Skip to content

Economy of Costa Rica vs Senegal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $32.8B for Senegal, ranking 73/197 and 109/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $42.1B (128.4% of GDP) in Senegal.

Costa Rica vs Senegal GDP by year

Costa Rica
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Senegal
2024 $95,350,423,177 $32,808,056,601
2023 $86,497,941,439 $30,696,331,296
2022 $69,243,626,029 $27,783,332,223
2021 $64,960,725,734 $27,520,784,130
2020 $62,395,610,760 $24,530,513,038
2019 $64,417,670,521 $23,403,995,992
2018 $62,420,164,992 $23,116,701,556
2017 $60,516,044,657 $20,996,562,944
2016 $58,847,019,610 $19,040,312,333
2015 $56,441,920,821 $17,774,766,696
2014 $52,016,408,854 $19,797,253,440
2013 $50,949,668,842 $18,918,667,725
2012 $47,231,655,432 $17,660,870,412
2011 $42,762,613,699 $17,814,283,639
2010 $37,658,616,952 $16,121,315,909
2009 $30,745,714,313 $16,145,867,495
2008 $30,801,745,700 $16,853,989,628
2007 $26,884,700,709 $13,994,218,413
2006 $22,715,540,324 $11,697,918,243
2005 $20,040,642,477 $11,009,033,438
2004 $18,610,594,846 $10,076,816,667
2003 $17,271,760,507 $8,768,721,563
2002 $16,578,820,687 $7,006,402,320
2001 $15,976,174,337 $6,507,824,829
2000 $15,013,629,662 $6,013,185,004
1999 $14,254,866,285 $6,592,834,933
1998 $13,684,255,947 $6,505,607,909
1997 $12,614,602,382 $6,041,478,726
1996 $11,678,424,507 $6,559,712,166
1995 $11,578,594,260 $6,326,342,633
1994 $10,489,903,725 $5,034,588,196
1993 $9,564,815,975 $7,367,986,241
1992 $8,579,754,758 $7,769,817,840
1991 $7,215,725,487 $7,255,210,470
1990 $5,711,687,787 $7,390,967,360
1989 $5,251,025,767 $6,366,039,373
1988 $4,614,629,898 $6,418,419,389
1987 $4,532,952,047 $6,487,353,103
1986 $4,418,983,871 $5,392,093,446
1985 $3,919,203,960 $3,818,944,918
1984 $3,660,477,856 $3,485,165,432
1983 $3,146,772,631 $3,569,356,125
1982 $2,606,623,555 $4,013,951,443
1981 $2,623,803,096 $4,095,892,781
1980 $4,831,447,001 $4,510,108,291
1979 $4,035,519,323 $4,084,877,823
1978 $3,523,208,810 $3,280,354,921
1977 $3,072,427,013 $2,938,046,463
1976 $2,412,555,426 $2,869,777,884
1975 $1,960,863,466 $2,830,388,405
1974 $1,666,544,754 $2,099,325,229
1973 $1,528,925,846 $1,863,398,590
1972 $1,238,251,696 $1,620,857,104
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,339,549,033
1970 $984,830,158 $1,297,407,655
1969 $853,630,204 $1,245,234,931
1968 $773,841,494 $1,309,384,862
1967 $699,456,619 $1,246,480,766
1966 $647,305,630 $1,246,908,186
1965 $592,981,162 $1,210,058,228
1964 $542,578,367 $1,188,930,645
1963 $511,902,137 $1,122,139,862
1962 $479,180,824 $1,085,475,791
1961 $490,325,182 $1,058,975,257
1960 $507,513,830 $1,003,692,370

