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Costa Rica vs Malawi statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 21.7M in Malawi (ranked 62/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 36,402 sq mi for Malawi (ranked 126th vs. 107th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Malawi
Population
5181862
22949294
Population rank 126/197 61/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 151/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 194/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$1,858
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 168/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$3,031
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 36,402 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
626 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
3.65
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
18.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
67.9 years
2026

Costa Rica and Malawi: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Malawi economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Malawi
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Malawi
2024 $95,350,423,177 $11,316,411,329
2023 $86,497,941,439 $13,363,669,673
2022 $69,243,626,029 $12,429,059,928
2021 $64,960,725,734 $12,378,119,199
2020 $62,395,610,760 $11,769,313,598
2019 $64,417,670,521 $11,051,852,713
2018 $62,420,164,992 $9,879,220,354
2017 $60,516,044,657 $8,943,543,794
2016 $58,847,019,610 $7,909,868,618
2015 $56,441,920,821 $9,219,474,379
2014 $52,016,408,854 $8,801,326,169
2013 $50,949,668,842 $8,031,571,928
2012 $47,231,655,432 $8,773,203,178
2011 $42,762,613,699 $11,648,142,958
2010 $37,658,616,952 $10,128,323,011
2009 $30,745,714,313 $9,009,887,947
2008 $30,801,745,700 $7,743,617,352
2007 $26,884,700,709 $6,451,210,219
2006 $22,715,540,324 $5,818,279,739
2005 $20,040,642,477 $5,320,409,651
2004 $18,610,594,846 $5,058,726,350
2003 $17,271,760,507 $4,669,789,300
2002 $16,578,820,687 $5,087,328,438
2001 $15,976,174,337 $2,498,008,665
2000 $15,013,629,662 $2,537,307,580
1999 $14,254,866,285 $2,584,478,924
1998 $13,684,255,947 $2,547,609,590
1997 $12,614,602,382 $3,875,785,863
1996 $11,678,424,507 $3,319,573,750
1995 $11,578,594,260 $2,033,701,498
1994 $10,489,903,725 $1,719,864,761
1993 $9,564,815,975 $3,013,392,658
1992 $8,579,754,758 $2,618,837,835
1991 $7,215,725,487 $3,206,783,830
1990 $5,711,687,787 $2,737,087,862
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,314,205,130
1988 $4,614,629,898 $2,008,189,508
1987 $4,532,952,047 $1,721,711,808
1986 $4,418,983,871 $1,722,586,299
1985 $3,919,203,960 $1,646,442,273
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,758,028,656
1983 $3,146,772,631 $1,780,148,049
1982 $2,606,623,555 $1,717,379,495
1981 $2,623,803,096 $1,801,193,910
1980 $4,831,447,001 $1,801,156,775
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/malawi | CC BY

Costa Rica and Malawi economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Malawi
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Malawi
2024 $18,587 $523
2023 $16,942 $633
2022 $13,626 $604
2021 $12,838 $617
2020 $12,394 $603
2019 $12,885 $581
2018 $12,590 $533
2017 $12,317 $496
2016 $12,091 $451
2015 $11,715 $540
2014 $10,911 $530
2013 $10,803 $497
2012 $10,127 $558
2011 $9,276 $763
2010 $8,266 $683
2009 $6,833 $626
2008 $6,937 $554
2007 $6,138 $475
2006 $5,257 $441
2005 $4,703 $414
2004 $4,431 $405
2003 $4,173 $383
2002 $4,068 $428
2001 $3,985 $215.5
2000 $3,813 $224.2
1999 $3,691 $233.9
1998 $3,617 $236
1997 $3,408 $367
1996 $3,227 $321
1995 $3,275 $200.4
1994 $3,040 $169.2
1993 $2,840 $293
1992 $2,612 $258.4
1991 $2,253 $326
1990 $1,830 $286.7
1989 $1,725 $252.2
1988 $1,555 $229.4
1987 $1,567 $207.6
1986 $1,569 $217.9
1985 $1,429 $216.1
1984 $1,372 $239.7
1983 $1,213 $252.4
1982 $1,032 $253.3
1981 $1,068 $276.4
1980 $2,021 $287.5
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/malawi | CC BY

