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Costa Rica vs Malta statistics compared

Updated on by Georank

Costa Rica has a population of 5.15M (ranked 126/197), compared with 580K in Malta (ranked 167/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 123.6 sq mi for Malta (ranked 126th vs. 187th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 74/197 ($103B) and Malta ranks 118/197 ($27.8B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 59/197 ($19,970), while Malta ranks 28/197 ($47,907).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Malta
Population
5186356
586345
Population rank 126/197 167/197
GDP
$103B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank 74/197 118/197
GDP per capita
$19,970
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank 59/197 28/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$69,864
2024
Government debt
$62.2B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.4%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,064
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank 51/185 30/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,879
2026
$22,914
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 123.6 sq mi
Population density
262.5 ppl/mi²
2026
4,737 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.32
2024
1.01
2024
Median age
36.2 years
2025
42.1 years
2025
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
83.8 years
2026

Costa Rica and Malta: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Malta economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Malta
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Malta
2025 $102,904,921,157 $27,771,821,561
2024 $96,715,644,331 $25,042,712,191
2023 $87,512,637,056 $22,625,329,776
2022 $71,001,226,361 $18,938,869,147
2021 $65,588,938,787 $19,730,119,031
2020 $62,806,591,555 $16,404,655,808
2019 $64,753,504,730 $16,337,788,881
2018 $62,567,765,946 $16,153,785,817
2017 $60,516,044,661 $14,161,374,599
2016 $58,847,019,588 $12,025,777,078
2015 $56,441,920,888 $11,340,789,706
2014 $52,016,408,816 $11,888,029,752
2013 $50,949,668,763 $10,796,780,874
2012 $47,231,655,493 $9,609,530,619
2011 $42,762,613,785 $9,789,363,086
2010 $37,658,616,966 $9,097,044,301
2009 $30,745,714,234 $8,769,897,418
2008 $30,801,745,703 $9,172,399,573
2007 $26,884,700,688 $7,908,412,374
2006 $22,715,540,342 $6,749,838,862
2005 $20,040,642,421 $6,393,234,965
2004 $18,610,594,844 $6,104,141,501
2003 $17,271,760,397 $5,418,315,225
2002 $16,578,820,799 $4,455,127,398
2001 $15,976,174,476 $4,070,867,153
2000 $15,013,629,579 $4,036,809,767
1999 $14,254,866,284 $4,111,857,836
1998 $13,684,255,998 $4,010,111,652
1997 $12,614,602,322 $3,787,023,655
1996 $11,678,424,727 $3,822,547,151
1995 $11,578,594,333 $3,709,396,089
1994 $10,489,903,834 $2,998,505,428
1993 $9,564,816,063 $2,709,193,538
1992 $8,579,754,953 $3,021,942,759
1991 $7,215,725,635 $2,750,216,747
1990 $5,711,687,787 $2,547,328,748
1989 $5,251,025,767 $2,118,655,677
1988 $4,614,629,898 $2,019,503,068
1987 $4,532,952,047 $1,751,293,461
1986 $4,418,983,871 $1,435,038,441
1985 $3,919,203,960 $1,117,797,439
