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Economy of Costa Rica vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a GDP of $95.4B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 73/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Costa Rica has $57B in government debt (59.8% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Costa Rica vs Yemen GDP by year

Costa Rica
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Costa Rica Yemen
2024 $95,350,423,177 -
2023 $86,497,941,439 -
2022 $69,243,626,029 -
2021 $64,960,725,734 -
2020 $62,395,610,760 -
2019 $64,417,670,521 -
2018 $62,420,164,992 $21,606,160,663
2017 $60,516,044,657 $26,842,229,045
2016 $58,847,019,610 $31,317,825,274
2015 $56,441,920,821 $42,444,490,074
2014 $52,016,408,854 $43,228,585,321
2013 $50,949,668,842 $40,415,233,436
2012 $47,231,655,432 $35,401,331,610
2011 $42,762,613,699 $32,726,417,878
2010 $37,658,616,952 $30,906,749,533
2009 $30,745,714,313 $25,130,278,213
2008 $30,801,745,700 $26,910,855,807
2007 $26,884,700,709 $21,650,528,674
2006 $22,715,540,324 $19,063,143,370
2005 $20,040,642,477 $16,731,566,717
2004 $18,610,594,846 $13,867,634,371
2003 $17,271,760,507 $11,777,532,662
2002 $16,578,820,687 $10,693,430,511
2001 $15,976,174,337 $9,852,990,693
2000 $15,013,629,662 $9,679,316,770
1999 $14,254,866,285 $7,639,325,296
1998 $13,684,255,947 $6,322,175,566
1997 $12,614,602,382 $6,838,298,531
1996 $11,678,424,507 $6,496,163,616
1995 $11,578,594,260 $12,796,345,679
1994 $10,489,903,725 $28,019,483,764
1993 $9,564,815,975 $21,736,802,664
1992 $8,579,754,758 $17,959,367,194
1991 $7,215,725,487 $14,665,445,462
1990 $5,711,687,787 $12,643,821,569
1989 $5,251,025,767 -
1988 $4,614,629,898 -
1987 $4,532,952,047 -
1986 $4,418,983,871 -
1985 $3,919,203,960 -
1984 $3,660,477,856 -
1983 $3,146,772,631 -
1982 $2,606,623,555 -
1981 $2,623,803,096 -
1980 $4,831,447,001 -
1979 $4,035,519,323 -
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Costa Rica vs Yemen by year

Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Costa Rica Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,587 $31,107 - -
2023 $16,942 $28,909 - -
2022 $13,626 $26,226 - -
2021 $12,838 $23,853 - -
2020 $12,394 $22,100 - -
2019 $12,885 $23,340 - -
2018 $12,590 $21,498 $634 -
2017 $12,317 $20,499 $811 -
2016 $12,091 $19,202 $975 -
2015 $11,715 $17,525 $1,362 -
2014 $10,911 $16,394 $1,430 -
2013 $10,803 $15,232 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $10,127 $14,464 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $9,276 $13,614 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $8,266 $12,928 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $6,833 $12,274 $969 $3,411
2008 $6,937 $12,472 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $6,138 $11,842 $890 $3,294
2006 $5,257 $10,800 $810 $3,205
2005 $4,703 $9,899 $734 $3,113
2004 $4,431 $9,365 $628 $2,949
2003 $4,173 $8,863 $549 $2,844
2002 $4,068 $8,461 $513 $2,768
2001 $3,985 $8,190 $487 $2,702
2000 $3,813 $7,879 $493 $2,624
1999 $3,691 $7,563 $401 $2,492
1998 $3,617 $7,306 $343 $2,442
1997 $3,408 $6,890 $383 $2,351
1996 $3,227 $6,568 $375 $2,268
1995 $3,275 $6,515 $764 $2,201
1994 $3,040 $6,276 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $2,840 $6,025 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $2,612 $5,635 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $2,253 $5,175 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $1,830 $5,021 $910 $1,742
1989 $1,725 - - -
1988 $1,555 - - -
1987 $1,567 - - -
1986 $1,569 - - -
1985 $1,429 - - -
1984 $1,372 - - -
1983 $1,213 - - -
1982 $1,032 - - -
1981 $1,068 - - -
1980 $2,021 - - -
1979 $1,735 - - -
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/yemen | CC BY

Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, ranking 62/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Costa Rica Yemen
Gross domestic product
$95.4B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
73/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
4.32%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
72/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$57B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.41%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
5181862
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Costa Rica Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.9% 59.8% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 18.5% 61.1% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 19.2% 63% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 20.8% 67.6% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 22.3% 66.9% 10.6% 87%
2019 21.7% 56.4% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 18.9% 51.8% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 19.2% 47.1% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 18.8% 44.1% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 18.8% 39.8% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 18.4% 37.4% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 18.5% 35.1% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 17.3% 33.7% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 17.2% 29.5% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 18% 28.1% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 16.7% 26% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 15.2% 24% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 14.6% 27% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 15.2% 33% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 15.9% 37.3% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 17% 41% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 17.6% 40.6% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 18.6% 41.4% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 17.3% 39.6% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 16.9% 38.9% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 16.7% 39% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 16% 40.7% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 16.3% 30.6% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 17.3% 33.7% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 16.4% 29.1% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 17.4% 27% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 13.8% 24.4% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 13.7% 23.3% 24.6% 78%
1991 14% 28.4% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 18.9% 18.5% 26.6% 91.6%
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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Costa Rica's government spending was $18B, accounting for 18.9% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.8% in Costa Rica and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 79/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Costa Rica

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Costa Rica Yemen
2024 -3.78% -2.48%
2023 -3.25% -5.63%
2022 -2.81% -2.15%
2021 -5.09% -0.89%
2020 -8.38% -4.3%
2019 -6.68% -5.89%
2018 -5.66% -7.85%
2017 -5.88% -4.9%
2016 -5.09% -8.51%
2015 -5.52% -8.75%
2014 -5.45% -4.14%
2013 -5.25% -6.9%
2012 -4.22% -6.32%
2011 -3.91% -4.51%
2010 -4.96% -4.06%
2009 -3.25% -10.2%
2008 0.18% -4.53%
2007 0.56% -7.18%
2006 -1.04% 1.19%
2005 -2.09% -1.82%
2004 -3.42% -2.15%
2003 -3.43% -4.2%
2002 -4.99% -0.56%
2001 -3.47% 2.79%
2000 -3.68% 6.09%
1999 -2.88% 0.06%
1998 -2.96% -7.77%
1997 -3.39% -1.5%
1996 -4.32% -0.92%
1995 -3.68% -5.74%
1994 -5.46% -14%
1993 -1.52% -12.8%
1992 -1.51% -10.9%
1991 -2.41% -5.76%
1990 -4.4% -10.3%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Costa Rica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.53B, equivalent to 5.66% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Costa Rica recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Costa Rica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Costa Rica

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Costa Rica Yemen
2024 -0.41% 33.9%
2023 0.53% 0.9%
2022 8.27% 29.5%
2021 1.73% 31.5%
2020 0.72% 21.7%
2019 2.1% 15.7%
2018 2.22% 33.6%
2017 1.63% 30.4%
2016 -0.02% 21.3%
2015 0.8% 22%
2014 4.52% 8.2%
2013 5.23% 11%
2012 4.5% 9.9%
2011 4.88% 19.5%
2010 5.66% 11.2%
2009 7.84% 3.7%
2008 13.4% 19%
2007 9.36% 7.9%
2006 11.5% 10.8%
2005 13.8% 9.9%
2004 12.3% 12.5%
2003 9.45% 10.8%
2002 9.17% 12.2%
2001 11.3% 11.9%
2000 11% 11%
1999 10% 7.9%
1998 11.7% 11.5%
1997 13.2% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Costa Rica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.66%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was -0.41% in Costa Rica and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $64K

Balance of trade

Costa Rica Yemen
Current account balance
-$1.25B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
129/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$23.1B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$20.6B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$7.58B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$16.3B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.8%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.5%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Costa Rica Yemen
Economic freedom 69.1 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 43/197 138/197
Property rights 66 3.5
Government integrity 64.1 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 9.9
Tax burden 78.6 93.7
Government spending 89.3 0
Fiscal health 75.6 71.2
Business freedom 79.9 31.3
Labor freedom 55.9 31.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 48.1
Trade freedom 75 67.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Costa Rica
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Costa Rica Yemen
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 53.7
2014 66.9 55.5
2013 67 55.9
2012 68 55.3
2011 67.3 54.2
2010 65.9 54.4
2009 66.4 56.9
2008 64.2 53.8
2007 64 54.1
2006 65.9 52.6
2005 66.1 53.8
2004 66.4 50.5
2003 67 50.3
2002 67.5 48.6
2001 67.6 44.3
2000 68.4 44.5
1999 67.4 43.3
1998 65.6 46.1
1997 65.6 48.4
1996 66.4 49.6
1995 68 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Costa Rica is 69.1, ranking 43/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Costa Rica Yemen
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.56%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,840
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
70/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.96B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.3B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$337M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.31%
2023
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1956–1998, 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 (2015–2020, 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.