Costa Rica vs. Malawi life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Malawi
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Malawi
2026 81.4 67.9
2025 81.2 67.7
2024 81 67.6
2023 80.8 67.4
2022 79.3 66
2021 78.1 64.8
2020 79.7 65.2
2019 80.3 65
2018 80.1 64.5
2017 80 63.9
2016 80 63.2
2015 80.4 62.3
2014 80.2 61.7
2013 80.2 60.8
2012 79.9 59.9
2011 79.6 58.9
2010 79.4 57.8
2009 79.4 56.7
2008 79.2 55.7
2007 79.1 54.7
2006 79 53.7
2005 78.9 52.5
2004 78.5 51.1
2003 78.2 49.6
2002 77.9 48.2
2001 77.6 47.2
2000 77.3 46.2
1999 77.1 45.1
1998 76.9 44.3
1997 76.6 44.2
1996 76.4 44
1995 76.4 43.8
1994 76.3 43.8
1993 76.3 43.6
1992 76.4 43.6
1991 76.2 43.5
1990 76.1 43.6
1989 75.9 43.5
1988 75.5 43.6
1987 75.2 43.9
1986 74.9 44.3
1985 74.8 44.6
1984 74.6 44.8
1983 74.2 45
1982 73.9 44.8
1981 73.4 44.7
1980 73 44.3
1979 72.5 43.7
1978 72 43
1977 71.5 42
1976 70.9 41
1975 70.3 40.1
1974 69.4 39.2
1973 68.7 38.4
1972 68 37.6
1971 67.4 37.1
1970 66.8 36.6
1969 66.4 36.3
1968 65.8 36.1
1967 65.6 35.9
1966 65.1 35.8
1965 64.8 35.7
1964 64.5 35.7
1963 64.3 35.6
1962 64.2 35.4
1961 63.9 35.2
1960 63.5 35
1959 62.9 34.8
1958 62.3 34.4
1957 61.6 34.1
1956 61.2 33.8
1955 60.5 33.6
1954 59.9 33.3
1953 59.1 33.2
1952 58.1 33
1951 57.8 32.8
1950 57.5 32.7

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

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

Costa Rica and Malawi population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Malawi
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Malawi
2024 5,129,910 21,655,286
2023 5,105,525 21,104,482
2022 5,081,765 20,568,728
2021 5,059,988 20,047,258
2020 5,034,320 19,533,888
2019 4,999,553 19,025,752
2018 4,957,818 18,528,081
2017 4,913,177 18,039,715
2016 4,866,998 17,557,739
2015 4,818,038 17,085,587
2014 4,767,119 16,621,538
2013 4,716,147 16,161,816
2012 4,663,934 15,709,577
2011 4,609,833 15,265,022
2010 4,555,962 14,826,463
2009 4,499,791 14,395,788
2008 4,440,056 13,976,417
2007 4,380,248 13,576,343
2006 4,321,340 13,198,701
2005 4,261,240 12,840,031
2004 4,200,078 12,500,737
2003 4,138,784 12,181,574
2002 4,075,705 11,880,440
2001 4,008,947 11,593,058
2000 3,937,739 11,315,942
1999 3,862,101 11,047,804
1998 3,782,838 10,792,876
1997 3,701,711 10,562,035
1996 3,619,013 10,352,228
1995 3,535,176 10,150,117
1994 3,451,122 10,164,894
1993 3,367,434 10,284,024
1992 3,284,258 10,135,079
1991 3,202,176 9,844,227
1990 3,121,706 9,545,852
1989 3,043,827 9,176,220
1988 2,968,103 8,753,262
1987 2,892,699 8,293,174
1986 2,817,216 7,906,480
1985 2,741,894 7,620,508
1984 2,667,595 7,332,810
1983 2,595,153 7,051,709
1982 2,524,806 6,778,879
1981 2,456,637 6,516,454
1980 2,390,633 6,265,529
1979 2,326,490 6,028,749
1978 2,264,510 5,810,132
1977 2,205,025 5,614,983
1976 2,147,774 5,443,384
1975 2,092,719 5,287,367
1974 2,039,643 5,141,337
1973 1,988,343 5,003,938
1972 1,938,248 4,874,475
1971 1,888,539 4,751,434
1970 1,838,949 4,633,944
1969 1,789,276 4,521,184
1968 1,739,731 4,411,054
1967 1,689,523 4,303,012
1966 1,638,116 4,197,926
1965 1,586,208 4,096,157
1964 1,533,960 3,997,305
1963 1,481,604 3,900,506
1962 1,429,445 3,806,307
1961 1,377,920 3,715,534
1960 1,327,496 3,628,134