1984 $3,660,477,856 $1,101,807,023
1983 $3,146,772,631 $1,165,729,707
1982 $2,606,623,555 $1,234,474,404
1981 $2,623,803,096 $1,243,509,394
1980 $4,831,447,001 $1,250,198,601
1979 $4,035,519,323 $1,001,288,847
1978 $3,523,208,810 $793,673,402
1977 $3,072,427,013 $625,563,171
1976 $2,412,555,426 $527,936,989
1975 $1,960,863,466 $474,618,321
1974 $1,666,544,754 $376,081,124
1973 $1,528,925,846 $345,616,106
1972 $1,238,251,696 $295,106,628
1971 $1,077,147,538 $264,578,485
1970 $984,830,158 $250,728,796
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica and Malta economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Malta
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Malta
2025 $19,970 $47,907
2024 $18,853 $44,024
2023 $17,141 $40,933
2022 $13,972 $35,659
2021 $12,962 $38,078
2020 $12,476 $31,823
2019 $12,952 $32,422
2018 $12,620 $33,382
2017 $12,317 $30,317
2016 $12,091 $26,459
2015 $11,715 $25,530
2014 $10,911 $27,425
2013 $10,803 $25,416
2012 $10,127 $22,878
2011 $9,276 $23,517
2010 $8,266 $21,947
2009 $6,833 $21,262
2008 $6,937 $22,406
2007 $6,138 $19,444
2006 $5,257 $16,654
2005 $4,703 $15,831
2004 $4,431 $15,212
2003 $4,173 $13,594
2002 $4,068 $11,251
2001 $3,985 $10,358
2000 $3,813 $10,348
1999 $3,691 $10,609
1998 $3,617 $10,408
1997 $3,408 $9,893
1996 $3,227 $10,062
1995 $3,275 $9,828
1994 $3,040 $8,000
1993 $2,840 $7,296
1992 $2,612 $8,220
1991 $2,253 $7,559
1990 $1,830 $7,192
1989 $1,725 $6,041
1988 $1,555 $5,814
1987 $1,567 $5,084
1986 $1,569 $4,195
1985 $1,429 $3,322
1984 $1,372 $3,333
1983 $1,213 $3,527
1982 $1,032 $3,788
1981 $1,068 $3,898
1980 $2,021 $3,948
1979 $1,735 $3,196
1978 $1,556 $2,559
1977 $1,393 $2,038
1976 $1,123 $1,727
1975 $937 $1,560
1974 $817 $1,245
1973 $769 $1,144
1972 $639 $976
1971 $570 $874
1970 $536 $828
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica vs. Malta life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Malta
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Malta
2026 81.4 83.8
2025 81.2 83.6
2024 81 83.5
2023 80.8 83.3
2022 79.3 82.2
2021 78.1 82.3
2020 79.7 82.3
2019 80.3 82.8
2018 80.1 82.9
2017 80 83.1
2016 80 82.7
2015 80.4 82.6
2014 80.2 82.3
2013 80.2 81.8
2012 79.9 81.1
2011 79.6 80.8
2010 79.4 81.4
2009 79.4 80.4
2008 79.2 79.7
2007 79.1 79.7
2006 79 79.6
2005 78.9 79.5
2004 78.5 79.2
2003 78.2 78.7
2002 77.9 78.5
2001 77.6 78.9
2000 77.3 77.9
1999 77.1 77.8
1998 76.9 77.8
1997 76.6 77.3
1996 76.4 76.3
1995 76.4 77
1994 76.3 76.9
1993 76.3 76.8
1992 76.4 76.7
1991 76.2 76.5
1990 76.1 76.2
1989 75.9 76.2
1988 75.5 75.9
1987 75.2 75.3
1986 74.9 74.5
1985 74.8 73.9
1984 74.6 73.3
1983 74.2 73.1
1982 73.9 72.8
1981 73.4 72.4
1980 73 72.3
1979 72.5 72.5
1978 72 72.3
1977 71.5 72.3
1976 70.9 72.2
1975 70.3 72.1
1974 69.4 71.9
1973 68.7 71.3
1972 68 70.7
1971 67.4 70.1
1970 66.8 70.4
1969 66.4 70.1
1968 65.8 69.9
1967 65.6 69.8
1966 65.1 69.7
1965 64.8 69.5
1964 64.5 69.3
1963 64.3 69.2
1962 64.2 69.2
1961 63.9 68.4
1960 63.5 68.4
1959 62.9 68.4
1958 62.3 67.8
1957 61.6 67.5
1956 61.2 66.8
1955 60.5 66.3
1954 59.9 65.1
1953 59.1 64.3
1952 58.1 64.1
1951 57.8 63.9
1950 57.5 63.5

