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Economy of Costa Rica vs Saint Vincent compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $1.16B for Saint Vincent, ranking 73/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $1.07B (92.7% of GDP) in Saint Vincent.

Costa Rica vs Saint Vincent GDP by year

Costa Rica
Saint Vincent
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Saint Vincent
2024 $95,350,423,177 $1,157,207,407
2023 $86,497,941,439 $1,072,237,037
2022 $69,243,626,029 $989,188,889
2021 $64,960,725,734 $888,677,778
2020 $62,395,610,760 $864,566,667
2019 $64,417,670,521 $910,481,481
2018 $62,420,164,992 $884,329,630
2017 $60,516,044,657 $844,040,741
2016 $58,847,019,610 $814,303,704
2015 $56,441,920,821 $786,555,556
2014 $52,016,408,854 $770,900,000
2013 $50,949,668,842 $764,781,259
2012 $47,231,655,432 $730,032,593
2011 $42,762,613,699 $713,796,370
2010 $37,658,616,952 $720,447,889
2009 $30,745,714,313 $714,300,259
2008 $30,801,745,700 $732,663,259
2007 $26,884,700,709 $713,596,667
2006 $22,715,540,324 $643,501,148
2005 $20,040,642,477 $579,948,926
2004 $18,610,594,846 $549,900,185
2003 $17,271,760,507 $509,090,889
2002 $16,578,820,687 $487,763,852
2001 $15,976,174,337 $462,072,333
2000 $15,013,629,662 $427,946,037
1999 $14,254,866,285 $390,718,519
1998 $13,684,255,947 $373,618,519
1997 $12,614,602,382 $347,770,370
1996 $11,678,424,507 $331,488,889
1995 $11,578,594,260 $316,007,407
1994 $10,489,903,725 $289,437,037
1993 $9,564,815,975 $286,307,407
1992 $8,579,754,758 $277,955,556
1991 $7,215,725,487 $254,829,630
1990 $5,711,687,787 $240,366,667
1989 $5,251,025,767 $214,745,002
1988 $4,614,629,898 $200,726,713
1987 $4,532,952,047 $175,580,647
1986 $4,418,983,871 $160,846,657
1985 $3,919,203,960 $145,641,705
1984 $3,660,477,856 $135,024,988
1983 $3,146,772,631 $122,255,350
1982 $2,606,623,555 $113,759,203
1981 $2,623,803,096 $102,086,539
1980 $4,831,447,001 $82,340,340
1979 $4,035,519,323 $71,096,360
1978 $3,523,208,810 $60,844,771
1977 $3,072,427,013 $49,353,162
1976 $2,412,555,426 $32,792,845
1975 $1,960,863,466 $33,237,226
1974 $1,666,544,754 $32,923,703
1973 $1,528,925,846 $30,165,081
1972 $1,238,251,696 $27,585,805
1971 $1,077,147,538 $20,051,922
1970 $984,830,158 $18,450,000
1969 $853,630,204 $16,650,000
1968 $773,841,494 $15,350,000
1967 $699,456,619 $15,835,106
1966 $647,305,630 $16,099,960
1965 $592,981,162 $15,108,296
1964 $542,578,367 $14,758,296
1963 $511,902,137 $13,708,299
1962 $479,180,824 $14,524,964
1961 $490,325,182 $13,999,965
1960 $507,513,830 $13,066,634

