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Costa Rica vs Lesotho statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 2.34M in Lesotho (ranked 145/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 11,722 sq mi for Lesotho (ranked 126th vs. 137th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Lesotho
Population
5181862
2396633
Population rank 126/197 143/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 175/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 181/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$3,001
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 164/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$6,545
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 11,722 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
2.69
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
22.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
58.6 years
2026

Costa Rica and Lesotho: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Lesotho economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Lesotho
2024 $95,350,423,177 $2,271,759,455
2023 $86,497,941,439 $2,117,962,445
2022 $69,243,626,029 $2,354,980,960
2021 $64,960,725,734 $2,412,130,057
2020 $62,395,610,760 $2,053,699,864
2019 $64,417,670,521 $2,390,702,296
2018 $62,420,164,992 $2,556,247,292
2017 $60,516,044,657 $2,306,741,672
2016 $58,847,019,610 $2,114,426,452
2015 $56,441,920,821 $2,359,686,725
2014 $52,016,408,854 $2,441,063,054
2013 $50,949,668,842 $2,367,112,932
2012 $47,231,655,432 $2,477,702,216
2011 $42,762,613,699 $2,579,409,620
2010 $37,658,616,952 $2,234,754,242
2009 $30,745,714,313 $1,740,894,965
2008 $30,801,745,700 $1,766,902,709
2007 $26,884,700,709 $1,682,131,785
2006 $22,715,540,324 $1,800,092,564
2005 $20,040,642,477 $1,682,343,527
2004 $18,610,594,846 $1,511,236,656
2003 $17,271,760,507 $1,157,825,435
2002 $16,578,820,687 $775,777,239
2001 $15,976,174,337 $825,706,961
2000 $15,013,629,662 $887,291,688
1999 $14,254,866,285 $912,773,681
1998 $13,684,255,947 $928,460,893
1997 $12,614,602,382 $998,004,259
1996 $11,678,424,507 $946,112,493
1995 $11,578,594,260 $1,001,894,000
1994 $10,489,903,725 $878,250,945
1993 $9,564,815,975 $835,582,062
1992 $8,579,754,758 $831,029,862
1991 $7,215,725,487 $704,325,367
1990 $5,711,687,787 $596,410,264
1989 $5,251,025,767 $495,409,233
1988 $4,614,629,898 $470,395,801
1987 $4,532,952,047 $402,768,324
1986 $4,418,983,871 $318,858,423
1985 $3,919,203,960 $268,629,926
1984 $3,660,477,856 $333,163,670
1983 $3,146,772,631 $386,699,309
1982 $2,606,623,555 $348,741,684
1981 $2,623,803,096 $434,188,034
1980 $4,831,447,001 $431,542,537
1979 $4,035,519,323 $290,134,593
1978 $3,523,208,810 $266,570,067
1977 $3,072,427,013 $193,315,048
1976 $2,412,555,426 $147,660,037
1975 $1,960,863,466 $149,558,896
1974 $1,666,544,754 $150,851,317
1973 $1,528,925,846 $121,188,716
1972 $1,238,251,696 $80,913,200
1971 $1,077,147,538 $76,480,285
1970 $984,830,158 $68,739,973
1969 $853,630,204 $65,967,974
1968 $773,841,494 $61,445,975
1967 $699,456,619 $59,261,976
1966 $647,305,630 $56,699,977
1965 $592,981,162 $54,879,978
1964 $542,578,367 $51,939,979
1963 $511,902,137 $47,039,981
1962 $479,180,824 $41,859,983
1961 $490,325,182 $35,699,986
1960 $507,513,830 $34,579,986

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

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

Costa Rica and Lesotho economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Lesotho
2024 $18,587 $972
2023 $16,942 $916
2022 $13,626 $1,030
2021 $12,838 $1,067
2020 $12,394 $919
2019 $12,885 $1,082
2018 $12,590 $1,171
2017 $12,317 $1,069
2016 $12,091 $992
2015 $11,715 $1,121
2014 $10,911 $1,174
2013 $10,803 $1,151
2012 $10,127 $1,218
2011 $9,276 $1,281
2010 $8,266 $1,119
2009 $6,833 $879
2008 $6,937 $898
2007 $6,138 $861
2006 $5,257 $925
2005 $4,703 $861
2004 $4,431 $767
2003 $4,173 $583
2002 $4,068 $389
2001 $3,985 $413
2000 $3,813 $443
1999 $3,691 $456
1998 $3,617 $465
1997 $3,408 $502
1996 $3,227 $480
1995 $3,275 $513
1994 $3,040 $456
1993 $2,840 $439
1992 $2,612 $444
1991 $2,253 $382
1990 $1,830 $330
1989 $1,725 $279
1988 $1,555 $270.4
1987 $1,567 $236.5
1986 $1,569 $191.4
1985 $1,429 $165.4
1984 $1,372 $211
1983 $1,213 $252
1982 $1,032 $233.9
1981 $1,068 $299.8
1980 $2,021 $307
1979 $1,735 $212.4
1978 $1,556 $200.8
1977 $1,393 $149.9
1976 $1,123 $117.8
1975 $937 $123.2
1974 $817 $128.7
1973 $769 $107
1972 $639 $74
1971 $570 $72.4
1970 $536 $67.4
1969 $477 $67.1
1968 $445 $64.8
1967 $414 $64.8
1966 $395 $64.3
1965 $374 $64.3
1964 $354 $62.6
1963 $346 $58.4
1962 $335 $53.5
1961 $356 $47
1960 $382 $47

