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Belize vs Costa Rica statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a population of 417K (ranked 171/197), compared with 5.13M in Costa Rica (ranked 126/197). Belize's land area is 8,807 sq mi versus 19,714 sq mi for Costa Rica (ranked 148th vs. 126th).

By GDP, Belize ranks 168/197 ($3.2B) and Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B). By GDP per capita, Belize ranks 98/197 ($7,681), while Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587).

Main facts and rankings

Belize Costa Rica
Population
430409
5181862
Population rank 171/197 126/197
GDP
$3.2B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank 168/197 73/197
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank 98/197 62/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$31,107
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank 78/185 50/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$12,150
2026
Land area 8,807 sq mi 19,714 sq mi
Population density
48.7 ppl/mi²
2026
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.01
2023
1.33
2023
Median age
27.4 years
2024
35.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
74.1 years
2026
81.4 years
2026

Belize and Costa Rica: Comparison Charts

Belize and Costa Rica economies compared

GDP
Belize

Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP
Belize Costa Rica
2024 $3,203,631,800 $95,350,423,177
2023 $3,052,362,650 $86,497,941,439
2022 $2,846,604,350 $69,243,626,029
2021 $2,428,606,250 $64,960,725,734
2020 $2,047,284,600 $62,395,610,760
2019 $2,381,187,850 $64,417,670,521
2018 $2,285,915,050 $62,420,164,992
2017 $2,266,028,250 $60,516,044,657
2016 $2,239,604,950 $58,847,019,610
2015 $2,193,095,150 $56,441,920,821
2014 $2,138,242,200 $52,016,408,854
2013 $2,035,191,450 $50,949,668,842
2012 $1,917,083,500 $47,231,655,432
2011 $1,831,576,700 $42,762,613,699
2010 $1,748,988,400 $37,658,616,952
2009 $1,688,012,750 $30,745,714,313
2008 $1,738,453,600 $30,801,745,700
2007 $1,706,190,450 $26,884,700,709
2006 $1,590,463,100 $22,715,540,324
2005 $1,474,298,400 $20,040,642,477
2004 $1,400,202,000 $18,610,594,846
2003 $1,308,280,250 $17,271,760,507
2002 $1,243,912,050 $16,578,820,687
2001 $1,172,045,150 $15,976,174,337
2000 $1,138,138,100 $15,013,629,662
1999 $999,713,050 $14,254,866,285
1998 $929,047,000 $13,684,255,947
1997 $872,916,050 $12,614,602,382
1996 $850,339,100 $11,678,424,507
1995 $818,590,250 $11,578,594,260
1994 $771,838,000 $10,489,903,725
1993 $752,255,150 $9,564,815,975
1992 $695,741,150 $8,579,754,758
1991 $596,682,100 $7,215,725,487
1990 $546,750,912 $5,711,687,787
1989 $491,100,000 $5,251,025,767
1988 $421,450,000 $4,614,629,898
1987 $371,100,000 $4,532,952,047
1986 $311,500,000 $4,418,983,871
1985 $287,300,000 $3,919,203,960
1984 $290,350,000 $3,660,477,856
1983 $262,150,000 $3,146,772,631
1982 $248,550,000 $2,606,623,555
1981 $260,750,000 $2,623,803,096
1980 $257,400,000 $4,831,447,001
1979 $151,800,000 $4,035,519,323
1978 $136,300,000 $3,523,208,810
1977 $117,650,000 $3,072,427,013
1976 $97,094,227 $2,412,555,426
1975 $118,194,026 $1,960,863,466
1974 $103,160,450 $1,666,544,754
1973 $78,214,768 $1,528,925,846
1972 $65,998,069 $1,238,251,696
1971 $59,074,687 $1,077,147,538
1970 $53,339,893 $984,830,158
1969 $47,399,905 $853,630,204
1968 $44,999,910 $773,841,494
1967 $47,431,256 $699,456,619
1966 $44,450,044 $647,305,630
1965 $40,110,040 $592,981,162
1964 $36,194,586 $542,578,367
1963 $33,750,114 $511,902,137
1962 $31,857,592 $479,180,824
1961 $29,965,000 $490,325,182
1960 $28,072,478 $507,513,830