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/saint-vincent | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Saint Vincent by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Vincent
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Saint Vincent
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $11,501 $21,272
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $10,582 $19,820
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $9,694 $18,035
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $8,641 $16,201
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $8,351 $15,337
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $8,741 $15,340
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $8,428 $14,690
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $7,988 $13,575
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $7,657 $13,493
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $7,354 $12,379
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $7,169 $12,136
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $7,072 $11,625
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $6,714 $10,989
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $6,528 $10,774
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $6,552 $10,561
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $6,464 $10,869
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $6,599 $10,902
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $6,398 $10,604
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $5,745 $9,949
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $5,157 $8,986
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $4,873 $8,472
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $4,500 $7,903
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $4,303 $7,250
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $4,071 $6,768
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $3,769 $6,503
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $3,447 $6,266
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $3,301 $6,026
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $3,074 $5,726
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $2,930 $5,440
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $2,795 $5,277
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $2,563 $4,802
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $2,540 $4,769
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $2,471 $4,477
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $2,271 $4,126
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $2,150 $3,960
1989 $1,725 - $1,930 -
1988 $1,555 - $1,814 -
1987 $1,567 - $1,596 -
1986 $1,569 - $1,472 -
1985 $1,429 - $1,342 -
1984 $1,372 - $1,254 -
1983 $1,213 - $1,144 -
1982 $1,032 - $1,074 -
1981 $1,068 - $972 -
1980 $2,021 - $790 -
1979 $1,735 - $687 -
1978 $1,556 - $592 -
1977 $1,393 - $484 -
1976 $1,123 - $324 -
1975 $937 - $331 -
1974 $817 - $331 -
1973 $769 - $306 -
1972 $639 - $282.1 -
1971 $570 - $207 -
1970 $536 - $192.3 -
1969 $477 - $175.2 -
1968 $445 - $163.1 -
1967 $414 - $170 -
1966 $395 - $174.9 -
1965 $374 - $166.2 -
1964 $354 - $164.4 -
1963 $346 - $154.9 -
1962 $335 - $166.5 -
1961 $356 - $163 -
1960 $382 - $154.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/saint-vincent | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $11,501 in Saint Vincent, ranking 81/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Saint Vincent ranks 92nd at $21,272.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Saint Vincent
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$1.16B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$11,501
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$21,272
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
92/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$1.07B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
92.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$10,659
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
56/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$12,573
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
39.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
3.63%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
18.8%
2008
Population
5181862
99237

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Saint Vincent
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Saint Vincent
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 39.1% 92.7%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 38.9% 89.4%
2022 19.2% 63% 36.6% 86.3%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 37.2% 88.4%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 32.9% 80.2%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 29.2% 68.2%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 26.3% 69.4%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 26.6% 69%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 27.1% 79.4%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 27.6% 75.1%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 30.4% 75%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 29.4% 69.9%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 26.5% 68.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 29.4% 64%
2010 18% 28.1% 31.1% 61.1%
2009 16.7% 26% 31% 57.2%
2008 15.2% 24% 28.4% 50.3%
2007 14.6% 27% 27.1% 48.5%
2006 15.2% 33% 26.1% 44.7%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 26.7% 50.5%
2004 17% 41% 24.9% 58.6%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 26% 55.3%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 25.7% 53.2%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 24.4% 52%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 23.8% 54.3%
1999 16.7% 39% 25.2% 52.9%
1998 16% 40.7% 25.2% 39.5%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 26% 38.8%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 20.9% 40.7%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 19.9% 46.8%
1994 17.4% 27% 22.4% 52.8%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 22.3% 48.1%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 25.4% 49.6%
1991 14% 28.4% 25.5% 52.1%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 23.1% 53.9%
1989 26.1% 19.3% 27.6% -
1988 24.5% 18.2% 24.8% -
1987 27.2% 21.2% 23.7% -
1986 26.4% 26.1% 22.3% -
1985 21.8% 22.8% 21.4% -
1984 22.8% 25.2% 23.1% -
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/saint-vincent | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Saint Vincent spent $453M, or 39.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 92.7% in Saint Vincent, ranking 79/185 and 29/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Saint Vincent
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Saint Vincent
2024 -3.78% -12.9%
2023 -3.25% -12%
2022 -2.81% -9.35%
2021 -5.09% -7.19%
2020 -8.38% -5.92%
2019 -6.68% -3.45%
2018 -5.66% -1.65%
2017 -5.88% -1.56%
2016 -5.09% 0.04%
2015 -5.52% -2.01%
2014 -5.45% -2.82%
2013 -5.25% -5.81%
2012 -4.22% -1.81%
2011 -3.91% -3.5%
2010 -4.96% -3.7%
2009 -3.25% -2.85%
2008 0.18% -1.3%
2007 0.56% -3.07%
2006 -1.04% -3.13%
2005 -2.09% -4.3%
2004 -3.42% -2.71%
2003 -3.43% -2.51%
2002 -4.99% -2%
2001 -3.47% -1.6%
2000 -3.68% -0.82%
1999 -2.88% -1.93%
1998 -2.96% -1.81%
1997 -3.39% -2.77%
1996 -4.32% 1.57%
1995 -3.68% 1.08%
1994 -5.46% 0.12%
1993 -1.52% -1.46%
1992 -1.51% -3.25%
1991 -2.41% -0.47%
1990 -4.4% 1.69%
1989 -1.55% -1.92%
1988 0.57% 0.59%
1987 -2.57% 1.1%
1986 -4.26% 2.32%
1985 -1.06% 4.23%
1984 -0.5% 2.5%
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/saint-vincent | 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 Saint Vincent's deficit of $149M, or 12.9% of GDP.

