Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 6.34M in El Salvador (ranked 111/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 8,000 sq mi for El Salvador (ranked 126th vs. 150th).
By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and El Salvador ranks 105/197 ($35.4B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while El Salvador ranks 116/197 ($5,580).
Main facts and rankings
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
5181862
|
6399793
|
| Population rank | 126/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP |
$95.4B
2024 |
$35.4B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 73/197 | 105/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$18,587
2024 |
$5,580
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 62/197 | 116/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$31,107
2024 |
$13,264
2024 |
| Government debt |
$57B
2024 |
$30.9B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
59.8%
2024 |
87.5%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$11,106
2024 |
$4,883
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 50/185 | 81/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$12,150
2026 |
$4,768
2026 |
| Land area | 19,714 sq mi | 8,000 sq mi |
| Population density |
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026 |
799 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.33
2023 |
1.78
2023 |
| Median age |
35.6 years
2024 |
28.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
81.4 years
2026 |
72.7 years
2026 |
Costa Rica and El Salvador: Comparison Charts
Costa Rica and El Salvador economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
| 2024 | $95,350,423,177 | $35,364,960,000 |
| 2023 | $86,497,941,439 | $33,853,940,000 |
| 2022 | $69,243,626,029 | $31,870,120,000 |
| 2021 | $64,960,725,734 | $29,043,140,000 |
| 2020 | $62,395,610,760 | $24,921,190,000 |
| 2019 | $64,417,670,521 | $26,881,140,000 |
| 2018 | $62,420,164,992 | $26,020,850,000 |
| 2017 | $60,516,044,657 | $24,979,190,000 |
| 2016 | $58,847,019,610 | $24,191,430,000 |
| 2015 | $56,441,920,821 | $23,438,240,000 |
| 2014 | $52,016,408,854 | $22,593,470,000 |
| 2013 | $50,949,668,842 | $21,990,960,000 |
| 2012 | $47,231,655,432 | $21,386,150,000 |
| 2011 | $42,762,613,699 | $20,283,780,000 |
| 2010 | $37,658,616,952 | $18,447,920,000 |
| 2009 | $30,745,714,313 | $17,601,620,000 |
| 2008 | $30,801,745,700 | $17,986,890,000 |
| 2007 | $26,884,700,709 | $17,011,750,000 |
| 2006 | $22,715,540,324 | $15,999,890,000 |
| 2005 | $20,040,642,477 | $14,698,000,000 |
| 2004 | $18,610,594,846 | $13,724,810,900 |
| 2003 | $17,271,760,507 | $13,243,892,200 |
| 2002 | $16,578,820,687 | $12,664,190,300 |
| 2001 | $15,976,174,337 | $12,282,533,600 |
| 2000 | $15,013,629,662 | $11,784,927,700 |
| 1999 | $14,254,866,285 | $11,284,197,000 |
| 1998 | $13,684,255,947 | $10,936,669,900 |
| 1997 | $12,614,602,382 | $10,221,705,900 |
| 1996 | $11,678,424,507 | $9,586,327,800 |
| 1995 | $11,578,594,260 | $8,921,947,100 |
| 1994 | $10,489,903,725 | $7,679,384,000 |
| 1993 | $9,564,815,975 | $6,680,269,200 |
