Skip to content

Economy of Costa Rica vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 73/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Costa Rica vs Syria GDP by year

Costa Rica
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Syria
2024 $95,350,423,177 -
2023 $86,497,941,439 $19,993,439,950
2022 $69,243,626,029 $23,622,827,080
2021 $64,960,725,734 $14,353,205,678
2020 $62,395,610,760 $12,047,752,036
2019 $64,417,670,521 $22,583,045,060
2018 $62,420,164,992 $21,497,782,868
2017 $60,516,044,657 $16,369,843,352
2016 $58,847,019,610 $12,597,854,877
2015 $56,441,920,821 $16,466,863,117
2014 $52,016,408,854 $21,502,061,466
2013 $50,949,668,842 $21,361,254,635
2012 $47,231,655,432 $43,190,318,033
2011 $42,762,613,699 $67,539,428,159
2010 $37,658,616,952 $61,390,830,875
2009 $30,745,714,313 $54,111,735,629
2008 $30,801,745,700 $52,557,913,569
2007 $26,884,700,709 $40,465,318,382
2006 $22,715,540,324 $33,751,788,856
2005 $20,040,642,477 $28,858,965,517
2004 $18,610,594,846 $25,086,950,495
2003 $17,271,760,507 $21,828,144,686
2002 $16,578,820,687 $20,669,357,462
2001 $15,976,174,337 $20,237,024,725
2000 $15,013,629,662 $18,937,052,543
1999 $14,254,866,285 $15,873,875,969
1998 $13,684,255,947 $15,200,846,154
1997 $12,614,602,382 $14,505,233,463
1996 $11,678,424,507 $13,789,560,878
1995 $11,578,594,260 $11,396,706,587
1994 $10,489,903,725 $10,122,020,000
1993 $9,564,815,975 $13,695,962,055
1992 $8,579,754,758 $13,253,565,861
1991 $7,215,725,487 $12,981,833,333
1990 $5,711,687,787 $12,308,624,418
1989 $5,251,025,767 $9,853,395,762
1988 $4,614,629,898 $10,577,041,645
1987 $4,532,952,047 $11,356,215,543
1986 $4,418,983,871 $13,293,205,278
1985 $3,919,203,960 $16,403,539,893
1984 $3,660,477,856 $17,503,078,174
1983 $3,146,772,631 $17,589,277,143
1982 $2,606,623,555 $16,298,929,011
1981 $2,623,803,096 $15,518,201,335
1980 $4,831,447,001 $13,062,420,382
1979 $4,035,519,323 $9,929,681,529
1978 $3,523,208,810 $9,275,200,458
1977 $3,072,427,013 $7,696,011,396
1976 $2,412,555,426 $7,633,528,867
1975 $1,960,863,466 $6,826,980,444
1974 $1,666,544,754 $5,159,557,148
1973 $1,528,925,846 $3,239,487,516
1972 $1,238,251,696 $3,059,681,698
1971 $1,077,147,538 $2,589,851,325
1970 $984,830,158 $2,140,384,010
1969 $853,630,204 $2,245,011,515
1968 $773,841,494 $1,753,746,430
1967 $699,456,619 $1,580,229,799
1966 $647,305,630 $1,342,287,553
1965 $592,981,162 $1,472,036,540
1964 $542,578,367 $1,339,494,267
1963 $511,902,137 $1,200,447,408
1962 $479,180,824 $1,110,565,881
1961 $490,325,182 $945,244,972
1960 $507,513,830 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Syria by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 - -
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $847 $4,650
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $664 $4,593
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $572 $3,738
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $852 $3,265
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $656 -
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $848 -
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $1,061 -
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $986 -
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $1,898 -
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $2,952 -
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $2,731 -
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $2,462 -
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $2,429 -
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $1,938 -
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $1,719 -
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $1,534 -
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $1,368 -
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $1,220 -
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $1,183 -
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,187 -
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $1,138 -
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $978 -
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $961 -
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $941 -
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $918 -
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $780 -
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $712 -
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $993 -
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $990 -
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,000 -
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $978 -
1989 $1,725 - $809 -
