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Economy of Costa Rica vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 73/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Costa Rica vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Costa Rica
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Sierra Leone
2024 $95,350,423,177 $6,971,127,235
2023 $86,497,941,439 $6,415,852,767
2022 $69,243,626,029 $7,121,125,278
2021 $64,960,725,734 $7,166,931,485
2020 $62,395,610,760 $6,688,307,703
2019 $64,417,670,521 $6,523,577,594
2018 $62,420,164,992 $6,390,514,689
2017 $60,516,044,657 $5,749,846,528
2016 $58,847,019,610 $6,084,297,211
2015 $56,441,920,821 $6,788,352,975
2014 $52,016,408,854 $7,686,138,791
2013 $50,949,668,842 $7,502,762,863
2012 $47,231,655,432 $6,141,666,509
2011 $42,762,613,699 $4,861,632,885
2010 $37,658,616,952 $4,262,805,967
2009 $30,745,714,313 $3,953,403,098
2008 $30,801,745,700 $4,157,895,298
2007 $26,884,700,709 $3,632,957,611
2006 $22,715,540,324 $3,263,697,467
2005 $20,040,642,477 $2,545,275,313
2004 $18,610,594,846 $2,237,350,687
2003 $17,271,760,507 $2,142,618,046
2002 $16,578,820,687 $1,933,863,911
2001 $15,976,174,337 $1,681,473,894
2000 $15,013,629,662 $635,866,404
1999 $14,254,866,285 $669,386,624
1998 $13,684,255,947 $672,368,187
1997 $12,614,602,382 $850,232,760
1996 $11,678,424,507 $941,709,423
1995 $11,578,594,260 $870,740,292
1994 $10,489,903,725 $911,853,802
1993 $9,564,815,975 $768,867,883
1992 $8,579,754,758 $679,940,814
1991 $7,215,725,487 $779,981,987
1990 $5,711,687,787 $649,644,098
1989 $5,251,025,767 $932,974,420
1988 $4,614,629,898 $1,055,083,933
1987 $4,532,952,047 $660,106,336
1986 $4,418,983,871 $490,181,457
1985 $3,919,203,960 $856,890,459
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,087,471,862
1983 $3,146,772,631 $995,104,305
1982 $2,606,623,555 $1,295,361,886
1981 $2,623,803,096 $1,114,830,472
1980 $4,831,447,001 $1,100,685,845
1979 $4,035,519,323 $1,109,374,911
1978 $3,523,208,810 $960,728,339
1977 $3,072,427,013 $691,777,584
1976 $2,412,555,426 $594,895,942
1975 $1,960,863,466 $679,336,344
1974 $1,666,544,754 $648,590,643
1973 $1,528,925,846 $575,230,724
1972 $1,238,251,696 $465,381,340
1971 $1,077,147,538 $419,549,305
1970 $984,830,158 $434,410,974
1969 $853,630,204 $408,690,163
1968 $773,841,494 $329,859,732
1967 $699,456,619 $348,795,303
1966 $647,305,630 $375,479,850
1965 $592,981,162 $359,379,856
1964 $542,578,367 $371,847,461
1963 $511,902,137 $348,547,279
1962 $479,180,824 $342,721,416
1961 $490,325,182 $327,834,191
1960 $507,513,830 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Sierra Leone by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $807 $3,522
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $758 $3,368
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $860 $3,144
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $885 $2,849
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $845 $2,719
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $844 $2,704
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $846 $2,640
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $779 $2,501
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $844 $2,635
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $965 $2,560
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $938 $2,317
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $761 $2,043
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $685 $1,900
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $653 $1,814
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $705 $1,824
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $632 $1,770
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $580 $1,698
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $463 $1,615
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $418 $1,541
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $414 $1,458
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $389 $1,360
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $358 $1,121
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $155 $1,167
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $185 $1,269
