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Costa Rica vs Mexico statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 131M in Mexico (ranked 11/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 750,563 sq mi for Mexico (ranked 126th vs. 13th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Mexico ranks 13/197 ($1.86T). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Mexico ranks 69/197 ($14,186).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Mexico
Population
5181862
133323134
Population rank 126/197 11/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$1.86T
2024
GDP rank 73/197 13/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$14,186
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 69/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$26,185
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$1.08T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
58.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$8,272
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 63/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$10,231
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 750,563 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
177.3 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
1.91
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
30.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
75.6 years
2026

Costa Rica and Mexico: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Mexico economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Mexico
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Mexico
2024 $95,350,423,177 $1,856,365,616,166
2023 $86,497,941,439 $1,798,317,581,487
2022 $69,243,626,029 $1,466,934,724,293
2021 $64,960,725,734 $1,316,569,466,686
2020 $62,395,610,760 $1,121,064,767,308
2019 $64,417,670,521 $1,304,106,203,902
2018 $62,420,164,992 $1,256,300,182,880
2017 $60,516,044,657 $1,190,721,475,906
2016 $58,847,019,610 $1,112,233,497,453
2015 $56,441,920,821 $1,213,294,467,717
2014 $52,016,408,854 $1,364,507,717,614
2013 $50,949,668,842 $1,327,436,290,283
2012 $47,231,655,432 $1,255,110,424,818
2011 $42,762,613,699 $1,229,013,703,417
2010 $37,658,616,952 $1,105,424,238,731
2009 $30,745,714,313 $943,437,415,025
2008 $30,801,745,700 $1,161,553,459,715
2007 $26,884,700,709 $1,102,355,554,972
2006 $22,715,540,324 $1,020,265,057,882
2005 $20,040,642,477 $917,571,853,529
2004 $18,610,594,846 $819,459,227,375
2003 $17,271,760,507 $765,549,967,703
2002 $16,578,820,687 $810,666,116,402
2001 $15,976,174,337 $796,064,590,549
2000 $15,013,629,662 $742,061,329,749
1999 $14,254,866,285 $631,249,359,702
1998 $13,684,255,947 $557,461,102,631
1997 $12,614,602,382 $523,449,530,464
1996 $11,678,424,507 $432,157,945,024
1995 $11,578,594,260 $380,157,469,867
1994 $10,489,903,725 $553,618,247,901
1993 $9,564,815,975 $530,160,763,663
1992 $8,579,754,758 $363,157,832,924
1991 $7,215,725,487 $313,139,656,146
1990 $5,711,687,787 $261,253,675,693
1989 $5,251,025,767 $221,403,098,267
1988 $4,614,629,898 $181,611,150,497
1987 $4,532,952,047 $147,542,558,209
1986 $4,418,983,871 $134,556,034,673
1985 $3,919,203,960 $195,241,069,482
1984 $3,660,477,856 $184,230,754,105
1983 $3,146,772,631 $156,167,000,433
1982 $2,606,623,555 $184,602,611,610
1981 $2,623,803,096 $263,797,827,860
1980 $4,831,447,001 $205,577,055,466
1979 $4,035,519,323 $134,531,900,899
1978 $3,523,208,810 $102,648,570,299
1977 $3,072,427,013 $81,912,018,784
1976 $2,412,555,426 $88,875,923,765
1975 $1,960,863,466 $88,000,000,000
1974 $1,666,544,754 $72,000,000,000
1973 $1,528,925,846 $55,280,000,000
1972 $1,238,251,696 $45,200,000,000
1971 $1,077,147,538 $39,200,000,000
1970 $984,830,158 $35,520,000,000
1969 $853,630,204 $32,480,000,000
1968 $773,841,494 $29,360,000,000
1967 $699,456,619 $26,560,000,000
1966 $647,305,630 $24,320,000,000
1965 $592,981,162 $21,840,000,000
1964 $542,578,367 $20,080,000,000
1963 $511,902,137 $16,960,000,000
1962 $479,180,824 $15,200,000,000
1961 $490,325,182 $14,160,000,000
1960 $507,513,830 $13,040,000,000