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica and Malta population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Malta
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Malta
2025 5,152,950 579,704
2024 5,129,910 568,847
2023 5,105,525 552,747
2022 5,081,765 531,113
2021 5,059,988 518,150
2020 5,034,320 515,490
2019 4,999,553 503,912
2018 4,957,818 483,903
2017 4,913,177 467,106
2016 4,866,998 454,505
2015 4,818,038 444,220
2014 4,767,119 433,481
2013 4,716,147 424,810
2012 4,663,934 420,028
2011 4,609,833 416,268
2010 4,555,962 414,508
2009 4,499,791 412,477
2008 4,440,056 409,379
2007 4,380,248 406,724
2006 4,321,340 405,308
2005 4,261,240 403,834
2004 4,200,078 401,268
2003 4,138,784 398,582
2002 4,075,705 395,969
2001 4,008,947 393,028
2000 3,937,739 390,087
1999 3,862,101 387,578
1998 3,782,838 385,287
1997 3,701,711 382,791
1996 3,619,013 379,905
1995 3,535,176 377,419
1994 3,451,122 374,797
1993 3,367,434 371,308
1992 3,284,258 367,618
1991 3,202,176 363,845
1990 3,121,706 354,170
1989 3,043,827 350,722
1988 2,968,103 347,325
1987 2,892,699 344,485
1986 2,817,216 342,121
1985 2,741,894 336,452
1984 2,667,595 330,593
1983 2,595,153 330,524
1982 2,524,806 325,898
1981 2,456,637 318,982
1980 2,390,633 316,645
1979 2,326,490 313,342
1978 2,264,510 310,182
1977 2,205,025 306,970
1976 2,147,774 305,774
1975 2,092,719 304,222
1974 2,039,643 301,996
1973 1,988,343 302,200
1972 1,938,248 302,450
1971 1,888,539 302,700
1970 1,838,949 302,650
1969 1,789,276 304,300
1968 1,739,731 307,900
1967 1,689,523 311,550
1966 1,638,116 315,200
1965 1,586,208 318,800
1964 1,533,960 321,250
1963 1,481,604 322,550
1962 1,429,445 323,900
1961 1,377,920 325,250
1960 1,327,496 326,550

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Malta

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Malta
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Malta
2024 1.32 1.01
2023 1.33 1.06
2022 1.34 1.08
2021 1.35 1.13
2020 1.45 1.14
2019 1.6 1.14
2018 1.71 1.23
2017 1.71 1.26
2016 1.75 1.37
2015 1.8 1.37
2014 1.8 1.38
2013 1.78 1.36
2012 1.85 1.42
2011 1.88 1.45
2010 1.83 1.36
2009 1.95 1.42
2008 1.98 1.43
2007 1.95 1.35
2006 1.94 1.36
2005 2.04 1.38
2004 2.03 1.4
2003 2.08 1.48
2002 2.16 1.45
2001 2.31 1.48
2000 2.41 1.68
1999 2.48 1.73
1998 2.53 1.84
1997 2.59 1.93
1996 2.68 1.99
1995 2.78 1.77
1994 2.86 1.84
1993 2.93 1.96
1992 3 2.07
1991 3.08 1.99
1990 3.17 2.02
1989 3.24 2.1
1988 3.31 2.06
1987 3.38 1.97
1986 3.45 1.93
1985 3.51 1.95
1984 3.52 1.95
1983 3.53 1.92
1982 3.54 1.9
1981 3.56 1.87
1980 3.58 1.99
1979 3.65 2.1
1978 3.66 2.05
1977 3.7 2.14
1976 3.75 2.21
1975 3.8 2.27
1974 3.89 1.64
1973 3.99 1.65
1972 4.16 2.01
1971 4.36 2.06
1970 4.59 2.03
1969 4.84 2.02
1968 5.03 2.12
1967 5.42 2.24
1966 5.7 2.33
1965 5.96 2.52
1964 6.19 2.79
1963 6.39 2.9
1962 6.54 3.24
1961 6.65 3.27
1960 6.71 3.62