1988 $1,555 - $898 -
1987 $1,567 - $997 -
1986 $1,569 - $1,208 -
1985 $1,429 - $1,544 -
1984 $1,372 - $1,706 -
1983 $1,213 - $1,776 -
1982 $1,032 - $1,703 -
1981 $1,068 - $1,676 -
1980 $2,021 - $1,458 -
1979 $1,735 - $1,146 -
1978 $1,556 - $1,108 -
1977 $1,393 - $951 -
1976 $1,123 - $976 -
1975 $937 - $904 -
1974 $817 - $707 -
1973 $769 - $459 -
1972 $639 - $448 -
1971 $570 - $393 -
1970 $536 - $335 -
1969 $477 - $364 -
1968 $445 - $293.3 -
1967 $414 - $272.9 -
1966 $395 - $239.3 -
1965 $374 - $270.8 -
1964 $354 - $254.2 -
1963 $346 - $234.9 -
1962 $335 - $223.9 -
1961 $356 - $196.3 -
1960 $382 - $183.5 -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Syria
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
73/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$57B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
5181862
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% - -
2023 18.5% 61.1% - -
2022 19.2% 63% - -
2021 20.8% 67.6% - -
2020 22.3% 66.9% - -
2019 21.7% 56.4% - -
2018 18.9% 51.8% - -
2017 19.2% 47.1% - -
2016 18.8% 44.1% - -
2015 18.8% 39.8% - -
2014 18.4% 37.4% - -
2013 18.5% 35.1% - -
2012 17.3% 33.7% - -
2011 17.2% 29.5% - -
2010 18% 28.1% 28.6% 30%
2009 16.7% 26% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 15.2% 24% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 14.6% 27% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 15.2% 33% 26.3% 45%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 17% 41% 31.3% 113%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 28% 144.5%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 16.7% 39% 28% 147.7%
1998 16% 40.7% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 29% 147.6%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 17.4% 27% 30.3% 163%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 14% 28.4% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 28.3% 189.8%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 30% in Syria, ranking 79/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Syria
2024 -3.78% -
2023 -3.25% -
2022 -2.81% -
2021 -5.09% -
2020 -8.38% -
2019 -6.68% -
2018 -5.66% -
2017 -5.88% -
2016 -5.09% -
2015 -5.52% -
2014 -5.45% -
2013 -5.25% -
2012 -4.22% -
2011 -3.91% -
2010 -4.96% -7.79%
2009 -3.25% -2.89%
2008 0.18% -2.86%
2007 0.56% -2.99%
2006 -1.04% -1.12%
2005 -2.09% -4.41%
2004 -3.42% -4.18%
2003 -3.43% -2.7%
2002 -4.99% -2.02%
2001 -3.47% 2.3%
2000 -3.68% -1.36%
1999 -2.88% -1.47%
1998 -2.96% -2.81%
1997 -3.39% -1.78%
1996 -4.32% -2.83%
1995 -3.68% -3.81%
1994 -5.46% -6%
1993 -1.52% -4.96%
1992 -1.51% -7.26%
1991 -2.41% -6.57%
1990 -4.4% -3.92%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.87B, equivalent to 4.96% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Syria
2024 -0.41% -
2023 0.53% -
2022 8.27% -
2021 1.73% -
2020 0.72% -
2019 2.1% 13.4%
2018 2.22% 0.94%
2017 1.63% 18.1%
2016 -0.02% 47.7%
2015 0.8% 38.5%
2014 4.52% 10.9%
2013 5.23% 40%
2012 4.5% 36.7%
2011 4.88% 4.75%
2010 5.66% 4.4%
2009 7.84% 2.92%
2008 13.4% 15.7%
2007 9.36% 3.91%
2006 11.5% 10%
2005 13.8% 7.24%
2004 12.3% 4.43%
2003 9.45% 5.8%
2002 9.17% -0.13%
2001 11.3% 3%
2000 11% -3.85%
1999 10% -3.7%
1998 11.7% -0.8%
1997 13.2% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.63%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $33K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Syria
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Syria
Economic freedom 69.1 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 155/197
Property rights 66 4
Government integrity 64.1 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 3.7
Tax burden 78.6 87.3
Government spending 89.3 78.5
Fiscal health 75.6 13.8
Business freedom 79.9 33.8
Labor freedom 55.9 37.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 80
Trade freedom 75 47
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Syria
2026 69.1 -
2025 68.6 -
2024 67.7 -
2023 66.5 -
2022 65.4 -
2021 64.2 -
2020 65.8 -
2019 65.3 -
2018 65.6 -
2017 65 -
2016 67.4 -
2015 67.2 -
2014 66.9 -
2013 67 -
2012 68 51.2
2011 67.3 51.3
2010 65.9 49.4
2009 66.4 51.3
2008 64.2 47.2
2007 64 48.3
2006 65.9 51.2
2005 66.1 46.3
2004 66.4 40.6
2003 67 41.3
2002 67.5 36.3
2001 67.6 36.6
2000 68.4 37.2
1999 67.4 39
1998 65.6 42.2
1997 65.6 43
1996 66.4 42.3
1995 68 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Syria
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
16%
1969

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/syria | 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 (2010–2024, 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.