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Costa Rica vs Laos statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 7.77M in Laos (ranked 103/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 89,112 sq mi for Laos (ranked 126th vs. 79th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Laos ranks 139/197 ($16.5B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Laos ranks 155/197 ($2,124).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Laos
Population
5181862
8004838
Population rank 126/197 103/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 139/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 155/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$9,776
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 119/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$2,096
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 89,112 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
89.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
2.42
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
25.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
69.7 years
2026

Costa Rica and Laos: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Laos economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Laos
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Laos
2024 $95,350,423,177 $16,502,933,121
2023 $86,497,941,439 $15,843,155,731
2022 $69,243,626,029 $15,468,785,204
2021 $64,960,725,734 $18,827,148,531
2020 $62,395,610,760 $18,981,805,250
2019 $64,417,670,521 $18,740,561,513
2018 $62,420,164,992 $18,141,641,090
2017 $60,516,044,657 $17,071,155,481
2016 $58,847,019,610 $15,912,501,723
2015 $56,441,920,821 $14,426,380,126
2014 $52,016,408,854 $13,279,245,886
2013 $50,949,668,842 $11,983,252,627
2012 $47,231,655,432 $10,192,846,339
2011 $42,762,613,699 $8,750,104,617
2010 $37,658,616,952 $7,131,771,015
2009 $30,745,714,313 $5,836,137,330
2008 $30,801,745,700 $5,446,433,157
2007 $26,884,700,709 $4,223,152,739
2006 $22,715,540,324 $3,455,030,061
2005 $20,040,642,477 $2,735,558,735
2004 $18,610,594,846 $2,366,398,120
2003 $17,271,760,507 $2,023,324,407
2002 $16,578,820,687 $1,758,176,653
2001 $15,976,174,337 $1,768,619,058
2000 $15,013,629,662 $1,731,198,022
1999 $14,254,866,285 $1,454,430,642
1998 $13,684,255,947 $1,280,177,839
1997 $12,614,602,382 $1,747,011,857
1996 $11,678,424,507 $1,873,671,550
1995 $11,578,594,260 $1,763,536,305
1994 $10,489,903,725 $1,543,606,345
1993 $9,564,815,975 $1,327,748,690
1992 $8,579,754,758 $1,127,806,945
1991 $7,215,725,487 $1,028,087,972
1990 $5,711,687,787 $865,559,879
1989 $5,251,025,767 $714,046,821
1988 $4,614,629,898 $598,961,269
1987 $4,532,952,047 $1,087,273,104
1986 $4,418,983,871 $1,776,842,097
1985 $3,919,203,960 $2,366,666,616
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,757,142,856
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/facts/costa-rica/laos | CC BY

Costa Rica and Laos economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Laos
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Laos
2024 $18,587 $2,124
2023 $16,942 $2,067
2022 $13,626 $2,046
2021 $12,838 $2,526
2020 $12,394 $2,584
2019 $12,885 $2,589
2018 $12,590 $2,545
2017 $12,317 $2,432
2016 $12,091 $2,303
2015 $11,715 $2,121
2014 $10,911 $1,981
2013 $10,803 $1,813
2012 $10,127 $1,564
2011 $9,276 $1,362
2010 $8,266 $1,126
2009 $6,833 $935
2008 $6,937 $886
2007 $6,138 $697
2006 $5,257 $579
2005 $4,703 $466
2004 $4,431 $409
2003 $4,173 $355
2002 $4,068 $313
2001 $3,985 $320
2000 $3,813 $319
1999 $3,691 $272.3
1998 $3,617 $243.9
1997 $3,408 $339
1996 $3,227 $371
1995 $3,275 $358
1994 $3,040 $321
1993 $2,840 $283.4
1992 $2,612 $247.3
1991 $2,253 $231.8
1990 $1,830 $200.7
1989 $1,725 $170.4
1988 $1,555 $147.1
1987 $1,567 $274.7
1986 $1,569 $462
1985 $1,429 $633
1984 $1,372 $483
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/facts/costa-rica/laos | CC BY