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

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

Costa Rica and Mexico economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Mexico
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Mexico
2024 $18,587 $14,186
2023 $16,942 $13,861
2022 $13,626 $11,406
2021 $12,838 $10,314
2020 $12,394 $8,841
2019 $12,885 $10,370
2018 $12,590 $10,085
2017 $12,317 $9,649
2016 $12,091 $9,098
2015 $11,715 $10,021
2014 $10,911 $11,391
2013 $10,803 $11,217
2012 $10,127 $10,744
2011 $9,276 $10,664
2010 $8,266 $9,729
2009 $6,833 $8,424
2008 $6,937 $10,524
2007 $6,138 $10,134
2006 $5,257 $9,513
2005 $4,703 $8,672
2004 $4,431 $7,850
2003 $4,173 $7,434
2002 $4,068 $7,983
2001 $3,985 $7,953
2000 $3,813 $7,524
1999 $3,691 $6,500
1998 $3,617 $5,833
1997 $3,408 $5,567
1996 $3,227 $4,674
1995 $3,275 $4,184
1994 $3,040 $6,202
1993 $2,840 $6,048
1992 $2,612 $4,221
1991 $2,253 $3,709
1990 $1,830 $3,154
1989 $1,725 $2,725
1988 $1,555 $2,279
1987 $1,567 $1,888
1986 $1,569 $1,757
1985 $1,429 $2,602
1984 $1,372 $2,506
1983 $1,213 $2,170
1982 $1,032 $2,621
1981 $1,068 $3,829
1980 $2,021 $3,055
1979 $1,735 $2,049
1978 $1,556 $1,604
1977 $1,393 $1,315
1976 $1,123 $1,465
1975 $937 $1,492
1974 $817 $1,256
1973 $769 $993
1972 $639 $837
1971 $570 $748
1970 $536 $699
1969 $477 $660
1968 $445 $616
1967 $414 $576
1966 $395 $545
1965 $374 $506
1964 $354 $481
1963 $346 $420
1962 $335 $388
1961 $356 $374
1960 $382 $355

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

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

Costa Rica vs. Mexico life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Mexico
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Mexico
2026 81.4 75.6
2025 81.2 75.4
2024 81 75.3
2023 80.8 75.1
2022 79.3 74
2021 78.1 69.7
2020 79.7 70.4
2019 80.3 74.5
2018 80.1 74.3
2017 80 74.3
2016 80 74.4
2015 80.4 74.4
2014 80.2 74.4
2013 80.2 74.3
2012 79.9 74.1
2011 79.6 73.9
2010 79.4 73.7
2009 79.4 73.6
2008 79.2 73.7
2007 79.1 73.8
2006 79 73.7
2005 78.9 73.6
2004 78.5 73.4
2003 78.2 73.3
2002 77.9 73.1
2001 77.6 72.9
2000 77.3 72.6
1999 77.1 72.2
1998 76.9 71.8
1997 76.6 71.5
1996 76.4 71.1
1995 76.4 70.7
1994 76.3 70.3
1993 76.3 70
1992 76.4 69.7
1991 76.2 69.4
1990 76.1 69
1989 75.9 68.6
1988 75.5 68.3
1987 75.2 67.9
1986 74.9 67.4
1985 74.8 66.8
1984 74.6 66.2
1983 74.2 65.8
1982 73.9 65.3
1981 73.4 64.7
1980 73 64.3
1979 72.5 63.9
1978 72 63.4
1977 71.5 63
1976 70.9 62.5
1975 70.3 61.9
1974 69.4 61.2
1973 68.7 60.5
1972 68 60.1
1971 67.4 59.4
1970 66.8 58.9
1969 66.4 58.4
1968 65.8 58.2
1967 65.6 58
1966 65.1 57.4
1965 64.8 56.7
1964 64.5 55.9
1963 64.3 55.5
1962 64.2 55.1
1961 63.9 54.4
1960 63.5 53.6
1959 62.9 52.7
1958 62.3 51.8
1957 61.6 51.1
1956 61.2 50.4
1955 60.5 49.6
1954 59.9 48.3
1953 59.1 47
1952 58.1 45.7
1951 57.8 44.8
1950 57.5 43.8

