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Economy of Costa Rica vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 73/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Costa Rica vs Tunisia GDP by year

Costa Rica
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Tunisia
2024 $95,350,423,177 $51,332,285,657
2023 $86,497,941,439 $48,205,328,303
2022 $69,243,626,029 $44,929,920,093
2021 $64,960,725,734 $47,073,234,359
2020 $62,395,610,760 $42,491,780,918
2019 $64,417,670,521 $41,905,642,419
2018 $62,420,164,992 $42,686,504,460
2017 $60,516,044,657 $42,163,530,591
2016 $58,847,019,610 $44,360,072,680
2015 $56,441,920,821 $45,779,494,042
2014 $52,016,408,854 $50,271,812,921
2013 $50,949,668,842 $48,685,446,414
2012 $47,231,655,432 $47,311,401,813
2011 $42,762,613,699 $48,123,325,825
2010 $37,658,616,952 $46,206,091,938
2009 $30,745,714,313 $43,455,740,497
2008 $30,801,745,700 $44,859,439,902
2007 $26,884,700,709 $38,915,353,867
2006 $22,715,540,324 $34,376,664,601
2005 $20,040,642,477 $32,272,186,695
2004 $18,610,594,846 $31,183,885,241
2003 $17,271,760,507 $27,453,902,261
2002 $16,578,820,687 $23,141,616,605
2001 $15,976,174,337 $22,065,832,449
2000 $15,013,629,662 $21,473,528,161
1999 $14,254,866,285 $22,943,202,175
1998 $13,684,255,947 $21,802,893,587
1997 $12,614,602,382 $20,746,210,354
1996 $11,678,424,507 $19,587,161,807
1995 $11,578,594,260 $18,030,876,599
1994 $10,489,903,725 $15,633,174,304
1993 $9,564,815,975 $14,608,335,608
1992 $8,579,754,758 $15,496,708,060
1991 $7,215,725,487 $13,074,782,609
1990 $5,711,687,787 $12,290,568,182
1989 $5,251,025,767 $10,101,851,745
1988 $4,614,629,898 $10,096,245,762
1987 $4,532,952,047 $9,696,715,911
1986 $4,418,983,871 $9,017,806,654
1985 $3,919,203,960 $8,410,226,053
1984 $3,660,477,856 $8,254,541,195
1983 $3,146,772,631 $8,350,582,748
1982 $2,606,623,555 $8,133,580,052
1981 $2,623,803,096 $8,428,445,294
1980 $4,831,447,001 $8,744,134,354
1979 $4,035,519,323 $7,188,863,904
1978 $3,523,208,810 $5,968,460,080
1977 $3,072,427,013 $5,109,324,009
1976 $2,412,555,426 $4,508,191,942
1975 $1,960,863,466 $4,328,965,588
1974 $1,666,544,754 $3,545,868,575
1973 $1,528,925,846 $2,730,813,385
1972 $1,238,251,696 $2,237,556,149
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,685,162,272
1970 $984,830,158 $1,439,238,095
1969 $853,630,204 $1,289,904,762
1968 $773,841,494 $1,214,666,667
1967 $699,456,619 $1,085,714,286
1966 $647,305,630 $1,040,952,381
1965 $592,981,162 $991,047,619
1964 $542,578,367 $1,025,866,792
1963 $511,902,137 $1,026,737,600
1962 $479,180,824 $880,027,733
1961 $490,325,182 $866,155,429
1960 $507,513,830 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Tunisia by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $1,725 - $1,239 -
1988 $1,555 - $1,266 -
1987 $1,567 - $1,245 -
1986 $1,569 - $1,187 -
1985 $1,429 - $1,135 -
1984 $1,372 - $1,143 -
1983 $1,213 - $1,184 -
1982 $1,032 - $1,177 -
1981 $1,068 - $1,247 -
1980 $2,021 - $1,324 -
1979 $1,735 - $1,113 -
1978 $1,556 - $946 -
1977 $1,393 - $830 -
1976 $1,123 - $752 -
1975 $937 - $741 -
1974 $817 - $624 -
1973 $769 - $493 -
1972 $639 - $415 -
1971 $570 - $320 -
1970 $536 - $280.5 -
1969 $477 - $257.7 -
1968 $445 - $248.9 -
1967 $414 - $228 -
1966 $395 - $223.8 -
1965 $374 - $217.3 -
1964 $354 - $228.5 -
1963 $346 - $231.9 -
1962 $335 - $201.4 -
1961 $356 - $200.7 -
1960 $382 - - -

