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Costa Rica vs Gambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 2.76M in The Gambia (ranked 140/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 3,907 sq mi for The Gambia (ranked 126th vs. 161st).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and The Gambia ranks 174/197 ($2.4B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while The Gambia ranks 183/197 ($871).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Gambia
Population
5181862
2902554
Population rank 126/197 138/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$2.4B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 174/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$871
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 183/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,476
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$1.92B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
80%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$697
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 155/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$741
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 3,907 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
739 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
4.01
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
19.4 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
66.5 years
2026

Costa Rica and Gambia: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Gambia economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Gambia
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Gambia
2024 $95,350,423,177 $2,404,888,749
2023 $86,497,941,439 $2,382,262,185
2022 $69,243,626,029 $2,204,734,528
2021 $64,960,725,734 $2,014,158,842
2020 $62,395,610,760 $1,812,170,891
2019 $64,417,670,521 $1,813,609,692
2018 $62,420,164,992 $1,670,671,328
2017 $60,516,044,657 $1,504,909,463
2016 $58,847,019,610 $1,484,578,886
2015 $56,441,920,821 $1,378,176,609
2014 $52,016,408,854 $1,229,461,721
2013 $50,949,668,842 $1,375,609,453
2012 $47,231,655,432 $1,415,004,738
2011 $42,762,613,699 $1,409,693,597
2010 $37,658,616,952 $1,543,294,927
2009 $30,745,714,313 $1,450,142,509
2008 $30,801,745,700 $1,561,766,956
2007 $26,884,700,709 $1,279,703,047
2006 $22,715,540,324 $1,054,112,488
2005 $20,040,642,477 $1,027,701,068
2004 $18,610,594,846 $961,900,651
2003 $17,271,760,507 $487,038,685
2002 $16,578,820,687 $578,235,309
2001 $15,976,174,337 $687,410,645
2000 $15,013,629,662 $782,913,872
1999 $14,254,866,285 $814,724,032
1998 $13,684,255,947 $840,285,265
1997 $12,614,602,382 $803,633,342
1996 $11,678,424,507 $848,239,446
1995 $11,578,594,260 $785,999,865
1994 $10,489,903,725 $746,493,952
1993 $9,564,815,975 $755,040,974
1992 $8,579,754,758 $714,254,256
1991 $7,215,725,487 $690,311,081
1990 $5,711,687,787 $317,083,695
1989 $5,251,025,767 $284,120,329
1988 $4,614,629,898 $266,672,212
1987 $4,532,952,047 $220,626,484
1986 $4,418,983,871 $185,646,987
1985 $3,919,203,960 $225,726,359
1984 $3,660,477,856 $177,340,880
1983 $3,146,772,631 $213,448,585
1982 $2,606,623,555 $216,050,552
1981 $2,623,803,096 $218,767,743
1980 $4,831,447,001 $241,083,090
1979 $4,035,519,323 $207,112,628
1978 $3,523,208,810 $171,833,086
1977 $3,072,427,013 $138,093,099
1976 $2,412,555,426 $112,190,829
1975 $1,960,863,466 $115,179,719
1974 $1,666,544,754 $95,796,022
1973 $1,528,925,846 $75,187,749
1972 $1,238,251,696 $59,160,569
1971 $1,077,147,538 $55,728,663
1970 $984,830,158 $52,296,084
1969 $853,630,204 $45,168,072
1968 $773,841,494 $41,160,066
1967 $699,456,619 $46,695,007
1966 $647,305,630 $44,212,081
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/facts/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

Costa Rica and Gambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Gambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Gambia
2024 $18,587 $871
2023 $16,942 $883
2022 $13,626 $836
2021 $12,838 $782
2020 $12,394 $720
2019 $12,885 $738
2018 $12,590 $696
2017 $12,317 $643
2016 $12,091 $650
2015 $11,715 $620
2014 $10,911 $568
2013 $10,803 $654
2012 $10,127 $693
2011 $9,276 $711
2010 $8,266 $801
2009 $6,833 $775
2008 $6,937 $859
2007 $6,138 $725
2006 $5,257 $615
2005 $4,703 $616
2004 $4,431 $593
2003 $4,173 $309
2002 $4,068 $377
2001 $3,985 $460
2000 $3,813 $538
1999 $3,691 $575
1998 $3,617 $610
1997 $3,408 $600
1996 $3,227 $652
1995 $3,275 $622
1994 $3,040 $608
1993 $2,840 $635
1992 $2,612 $623
1991 $2,253 $628
1990 $1,830 $301
1989 $1,725 $280.9
1988 $1,555 $274.9
1987 $1,567 $237
1986 $1,569 $207.7
1985 $1,429 $262.8
1984 $1,372 $214.8
1983 $1,213 $268.6
1982 $1,032 $282.1
1981 $1,068 $296
1980 $2,021 $338
1979 $1,735 $300
1978 $1,556 $257.6
1977 $1,393 $213.8
1976 $1,123 $179.3
1975 $937 $189.8
1974 $817 $162.6
1973 $769 $131.4
1972 $639 $106.5
1971 $570 $103.3
1970 $536 $99.8
1969 $477 $88.7
1968 $445 $83.1
1967 $414 $97
1966 $395 $94.4
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/facts/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