| 1992 | $8,579,754,758 | $5,813,399,300 |
| 1991 | $7,215,725,487 | $5,252,342,400 |
| 1990 | $5,711,687,787 | $4,817,542,204 |
| 1989 | $5,251,025,767 | $4,372,215,300 |
| 1988 | $4,614,629,898 | $4,189,880,000 |
| 1987 | $4,532,952,047 | $3,958,045,800 |
| 1986 | $4,418,983,871 | $3,771,663,200 |
| 1985 | $3,919,203,960 | $3,800,368,600 |
| 1984 | $3,660,477,856 | $3,661,683,400 |
| 1983 | $3,146,772,631 | $3,506,347,800 |
| 1982 | $2,606,623,555 | $3,399,189,100 |
| 1981 | $2,623,803,096 | $3,437,200,200 |
| 1980 | $4,831,447,001 | $3,573,959,900 |
| 1979 | $4,035,519,323 | $3,463,639,900 |
| 1978 | $3,523,208,810 | $3,127,960,000 |
| 1977 | $3,072,427,013 | $2,941,640,100 |
| 1976 | $2,412,555,426 | $2,328,280,100 |
| 1975 | $1,960,863,466 | $1,884,120,100 |
| 1974 | $1,666,544,754 | $1,665,880,000 |
| 1973 | $1,528,925,846 | $1,442,320,000 |
| 1972 | $1,238,251,696 | $1,263,720,000 |
| 1971 | $1,077,147,538 | $1,186,120,000 |
| 1970 | $984,830,158 | $1,132,920,000 |
| 1969 | $853,630,204 | $1,049,400,000 |
| 1968 | $773,841,494 | $1,009,760,100 |
| 1967 | $699,456,619 | $976,200,000 |
| 1966 | $647,305,630 | $929,520,000 |
| 1965 | $592,981,162 | $877,720,000 |
| 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/facts/costa-rica/el-salvador | CC BY 
Costa Rica and El Salvador economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
| 2024 | $18,587 | $5,580 |
| 2023 | $16,942 | $5,365 |
| 2022 | $13,626 | $5,075 |
| 2021 | $12,838 | $4,643 |
| 2020 | $12,394 | $3,997 |
| 2019 | $12,885 | $4,320 |
| 2018 | $12,590 | $4,184 |
| 2017 | $12,317 | $4,020 |
| 2016 | $12,091 | $3,901 |
| 2015 | $11,715 | $3,790 |
| 2014 | $10,911 | $3,666 |
| 2013 | $10,803 | $3,582 |
| 2012 | $10,127 | $3,498 |
| 2011 | $9,276 | $3,331 |
| 2010 | $8,266 | $3,040 |
| 2009 | $6,833 | $2,910 |
| 2008 | $6,937 | $2,983 |
| 2007 | $6,138 | $2,831 |
| 2006 | $5,257 | $2,666 |
| 2005 | $4,703 | $2,447 |
| 2004 | $4,431 | $2,286 |
| 2003 | $4,173 | $2,208 |
| 2002 | $4,068 | $2,115 |
| 2001 | $3,985 | $2,058 |
| 2000 | $3,813 | $1,983 |
| 1999 | $3,691 | $1,908 |
| 1998 | $3,617 | $1,860 |
| 1997 | $3,408 | $1,749 |
| 1996 | $3,227 | $1,651 |
| 1995 | $3,275 | $1,548 |
| 1994 | $3,040 | $1,344 |
| 1993 | $2,840 | $1,180 |
| 1992 | $2,612 | $1,041 |
| 1991 | $2,253 | $956 |
| 1990 | $1,830 | $892 |
| 1989 | $1,725 | $825 |
| 1988 | $1,555 | $806 |
| 1987 | $1,567 | $777 |
| 1986 | $1,569 | $755 |
| 1985 | $1,429 | $776 |
| 1984 | $1,372 | $763 |
| 1983 | $1,213 | $745 |
| 1982 | $1,032 | $735 |
| 1981 | $1,068 | $752 |
| 1980 | $2,021 | $787 |
| 1979 | $1,735 | $773 |
| 1978 | $1,556 | $712 |
| 1977 | $1,393 | $684 |
| 1976 | $1,123 | $553 |
| 1975 | $937 | $457 |
| 1974 | $817 | $413 |
| 1973 | $769 | $366 |
| 1972 | $639 | $329 |
| 1971 | $570 | $316 |
| 1970 | $536 | $309 |
| 1969 | $477 | $293.4 |
| 1968 | $445 | $290.1 |
| 1967 | $414 | $288.4 |
| 1966 | $395 | $282.4 |
| 1965 | $374 | $274.3 |
| 1964 | $354 | - |
| 1963 | $346 | - |
| 1962 | $335 | - |
| 1961 | $356 | - |
| 1960 | $382 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/el-salvador | CC BY
