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Economy of Costa Rica vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a GDP of $103B compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 74/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $62.2B in government debt (60.4% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

Costa Rica vs Tonga GDP by year

Costa Rica
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Tonga
2025 $102,904,921,157 $679,218,219
2024 $96,715,644,331 $647,488,244
2023 $87,512,637,056 $591,139,734
2022 $71,001,226,361 $556,514,556
2021 $65,588,938,787 $519,306,339
2020 $62,806,591,555 $506,571,487
2019 $64,753,504,730 $506,031,248
2018 $62,567,765,946 $493,530,767
2017 $60,516,044,661 $459,976,847
2016 $58,847,019,588 $420,828,255
2015 $56,441,920,888 $437,525,539
2014 $52,016,408,816 $440,997,735
2013 $50,949,668,763 $451,788,498
2012 $47,231,655,493 $471,122,971
2011 $42,762,613,785 $414,143,828
2010 $37,658,616,966 $366,887,375
2009 $30,745,714,234 $312,415,028
2008 $30,801,745,703 $344,438,844
2007 $26,884,700,688 $298,519,623
2006 $22,715,540,342 $292,232,703
2005 $20,040,642,421 $261,823,805
2004 $18,610,594,844 $230,678,011
2003 $17,271,760,397 $202,246,591
2002 $16,578,820,799 $182,764,281
2001 $15,976,174,476 $181,117,230
2000 $15,013,629,579 $204,848,488
1999 $14,254,866,284 $199,208,718
1998 $13,684,255,998 $191,504,893
1997 $12,614,602,322 $214,991,452
1996 $11,678,424,727 $222,100,576
1995 $11,578,594,333 $208,871,666
1994 $10,489,903,834 $195,990,986
1993 $9,564,816,063 $138,489,884
1992 $8,579,754,953 $137,066,291
1991 $7,215,725,635 $132,201,141
1990 $5,711,687,787 $113,563,822
1989 $5,251,025,767 $106,344,855
1988 $4,614,629,898 $106,657,267
1987 $4,532,952,047 $81,667,133
1986 $4,418,983,871 $68,195,856
1985 $3,919,203,960 $60,058,663
1984 $3,660,477,856 $64,248,355
1983 $3,146,772,631 $60,863,964
1982 $2,606,623,555 $62,068,161
1981 $2,623,803,096 $62,242,013
1980 $4,831,447,001 $53,260,077
1979 $4,035,519,323 $44,667,002
1978 $3,523,208,810 $41,567,472
1977 $3,072,427,013 $34,139,388
1976 $2,412,555,426 $30,036,417
1975 $1,960,863,466 $32,506,742
1974 $1,666,544,754 -
1973 $1,528,925,846 -
1972 $1,238,251,696 -
1971 $1,077,147,538 -
1970 $984,830,158 -
1969 $853,630,204 -
1968 $773,841,494 -
1967 $699,456,619 -
1966 $647,305,630 -
1965 $592,981,162 -
1964 $542,578,367 -
1963 $511,902,137 -
1962 $479,180,824 -
1961 $490,325,182 -
1960 $507,513,830 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Tonga by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,970 - $6,547 -
2024 $18,853 $31,107 $6,215 -
2023 $17,141 $28,909 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $13,972 $26,226 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $12,962 $23,853 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $12,476 $22,100 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $12,952 $23,340 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $12,620 $21,498 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $1,725 - $1,070 -
1988 $1,555 - $1,078 -
1987 $1,567 - $830 -
1986 $1,569 - $696 -
1985 $1,429 - $613 -
1984 $1,372 - $656 -
1983 $1,213 - $621 -
1982 $1,032 - $633 -
1981 $1,068 - $636 -
1980 $2,021 - $545 -
1979 $1,735 - $458 -
1978 $1,556 - $428 -
1977 $1,393 - $353 -
1976 $1,123 - $315 -
1975 $937 - $349 -
1974 $817 - - -
1973 $769 - - -
1972 $639 - - -
1971 $570 - - -
1970 $536 - - -
1969 $477 - - -
1968 $445 - - -
1967 $414 - - -
1966 $395 - - -
1965 $374 - - -
1964 $354 - - -
1963 $346 - - -
1962 $335 - - -
1961 $356 - - -
1960 $382 - - -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $19,970, ranking 59/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Tonga
Gross domestic product
$103B
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
74/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
4.56%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
59/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$4,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.07%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
1.65%
2023
Population
5186356
103283