Costa Rica vs. Gambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Gambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Gambia
2026 81.4 66.5
2025 81.2 66.3
2024 81 66.1
2023 80.8 65.9
2022 79.3 64.9
2021 78.1 63.8
2020 79.7 64.4
2019 80.3 64.4
2018 80.1 64
2017 80 63.7
2016 80 63.4
2015 80.4 63
2014 80.2 62.6
2013 80.2 62.3
2012 79.9 61.9
2011 79.6 61.6
2010 79.4 61.2
2009 79.4 60.7
2008 79.2 60.5
2007 79.1 60
2006 79 59.7
2005 78.9 59.1
2004 78.5 58.7
2003 78.2 58.2
2002 77.9 57.7
2001 77.6 57.3
2000 77.3 56.9
1999 77.1 56.5
1998 76.9 56
1997 76.6 55.2
1996 76.4 54.8
1995 76.4 54.3
1994 76.3 53.8
1993 76.3 53.2
1992 76.4 52.5
1991 76.2 51.9
1990 76.1 51.3
1989 75.9 50.7
1988 75.5 50.1
1987 75.2 49.4
1986 74.9 48.8
1985 74.8 48.2
1984 74.6 47.5
1983 74.2 46.9
1982 73.9 46.3
1981 73.4 44.5
1980 73 45
1979 72.5 44.5
1978 72 43.6
1977 71.5 43.4
1976 70.9 42.9
1975 70.3 42.2
1974 69.4 41.7
1973 68.7 41.1
1972 68 40.5
1971 67.4 40
1970 66.8 39.5
1969 66.4 39
1968 65.8 38.5
1967 65.6 38.1
1966 65.1 37.6
1965 64.8 37.1
1964 64.5 36.6
1963 64.3 36.1
1962 64.2 35.6
1961 63.9 35.1
1960 63.5 34.6
1959 62.9 34.1
1958 62.3 33.6
1957 61.6 33.1
1956 61.2 32.8
1955 60.5 32.4
1954 59.9 32.2
1953 59.1 31.9
1952 58.1 31.7
1951 57.8 31.5
1950 57.5 31.2

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

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

Costa Rica and Gambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Gambia
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Gambia
2024 5,129,910 2,759,988
2023 5,105,525 2,697,845
2022 5,081,765 2,636,470
2021 5,059,988 2,576,010
2020 5,034,320 2,515,733
2019 4,999,553 2,456,844
2018 4,957,818 2,399,632
2017 4,913,177 2,342,189
2016 4,866,998 2,283,769
2015 4,818,038 2,224,529
2014 4,767,119 2,164,528
2013 4,716,147 2,103,820
2012 4,663,934 2,043,094
2011 4,609,833 1,983,784
2010 4,555,962 1,926,630
2009 4,499,791 1,871,422
2008 4,440,056 1,817,852
2007 4,380,248 1,765,774
2006 4,321,340 1,715,275
2005 4,261,240 1,667,037
2004 4,200,078 1,621,312
2003 4,138,784 1,577,611
2002 4,075,705 1,535,691
2001 4,008,947 1,495,011
2000 3,937,739 1,455,084
1999 3,862,101 1,415,779
1998 3,782,838 1,376,987
1997 3,701,711 1,338,889
1996 3,619,013 1,301,410
1995 3,535,176 1,264,313
1994 3,451,122 1,227,226
1993 3,367,434 1,188,365
1992 3,284,258 1,145,582
1991 3,202,176 1,099,959
1990 3,121,706 1,054,696
1989 3,043,827 1,011,357
1988 2,968,103 970,160
1987 2,892,699 931,091
1986 2,817,216 894,019
1985 2,741,894 858,874
1984 2,667,595 825,631
1983 2,595,153 794,525
1982 2,524,806 765,753
1981 2,456,637 739,125
1980 2,390,633 713,913
1979 2,326,490 689,781
1978 2,264,510 667,103
1977 2,205,025 645,770
1976 2,147,774 625,667
1975 2,092,719 606,821
1974 2,039,643 589,085
1973 1,988,343 571,991
1972 1,938,248 555,370
1971 1,888,539 539,388
1970 1,838,949 524,105
1969 1,789,276 509,440
1968 1,739,731 495,269
1967 1,689,523 481,588
1966 1,638,116 468,516
1965 1,586,208 455,952
1964 1,533,960 443,687
1963 1,481,604 431,757
1962 1,429,445 420,163
1961 1,377,920 408,930
1960 1,327,496 398,060