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

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

Costa Rica and Mexico population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Mexico
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Mexico
2024 5,129,910 130,861,007
2023 5,105,525 129,739,759
2022 5,081,765 128,613,117
2021 5,059,988 127,648,148
2020 5,034,320 126,799,054
2019 4,999,553 125,762,982
2018 4,957,818 124,573,711
2017 4,913,177 123,400,057
2016 4,866,998 122,251,351
2015 4,818,038 121,072,306
2014 4,767,119 119,784,261
2013 4,716,147 118,343,573
2012 4,663,934 116,818,208
2011 4,609,833 115,243,504
2010 4,555,962 113,623,895
2009 4,499,791 111,999,721
2008 4,440,056 110,374,288
2007 4,380,248 108,774,360
2006 4,321,340 107,253,666
2005 4,261,240 105,811,504
2004 4,200,078 104,394,131
2003 4,138,784 102,978,515
2002 4,075,705 101,548,624
2001 4,008,947 100,099,099
2000 3,937,739 98,625,552
1999 3,862,101 97,115,707
1998 3,782,838 95,575,245
1997 3,701,711 94,021,207
1996 3,619,013 92,452,702
1995 3,535,176 90,862,455
1994 3,451,122 89,259,205
1993 3,367,434 87,653,807
1992 3,284,258 86,044,809
1991 3,202,176 84,430,572
1990 3,121,706 82,820,170
1989 3,043,827 81,247,182
1988 2,968,103 79,695,531
1987 2,892,699 78,136,651
1986 2,817,216 76,585,637
1985 2,741,894 75,043,414
1984 2,667,595 73,506,846
1983 2,595,153 71,971,240
1982 2,524,806 70,433,260
1981 2,456,637 68,892,108
1980 2,390,633 67,300,334
1979 2,326,490 65,648,865
1978 2,264,510 63,979,046
1977 2,205,025 62,308,493
1976 2,147,774 60,645,512
1975 2,092,719 58,982,400
1974 2,039,643 57,320,149
1973 1,988,343 55,667,284
1972 1,938,248 54,030,168
1971 1,888,539 52,412,558
1970 1,838,949 50,814,953
1969 1,789,276 49,233,194
1968 1,739,731 47,668,303
1967 1,689,523 46,129,608
1966 1,638,116 44,629,106
1965 1,586,208 43,174,477
1964 1,533,960 41,772,049
1963 1,481,604 40,424,065
1962 1,429,445 39,129,200
1961 1,377,920 37,890,118
1960 1,327,496 36,724,615