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

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

Costa Rica vs. Lesotho life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Lesotho
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Lesotho
2026 81.4 58.6
2025 81.2 58.2
2024 81 57.8
2023 80.8 57.4
2022 79.3 56.8
2021 78.1 54.2
2020 79.7 55.1
2019 80.3 55.2
2018 80.1 54.6
2017 80 53.9
2016 80 52.9
2015 80.4 51.8
2014 80.2 50.8
2013 80.2 49.5
2012 79.9 48.2
2011 79.6 46.9
2010 79.4 46
2009 79.4 45.1
2008 79.2 44.3
2007 79.1 43.7
2006 79 43.2
2005 78.9 43.6
2004 78.5 44
2003 78.2 44.9
2002 77.9 46
2001 77.6 47.2
2000 77.3 48.8
1999 77.1 50.4
1998 76.9 52
1997 76.6 53.7
1996 76.4 55.1
1995 76.4 56.4
1994 76.3 57.3
1993 76.3 58.1
1992 76.4 58.6
1991 76.2 59.1
1990 76.1 59.3
1989 75.9 59.5
1988 75.5 59.6
1987 75.2 59.6
1986 74.9 59.3
1985 74.8 59.2
1984 74.6 59
1983 74.2 58.5
1982 73.9 58
1981 73.4 57.3
1980 73 56.5
1979 72.5 55.8
1978 72 55.2
1977 71.5 54.5
1976 70.9 53.9
1975 70.3 53.5
1974 69.4 52.9
1973 68.7 52.6
1972 68 52.3
1971 67.4 51.8
1970 66.8 51.5
1969 66.4 51.1
1968 65.8 50.8
1967 65.6 50.5
1966 65.1 50.4
1965 64.8 50.3
1964 64.5 50.3
1963 64.3 50.3
1962 64.2 50.3
1961 63.9 50.3
1960 63.5 50.2
1959 62.9 49.9
1958 62.3 49.6
1957 61.6 49.2
1956 61.2 48.6
1955 60.5 48
1954 59.9 47.3
1953 59.1 46.6
1952 58.1 45.9
1951 57.8 45.2
1950 57.5 44.6

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

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

Costa Rica and Lesotho population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Lesotho
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Lesotho
2024 5,129,910 2,337,423
2023 5,105,525 2,311,472
2022 5,081,765 2,286,110
2021 5,059,988 2,261,542
2020 5,034,320 2,235,727
2019 4,999,553 2,209,405
2018 4,957,818 2,183,603
2017 4,913,177 2,157,110
2016 4,866,998 2,130,422
2015 4,818,038 2,104,611
2014 4,767,119 2,080,089
2013 4,716,147 2,056,504
2012 4,663,934 2,034,354
2011 4,609,833 2,014,009
2010 4,555,962 1,996,251
2009 4,499,791 1,980,883
2008 4,440,056 1,966,541
2007 4,380,248 1,953,268
2006 4,321,340 1,945,063
2005 4,261,240 1,953,076
2004 4,200,078 1,971,129
2003 4,138,784 1,985,059
2002 4,075,705 1,994,679
2001 4,008,947 2,000,853
2000 3,937,739 2,003,913
1999 3,862,101 2,003,234
1998 3,782,838 1,998,049
1997 3,701,711 1,988,130
1996 3,619,013 1,972,418
1995 3,535,176 1,951,437
1994 3,451,122 1,927,707
1993 3,367,434 1,901,793
1992 3,284,258 1,873,274
1991 3,202,176 1,842,379
1990 3,121,706 1,809,696
1989 3,043,827 1,775,436
1988 2,968,103 1,739,841
1987 2,892,699 1,703,390
1986 2,817,216 1,666,138
1985 2,741,894 1,624,379
1984 2,667,595 1,578,986
1983 2,595,153 1,534,413
1982 2,524,806 1,490,732
1981 2,456,637 1,448,069
1980 2,390,633 1,406,521
1979 2,326,490 1,366,169
1978 2,264,510 1,327,240
1977 2,205,025 1,289,967
1976 2,147,774 1,253,214
1975 2,092,719 1,213,643
1974 2,039,643 1,172,420
1973 1,988,343 1,132,697
1972 1,938,248 1,094,063
1971 1,888,539 1,056,246
1970 1,838,949 1,019,273
1969 1,789,276 983,202
1968 1,739,731 948,105
1967 1,689,523 913,982
1966 1,638,116 881,870
1965 1,586,208 854,090
1964 1,533,960 829,437
1963 1,481,604 805,373
1962 1,429,445 781,814
1961 1,377,920 758,824
1960 1,327,496 736,500

