Skip to content

Economy of Costa Rica vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 73/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Costa Rica vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Costa Rica
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Tuvalu
2024 $95,350,423,177 -
2023 $86,497,941,439 $62,280,312
2022 $69,243,626,029 $59,065,982
2021 $64,960,725,734 $60,196,406
2020 $62,395,610,760 $51,746,594
2019 $64,417,670,521 $54,123,199
2018 $62,420,164,992 $48,015,260
2017 $60,516,044,657 $45,276,595
2016 $58,847,019,610 $41,629,064
2015 $56,441,920,821 $36,811,936
2014 $52,016,408,854 $38,760,983
2013 $50,949,668,842 $38,615,891
2012 $47,231,655,432 $39,345,579
2011 $42,762,613,699 $39,196,957
2010 $37,658,616,952 $32,105,408
2009 $30,745,714,313 $28,076,984
2008 $30,801,745,700 $31,874,435
2007 $26,884,700,709 $28,450,169
2006 $22,715,540,324 $24,096,875
2005 $20,040,642,477 $22,909,980
2004 $18,610,594,846 $22,798,275
2003 $17,271,760,507 $19,456,338
2002 $16,578,820,687 $16,842,673
2001 $15,976,174,337 $13,964,732
2000 $15,013,629,662 $15,073,976
1999 $14,254,866,285 $14,800,503
1998 $13,684,255,947 $13,795,146
1997 $12,614,602,382 $13,734,210
1996 $11,678,424,507 $13,338,597
1995 $11,578,594,260 $11,922,614
1994 $10,489,903,725 $11,772,611
1993 $9,564,815,975 $10,414,400
1992 $8,579,754,758 $10,535,028
1991 $7,215,725,487 $10,127,314
1990 $5,711,687,787 $9,542,901
1989 $5,251,025,767 $8,454,523
1988 $4,614,629,898 $7,011,059
1987 $4,532,952,047 $5,020,513
1986 $4,418,983,871 $4,574,706
1985 $3,919,203,960 $3,862,852
1984 $3,660,477,856 $4,481,978
1983 $3,146,772,631 $4,152,550
1982 $2,606,623,555 $4,118,945
1981 $2,623,803,096 $4,773,018
1980 $4,831,447,001 $4,206,128
1979 $4,035,519,323 $4,065,659
1978 $3,523,208,810 $3,798,782
1977 $3,072,427,013 $3,669,420
1976 $2,412,555,426 $3,919,072
1975 $1,960,863,466 $4,014,748
1974 $1,666,544,754 $4,122,329
1973 $1,528,925,846 $3,411,915
1972 $1,238,251,696 $2,968,458
1971 $1,077,147,538 $2,716,990
1970 $984,830,158 $2,585,956
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Tuvalu by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 - -
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $1,725 - $976 -
1988 $1,555 - $823 -
1987 $1,567 - $600 -
1986 $1,569 - $557 -
1985 $1,429 - $480 -
1984 $1,372 - $567 -
1983 $1,213 - $533 -
1982 $1,032 - $537 -
1981 $1,068 - $634 -
1980 $2,021 - $571 -
1979 $1,735 - $566 -
1978 $1,556 - $546 -
1977 $1,393 - $549 -
1976 $1,123 - $612 -
1975 $937 - $656 -
1974 $817 - $708 -
1973 $769 - $601 -
1972 $639 - $522 -
1971 $570 - $478 -
1970 $536 - $457 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
73/197
2024
196/197
2023
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
152/197
2023
Government debt
$57B
2024
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$4,233
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
7.32%
2022
Population
5181862
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 19.2% 63% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 106.4% 12%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 18% 28.1% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 16.7% 26% 100% 20.6%
2008 15.2% 24% 85.8% 19.8%
2007 14.6% 27% 88.6% 32.4%
2006 15.2% 33% 98.5% 37.5%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 82.1% 37.4%
2004 17% 41% 74.1% -
2003 17.6% 40.6% - -
2002 18.6% 41.4% - -
2001 17.3% 39.6% - -
2000 16.9% 38.9% - -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 79/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Tuvalu
2024 -3.78% -8.23%
2023 -3.25% 15.3%
2022 -2.81% -14.6%
2021 -5.09% -13.3%
2020 -8.38% 13.7%
2019 -6.68% -1.07%
2018 -5.66% 30.3%
2017 -5.88% 2.09%
2016 -5.09% 27.5%
2015 -5.52% 14.7%
2014 -5.45% 3.26%
2013 -5.25% 26%
2012 -4.22% 9.58%
2011 -3.91% -8.8%
2010 -4.96% -23.4%
2009 -3.25% -13.5%
2008 0.18% -17.2%
2007 0.56% -18.6%
2006 -1.04% -36.8%
2005 -2.09% -12.8%
2004 -3.42% -3.6%
2003 -3.43% -
2002 -4.99% -
2001 -3.47% -
2000 -3.68% -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2023, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.81B, equivalent to 3.25% of GDP. This compares to Tuvalu's surplus of $9.55M, or 15.3% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 4.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Tuvalu
2024 -0.41% 1.2%
2023 0.53% 7.2%
2022 8.27% 12.2%
2021 1.73% 6.7%
2020 0.72% 1.6%
2019 2.1% 3.5%
2018 2.22% 2.2%
2017 1.63% 4.1%
2016 -0.02% 3.5%
2015 0.8% 3.1%
2014 4.52% 1.1%
2013 5.23% 2%
2012 4.5% 1.4%
2011 4.88% 0.5%
2010 5.66% -1.9%
2009 7.84% -0.3%
2008 13.4% 10.4%
2007 9.36% 2.3%
2006 11.5% 4.2%
2005 13.8% 3.2%
2004 12.3% 2.4%
2003 9.45% 2.9%
2002 9.17% 5.1%
2001 11.3% 1.5%
2000 11% -
1999 10% -
1998 11.7% -
1997 13.2% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 24 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.85%, compared with 3.34% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Tuvalu
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$184K
2022
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Tuvalu
Economic freedom 69.1 60
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 99/197
Property rights 66 n/a
Government integrity 64.1 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 n/a
Tax burden 78.6 n/a
Government spending 89.3 n/a
Fiscal health 75.6 n/a
Business freedom 79.9 n/a
Labor freedom 55.9 n/a
Monetary freedom 78.2 n/a
Trade freedom 75 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$8,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
n/a

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/tuvalu | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.