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Senegal by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $1,773 $5,071
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $1,357 $3,234
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $980 $2,350
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $918 $2,236
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $818 $2,131
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $669 $2,027
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $637 $2,044
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $603 $1,963
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $678 $1,893
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $685 $1,798
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $651 $1,719
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $723 $1,679
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $715 $1,656
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $584 $1,578
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $878 $1,588
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $951 $1,573
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $913 $1,561
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $957 $1,513
1989 $1,725 - $849 -
1988 $1,555 - $880 -
1987 $1,567 - $916 -
1986 $1,569 - $784 -
1985 $1,429 - $571 -
1984 $1,372 - $536 -
1983 $1,213 - $564 -
1982 $1,032 - $652 -
1981 $1,068 - $683 -
1980 $2,021 - $772 -
1979 $1,735 - $716 -
1978 $1,556 - $589 -
1977 $1,393 - $540 -
1976 $1,123 - $541 -
1975 $937 - $547 -
1974 $817 - $417 -
1973 $769 - $381 -
1972 $639 - $342 -
1971 $570 - $291.1 -
1970 $536 - $290.5 -
1969 $477 - $287.3 -
1968 $445 - $311 -
1967 $414 - $305 -
1966 $395 - $315 -
1965 $374 - $314 -
1964 $354 - $318 -
1963 $346 - $309 -
1962 $335 - $307 -
1961 $356 - $308 -
1960 $382 - $300 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $1,773 in Senegal, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Senegal
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$32.8B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$1,773
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$42.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
128.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$2,277
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
115/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
33.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
0.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
5.78%
2024
Population
5181862
19491599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 33.5% 128.4%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 19.2% 63% 36.2% 105%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 33.6% 98.6%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 29.6% 90.2%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 24% 47.5%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 23% 34.5%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 18% 28.1% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 16.7% 26% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 15.2% 24% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 14.6% 27% 22.2% 19%
2006 15.2% 33% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 17% 41% 18.1% 38%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 15.5% 52%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 14% 57.5%
1999 16.7% 39% 14.6% 15%
1998 16% 40.7% 13.5% 18.8%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 14.1% 67.8%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 15.4% 0.07%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 14.4% 65.3%
1994 17.4% 27% 15.9% 77.3%
1993 13.8% 24.4% - -
1992 13.7% 23.3% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $11B, or 33.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 128.4% in Senegal, ranking 79/185 and 11/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Senegal
2024 -3.78% -13.4%
2023 -3.25% -14.8%
2022 -2.81% -16.1%
2021 -5.09% -13.7%
2020 -8.38% -9.64%
2019 -6.68% -13.9%
2018 -5.66% -3.66%
2017 -5.88% -2.97%
2016 -5.09% -3.27%
2015 -5.52% -3.66%
2014 -5.45% -3.9%
2013 -5.25% -4.34%
2012 -4.22% -4.18%
2011 -3.91% -4.92%
2010 -4.96% -3.94%
2009 -3.25% -3.66%
2008 0.18% -3.53%
2007 0.56% -2.8%
2006 -1.04% -3.67%
2005 -2.09% -0.26%
2004 -3.42% 0.18%
2003 -3.43% -0.52%
2002 -4.99% 0.19%
2001 -3.47% -1.44%
2000 -3.68% 0.78%
1999 -2.88% -0.62%
1998 -2.96% 0.93%
1997 -3.39% 0.98%
1996 -4.32% 0.92%
1995 -3.68% 2.41%
1994 -5.46% 5.9%
1993 -1.52% -
1992 -1.51% -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/senegal | 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 Senegal's deficit of $4.4B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.89% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Senegal
2024 -0.41% 0.8%
2023 0.53% 5.94%
2022 8.27% 9.7%
2021 1.73% 2.18%
2020 0.72% 2.54%
2019 2.1% 1.76%
2018 2.22% 0.46%
2017 1.63% 1.32%
2016 -0.02% 0.84%
2015 0.8% 0.14%
2014 4.52% -1.09%
2013 5.23% 0.71%
2012 4.5% 1.42%
2011 4.88% 3.4%
2010 5.66% 1.23%
2009 7.84% -2.25%
2008 13.4% 7.35%
2007 9.36% 5.85%
2006 11.5% 2.11%
2005 13.8% 1.71%
2004 12.3% 0.51%
2003 9.45% -0.05%
2002 9.17% 2.34%
2001 11.3% 2.97%
2000 11% 0.73%
1999 10% 0.83%
1998 11.7% 1.16%
1997 13.2% 1.75%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 2.01% in Senegal. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 0.8% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $558K
Raw agricultural goods $22K
Senegal
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $128K
Animal & marine products $36K
Metals $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Senegal
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
170/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
43.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Senegal
Economic freedom 69.1 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 140/197
Property rights 66 57.4
Government integrity 64.1 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 50.5
Tax burden 78.6 68.8
Government spending 89.3 63.1
Fiscal health 75.6 0
Business freedom 79.9 55.2
Labor freedom 55.9 54.4
Monetary freedom 78.2 74.3
Trade freedom 75 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Senegal
2026 69.1 53.2
2025 68.6 56.4
2024 67.7 55.4
2023 66.5 57.7
2022 65.4 60
2021 64.2 58
2020 65.8 58
2019 65.3 56.3
2018 65.6 55.7
2017 65 55.9
2016 67.4 58.1
2015 67.2 57.8
2014 66.9 55.4
2013 67 55.5
2012 68 55.4
2011 67.3 55.7
2010 65.9 54.6
2009 66.4 56.3
2008 64.2 58.3
2007 64 58.1
2006 65.9 56.2
2005 66.1 57.9
2004 66.4 58.9
2003 67 58.1
2002 67.5 58.6
2001 67.6 58.7
2000 68.4 58.9
1999 67.4 60.6
1998 65.6 59.7
1997 65.6 58.1
1996 66.4 58.2
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Senegal
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
48.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
25%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$31.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$4,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
10.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
37.5%
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/senegal | 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 (1960–2024, 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.