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.8% 60.4% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 18.6% 58.9% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 18.3% 60.4% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 18.7% 61.4% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 20.6% 67% 44.5% 43%
2020 22.1% 66.5% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 21.6% 56.1% 39% 41.8%
2018 18.9% 51.7% 39.3% 45.5%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 32% 60%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 18% 28.1% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 16.7% 26% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 15.2% 24% 24% 34%
2007 14.6% 27% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 15.2% 33% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 17% 41% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 20% 56.2%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 20% 43.6%
1999 16.7% 39% 18.8% 38.4%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Costa Rica's government spending was $18.3B, accounting for 17.8% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.4% in Costa Rica and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 77/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Tonga
2025 -3.35% 4.86%
2024 -3.73% 3.6%
2023 -3.21% 5.28%
2022 -2.74% -0.09%
2021 -5.04% -0.87%
2020 -8.32% 5.15%
2019 -6.65% 3.2%
2018 -5.65% 2.9%
2017 -5.88% 3.58%
2016 -5.09% 1.47%
2015 -5.52% -2.75%
2014 -5.45% 6.38%
2013 -5.25% -1.3%
2012 -4.22% -1.74%
2011 -3.91% -6.02%
2010 -4.96% -1.22%
2009 -3.25% 6.85%
2008 0.18% 2.14%
2007 0.56% 5.39%
2006 -1.04% 1.34%
2005 -2.09% 4.23%
2004 -3.42% 4.23%
2003 -3.43% 2.37%
2002 -4.99% 2.59%
2001 -3.47% 2.23%
2000 -3.68% 1.35%
1999 -2.88% 1.55%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/costa-rica/tonga | 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 Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.94% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.1% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Tonga
2025 -0.07% 5.59%
2024 -0.41% 3.18%
2023 0.53% 6.35%
2022 8.27% 11%
2021 1.73% 5.64%
2020 0.72% -0.35%
2019 2.1% 1.18%
2018 2.22% 5.03%
2017 1.63% 7.52%
2016 -0.02% 2.58%
2015 0.8% -1.05%
2014 4.52% 2.51%
2013 5.23% 0.78%
2012 4.5% 1.15%
2011 4.88% 6.27%
2010 5.66% 3.53%
2009 7.84% 1.43%
2008 13.4% 10.4%
2007 9.36% 5.84%
2006 11.5% 6.15%
2005 13.8% 8.67%
2004 12.3% 11%
2003 9.45% 11.6%
2002 9.17% 10.4%
2001 11.3% 8.29%
2000 11% 6.33%
1999 10% 4.46%
1998 11.7% 3.27%
1997 13.2% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 5.2% in Tonga. In 2025, inflation was -0.07% in Costa Rica and 5.59% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Tonga
Current account balance
-$687M
2025
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2025
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2025
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$23.5B
2025
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$8.64B
2025
$161M
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.6%
2025
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.8%
2025
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Tonga
Economic freedom 69.1 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 107/197
Property rights 66 71.1
Government integrity 64.1 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 64.9
Tax burden 78.6 85.6
Government spending 89.3 31
Fiscal health 75.6 97.3
Business freedom 79.9 59.2
Labor freedom 55.9 55.9
Monetary freedom 78.2 61
Trade freedom 75 75.4
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Tonga
2026 69.1 58.9
2025 68.6 58.5
2024 67.7 59.2
2023 66.5 60
2022 65.4 60.8
2021 64.2 57.5
2020 65.8 58.8
2019 65.3 57.7
2018 65.6 63.1
2017 65 63
2016 67.4 59.6
2015 67.2 59.3
2014 66.9 58.2
2013 67 56
2012 68 57
2011 67.3 55.8
2010 65.9 53.4
2009 66.4 54.1
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 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Tonga
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$30,760
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2025
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.12B
2025
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.4B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.1%
2025
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
26.4%
2024

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/tonga | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.