39% 22.7% 79.5%
1998 16% 40.7% 16.6% 71.1%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 17.2% 73.3%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 19.8% 84.6%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 18.3% 102.2%
1994 17.4% 27% 13.5% -
1993 13.8% 24.4% 20.6% -
1992 13.7% 23.3% 21.8% -
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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 77/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Rwanda
2025 -3.35% -4.49%
2024 -3.73% -6.19%
2023 -3.21% -4.88%
2022 -2.74% -5.56%
2021 -5.04% -6.89%
2020 -8.32% -9.26%
2019 -6.65% -5%
2018 -5.65% -2.57%
2017 -5.88% -2.54%
2016 -5.09% -2.3%
2015 -5.52% -2.71%
2014 -5.45% -3.97%
2013 -5.25% -1.29%
2012 -4.22% -2.41%
2011 -3.91% -0.87%
2010 -4.96% -0.65%
2009 -3.25% 0.26%
2008 0.18% 0.84%
2007 0.56% -1.58%
2006 -1.04% -0.03%
2005 -2.09% 1.14%
2004 -3.42% 2.31%
2003 -3.43% -1.25%
2002 -4.99% -2.06%
2001 -3.47% -1.83%
2000 -3.68% -0.22%
1999 -2.88% -4.48%
1998 -2.96% -2.63%
1997 -3.39% -2.25%
1996 -4.32% -5.08%
1995 -3.68% -2.07%
1994 -5.46% -9.68%
1993 -1.52% -6.7%
1992 -1.51% -7.31%
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Rwanda
2025 -0.07% 5.91%
2024 -0.41% 1.77%
2023 0.53% 19.8%
2022 8.27% 17.7%
2021 1.73% -0.39%
2020 0.72% 9.85%
2019 2.1% 3.35%
2018 2.22% -0.31%
2017 1.63% 8.28%
2016 -0.02% 7.17%
2015 0.8% 2.53%
2014 4.52% 2.35%
2013 5.23% 5.92%
2012 4.5% 10.3%
2011 4.88% 3.08%
2010 5.66% -0.25%
2009 7.84% 12.9%
2008 13.4% 15.4%
2007 9.36% 9.08%
2006 11.5% 8.88%
2005 13.8% 9.01%
2004 12.3% 12.3%
2003 9.45% 7.45%
2002 9.17% 1.99%
2001 11.3% 3.34%
2000 11% 3.9%
1999 10% -2.41%
1998 11.7% 6.21%
1997 13.2% 12%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 6.8% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $60K
Machinery & equipment $28K
Metals $23K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Rwanda
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
-12%
2024
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$991M
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
21.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Rwanda
Economic freedom 69.1 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 121/197
Property rights 66 60.3
Government integrity 64.1 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 27.5
Tax burden 78.6 80.6
Government spending 89.3 75.7
Fiscal health 75.6 37.5
Business freedom 79.9 60.1
Labor freedom 55.9 49.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 72.3
Trade freedom 75 61.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Rwanda
2026 69.1 56.5
2025 68.6 54.8
2024 67.7 51.6
2023 66.5 52.2
2022 65.4 57.1
2021 64.2 68.3
2020 65.8 70.9
2019 65.3 71.1
2018 65.6 69.1
2017 65 67.6
2016 67.4 63.1
2015 67.2 64.8
2014 66.9 64.7
2013 67 64.1
2012 68 64.9
2011 67.3 62.7
2010 65.9 59.1
2009 66.4 54.2
2008 64.2 54.2
2007 64 52.4
2006 65.9 52.8
2005 66.1 51.7
2004 66.4 53.3
2003 67 47.8
2002 67.5 50.4
2001 67.6 45.4
2000 68.4 42.3
1999 67.4 39.8
1998 65.6 39.1
1997 65.6 38.3
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
128/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
34.1%
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/rwanda | 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.