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Costa Rica vs Guatemala statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 18.4M in Guatemala (ranked 70/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 41,375 sq mi for Guatemala (ranked 126th vs. 102nd).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Guatemala ranks 68/197 ($113B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Guatemala ranks 112/197 ($6,150).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Guatemala
Population
5181862
19049936
Population rank 126/197 69/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$113B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 68/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$6,150
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 112/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$14,369
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$29.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,619
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 124/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$4,917
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 41,375 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
459 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
2.31
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
24 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
73 years
2026

Costa Rica and Guatemala: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Guatemala economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Guatemala
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Guatemala
2024 $95,350,423,177 $113,199,581,158
2023 $86,497,941,439 $104,368,755,055
2022 $69,243,626,029 $95,641,446,501
2021 $64,960,725,734 $86,455,522,273
2020 $62,395,610,760 $77,719,468,248
2019 $64,417,670,521 $77,172,331,693
2018 $62,420,164,992 $73,328,356,008
2017 $60,516,044,657 $71,653,780,740
2016 $58,847,019,610 $66,053,408,206
2015 $56,441,920,821 $62,186,066,548
2014 $52,016,408,854 $57,852,159,008
2013 $50,949,668,842 $52,996,420,177
2012 $47,231,655,432 $49,593,929,487
2011 $42,762,613,699 $46,876,006,272
2010 $37,658,616,952 $40,676,578,423
2009 $30,745,714,313 $37,126,148,265
2008 $30,801,745,700 $38,503,720,224
2007 $26,884,700,709 $33,567,850,824
2006 $22,715,540,324 $29,744,246,827
2005 $20,040,642,477 $26,783,389,294
2004 $18,610,594,846 $23,577,298,095
2003 $17,271,760,507 $21,576,351,799
2002 $16,578,820,687 $20,444,205,991
2001 $15,976,174,337 $18,405,220,247
2000 $15,013,629,662 $19,288,929,030
1999 $14,254,866,285 $18,318,412,251
1998 $13,684,255,947 $19,395,491,993
1997 $12,614,602,382 $17,790,026,222
1996 $11,678,424,507 $15,674,835,615
1995 $11,578,594,260 $14,655,404,433
1994 $10,489,903,725 $12,983,233,311
1993 $9,564,815,975 $11,400,017,301
1992 $8,579,754,758 $10,440,781,588
1991 $7,215,725,487 $9,406,135,143
1990 $5,711,687,787 $7,650,196,845
1989 $5,251,025,767 $8,410,724,361
1988 $4,614,629,898 $7,841,602,824
1987 $4,532,952,047 $7,084,399,840
1986 $4,418,983,871 $7,231,963,516
1985 $3,919,203,960 $9,721,652,087
1984 $3,660,477,856 $9,470,000,100
1983 $3,146,772,631 $9,050,000,400
1982 $2,606,623,555 $8,716,999,700
1981 $2,623,803,096 $8,607,500,300
1980 $4,831,447,001 $7,878,700,000
1979 $4,035,519,323 $6,902,600,200
1978 $3,523,208,810 $6,070,600,200
1977 $3,072,427,013 $5,480,500,200
1976 $2,412,555,426 $4,365,300,200
1975 $1,960,863,466 $3,645,900,000
1974 $1,666,544,754 $3,161,499,900
1973 $1,528,925,846 $2,569,200,100
1972 $1,238,251,696 $2,101,300,000
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,984,800,000
1970 $984,830,158 $1,904,000,000
1969 $853,630,204 $1,715,399,900
1968 $773,841,494 $1,610,500,000
1967 $699,456,619 $1,453,500,000
1966 $647,305,630 $1,390,700,000
1965 $592,981,162 $1,331,399,900
1964 $542,578,367 $1,299,099,900
1963 $511,902,137 $1,262,800,000
1962 $479,180,824 $1,143,600,000
1961 $490,325,182 $1,076,699,900
1960 $507,513,830 $1,043,599,900

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

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

Costa Rica and Guatemala economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Guatemala
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Guatemala
2024 $18,587 $6,150
2023 $16,942 $5,758
2022 $13,626 $5,359
2021 $12,838 $4,913
2020 $12,394 $4,478
2019 $12,885 $4,512
2018 $12,590 $4,353
2017 $12,317 $4,325
2016 $12,091 $4,060
2015 $11,715 $3,894
2014 $10,911 $3,689
2013 $10,803 $3,444
2012 $10,127 $3,287
2011 $9,276 $3,169
2010 $8,266 $2,805
2009 $6,833 $2,612
2008 $6,937 $2,763
2007 $6,138 $2,459
2006 $5,257 $2,225
2005 $4,703 $2,046
2004 $4,431 $1,841
2003 $4,173 $1,723
2002 $4,068 $1,669
2001 $3,985 $1,538
2000 $3,813 $1,649
1999 $3,691 $1,604
1998 $3,617 $1,741
1997 $3,408 $1,638
1996 $3,227 $1,481
1995 $3,275 $1,421
1994 $3,040 $1,293
1993 $2,840 $1,166
1992 $2,612 $1,096
1991 $2,253 $1,014
1990 $1,830 $848
1989 $1,725 $958
1988 $1,555 $919
1987 $1,567 $854
1986 $1,569 $896
1985 $1,429 $1,238
1984 $1,372 $1,241
1983 $1,213 $1,220
1982 $1,032 $1,204
1981 $1,068 $1,216
1980 $2,021 $1,142
1979 $1,735 $1,026
1978 $1,556 $925
1977 $1,393 $856
1976 $1,123 $697
1975 $937 $595
1974 $817 $529
1973 $769 $441
1972 $639 $370
1971 $570 $358
1970 $536 $353
1969 $477 $326
1968 $445 $315
1967 $414 $291.9
1966 $395 $287.3
1965 $374 $283
1964 $354 $284.2
1963 $346 $284.4
1962 $335 $265.2
1961 $356 $257.2
1960 $382 $256.8