Over the past 41 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Saint Vincent ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.35% of GDP for Saint Vincent.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Saint Vincent
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Saint Vincent
2024 -0.41% 3.63%
2023 0.53% 4.56%
2022 8.27% 5.66%
2021 1.73% 1.57%
2020 0.72% -0.63%
2019 2.1% 0.91%
2018 2.22% 2.32%
2017 1.63% 2.15%
2016 -0.02% -0.15%
2015 0.8% -1.73%
2014 4.52% 0.19%
2013 5.23% 0.81%
2012 4.5% 2.6%
2011 4.88% 3.19%
2010 5.66% 0.75%
2009 7.84% 0.42%
2008 13.4% 10.1%
2007 9.36% 7.24%
2006 11.5% 2.74%
2005 13.8% 3.73%
2004 12.3% 2.96%
2003 9.45% 0.21%
2002 9.17% 1.86%
2001 11.3% 0.9%
2000 11% 0.17%
1999 10% 1.01%
1998 11.7% 2.14%
1997 13.2% 0.44%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/saint-vincent | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 2.13% in Saint Vincent. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 3.63% in Saint Vincent.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $615K
Machinery & equipment $567K
Chemicals & pharma $139K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $116K
Miscellaneous $55K
Wood & paper products $5K
Metals $2K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Saint Vincent
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Saint Vincent
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$157M
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
93/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-13.5%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$445M
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$59.2M
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$196M
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$366M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
15.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Saint Vincent
Economic freedom 69.1 60
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 98/197
Property rights 66 65.2
Government integrity 64.1 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 76.9
Tax burden 78.6 82
Government spending 89.3 56.2
Fiscal health 75.6 2.8
Business freedom 79.9 67.3
Labor freedom 55.9 60.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 77.3
Trade freedom 75 58.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Saint Vincent
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Saint Vincent
2026 69.1 60
2025 68.6 60.1
2024 67.7 59.8
2023 66.5 63.5
2022 65.4 65.7
2021 64.2 66.3
2020 65.8 66.8
2019 65.3 65.8
2018 65.6 67.7
2017 65 65.2
2016 67.4 68.8
2015 67.2 68
2014 66.9 67
2013 67 66.7
2012 68 66.5
2011 67.3 66.9
2010 65.9 66.9
2009 66.4 64.3
2008 64.2 -
2007 64 -
2006 65.9 -
2005 66.1 -
2004 66.4 -
2003 67 -
2002 67.5 -
2001 67.6 -
2000 68.4 -
1999 67.4 -
1998 65.6 -
1997 65.6 -
1996 66.4 -
1995 68 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/saint-vincent | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 60 for Saint Vincent, ranking 98/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Saint Vincent
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
66.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
15.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
3.55%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$1.11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$21,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$317M
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
167/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$74M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$139M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
-$1.92M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
3.84%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
n/a
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/saint-vincent | 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 (2022–2024, 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.