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

GeoRank.org/facts/belize/costa-rica | CC BY

Belize and Costa Rica economies compared

GDP per capita
Belize

Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP per capita
Belize Costa Rica
2024 $7,681 $18,587
2023 $7,425 $16,942
2022 $7,068 $13,626
2021 $6,143 $12,838
2020 $5,239 $12,394
2019 $6,172 $12,885
2018 $6,012 $12,590
2017 $6,072 $12,317
2016 $6,141 $12,091
2015 $6,155 $11,715
2014 $6,128 $10,911
2013 $5,957 $10,803
2012 $5,733 $10,127
2011 $5,596 $9,276
2010 $5,461 $8,266
2009 $5,400 $6,833
2008 $5,712 $6,937
2007 $5,762 $6,138
2006 $5,525 $5,257
2005 $5,270 $4,703
2004 $5,154 $4,431
2003 $4,960 $4,173
2002 $4,859 $4,068
2001 $4,719 $3,985
2000 $4,727 $3,813
1999 $4,290 $3,691
1998 $4,126 $3,617
1997 $4,014 $3,408
1996 $4,043 $3,227
1995 $4,010 $3,275
1994 $3,877 $3,040
1993 $3,860 $2,840
1992 $3,643 $2,612
1991 $3,190 $2,253
1990 $2,986 $1,830
1989 $2,742 $1,725
1988 $2,406 $1,555
1987 $2,166 $1,567
1986 $1,859 $1,569
1985 $1,754 $1,429
1984 $1,814 $1,372
1983 $1,677 $1,213
1982 $1,629 $1,032
1981 $1,753 $1,068
1980 $1,774 $2,021
1979 $1,071 $1,735
1978 $983 $1,556
1977 $866 $1,393
1976 $729 $1,123
1975 $906 $937
1974 $805 $817
1973 $619 $769
1972 $529 $639
1971 $481 $570
1970 $442 $536
1969 $402 $477
1968 $392 $445
1967 $426 $414
1966 $412 $395
1965 $383 $374
1964 $356 $354
1963 $342 $346
1962 $332 $335
1961 $320 $356
1960 $307 $382

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

GeoRank.org/facts/belize/costa-rica | CC BY

Belize vs. Costa Rica life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Belize

Costa Rica
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Belize Costa Rica
2026 74.1 81.4
2025 73.9 81.2
2024 73.7 81
2023 73.6 80.8
2022 72.2 79.3
2021 70.9 78.1
2020 71.6 79.7
2019 72.6 80.3
2018 72.3 80.1
2017 72.1 80
2016 71.8 80
2015 71.6 80.4
2014 71.4 80.2
2013 71.3 80.2
2012 71.1 79.9
2011 71 79.6
2010 70.9 79.4
2009 70.8 79.4
2008 70.7 79.2
2007 70.7 79.1
2006 70.5 79
2005 70.3 78.9
2004 70.2 78.5
2003 69.8 78.2
2002 69.5 77.9
2001 68.9 77.6
2000 68.9 77.3
1999 69 77.1
1998 68.9 76.9
1997 69.2 76.6
1996 69.4 76.4
1995 69.5 76.4
1994 69.6 76.3
1993 69.6 76.3
1992 69.6 76.4
1991 69.6 76.2
1990 69.6 76.1
1989 69.5 75.9
1988 69.4 75.5
1987 69.1 75.2
1986 68.7 74.9
1985 68.3 74.8
1984 68 74.6
1983 67.6 74.2
1982 67.3 73.9
1981 67.1 73.4
1980 66.9 73
1979 66.7 72.5
1978 66.3 72
1977 66.1 71.5
1976 65.8 70.9
1975 65.4 70.3
1974 64.9 69.4
1973 64.5 68.7
1972 64 68
1971 63.5 67.4
1970 63 66.8
1969 62.5 66.4
1968 62 65.8
1967 61.4 65.6
1966 60.9 65.1
1965 60.4 64.8
1964 59.8 64.5
1963 59.3 64.3
1962 58.7 64.2
1961 52.9 63.9
1960 57.4 63.5
1959 56.6 62.9
1958 55.7 62.3
1957 54.8 61.6
1956 53.9 61.2
1955 52.7 60.5
1954 52.2 59.9
1953 51.4 59.1
1952 50.7 58.1
1951 49.9 57.8
1950 49.2 57.5