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $1,725 - $231.3 -
1988 $1,555 - $268.2 -
1987 $1,567 - $172.4 -
1986 $1,569 - $131.5 -
1985 $1,429 - $235.5 -
1984 $1,372 - $306 -
1983 $1,213 - $285.8 -
1982 $1,032 - $380 -
1981 $1,068 - $334 -
1980 $2,021 - $336 -
1979 $1,735 - $346 -
1978 $1,556 - $305 -
1977 $1,393 - $224.2 -
1976 $1,123 - $196.4 -
1975 $937 - $228.4 -
1974 $817 - $222.1 -
1973 $769 - $200.6 -
1972 $639 - $165.4 -
1971 $570 - $151.8 -
1970 $536 - $160.2 -
1969 $477 - $153.6 -
1968 $445 - $126.3 -
1967 $414 - $136.1 -
1966 $395 - $149.3 -
1965 $374 - $145.6 -
1964 $354 - $153.4 -
1963 $346 - $146.3 -
1962 $335 - $146.3 -
1961 $356 - $142.3 -
1960 $382 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/sierra-leone | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
5181862
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 19.2% 63% 16.7% 54%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 15% 44.2%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 18% 28.1% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 16.7% 26% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 15.2% 24% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 14.6% 27% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 15.2% 33% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 17% 41% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 12% 113.5%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 10.3% -
1999 16.7% 39% - -
1998 16% 40.7% - -
1997 16.3% 30.6% - -
1996 17.3% 33.7% - -
1995 16.4% 29.1% - -
1994 17.4% 27% - -
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 79/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Sierra Leone
2024 -3.78% -4.53%
2023 -3.25% -4.99%
2022 -2.81% -5.93%
2021 -5.09% -4.35%
2020 -8.38% -3.5%
2019 -6.68% -1.95%
2018 -5.66% -3.57%
2017 -5.88% -5.61%
2016 -5.09% -5.41%
2015 -5.52% -2.86%
2014 -5.45% -2.77%
2013 -5.25% -1.74%
2012 -4.22% -3.41%
2011 -3.91% -2.78%
2010 -4.96% -3.09%
2009 -3.25% -1.51%
2008 0.18% -2.22%
2007 0.56% 12.6%
2006 -1.04% -0.93%
2005 -2.09% -1.17%
2004 -3.42% -1.46%
2003 -3.43% -2.78%
2002 -4.99% -3.03%
2001 -3.47% -3.22%
2000 -3.68% -1.94%
1999 -2.88% -
1998 -2.96% -
1997 -3.39% -
1996 -4.32% -
1995 -3.68% -
1994 -5.46% -
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/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 4.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Sierra Leone
2024 -0.41% 28.4%
2023 0.53% 47.7%
2022 8.27% 27.2%
2021 1.73% 11.9%
2020 0.72% 13.4%
2019 2.1% 14.8%
2018 2.22% 16%
2017 1.63% 18.2%
2016 -0.02% 10.9%
2015 0.8% 6.7%
2014 4.52% 4.6%
2013 5.23% 5.5%
2012 4.5% 6.6%
2011 4.88% 6.8%
2010 5.66% 7.2%
2009 7.84% 7.5%
2008 13.4% 8.2%
2007 9.36% 17%
2006 11.5% 10.5%
2005 13.8% 13.7%
2004 12.3% 12.9%
2003 9.45% 4%
2002 9.17% 0.1%
2001 11.3% 2.6%
2000 11% -0.9%
1999 10% 34.1%
1998 11.7% 36%
1997 13.2% 14.6%

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/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $960K
Raw materials & minerals $898K
Chemicals & pharma $812K
Metals $194K
Raw agricultural goods $91K
Precious metals & jewellery $21K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 69.1 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 165/197
Property rights 66 32.9
Government integrity 64.1 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 42
Tax burden 78.6 88.2
Government spending 89.3 92.4
Fiscal health 75.6 54.1
Business freedom 79.9 44.8
Labor freedom 55.9 38.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 53.6
Trade freedom 75 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Sierra Leone
2026 69.1 49.6
2025 68.6 48
2024 67.7 44.6
2023 66.5 50.2
2022 65.4 52
2021 64.2 51.7
2020 65.8 48
2019 65.3 47.5
2018 65.6 51.8
2017 65 52.6
2016 67.4 52.3
2015 67.2 51.7
2014 66.9 50.5
2013 67 48.3
2012 68 49.1
2011 67.3 49.6
2010 65.9 47.9
2009 66.4 47.8
2008 64.2 48.3
2007 64 47
2006 65.9 45.2
2005 66.1 44.8
2004 66.4 43.6
2003 67 42.2
2002 67.5 -
2001 67.6 -
2000 68.4 44.2
1999 67.4 47.2
1998 65.6 47.7
1997 65.6 45
1996 66.4 52.3
1995 68 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (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.