Costa Rica vs. El Salvador life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
| 2026 | 81.4 | 72.7 |
| 2025 | 81.2 | 72.5 |
| 2024 | 81 | 72.3 |
| 2023 | 80.8 | 72.1 |
| 2022 | 79.3 | 72 |
| 2021 | 78.1 | 69.9 |
| 2020 | 79.7 | 70.2 |
| 2019 | 80.3 | 71.7 |
| 2018 | 80.1 | 71.4 |
| 2017 | 80 | 71 |
| 2016 | 80 | 70.9 |
| 2015 | 80.4 | 71 |
| 2014 | 80.2 | 71.1 |
| 2013 | 80.2 | 71.2 |
| 2012 | 79.9 | 71.4 |
| 2011 | 79.6 | 71.2 |
| 2010 | 79.4 | 70.9 |
| 2009 | 79.4 | 70.4 |
| 2008 | 79.2 | 70.1 |
| 2007 | 79.1 | 69.8 |
| 2006 | 79 | 69.6 |
| 2005 | 78.9 | 69.3 |
| 2004 | 78.5 | 69.3 |
| 2003 | 78.2 | 68.8 |
| 2002 | 77.9 | 68.5 |
| 2001 | 77.6 | 68 |
| 2000 | 77.3 | 67.7 |
| 1999 | 77.1 | 67.3 |
| 1998 | 76.9 | 66.7 |
| 1997 | 76.6 | 66.2 |
| 1996 | 76.4 | 65.5 |
| 1995 | 76.4 | 64.9 |
| 1994 | 76.3 | 64.5 |
| 1993 | 76.3 | 64 |
| 1992 | 76.4 | 62.9 |
| 1991 | 76.2 | 62.5 |
| 1990 | 76.1 | 62 |
| 1989 | 75.9 | 61.3 |
| 1988 | 75.5 | 60 |
| 1987 | 75.2 | 59.4 |
| 1986 | 74.9 | 59.3 |
| 1985 | 74.8 | 58 |
| 1984 | 74.6 | 56.6 |
| 1983 | 74.2 | 54.4 |
| 1982 | 73.9 | 53.3 |
| 1981 | 73.4 | 50.9 |
| 1980 | 73 | 48.6 |
| 1979 | 72.5 | 53.8 |
| 1978 | 72 | 54.7 |
| 1977 | 71.5 | 54 |
| 1976 | 70.9 | 54.4 |
| 1975 | 70.3 | 53.4 |
| 1974 | 69.4 | 52.9 |
| 1973 | 68.7 | 52.8 |
| 1972 | 68 | 52 |
| 1971 | 67.4 | 51.7 |
| 1970 | 66.8 | 51.4 |
| 1969 | 66.4 | 51.3 |
| 1968 | 65.8 | 50.8 |
| 1967 | 65.6 | 50.8 |
| 1966 | 65.1 | 50.7 |
| 1965 | 64.8 | 50.2 |
| 1964 | 64.5 | 49.7 |
| 1963 | 64.3 | 49.4 |
| 1962 | 64.2 | 49 |
| 1961 | 63.9 | 48.6 |
| 1960 | 63.5 | 48.3 |
| 1959 | 62.9 | 48 |
| 1958 | 62.3 | 47.7 |
| 1957 | 61.6 | 47.1 |
| 1956 | 61.2 | 46.6 |
| 1955 | 60.5 | 46 |
| 1954 | 59.9 | 45.5 |
| 1953 | 59.1 | 45 |
| 1952 | 58.1 | 44.8 |
| 1951 | 57.8 | 43.8 |
| 1950 | 57.5 | 44.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/el-salvador | CC BY
Costa Rica and El Salvador population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
| 2024 | 5,129,910 | 6,338,193 |
| 2023 | 5,105,525 | 6,309,624 |
| 2022 | 5,081,765 | 6,280,319 |
| 2021 | 5,059,988 | 6,255,782 |
| 2020 | 5,034,320 | 6,234,673 |
| 2019 | 4,999,553 | 6,222,318 |
| 2018 | 4,957,818 | 6,219,807 |
| 2017 | 4,913,177 | 6,213,533 |
| 2016 | 4,866,998 | 6,200,800 |
| 2015 | 4,818,038 | 6,183,676 |
| 2014 | 4,767,119 | 6,162,955 |
| 2013 | 4,716,147 | 6,138,839 |
| 2012 | 4,663,934 | 6,113,975 |
| 2011 | 4,609,833 | 6,090,127 |
| 2010 | 4,555,962 | 6,068,249 |
| 2009 | 4,499,791 | 6,048,279 |
| 2008 | 4,440,056 | 6,029,297 |
| 2007 | 4,380,248 | 6,009,824 |
| 2006 | 4,321,340 | 6,002,319 |
| 2005 | 4,261,240 | 6,005,578 |
| 2004 | 4,200,078 | 6,004,671 |
| 2003 | 4,138,784 | 5,998,599 |
| 2002 | 4,075,705 | 5,986,631 |
| 2001 | 4,008,947 | 5,968,060 |
| 2000 | 3,937,739 | 5,943,366 |
| 1999 | 3,862,101 | 5,913,900 |
| 1998 | 3,782,838 | 5,880,781 |
| 1997 | 3,701,711 | 5,844,578 |
| 1996 | 3,619,013 | 5,805,286 |
| 1995 | 3,535,176 | 5,762,131 |
| 1994 | 3,451,122 | 5,714,129 |
| 1993 | 3,367,434 | 5,659,957 |
| 1992 | 3,284,258 | 5,585,609 |
| 1991 | 3,202,176 | 5,495,077 |