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/belize/costa-rica | CC BY

Belize and Costa Rica population clocks and comparison

Population
Belize

Costa Rica
1x
Year Population
Belize Costa Rica
2024 417,072 5,129,910
2023 411,106 5,105,525
2022 402,733 5,081,765
2021 395,346 5,059,988
2020 390,812 5,034,320
2019 385,829 4,999,553
2018 380,226 4,957,818
2017 373,202 4,913,177
2016 364,705 4,866,998
2015 356,333 4,818,038
2014 348,923 4,767,119
2013 341,627 4,716,147
2012 334,414 4,663,934
2011 327,298 4,609,833
2010 320,245 4,555,962
2009 312,614 4,499,791
2008 304,361 4,440,056
2007 296,100 4,380,248
2006 287,878 4,321,340
2005 279,731 4,261,240
2004 271,688 4,200,078
2003 263,780 4,138,784
2002 256,009 4,075,705
2001 248,379 4,008,947
2000 240,799 3,937,739
1999 233,059 3,862,101
1998 225,173 3,782,838
1997 217,446 3,701,711
1996 210,310 3,619,013
1995 204,146 3,535,176
1994 199,097 3,451,122
1993 194,902 3,367,434
1992 190,983 3,284,258
1991 187,040 3,202,176
1990 183,076 3,121,706
1989 179,107 3,043,827
1988 175,180 2,968,103
1987 171,338 2,892,699
1986 167,554 2,817,216
1985 163,796 2,741,894
1984 160,044 2,667,595
1983 156,297 2,595,153
1982 152,548 2,524,806
1981 148,786 2,456,637
1980 145,062 2,390,633
1979 141,678 2,326,490
1978 138,713 2,264,510
1977 135,887 2,205,025
1976 133,099 2,147,774
1975 130,387 2,092,719
1974 128,185 2,039,643
1973 126,445 1,988,343
1972 124,676 1,938,248
1971 122,805 1,888,539
1970 120,736 1,838,949
1969 118,040 1,789,276
1968 114,713 1,739,731
1967 111,272 1,689,523
1966 107,906 1,638,116
1965 104,675 1,586,208
1964 101,603 1,533,960
1963 98,704 1,481,604
1962 96,042 1,429,445
1961 93,632 1,377,920
1960 91,318 1,327,496

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

GeoRank.org/facts/belize/costa-rica | CC BY

Fertility rates in Belize and Costa Rica

Fertility rate
Belize

Costa Rica
1x
Year Fertility rate
Belize Costa Rica
2023 2.01 1.33
2022 1.95 1.34
2021 1.84 1.35
2020 2.04 1.45
2019 2.14 1.6
2018 2.34 1.71
2017 2.37 1.71
2016 2.4 1.75
2015 2.43 1.8
2014 2.47 1.8
2013 2.5 1.78
2012 2.51 1.85
2011 2.53 1.88
2010 2.55 1.83
2009 2.66 1.95
2008 2.78 1.98
2007 2.89 1.95
2006 3.02 1.94
2005 3.17 2.04
2004 3.25 2.03
2003 3.34 2.08
2002 3.43 2.16
2001 3.53 2.31
2000 3.63 2.41
1999 3.73 2.48
1998 3.75 2.53
1997 3.74 2.59
1996 3.76 2.68
1995 3.88 2.78
1994 3.97 2.86
1993 4.21 2.93
1992 4.43 3
1991 4.6 3.08
1990 4.8 3.17
1989 4.86 3.24
1988 4.87 3.31
1987 4.88 3.38
1986 4.94 3.45
1985 5 3.51
1984 5.12 3.52
1983 5.31 3.53
1982 5.5 3.54
1981 5.68 3.56
1980 5.85 3.58
1979 5.99 3.65
1978 6.11 3.66
1977 6.2 3.7
1976 6.25 3.75
1975 6.28 3.8
1974 6.29 3.89
1973 6.29 3.99
1972 6.28 4.16
1971 6.29 4.36
1970 6.3 4.59
1969 6.32 4.84
1968 6.34 5.03
1967 6.36 5.42
1966 6.38 5.7
1965 6.4 5.96
1964 6.42 6.19
1963 6.44 6.39
1962 6.46 6.54
1961 6.48 6.65
1960 6.5 6.71