Costa Rica vs. Laos life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Laos
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Laos
2026 81.4 69.7
2025 81.2 69.5
2024 81 69.2
2023 80.8 69
2022 79.3 68.7
2021 78.1 67.8
2020 79.7 68.3
2019 80.3 67.9
2018 80.1 67.6
2017 80 67.3
2016 80 67
2015 80.4 66.7
2014 80.2 66.3
2013 80.2 65.7
2012 79.9 65.1
2011 79.6 64.5
2010 79.4 63.7
2009 79.4 63
2008 79.2 62.2
2007 79.1 61.7
2006 79 61.1
2005 78.9 60.7
2004 78.5 60.1
2003 78.2 59.6
2002 77.9 59.3
2001 77.6 58.9
2000 77.3 58.3
1999 77.1 57.9
1998 76.9 57.5
1997 76.6 57.3
1996 76.4 56.8
1995 76.4 56.3
1994 76.3 55.8
1993 76.3 55.6
1992 76.4 55.1
1991 76.2 54.7
1990 76.1 54
1989 75.9 53.6
1988 75.5 53.1
1987 75.2 52.6
1986 74.9 52.1
1985 74.8 51.6
1984 74.6 51
1983 74.2 50.5
1982 73.9 49.9
1981 73.4 49.2
1980 73 48.6
1979 72.5 47.5
1978 72 46.8
1977 71.5 46.4
1976 70.9 46
1975 70.3 46.1
1974 69.4 45.9
1973 68.7 44.7
1972 68 44.4
1971 67.4 44.1
1970 66.8 43.8
1969 66.4 43.5
1968 65.8 43.2
1967 65.6 42.9
1966 65.1 42.3
1965 64.8 42.2
1964 64.5 41.9
1963 64.3 41.5
1962 64.2 42.3
1961 63.9 41.3
1960 63.5 41
1959 62.9 40.7
1958 62.3 41.2
1957 61.6 40.9
1956 61.2 40.6
1955 60.5 40.3
1954 59.9 40
1953 59.1 39.7
1952 58.1 39.4
1951 57.8 39.2
1950 57.5 38.9

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

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

Costa Rica and Laos population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Laos
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Laos
2024 5,129,910 7,769,819
2023 5,105,525 7,664,993
2022 5,081,765 7,559,007
2021 5,059,988 7,453,194
2020 5,034,320 7,346,533
2019 4,999,553 7,237,636
2018 4,957,818 7,128,045
2017 4,913,177 7,018,147
2016 4,866,998 6,908,802
2015 4,818,038 6,801,645
2014 4,767,119 6,703,172
2013 4,716,147 6,611,385
2012 4,663,934 6,518,978
2011 4,609,833 6,426,590
2010 4,555,962 6,334,194
2009 4,499,791 6,241,642
2008 4,440,056 6,148,969
2007 4,380,248 6,056,236
2006 4,321,340 5,963,200
2005 4,261,240 5,869,523
2004 4,200,078 5,781,626
2003 4,138,784 5,697,945
2002 4,075,705 5,610,889
2001 4,008,947 5,521,482
2000 3,937,739 5,431,212
1999 3,862,101 5,340,784
1998 3,782,838 5,248,266
1997 3,701,711 5,152,011
1996 3,619,013 5,045,678
1995 3,535,176 4,929,409
1994 3,451,122 4,809,220
1993 3,367,434 4,685,060
1992 3,284,258 4,559,646
1991 3,202,176 4,435,118
1990 3,121,706 4,311,955
1989 3,043,827 4,190,974
1988 2,968,103 4,072,601
1987 2,892,699 3,957,612
1986 2,817,216 3,846,715
1985 2,741,894 3,739,985
1984 2,667,595 3,637,843
1983 2,595,153 3,541,001
1982 2,524,806 3,450,026
1981 2,456,637 3,366,631
1980 2,390,633 3,292,573
1979 2,326,490 3,228,202
1978 2,264,510 3,171,740
1977 2,205,025 3,118,923
1976 2,147,774 3,064,876
1975 2,092,719 3,005,521
1974 2,039,643 2,939,761
1973 1,988,343 2,870,573
1972 1,938,248 2,801,660
1971 1,888,539 2,734,628
1970 1,838,949 2,669,702
1969 1,789,276 2,606,959
1968 1,739,731 2,546,377
1967 1,689,523 2,487,715
1966 1,638,116 2,431,084
1965 1,586,208 2,376,200
1964 1,533,960 2,322,826
1963 1,481,604 2,271,061
1962 1,429,445 2,219,910
1961 1,377,920 2,169,796
1960 1,327,496 2,121,514