| 1990 | 3,121,706 | 5,399,726 |
| 1989 | 3,043,827 | 5,298,979 |
| 1988 | 2,968,103 | 5,195,833 |
| 1987 | 2,892,699 | 5,092,441 |
| 1986 | 2,817,216 | 4,992,769 |
| 1985 | 2,741,894 | 4,894,706 |
| 1984 | 2,667,595 | 4,798,003 |
| 1983 | 2,595,153 | 4,707,367 |
| 1982 | 2,524,806 | 4,622,477 |
| 1981 | 2,456,637 | 4,570,599 |
| 1980 | 2,390,633 | 4,540,382 |
| 1979 | 2,326,490 | 4,480,388 |
| 1978 | 2,264,510 | 4,394,114 |
| 1977 | 2,205,025 | 4,301,256 |
| 1976 | 2,147,774 | 4,210,310 |
| 1975 | 2,092,719 | 4,120,449 |
| 1974 | 2,039,643 | 4,029,671 |
| 1973 | 1,988,343 | 3,938,068 |
| 1972 | 1,938,248 | 3,846,830 |
| 1971 | 1,888,539 | 3,757,523 |
| 1970 | 1,838,949 | 3,668,796 |
| 1969 | 1,789,276 | 3,576,485 |
| 1968 | 1,739,731 | 3,480,773 |
| 1967 | 1,689,523 | 3,385,184 |
| 1966 | 1,638,116 | 3,290,961 |
| 1965 | 1,586,208 | 3,199,466 |
| 1964 | 1,533,960 | 3,111,883 |
| 1963 | 1,481,604 | 3,028,679 |
| 1962 | 1,429,445 | 2,949,204 |
| 1961 | 1,377,920 | 2,870,016 |
| 1960 | 1,327,496 | 2,791,459 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/el-salvador | CC BY
Fertility rates in Costa Rica and El Salvador
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
| 2023 | 1.33 | 1.78 |
| 2022 | 1.34 | 1.79 |
| 2021 | 1.35 | 1.8 |
| 2020 | 1.45 | 1.82 |
| 2019 | 1.6 | 1.84 |
| 2018 | 1.71 | 1.85 |
| 2017 | 1.71 | 1.9 |
| 2016 | 1.75 | 1.97 |
| 2015 | 1.8 | 2.07 |
| 2014 | 1.8 | 2.13 |
| 2013 | 1.78 | 2.15 |
| 2012 | 1.85 | 2.19 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 2.22 |
| 2010 | 1.83 | 2.24 |
| 2009 | 1.95 | 2.26 |
| 2008 | 1.98 | 2.29 |
| 2007 | 1.95 | 2.35 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 2.4 |
| 2005 | 2.04 | 2.44 |
| 2004 | 2.03 | 2.52 |
| 2003 | 2.08 | 2.64 |
| 2002 | 2.16 | 2.78 |
| 2001 | 2.31 | 2.93 |
| 2000 | 2.41 | 3.08 |
| 1999 | 2.48 | 3.22 |
| 1998 | 2.53 | 3.34 |
| 1997 | 2.59 | 3.38 |
| 1996 | 2.68 | 3.48 |
| 1995 | 2.78 | 3.57 |
| 1994 | 2.86 | 3.61 |
| 1993 | 2.93 | 3.69 |
| 1992 | 3 | 3.8 |
| 1991 | 3.08 | 3.89 |
| 1990 | 3.17 | 3.96 |
| 1989 | 3.24 | 4.03 |
| 1988 | 3.31 | 4.1 |
| 1987 | 3.38 | 4.18 |
| 1986 | 3.45 | 4.19 |
| 1985 | 3.51 | 4.32 |
| 1984 | 3.52 | 4.48 |
| 1983 | 3.53 | 4.65 |
| 1982 | 3.54 | 4.83 |
| 1981 | 3.56 | 4.99 |
| 1980 | 3.58 | 5.11 |
| 1979 | 3.65 | 5.23 |
| 1978 | 3.66 | 5.36 |
| 1977 | 3.7 | 5.47 |
| 1976 | 3.75 | 5.59 |
| 1975 | 3.8 | 5.71 |
| 1974 | 3.89 | 5.82 |
| 1973 | 3.99 | 5.93 |
| 1972 | 4.16 | 6.03 |
| 1971 | 4.36 | 6.13 |
| 1970 | 4.59 | 6.18 |
| 1969 | 4.84 | 6.28 |
| 1968 | 5.03 | 6.39 |
| 1967 | 5.42 | 6.49 |
| 1966 | 5.7 | 6.57 |
| 1965 | 5.96 | 6.64 |
| 1964 | 6.19 | 6.68 |
| 1963 | 6.39 | 6.69 |
| 1962 | 6.54 | 6.68 |
| 1961 | 6.65 | 6.64 |
| 1960 | 6.71 | 6.62 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/el-salvador | CC BY
Costa Rica and El Salvador demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
| 2024 | 35.6 | 28.5 |
| 2023 | 35.1 | 28 |
| 2022 | 34.5 | 27.6 |
| 2021 | 34 | 27.2 |
| 2020 | 33.5 | 26.8 |
| 2019 | 33 | 26.4 |
| 2018 | 32.6 | 26 |
| 2017 | 32.1 | 25.6 |
| 2016 | 31.7 | 25.2 |
| 2015 | 31.2 | 24.9 |
| 2014 | 30.7 | 24.6 |