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Lesotho

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Lesotho
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Lesotho
2023 1.33 2.69
2022 1.34 2.72
2021 1.35 2.77
2020 1.45 2.85
2019 1.6 2.92
2018 1.71 3.02
2017 1.71 3.11
2016 1.75 3.18
2015 1.8 3.22
2014 1.8 3.24
2013 1.78 3.28
2012 1.85 3.3
2011 1.88 3.34
2010 1.83 3.25
2009 1.95 3.31
2008 1.98 3.39
2007 1.95 3.44
2006 1.94 3.41
2005 2.04 3.43
2004 2.03 3.51
2003 2.08 3.62
2002 2.16 3.68
2001 2.31 3.63
2000 2.41 3.61
1999 2.48 3.67
1998 2.53 3.82
1997 2.59 3.98
1996 2.68 4.06
1995 2.78 4.13
1994 2.86 4.21
1993 2.93 4.37
1992 3 4.54
1991 3.08 4.68
1990 3.17 4.81
1989 3.24 4.96
1988 3.31 5.1
1987 3.38 5.22
1986 3.45 5.32
1985 3.51 5.4
1984 3.52 5.48
1983 3.53 5.56
1982 3.54 5.63
1981 3.56 5.69
1980 3.58 5.75
1979 3.65 5.79
1978 3.66 5.82
1977 3.7 5.85
1976 3.75 5.87
1975 3.8 5.83
1974 3.89 5.75
1973 3.99 5.69
1972 4.16 5.69
1971 4.36 5.7
1970 4.59 5.7
1969 4.84 5.7
1968 5.03 5.73
1967 5.42 5.75
1966 5.7 5.76
1965 5.96 5.77
1964 6.19 5.77
1963 6.39 5.78
1962 6.54 5.79
1961 6.65 5.79
1960 6.71 5.78

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

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

Costa Rica and Lesotho demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Lesotho
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Lesotho
2024 35.6 22.7
2023 35.1 22.5
2022 34.5 22.3
2021 34 22.1
2020 33.5 22
2019 33 21.8
2018 32.6 21.7
2017 32.1 21.6
2016 31.7 21.4
2015 31.2 21.3
2014 30.7 21.2
2013 30.3 21.1
2012 29.8 21
2011 29.4 20.9
2010 29 20.7
2009 28.6 20.6
2008 28.2 20.4
2007 27.8 20.2
2006 27.4 20
2005 27 19.9
2004 26.7 19.8
2003 26.3 19.7
2002 25.9 19.5
2001 25.5 19.4
2000 25.2 19.2
1999 24.9 19.1
1998 24.7 18.9
1997 24.4 18.8
1996 24.1 18.6
1995 23.9 18.6
1994 23.6 18.5
1993 23.4 18.4
1992 23.2 18.4
1991 22.9 18.4
1990 22.7 18.4
1989 22.5 18.5
1988 22.3 18.6
1987 22.1 18.7
1986 21.8 18.6
1985 21.6 18.4
1984 21.4 18.5
1983 21.2 18.6
1982 20.9 18.6
1981 20.6 18.7
1980 20.3 18.8
1979 20 18.8
1978 19.7 18.9
1977 19.5 19
1976 19.2 19
1975 18.9 18.9
1974 18.6 18.8
1973 18.4 18.6
1972 18.1 18.5
1971 17.8 18.3
1970 17.6 18.2
1969 17.3 18
1968 17.1 17.8
1967 16.9 17.6
1966 16.8 17.5
1965 16.7 17.5
1964 16.7 17.5
1963 16.7 17.4
1962 16.7 17.4
1961 16.8 17.4
1960 16.8 17.5

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Lesotho
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
53.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
6.62%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
1.57%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
2,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
+9.04%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
18.7%
2024
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
30.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
54.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.7%
2017
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$476M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
1,142,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
10.1%
1999
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
61.6%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Lesotho
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
9.73 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$198.7
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
1 megaton
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
0.43 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
34.9%
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
99.8%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
99.6%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
57.3%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Lesotho
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.03%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-5,192
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
43.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.51 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.14 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
21.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
28
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
37.7
2008
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
31.9
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
81
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
90.4%
2024
English speaking
8.15%
2023
27.9%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
48%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Lesotho
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$122.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$16.2
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
58.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
40.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
0.24
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
20.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
478
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
58.9
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
21.7%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
6.2%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
28
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
24.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
4.3 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Lesotho
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.02%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
5,015 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
9,115 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
133.3 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
3,691 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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