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

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

Costa Rica vs. Guatemala life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Guatemala
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Guatemala
2026 81.4 73
2025 81.2 72.9
2024 81 72.7
2023 80.8 72.6
2022 79.3 71.2
2021 78.1 67.9
2020 79.7 70
2019 80.3 71.6
2018 80.1 71.5
2017 80 71.6
2016 80 71.2
2015 80.4 70.9
2014 80.2 70.9
2013 80.2 70.9
2012 79.9 70.7
2011 79.6 70.3
2010 79.4 69.9
2009 79.4 69.7
2008 79.2 69.5
2007 79.1 69.3
2006 79 68.8
2005 78.9 68.2
2004 78.5 68.2
2003 78.2 68.2
2002 77.9 67.8
2001 77.6 67.4
2000 77.3 67.1
1999 77.1 66.6
1998 76.9 66
1997 76.6 65.2
1996 76.4 64.5
1995 76.4 63.7
1994 76.3 63
1993 76.3 62.4
1992 76.4 62
1991 76.2 61.9
1990 76.1 61.8
1989 75.9 61.7
1988 75.5 61.5
1987 75.2 61
1986 74.9 60.3
1985 74.8 59.8
1984 74.6 59.1
1983 74.2 57.9
1982 73.9 48.9
1981 73.4 54.7
1980 73 55.3
1979 72.5 56.6
1978 72 56.4
1977 71.5 55.2
1976 70.9 47.6
1975 70.3 52.8
1974 69.4 53
1973 68.7 52.8
1972 68 51.8
1971 67.4 50.3
1970 66.8 48.5
1969 66.4 47.5
1968 65.8 47.8
1967 65.6 47.7
1966 65.1 47.5
1965 64.8 47.2
1964 64.5 47.1
1963 64.3 46.6
1962 64.2 46.5
1961 63.9 46.1
1960 63.5 45.8
1959 62.9 44.3
1958 62.3 43.1
1957 61.6 41.9
1956 61.2 41.3
1955 60.5 40.7
1954 59.9 40.1
1953 59.1 39.5
1952 58.1 38.9
1951 57.8 38.3
1950 57.5 37.8

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

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

Costa Rica and Guatemala population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Guatemala
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Guatemala
2024 5,129,910 18,406,359
2023 5,105,525 18,124,838
2022 5,081,765 17,847,877
2021 5,059,988 17,598,650
2020 5,034,320 17,357,325
2019 4,999,553 17,103,803
2018 4,957,818 16,845,685
2017 4,913,177 16,567,357
2016 4,866,998 16,268,760
2015 4,818,038 15,971,743
2014 4,767,119 15,681,725
2013 4,716,147 15,387,337
2012 4,663,934 15,089,647
2011 4,609,833 14,792,126
2010 4,555,962 14,500,112
2009 4,499,791 14,215,611
2008 4,440,056 13,935,174
2007 4,380,248 13,652,040
2006 4,321,340 13,367,459
2005 4,261,240 13,087,629
2004 4,200,078 12,807,402
2003 4,138,784 12,525,842
2002 4,075,705 12,246,915
2001 4,008,947 11,969,422
2000 3,937,739 11,697,592
1999 3,862,101 11,422,965
1998 3,782,838 11,139,145
1997 3,701,711 10,857,754
1996 3,619,013 10,583,526
1995 3,535,176 10,312,996
1994 3,451,122 10,043,718
1993 3,367,434 9,779,761
1992 3,284,258 9,522,266
1991 3,202,176 9,272,584
1990 3,121,706 9,024,773
1989 3,043,827 8,775,546
1988 2,968,103 8,532,099
1987 2,892,699 8,296,485
1986 2,817,216 8,070,818
1985 2,741,894 7,849,693
1984 2,667,595 7,630,682
1983 2,595,153 7,419,642
1982 2,524,806 7,240,241
1981 2,456,637 7,075,648
1980 2,390,633 6,900,212
1979 2,326,490 6,727,797
1978 2,264,510 6,561,534
1977 2,205,025 6,401,515
1976 2,147,774 6,262,404
1975 2,092,719 6,128,731
1974 2,039,643 5,981,197
1973 1,988,343 5,831,631
1972 1,938,248 5,682,833
1971 1,888,539 5,538,355
1970 1,838,949 5,396,966
1969 1,789,276 5,257,081
1968 1,739,731 5,118,111
1967 1,689,523 4,978,862
1966 1,638,116 4,840,958
1965 1,586,208 4,704,965
1964 1,533,960 4,571,109
1963 1,481,604 4,440,264
1962 1,429,445 4,312,044
1961 1,377,920 4,186,201
1960 1,327,496 4,063,655