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Laos

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Laos
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Laos
2023 1.33 2.42
2022 1.34 2.46
2021 1.35 2.49
2020 1.45 2.54
2019 1.6 2.59
2018 1.71 2.63
2017 1.71 2.69
2016 1.75 2.74
2015 1.8 2.8
2014 1.8 2.8
2013 1.78 2.87
2012 1.85 2.95
2011 1.88 3.05
2010 1.83 3.14
2009 1.95 3.23
2008 1.98 3.33
2007 1.95 3.44
2006 1.94 3.56
2005 2.04 3.69
2004 2.03 3.9
2003 2.08 4.02
2002 2.16 4.13
2001 2.31 4.29
2000 2.41 4.43
1999 2.48 4.64
1998 2.53 4.79
1997 2.59 4.96
1996 2.68 5.15
1995 2.78 5.36
1994 2.86 5.6
1993 2.93 5.8
1992 3 5.9
1991 3.08 5.99
1990 3.17 6.06
1989 3.24 6.1
1988 3.31 6.16
1987 3.38 6.21
1986 3.45 6.26
1985 3.51 6.33
1984 3.52 6.37
1983 3.53 6.38
1982 3.54 6.37
1981 3.56 6.35
1980 3.58 6.33
1979 3.65 6.31
1978 3.66 6.3
1977 3.7 6.29
1976 3.75 6.29
1975 3.8 6.29
1974 3.89 6.29
1973 3.99 6.28
1972 4.16 6.28
1971 4.36 6.3
1970 4.59 6.31
1969 4.84 6.3
1968 5.03 6.3
1967 5.42 6.31
1966 5.7 6.31
1965 5.96 6.32
1964 6.19 6.31
1963 6.39 6.32
1962 6.54 6.31
1961 6.65 6.31
1960 6.71 6.29

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

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

Costa Rica and Laos demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Laos
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Laos
2024 35.6 25.6
2023 35.1 25.3
2022 34.5 25
2021 34 24.7
2020 33.5 24.4
2019 33 24.1
2018 32.6 23.8
2017 32.1 23.6
2016 31.7 23.3
2015 31.2 23
2014 30.7 22.7
2013 30.3 22.3
2012 29.8 21.9
2011 29.4 21.4
2010 29 21
2009 28.6 20.5
2008 28.2 20
2007 27.8 19.6
2006 27.4 19.2
2005 27 18.9
2004 26.7 18.7
2003 26.3 18.5
2002 25.9 18.4
2001 25.5 18.2
2000 25.2 18.1
1999 24.9 18
1998 24.7 18
1997 24.4 18
1996 24.1 17.9
1995 23.9 17.9
1994 23.6 17.9
1993 23.4 17.9
1992 23.2 17.9
1991 22.9 17.9
1990 22.7 17.9
1989 22.5 17.9
1988 22.3 17.9
1987 22.1 17.8
1986 21.8 17.8
1985 21.6 17.8
1984 21.4 17.8
1983 21.2 17.8
1982 20.9 17.8
1981 20.6 17.9
1980 20.3 17.9
1979 20 18
1978 19.7 18.1
1977 19.5 18.3
1976 19.2 18.4
1975 18.9 18.5
1974 18.6 18.6
1973 18.4 18.7
1972 18.1 18.7
1971 17.8 18.7
1970 17.6 18.7
1969 17.3 18.8
1968 17.1 18.8
1967 16.9 18.9
1966 16.8 18.9
1965 16.7 18.9
1964 16.7 19
1963 16.7 19
1962 16.7 19.1
1961 16.8 19.2
1960 16.8 19.2

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Laos
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$15.5B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
15.7%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
1.23%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.19%
2013
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
129,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
+2.34%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
1.21%
2022
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
29%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
50.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3%
2018
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$247M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
886,400
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
3.51%
2020
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
37.7%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Laos
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
815 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$10.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
26.1 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
3.35 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
0%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
49.2%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
54.2%
2022
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
-49%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
1,264 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
63.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
75.9%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
96.5%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Laos
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.1%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-10,645
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
39.6%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
50.2:49.8
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.34 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.02 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
29.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
19
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
7.01
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
17.9
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
61
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
75.6%
2023
English speaking
8.15%
2023
6%
2025
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
63.6%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Laos
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$27.4
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$12.3
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
69.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
15.4%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
0.33
2022
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
112
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
39
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
8.32%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
6.7%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
20
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
27.2%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
10.8 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Laos
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.15%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
11,469 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
8,831 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
63,676 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
24,598 mi
2009

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. 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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