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/belize/costa-rica | CC BY

Belize and Costa Rica demographics compared

Median age
Belize

Costa Rica
1x
Year Median age, years
Belize Costa Rica
2024 27.4 35.6
2023 27 35.1
2022 26.5 34.5
2021 26.1 34
2020 25.7 33.5
2019 25.3 33
2018 24.9 32.6
2017 24.5 32.1
2016 24.2 31.7
2015 23.8 31.2
2014 23.4 30.7
2013 23.1 30.3
2012 22.7 29.8
2011 22.3 29.4
2010 21.9 29
2009 21.6 28.6
2008 21.4 28.2
2007 21.1 27.8
2006 20.9 27.4
2005 20.7 27
2004 20.4 26.7
2003 20.2 26.3
2002 20 25.9
2001 19.8 25.5
2000 19.6 25.2
1999 19.4 24.9
1998 19.1 24.7
1997 18.8 24.4
1996 18.5 24.1
1995 18.2 23.9
1994 18 23.6
1993 17.9 23.4
1992 17.8 23.2
1991 17.7 22.9
1990 17.6 22.7
1989 17.6 22.5
1988 17.6 22.3
1987 17.5 22.1
1986 17.5 21.8
1985 17.5 21.6
1984 17.5 21.4
1983 17.4 21.2
1982 17.4 20.9
1981 17.3 20.6
1980 17.2 20.3
1979 17.1 20
1978 16.9 19.7
1977 16.8 19.5
1976 16.6 19.2
1975 16.4 18.9
1974 16.2 18.6
1973 16 18.4
1972 15.8 18.1
1971 15.6 17.8
1970 15.4 17.6
1969 15.3 17.3
1968 15.4 17.1
1967 15.6 16.9
1966 15.9 16.8
1965 16.2 16.7
1964 16.6 16.7
1963 17 16.7
1962 17.3 16.7
1961 17.6 16.8
1960 17.9 16.8

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

GeoRank.org/facts/belize/costa-rica | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Belize Costa Rica
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$80.2B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
18.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.62%
2024
6.25%
2021
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.9%
2024
n/a
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
10,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-1.23%
2024
-3.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
6.94%
2024
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
19.7%
2024
Economic freedom index
64.7
2026
69.1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
1.7%
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.0004%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies n/a
9
2022
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.23B
2022
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$14.2B
2024
Personal remittances received
$154M
2024
$725M
2024
International tourist arrivals
487,000
2020
1,146,500
2020
International tourism as share of exports
30.9%
1998
7.41%
2020
Banked people share
68%
2024
71.4%
2024

Energy

Belize Costa Rica
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
601 kg
2007
1,025 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$17
2007
$28.2
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
0.39 megatons
2024
8.38 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.93 tons
2024
1.63 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
51.6%
2023
Renewable energy use share
30.8%
2022
34.2%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
37.7%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
60.4%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
2,206 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
92.9%
2021
99.4%
2021
Hydroelectric share
33.4%
2021
69.3%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
99.6%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Belize Costa Rica
% of world population
0.005%
2024
0.06%
2024
Annual migration change
+360
2025
+1,000
2025
Urban population
41.8%
2024
79.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
49.4:50.6
2024
Average male height
5.59 ft
2025
5.71 ft
2025
Average female height
5.19 ft
2025
5.26 ft
2025
Quality of life index
47.7
2026
64.8
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
56
2025
Higher education index
16
2026
73
2026
Homicides per 100K people
27.9
2022
17.7
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
22.6
2019
14.8
2019
Visa free countries
102
2025
142
2025
Adult literacy rate
87.9%
2022
98%
2021
English speaking
81.7%
2023
8.15%
2023
People using the Internet
72.4%
2023
85.4%
2023

Health

Belize Costa Rica
Government health expenditure per capita
$309
2023
$1,163
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$82.9
2023
$280.7
2023
Life expectancy
74.1 years
2026
81.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
1.6%
2023
0.01%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
1.09
2018
2.69
2022
Maternal mortality per 100K births
67
2023
24
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
12.7
2023
10.5
2023
Obesity rate
43.3%
2022
32.3%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
14.1%
2024
9.8%
2024
Air quality index
54
2026
80
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.8%
2022
8.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.67 liters
2020
3.4 liters
2020

Territory

Belize Costa Rica
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.03%
2026
Land area per capita
21,116 sq mi
2024
3,843 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
703 sq mi
2026
6,534 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,801 sq mi
2026
11,907 sq mi
2026
Roads length
2,039 mi
2017
3,129 mi
2017

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  10. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
  11. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)

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.