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Guatemala

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Guatemala
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Guatemala
2023 1.33 2.31
2022 1.34 2.34
2021 1.35 2.39
2020 1.45 2.47
2019 1.6 2.59
2018 1.71 2.74
2017 1.71 2.86
2016 1.75 2.97
2015 1.8 3.03
2014 1.8 3.09
2013 1.78 3.15
2012 1.85 3.22
2011 1.88 3.29
2010 1.83 3.38
2009 1.95 3.47
2008 1.98 3.57
2007 1.95 3.72
2006 1.94 3.85
2005 2.04 3.97
2004 2.03 4.13
2003 2.08 4.25
2002 2.16 4.37
2001 2.31 4.5
2000 2.41 4.58
1999 2.48 4.69
1998 2.53 4.8
1997 2.59 4.91
1996 2.68 5.01
1995 2.78 5.11
1994 2.86 5.19
1993 2.93 5.25
1992 3 5.31
1991 3.08 5.38
1990 3.17 5.48
1989 3.24 5.56
1988 3.31 5.62
1987 3.38 5.64
1986 3.45 5.66
1985 3.51 5.73
1984 3.52 5.86
1983 3.53 5.98
1982 3.54 6.06
1981 3.56 6.12
1980 3.58 6.17
1979 3.65 6.22
1978 3.66 6.26
1977 3.7 6.32
1976 3.75 6.37
1975 3.8 6.41
1974 3.89 6.46
1973 3.99 6.49
1972 4.16 6.51
1971 4.36 6.55
1970 4.59 6.6
1969 4.84 6.65
1968 5.03 6.7
1967 5.42 6.76
1966 5.7 6.8
1965 5.96 6.84
1964 6.19 6.87
1963 6.39 6.9
1962 6.54 6.93
1961 6.65 6.98
1960 6.71 7

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

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

Costa Rica and Guatemala demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Guatemala
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Guatemala
2024 35.6 24
2023 35.1 23.7
2022 34.5 23.3
2021 34 22.9
2020 33.5 22.6
2019 33 22.3
2018 32.6 22
2017 32.1 21.7
2016 31.7 21.3
2015 31.2 21.1
2014 30.7 20.8
2013 30.3 20.4
2012 29.8 20.1
2011 29.4 19.9
2010 29 19.6
2009 28.6 19.4
2008 28.2 19.1
2007 27.8 18.9
2006 27.4 18.7
2005 27 18.5
2004 26.7 18.3
2003 26.3 18.1
2002 25.9 18
2001 25.5 17.8
2000 25.2 17.7
1999 24.9 17.7
1998 24.7 17.6
1997 24.4 17.5
1996 24.1 17.4
1995 23.9 17.4
1994 23.6 17.3
1993 23.4 17.3
1992 23.2 17.3
1991 22.9 17.2
1990 22.7 17.2
1989 22.5 17.1
1988 22.3 17.1
1987 22.1 17.1
1986 21.8 17.1
1985 21.6 17
1984 21.4 17
1983 21.2 17
1982 20.9 17.1
1981 20.6 17.1
1980 20.3 17.1
1979 20 17.1
1978 19.7 17
1977 19.5 17
1976 19.2 17
1975 18.9 16.9
1974 18.6 16.8
1973 18.4 16.8
1972 18.1 16.8
1971 17.8 16.8
1970 17.6 16.8
1969 17.3 16.8
1968 17.1 16.7
1967 16.9 16.7
1966 16.8 16.7
1965 16.7 16.7
1964 16.7 16.6
1963 16.7 16.6
1962 16.7 16.6
1961 16.8 16.7
1960 16.8 16.7

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Guatemala
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$106B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
13.4%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
3.11%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.37%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
43,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-0.96%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
1.9%
2024
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
61.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
21.7%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
63.5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
34.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.6%
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
$24.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$21.6B
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
594,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
2.35%
2020
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
38.3%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Guatemala
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
888 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$14.7
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
20.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
1.11 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
34.6%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
62.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
5.26%
2022
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
38.4%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
670 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
60.7%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
43.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Guatemala
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.23%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-7,959
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
56%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
49.6:50.4
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.39 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
4.95 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
37.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
26
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
41
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
20
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
22.9
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
130
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
82.1%
2024
English speaking
8.15%
2023
1%
2025
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
56.1%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Guatemala
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$392
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$224.2
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
73 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
2.97%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
1.28
2020
Age at first childbirth n/a
20.6 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
94
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
21.4
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
27.6%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
13.2%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
37
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
11.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
1.54 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Guatemala
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
2,248 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
17,807 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
13,487 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
10,949 mi
2016

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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