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Mexico

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Mexico
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Mexico
2023 1.33 1.91
2022 1.34 1.94
2021 1.35 1.97
2020 1.45 1.99
2019 1.6 2.02
2018 1.71 2.03
2017 1.71 2.04
2016 1.75 2.09
2015 1.8 2.14
2014 1.8 2.21
2013 1.78 2.27
2012 1.85 2.29
2011 1.88 2.32
2010 1.83 2.34
2009 1.95 2.36
2008 1.98 2.39
2007 1.95 2.42
2006 1.94 2.46
2005 2.04 2.5
2004 2.03 2.54
2003 2.08 2.58
2002 2.16 2.63
2001 2.31 2.67
2000 2.41 2.71
1999 2.48 2.76
1998 2.53 2.82
1997 2.59 2.89
1996 2.68 2.96
1995 2.78 3.04
1994 2.86 3.13
1993 2.93 3.21
1992 3 3.29
1991 3.08 3.36
1990 3.17 3.44
1989 3.24 3.53
1988 3.31 3.64
1987 3.38 3.8
1986 3.45 3.97
1985 3.51 4.09
1984 3.52 4.18
1983 3.53 4.3
1982 3.54 4.43
1981 3.56 4.57
1980 3.58 4.74
1979 3.65 4.96
1978 3.66 5.2
1977 3.7 5.36
1976 3.75 5.54
1975 3.8 5.74
1974 3.89 5.95
1973 3.99 6.12
1972 4.16 6.28
1971 4.36 6.42
1970 4.59 6.53
1969 4.84 6.63
1968 5.03 6.71
1967 5.42 6.75
1966 5.7 6.79
1965 5.96 6.82
1964 6.19 6.83
1963 6.39 6.82
1962 6.54 6.8
1961 6.65 6.78
1960 6.71 6.76

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

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

Costa Rica and Mexico demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Mexico
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Mexico
2024 35.6 30.3
2023 35.1 29.9
2022 34.5 29.5
2021 34 29.2
2020 33.5 29
2019 33 28.6
2018 32.6 28.3
2017 32.1 28
2016 31.7 27.6
2015 31.2 27.3
2014 30.7 27
2013 30.3 26.7
2012 29.8 26.4
2011 29.4 26.1
2010 29 25.8
2009 28.6 25.6
2008 28.2 25.3
2007 27.8 25
2006 27.4 24.7
2005 27 24.4
2004 26.7 24.1
2003 26.3 23.8
2002 25.9 23.5
2001 25.5 23.1
2000 25.2 22.8
1999 24.9 22.5
1998 24.7 22.2
1997 24.4 22
1996 24.1 21.7
1995 23.9 21.4
1994 23.6 21
1993 23.4 20.7
1992 23.2 20.4
1991 22.9 20
1990 22.7 19.7
1989 22.5 19.4
1988 22.3 19.2
1987 22.1 18.9
1986 21.8 18.6
1985 21.6 18.3
1984 21.4 18
1983 21.2 17.7
1982 20.9 17.4
1981 20.6 17.1
1980 20.3 16.8
1979 20 16.6
1978 19.7 16.5
1977 19.5 16.4
1976 19.2 16.2
1975 18.9 16.2
1974 18.6 16.1
1973 18.4 16.1
1972 18.1 16
1971 17.8 16
1970 17.6 16.1
1969 17.3 16.1
1968 17.1 16.1
1967 16.9 16.1
1966 16.8 16.2
1965 16.7 16.2
1964 16.7 16.3
1963 16.7 16.3
1962 16.7 16.4
1961 16.8 16.5
1960 16.8 16.6

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Mexico
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$1.68T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
30.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
4.07%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.89%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
341,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-5.73%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
2.62%
2024
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
31.8%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
59.8
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
34.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.1%
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
399,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.46%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
22
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00003%
2025
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
129
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$418B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$232B
2024
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$67.6B
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
51,128,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
2.57%
2020
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
53%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Mexico
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
1,560 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$16.2
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
476 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
3.64 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
88.7%
2023
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
13%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
5.94%
2023
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
21.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
2,609 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
24.4%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
5.45%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.24%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
99.7%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Mexico
% of world population
0.06%
2024
1.61%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-108,037
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
79.8%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
48.5:51.5
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.59 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.18 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
49.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
27
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
88
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
24.9
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
12.8
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
150
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
95.9%
2025
English speaking
8.15%
2023
13%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
81.2%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Mexico
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$761
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$314
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
75.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
2.59
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
21.3 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
42
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
12.5
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
36.9%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
16.4%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
49
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
14.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
4.79 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Mexico
% of world land
0.03%
2026
1.31%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
5,736 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
380,486 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
252,159 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
519,841 mi
2023

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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