| 2013 | 30.3 | 24.3 |
| 2012 | 29.8 | 24.1 |
| 2011 | 29.4 | 23.9 |
| 2010 | 29 | 23.7 |
| 2009 | 28.6 | 23.5 |
| 2008 | 28.2 | 23.3 |
| 2007 | 27.8 | 23.2 |
| 2006 | 27.4 | 23 |
| 2005 | 27 | 22.7 |
| 2004 | 26.7 | 22.5 |
| 2003 | 26.3 | 22.2 |
| 2002 | 25.9 | 21.9 |
| 2001 | 25.5 | 21.6 |
| 2000 | 25.2 | 21.3 |
| 1999 | 24.9 | 21 |
| 1998 | 24.7 | 20.6 |
| 1997 | 24.4 | 20.3 |
| 1996 | 24.1 | 19.9 |
| 1995 | 23.9 | 19.6 |
| 1994 | 23.6 | 19.3 |
| 1993 | 23.4 | 19 |
| 1992 | 23.2 | 18.8 |
| 1991 | 22.9 | 18.8 |
| 1990 | 22.7 | 18.8 |
| 1989 | 22.5 | 18.7 |
| 1988 | 22.3 | 18.6 |
| 1987 | 22.1 | 18.5 |
| 1986 | 21.8 | 18.4 |
| 1985 | 21.6 | 18.2 |
| 1984 | 21.4 | 18 |
| 1983 | 21.2 | 17.8 |
| 1982 | 20.9 | 17.7 |
| 1981 | 20.6 | 17.6 |
| 1980 | 20.3 | 17.5 |
| 1979 | 20 | 17.4 |
| 1978 | 19.7 | 17.2 |
| 1977 | 19.5 | 17.1 |
| 1976 | 19.2 | 17 |
| 1975 | 18.9 | 16.9 |
| 1974 | 18.6 | 16.8 |
| 1973 | 18.4 | 16.7 |
| 1972 | 18.1 | 16.6 |
| 1971 | 17.8 | 16.6 |
| 1970 | 17.6 | 16.6 |
| 1969 | 17.3 | 16.6 |
| 1968 | 17.1 | 16.6 |
| 1967 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| 1966 | 16.8 | 16.8 |
| 1965 | 16.7 | 16.9 |
| 1964 | 16.7 | 16.9 |
| 1963 | 16.7 | 17 |
| 1962 | 16.7 | 17 |
| 1961 | 16.8 | 17.1 |
| 1960 | 16.8 | 17.2 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/el-salvador | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Costa Rica and El Salvador.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$80.2B
2024 |
$32.5B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
18.9%
2024 |
31.4%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
6.25%
2021 |
3.17%
2023 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
1.19%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
10,000
2020 |
42,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-3.78%
2024 |
-4.55%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.94%
2024 |
2.71%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
68.8%
2024 |
61%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
19.7%
2024 |
22.4%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
69.1
2026 |
57.7
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
34.2%
2024 |
29.7%
2023 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.7%
2024 |
1.9%
2023 |
| Listed domestic companies |
9
2022 |
n/a |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$2.23B
2022 |
n/a |
| Total reserves including gold |
$14.2B
2024 |
$3.7B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$725M
2024 |
$8.49B
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
1,146,500
2020 |
707,000
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
7.41%
2020 |
12.3%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
71.4%
2024 |
43.4%
2024 |
Energy
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
1,025 kg
2023 |
769 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$28.2
2023 |
$15.4
2022 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
8.38 megatons
2024 |
9.54 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
1.63 tons
2024 |
1.51 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