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Gambia

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Gambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Gambia
2023 1.33 4.01
2022 1.34 4.08
2021 1.35 4.17
2020 1.45 4.25
2019 1.6 4.33
2018 1.71 4.42
2017 1.71 4.61
2016 1.75 4.81
2015 1.8 5
2014 1.8 5.2
2013 1.78 5.39
2012 1.85 5.52
2011 1.88 5.54
2010 1.83 5.56
2009 1.95 5.57
2008 1.98 5.63
2007 1.95 5.69
2006 1.94 5.74
2005 2.04 5.71
2004 2.03 5.68
2003 2.08 5.66
2002 2.16 5.66
2001 2.31 5.67
2000 2.41 5.72
1999 2.48 5.77
1998 2.53 5.82
1997 2.59 5.85
1996 2.68 5.93
1995 2.78 5.99
1994 2.86 6.04
1993 2.93 6.03
1992 3 6.11
1991 3.08 6.19
1990 3.17 6.25
1989 3.24 6.25
1988 3.31 6.26
1987 3.38 6.3
1986 3.45 6.34
1985 3.51 6.36
1984 3.52 6.39
1983 3.53 6.39
1982 3.54 6.4
1981 3.56 6.4
1980 3.58 6.41
1979 3.65 6.41
1978 3.66 6.42
1977 3.7 6.43
1976 3.75 6.43
1975 3.8 6.43
1974 3.89 6.42
1973 3.99 6.41
1972 4.16 6.37
1971 4.36 6.33
1970 4.59 6.26
1969 4.84 6.25
1968 5.03 6.22
1967 5.42 6.21
1966 5.7 6.18
1965 5.96 6.19
1964 6.19 6.2
1963 6.39 6.2
1962 6.54 6.21
1961 6.65 6.23
1960 6.71 6.25

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

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

Costa Rica and Gambia demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Gambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Gambia
2024 35.6 19.4
2023 35.1 19.2
2022 34.5 19.1
2021 34 18.9
2020 33.5 18.7
2019 33 18.5
2018 32.6 18.4
2017 32.1 18.2
2016 31.7 18.1
2015 31.2 17.9
2014 30.7 17.8
2013 30.3 17.7
2012 29.8 17.6
2011 29.4 17.5
2010 29 17.4
2009 28.6 17.3
2008 28.2 17.2
2007 27.8 17.1
2006 27.4 17
2005 27 16.9
2004 26.7 16.8
2003 26.3 16.7
2002 25.9 16.6
2001 25.5 16.6
2000 25.2 16.5
1999 24.9 16.5
1998 24.7 16.5
1997 24.4 16.6
1996 24.1 16.7
1995 23.9 16.8
1994 23.6 16.9
1993 23.4 17
1992 23.2 17.1
1991 22.9 17.1
1990 22.7 17.2
1989 22.5 17.2
1988 22.3 17.3
1987 22.1 17.4
1986 21.8 17.4
1985 21.6 17.5
1984 21.4 17.6
1983 21.2 17.8
1982 20.9 17.9
1981 20.6 18.1
1980 20.3 18.2
1979 20 18.4
1978 19.7 18.5
1977 19.5 18.6
1976 19.2 18.8
1975 18.9 18.9
1974 18.6 19.1
1973 18.4 19.2
1972 18.1 19.3
1971 17.8 19.4
1970 17.6 19.5
1969 17.3 19.6
1968 17.1 19.7
1967 16.9 19.8
1966 16.8 19.7
1965 16.7 19.7
1964 16.7 19.6
1963 16.7 19.6
1962 16.7 19.5
1961 16.8 19.4
1960 16.8 19.4

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Gambia
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$2.43B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
25.8%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
2.81%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.57%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
4,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-4.08%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
6.48%
2023
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
15.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
56.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.6%
2020
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$629M
2024
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$529M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
246,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
30.2%
2020
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
38.2%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Gambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
75.3 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$26.4
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
0.49 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
0.18 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
47.7%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
n/a
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
1.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
66.9%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Gambia
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.03%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-2,984
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
64.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
49.8:50.2
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.52 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.31 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
21.9
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
35
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
9.13
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
29.6
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
73
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
58.7%
2022
English speaking
8.15%
2023
2.34%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
45.9%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Gambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$25.7
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$8.7
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
66.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
17.4%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
0.09
2023
Age at first childbirth n/a
20.7 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
354
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
44.1
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
15.3%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
5.5%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
9
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
10.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
0.61 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Gambia
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.007%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
1,416 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
2,448 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
871 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
1,850 mi
2011

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) (2000–2025, 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. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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