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

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$8.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
15.1%
2023
Population
5181862
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 35.7% 84%
2022 19.2% 63% 36.5% 83%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 28.3% 49%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 18% 28.1% 24% 38.8%
2009 16.7% 26% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 15.2% 24% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 14.6% 27% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 15.2% 33% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 23% 50%
2004 17% 41% 23% 51.6%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 24% 52.2%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 24% 62.9%
1999 16.7% 39% 24% 61.9%
1998 16% 40.7% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 17.4% 27% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 14% 28.4% 27.6% 63.3%
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/tunisia | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 79/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Tunisia
2024 -3.78% -5.92%
2023 -3.25% -7.03%
2022 -2.81% -6.91%
2021 -5.09% -7.6%
2020 -8.38% -9.06%
2019 -6.68% -3.6%
2018 -5.66% -4.27%
2017 -5.88% -5.61%
2016 -5.09% -5.87%
2015 -5.52% -4.95%
2014 -5.45% -3.11%
2013 -5.25% -7.05%
2012 -4.22% -4.9%
2011 -3.91% -3.19%
2010 -4.96% -0.46%
2009 -3.25% -2.59%
2008 0.18% -0.62%
2007 0.56% -2.47%
2006 -1.04% -2.33%
2005 -2.09% -2.59%
2004 -3.42% -2.1%
2003 -3.43% -2.64%
2002 -4.99% -2.55%
2001 -3.47% -2.87%
2000 -3.68% -3.22%
1999 -2.88% -3.05%
1998 -2.96% -2.84%
1997 -3.39% -3.7%
1996 -4.32% -5.18%
1995 -3.68% -4.53%
1994 -5.46% -2.87%
1993 -1.52% -3.22%
1992 -1.51% -3.45%
1991 -2.41% -5.25%
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/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Tunisia
2024 -0.41% 7%
2023 0.53% 9.3%
2022 8.27% 8.3%
2021 1.73% 5.7%
2020 0.72% 5.6%
2019 2.1% 6.7%
2018 2.22% 7.3%
2017 1.63% 5.3%
2016 -0.02% 3.6%
2015 0.8% 4.4%
2014 4.52% 4.6%
2013 5.23% 5.3%
2012 4.5% 4.6%
2011 4.88% 3.2%
2010 5.66% 4.4%
2009 7.84% 3.5%
2008 13.4% 4.9%
2007 9.36% 3.4%
2006 11.5% 4.1%
2005 13.8% 2%
2004 12.3% 3.7%
2003 9.45% 2.7%
2002 9.17% 2.7%
2001 11.3% 1.9%
2000 11% 2.8%
1999 10% 2.8%
1998 11.7% 3.1%
1997 13.2% 3.6%

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/tunisia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.36M
Machinery & equipment $285K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $58K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $201K
Metals $84K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Tunisia
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Tunisia
Economic freedom 69.1 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 172/197
Property rights 66 55.7
Government integrity 64.1 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 39.7
Tax burden 78.6 68.5
Government spending 89.3 62.5
Fiscal health 75.6 16
Business freedom 79.9 59.4
Labor freedom 55.9 55.8
Monetary freedom 78.2 72.4
Trade freedom 75 54.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Tunisia
2026 69.1 48.1
2025 68.6 49.1
2024 67.7 48.8
2023 66.5 52.9
2022 65.4 54.2
2021 64.2 56.6
2020 65.8 55.8
2019 65.3 55.4
2018 65.6 58.9
2017 65 55.7
2016 67.4 57.6
2015 67.2 57.7
2014 66.9 57.3
2013 67 57
2012 68 58.6
2011 67.3 58.5
2010 65.9 58.9
2009 66.4 58
2008 64.2 60.1
2007 64 60.3
2006 65.9 57.5
2005 66.1 55.4
2004 66.4 58.4
2003 67 58.1
2002 67.5 60.2
2001 67.6 60.8
2000 68.4 61.3
1999 67.4 61.1
1998 65.6 63.9
1997 65.6 63.8
1996 66.4 63.9
1995 68 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
7.86%
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/tunisia | 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 (2020–2024, 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.