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Malawi

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Malawi
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Malawi
2023 1.33 3.65
2022 1.34 3.72
2021 1.35 3.79
2020 1.45 3.88
2019 1.6 3.95
2018 1.71 4.02
2017 1.71 4.11
2016 1.75 4.22
2015 1.8 4.38
2014 1.8 4.57
2013 1.78 4.76
2012 1.85 4.9
2011 1.88 5.08
2010 1.83 5.26
2009 1.95 5.45
2008 1.98 5.61
2007 1.95 5.72
2006 1.94 5.8
2005 2.04 5.85
2004 2.03 5.86
2003 2.08 5.88
2002 2.16 5.9
2001 2.31 5.94
2000 2.41 6
1999 2.48 6.12
1998 2.53 6.21
1997 2.59 6.23
1996 2.68 6.29
1995 2.78 6.39
1994 2.86 6.49
1993 2.93 6.57
1992 3 6.63
1991 3.08 6.68
1990 3.17 6.74
1989 3.24 6.8
1988 3.31 6.88
1987 3.38 6.97
1986 3.45 7.07
1985 3.51 7.17
1984 3.52 7.27
1983 3.53 7.36
1982 3.54 7.45
1981 3.56 7.49
1980 3.58 7.52
1979 3.65 7.47
1978 3.66 7.43
1977 3.7 7.41
1976 3.75 7.39
1975 3.8 7.36
1974 3.89 7.34
1973 3.99 7.34
1972 4.16 7.33
1971 4.36 7.31
1970 4.59 7.3
1969 4.84 7.27
1968 5.03 7.26
1967 5.42 7.21
1966 5.7 7.17
1965 5.96 7.13
1964 6.19 7.11
1963 6.39 7.13
1962 6.54 7.1
1961 6.65 7.07
1960 6.71 7.04

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

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

Costa Rica and Malawi demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Malawi
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Malawi
2024 35.6 18.9
2023 35.1 18.7
2022 34.5 18.4
2021 34 18.2
2020 33.5 18
2019 33 17.8
2018 32.6 17.6
2017 32.1 17.4
2016 31.7 17.2
2015 31.2 17.1
2014 30.7 17
2013 30.3 16.9
2012 29.8 16.8
2011 29.4 16.8
2010 29 16.7
2009 28.6 16.7
2008 28.2 16.8
2007 27.8 16.8
2006 27.4 16.8
2005 27 16.8
2004 26.7 16.8
2003 26.3 16.8
2002 25.9 16.8
2001 25.5 16.8
2000 25.2 16.8
1999 24.9 16.7
1998 24.7 16.8
1997 24.4 16.8
1996 24.1 16.8
1995 23.9 16.9
1994 23.6 16.9
1993 23.4 17
1992 23.2 17.1
1991 22.9 17.2
1990 22.7 17.3
1989 22.5 17.4
1988 22.3 17.5
1987 22.1 17.4
1986 21.8 17.3
1985 21.6 17.3
1984 21.4 17.3
1983 21.2 17.3
1982 20.9 17.3
1981 20.6 17.3
1980 20.3 17.3
1979 20 17.4
1978 19.7 17.4
1977 19.5 17.4
1976 19.2 17.5
1975 18.9 17.5
1974 18.6 17.6
1973 18.4 17.7
1972 18.1 17.8
1971 17.8 17.9
1970 17.6 18
1969 17.3 18.2
1968 17.1 18.3
1967 16.9 18.3
1966 16.8 18.3
1965 16.7 18.4
1964 16.7 18.3
1963 16.7 18.3
1962 16.7 18.3
1961 16.8 18.3
1960 16.8 18.2

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Malawi
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$12.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
29.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
2.75%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
1.02%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
15,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-11%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
15.4%
2024
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
17.1%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
50.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.9%
2019
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$594M
2020
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$187M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
871,000
2018
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
2.68%
2020
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
50.4%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Malawi
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
4.79 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
0.22 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
n/a
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
62.9%
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
80.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
72.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
15.6%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Malawi
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.27%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-5,628
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
17.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
48.8:51.2
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.44 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.12 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
31.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
26
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
1.79
2012
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
33.4
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
78
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
68.1%
2022
English speaking
8.15%
2023
3.88%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
18%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Malawi
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$41.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$4.95
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
67.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
65.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
0.05
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
19.1 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
225
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
38.3
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
7.87%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
5.7%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
34
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
9.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
3.61 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Malawi
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.06%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
1,681 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
23,359 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
8,169 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
9,601 mi
2015

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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