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Economy of Costa Rica vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 73/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Costa Rica vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Costa Rica
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Vanuatu
2024 $95,350,423,177 $1,117,972,034
2023 $86,497,941,439 $1,115,861,056
2022 $69,243,626,029 $1,055,031,361
2021 $64,960,725,734 $950,394,007
2020 $62,395,610,760 $909,421,044
2019 $64,417,670,521 $936,526,268
2018 $62,420,164,992 $914,727,908
2017 $60,516,044,657 $880,043,284
2016 $58,847,019,610 $804,323,577
2015 $56,441,920,821 $759,690,181
2014 $52,016,408,854 $773,717,011
2013 $50,949,668,842 $758,304,466
2012 $47,231,655,432 $747,839,698
2011 $42,762,613,699 $770,153,588
2010 $37,658,616,952 $670,712,980
2009 $30,745,714,313 $592,622,319
2008 $30,801,745,700 $590,748,429
2007 $26,884,700,709 $516,392,923
2006 $22,715,540,324 $439,358,587
2005 $20,040,642,477 $394,962,433
2004 $18,610,594,846 $364,996,869
2003 $17,271,760,507 $314,471,413
2002 $16,578,820,687 $262,596,536
2001 $15,976,174,337 $257,926,882
2000 $15,013,629,662 $272,014,628
1999 $14,254,866,285 $268,006,973
1998 $13,684,255,947 $262,293,411
1997 $12,614,602,382 $272,771,209
1996 $11,678,424,507 $261,370,044
1995 $11,578,594,260 $249,333,250
1994 $10,489,903,725 $233,701,301
1993 $9,564,815,975 $200,491,853
1992 $8,579,754,758 $209,088,825
1991 $7,215,725,487 $201,334,169
1990 $5,711,687,787 $168,879,207
1989 $5,251,025,767 $154,013,202
1988 $4,614,629,898 $158,351,368
1987 $4,532,952,047 $139,464,174
1986 $4,418,983,871 $126,498,935
1985 $3,919,203,960 $131,856,421
1984 $3,660,477,856 $144,482,515
1983 $3,146,772,631 $117,389,554
1982 $2,606,623,555 $114,501,913
1981 $2,623,803,096 $113,781,796
1980 $4,831,447,001 $121,185,498
1979 $4,035,519,323 $119,258,835
1978 $3,523,208,810 -
1977 $3,072,427,013 -
1976 $2,412,555,426 -
1975 $1,960,863,466 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Vanuatu by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $16,942 $28,909 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $13,626 $26,226 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $12,838 $23,853 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $12,394 $22,100 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $12,885 $23,340 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $1,725 - $1,067 -
1988 $1,555 - $1,125 -
1987 $1,567 - $1,017 -
1986 $1,569 - $946 -
1985 $1,429 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,372 - $1,137 -
1983 $1,213 - $947 -
1982 $1,032 - $946 -
1981 $1,068 - $962 -
1980 $2,021 - $1,048 -
1979 $1,735 - $1,055 -
1978 $1,556 - - -
1977 $1,393 - - -
1976 $1,123 - - -
1975 $937 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
73/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
5181862
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 19.2% 63% 42% 42.8%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 43.4% 48%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 18% 28.1% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 16.7% 26% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 15.2% 24% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 14.6% 27% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 15.2% 33% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 17% 41% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 22.3% 37%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 16.7% 39% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 16% 40.7% 27.9% 28%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 28% 24.1%
1994 17.4% 27% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 31.8% 21%
1991 14% 28.4% 33.2% 15.9%
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/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 79/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Vanuatu
2024 -3.78% -2.34%
2023 -3.25% -0.95%
2022 -2.81% -6.5%
2021 -5.09% 2.38%
2020 -8.38% -1.95%
2019 -6.68% 2.81%
2018 -5.66% 6.26%
2017 -5.88% -1.2%
2016 -5.09% -0.72%
2015 -5.52% -8.66%
2014 -5.45% 1.44%
2013 -5.25% -0.25%
2012 -4.22% -1.7%
2011 -3.91% -2.19%
2010 -4.96% -2.63%
2009 -3.25% -0.85%
2008 0.18% -0.04%
2007 0.56% 0.28%
2006 -1.04% 0.49%
2005 -2.09% 1.86%
2004 -3.42% 0.8%
2003 -3.43% -1.35%
2002 -4.99% -3.63%
2001 -3.47% -3.33%
2000 -3.68% -6.28%
1999 -2.88% -0.55%
1998 -2.96% -6.65%
1997 -3.39% -0.51%
1996 -4.32% -1.78%
1995 -3.68% -2.59%
1994 -5.46% -1.49%
1993 -1.52% -3.67%
1992 -1.51% -2.32%
1991 -2.41% -2.81%
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/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Vanuatu
2024 -0.41% -
2023 0.53% 11.2%
2022 8.27% 6.68%
2021 1.73% 2.34%
2020 0.72% 5.33%
2019 2.1% 2.76%
2018 2.22% 2.33%
2017 1.63% 3.08%
2016 -0.02% 0.84%
2015 0.8% 2.48%
2014 4.52% 0.8%
2013 5.23% 1.46%
2012 4.5% 1.35%
2011 4.88% 0.87%
2010 5.66% 2.76%
2009 7.84% 4.3%
2008 13.4% 4.84%
2007 9.36% 3.94%
2006 11.5% 2.04%
2005 13.8% 1.2%
2004 12.3% 1.42%
2003 9.45% 3.02%
2002 9.17% 1.96%
2001 11.3% 3.58%
2000 11% 2.54%
1999 10% 2%
1998 11.7% 3.28%
1997 13.2% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.92%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $110K
Vanuatu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Vanuatu
Economic freedom 69.1 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 92/197
Property rights 66 62.1
Government integrity 64.1 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 67.9
Tax burden 78.6 96.9
Government spending 89.3 48.1
Fiscal health 75.6 78.8
Business freedom 79.9 50.3
Labor freedom 55.9 41
Monetary freedom 78.2 72.1
Trade freedom 75 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Vanuatu
2026 69.1 61.1
2025 68.6 61.8
2024 67.7 62.2
2023 66.5 62.1
2022 65.4 62.9
2021 64.2 60.5
2020 65.8 60.7
2019 65.3 56.4
2018 65.6 69.5
2017 65 67.4
2016 67.4 60.8
2015 67.2 61.1
2014 66.9 59.5
2013 67 56.6
2012 68 56.6
2011 67.3 56.7
2010 65.9 56.4
2009 66.4 58.4
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 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.