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Costa Rica and Malta demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Malta
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Malta
2025 36.2 42.1
2024 35.6 41.8
2023 35.1 41.4
2022 34.5 40.8
2021 34 40.2
2020 33.5 39.9
2019 33 39.9
2018 32.6 40.2
2017 32.1 40.5
2016 31.7 40.6
2015 31.2 40.6
2014 30.7 40.6
2013 30.3 40.4
2012 29.8 40.2
2011 29.4 39.9
2010 29 39.6
2009 28.6 39.3
2008 28.2 39
2007 27.8 38.7
2006 27.4 38.4
2005 27 38.1
2004 26.7 37.7
2003 26.3 37.4
2002 25.9 37
2001 25.5 36.7
2000 25.2 36.4
1999 24.9 36.1
1998 24.7 35.8
1997 24.4 35.5
1996 24.1 35.1
1995 23.9 34.7
1994 23.6 34.3
1993 23.4 34
1992 23.2 33.7
1991 22.9 33.3
1990 22.7 33
1989 22.5 32.7
1988 22.3 32.4
1987 22.1 32
1986 21.8 31.7
1985 21.6 31.4
1984 21.4 31.2
1983 21.2 30.9
1982 20.9 30.6
1981 20.6 30.3
1980 20.3 30
1979 20 29.6
1978 19.7 29.2
1977 19.5 28.7
1976 19.2 28.4
1975 18.9 28
1974 18.6 27.6
1973 18.4 27.2
1972 18.1 26.8
1971 17.8 26.3
1970 17.6 25.9
1969 17.3 25.5
1968 17.1 25
1967 16.9 24.8
1966 16.8 24.6
1965 16.7 24.5
1964 16.7 24.4
1963 16.7 24.2
1962 16.7 24
1961 16.8 23.8
1960 16.8 23.6

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Malta
GNI, Atlas method
$92.4B
2025
$24B
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.8%
2025
37%
2025
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.31%
2023
4.71%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.45%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
2,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.35%
2025
-3.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.34%
2025
3.1%
2025
Services, % of GDP
69.2%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
10.1%
2025
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
68.2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.3%
2025
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2025
2.8%
2023
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
35
2025
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$5.35B
2025
Total reserves including gold
$17.1B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$15.7M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
718,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.4%
2020
11.5%
2007
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
96.6%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Malta
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,024 kg
2024
1,398 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$30.4
2024
$48
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
1.81 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
3.18 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
87.2%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
8.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.4%
2024
3.81%
2023
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
404%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
2,282 kWh
2024
5,013 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
11.9%
2021
Hydroelectric share
66.6%
2024
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Malta
% of world population
0.06%
2025
0.007%
2025
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
+5,161
2025
Urban population
79.7%
2025
95.7%
2025
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2025
51.9:48.1
2025
Average male height
5.56 ft
2026
5.75 ft
2026
Average female height
5.11 ft
2026
5.42 ft
2026
Quality of life index
65.9
2026
81.8
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
49
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
74
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
0.56
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
4.1
2019
Visa free countries
143
2026
173
2026
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
94.9%
2021
English speaking
8.15%
2026
88.5%
2026
People using the Internet
87.2%
2024
93.9%
2024

Health

Costa Rica Malta
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$3,623
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$1,121
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
83.8 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
4.51
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
29.9 years
2024
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
8
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.4
2024
5.3
2024
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
32.8%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
10%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
66
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
7.9%
2024
24.6%
2024
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
7.11 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Malta
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.0002%
2026
Land area per capita
3,826 sq mi
2025
213.1 sq mi
2025
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
32 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
1.78 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
1,401 mi
2001

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  10. Passport Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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