51.6%
2023 |
55.5%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
34.2%
2021 |
21.9%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
37.7%
2023 |
34.2%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share |
60.4%
2023 |
59.5%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
2,206 kWh
2023 |
1,110 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
99.4%
2021 |
95.6%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
69.3%
2023 |
30.3%
2022 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
100%
2023 |
98.3%
2023 |
Society
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.06%
2024 |
0.08%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
+1,000
2025 |
-23,934
2025 |
| Urban population |
79.3%
2024 |
75.1%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.4:50.6
2024 |
47.5:52.5
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.71 ft
2025 |
5.6 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.26 ft
2025 |
5.13 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
64.8
2026 |
42.7
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
56
2025 |
32
2025 |
| Higher education index |
73
2026 |
33
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
17.7
2023 |
7.83
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
14.8
2019 |
20.9
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
142
2025 |
130
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
98%
2021 |
89.8%
2024 |
| English speaking |
8.15%
2023 |
1%
2025 |
| People using the Internet |
85.4%
2023 |
67.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$1,163
2023 |
$501
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$280.7
2023 |
$162.7
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
81.4 years
2026 |
72.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
0.01%
2023 |
0.89%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
2.69
2022 |
1.62
2023 |
| Age at first childbirth | n/a |
20.8 years
2025 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
24
2023 |
39
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
10.5
2023 |
10.4
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
32.3%
2022 |
31.3%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.8%
2024 |
12.7%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
80
2026 |
56
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
8.9%
2022 |
8.9%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.4 liters
2020 |
3.15 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Costa Rica
|
El Salvador
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.03%
2026 |
0.01%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
3,843 sq mi
2024 |
1,262 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
6,534 sq mi
2026 |
4,617 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
11,907 sq mi
2026 |
2,202 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
3,129 mi
2017 |
5,600 mi
2017 |
In-depth comparisons
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:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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.