Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 6.92M in Nicaragua (ranked 108/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 46,464 sq mi for Nicaragua (ranked 126th vs. 98th).
By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Nicaragua ranks 131/197 ($19.7B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Nicaragua ranks 141/197 ($2,848).
Main facts and rankings
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
5181862
|
7124343
|
| Population rank | 126/197 | 107/197 |
| GDP |
$95.4B
2024 |
$19.7B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 73/197 | 131/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$18,587
2024 |
$2,848
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 62/197 | 141/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$31,107
2024 |
$8,709
2024 |
| Government debt |
$57B
2024 |
$7.71B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
59.8%
2024 |
39.1%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$11,106
2024 |
$1,115
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 50/185 | 138/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$12,150
2026 |
$2,318
2026 |
| Land area | 19,714 sq mi | 46,464 sq mi |
| Population density |
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026 |
152.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.33
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
35.6 years
2024 |
26.6 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
81.4 years
2026 |
75.4 years
2026 |
Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Comparison Charts
Costa Rica and Nicaragua economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
| 2024 | $95,350,423,177 | $19,693,982,968 |
| 2023 | $86,497,941,439 | $17,805,842,284 |
| 2022 | $69,243,626,029 | $15,634,572,502 |
| 2021 | $64,960,725,734 | $14,209,020,362 |
| 2020 | $62,395,610,760 | $12,726,422,432 |
| 2019 | $64,417,670,521 | $12,699,023,614 |
| 2018 | $62,420,164,992 | $13,025,221,974 |
| 2017 | $60,516,044,657 | $13,785,893,007 |
| 2016 | $58,847,019,610 | $13,286,093,388 |
| 2015 | $56,441,920,821 | $12,756,696,261 |
| 2014 | $52,016,408,854 | $11,880,438,824 |
| 2013 | $50,949,668,842 | $10,982,988,249 |
| 2012 | $47,231,655,432 | $10,532,017,232 |
| 2011 | $42,762,613,699 | $9,774,329,333 |
| 2010 | $37,658,616,952 | $8,758,602,233 |
| 2009 | $30,745,714,313 | $8,298,702,489 |
| 2008 | $30,801,745,700 | $8,496,967,597 |
| 2007 | $26,884,700,709 | $7,423,375,015 |
| 2006 | $22,715,540,324 | $6,763,672,381 |
| 2005 | $20,040,642,477 | $6,321,324,279 |
| 2004 | $18,610,594,846 | $5,792,932,838 |
| 2003 | $17,271,760,507 | $5,322,228,351 |
| 2002 | $16,578,820,687 | $5,223,727,303 |
| 2001 | $15,976,174,337 | $5,351,752,034 |
| 2000 | $15,013,629,662 | $5,109,587,050 |
| 1999 | $14,254,866,285 | $4,856,026,259 |
| 1998 | $13,684,255,947 | $4,635,347,386 |
| 1997 | $12,614,602,382 | $4,389,973,490 |
| 1996 | $11,678,424,507 | $4,308,351,903 |
| 1995 | $11,578,594,260 | $4,140,470,000 |
| 1994 | $10,489,903,725 | $3,863,185,119 |
| 1993 | $9,564,815,975 | $1,756,454,248 |
| 1992 | $8,579,754,758 | $1,792,800,000 |
| 1991 | $7,215,725,487 | $1,488,804,124 |
| 1990 | $5,711,687,787 | $1,009,455,484 |
| 1989 | $5,251,025,767 | $1,013,184,756 |
| 1988 | $4,614,629,898 | $2,630,900,096 |
| 1987 | $4,532,952,047 | $3,851,200,118 |
| 1986 | $4,418,983,871 | $2,885,799,994 |
| 1985 | $3,919,203,960 | $2,683,699,935 |
| 1984 | $3,660,477,856 | $3,117,599,872 |
| 1983 | $3,146,772,631 | $2,753,100,058 |
| 1982 | $2,606,623,555 | $2,454,499,872 |
| 1981 | $2,623,803,096 | $2,474,700,227 |
| 1980 | $4,831,447,001 | $2,144,300,006 |
| 1979 | $4,035,519,323 | $1,567,599,982 |
| 1978 | $3,523,208,810 | $2,127,699,979 |
| 1977 | $3,072,427,013 | $2,226,999,874 |
| 1976 | $2,412,555,426 | $1,836,899,999 |
| 1975 | $1,960,863,466 | $1,581,599,959 |
| 1974 | $1,666,544,754 | $1,521,400,012 |
| 1973 | $1,528,925,846 | $1,092,900,015 |
| 1972 | $1,238,251,696 | $878,570,045 |
| 1971 | $1,077,147,538 | $828,569,953 |
| 1970 | $984,830,158 | $778,569,939 |
| 1969 | $853,630,204 | $750,000,003 |
| 1968 | $773,841,494 | $692,859,985 |
| 1967 | $699,456,619 | $657,140,011 |
| 1966 | $647,305,630 | $607,140,010 |
| 1965 | $592,981,162 | $564,290,020 |
| 1964 | $542,578,367 | $347,119,918 |
| 1963 | $511,902,137 | $297,324,163 |
| 1962 | $479,180,824 | $269,283,804 |
| 1961 | $490,325,182 | $244,144,237 |
| 1960 | $507,513,830 | $227,223,322 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/nicaragua | CC BY 
Costa Rica and Nicaragua economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
| 2024 | $18,587 | $2,848 |
| 2023 | $16,942 | $2,609 |
| 2022 | $13,626 | $2,323 |
| 2021 | $12,838 | $2,138 |
| 2020 | $12,394 | $1,938 |
| 2019 | $12,885 | $1,959 |
| 2018 | $12,590 | $2,035 |
| 2017 | $12,317 | $2,183 |
| 2016 | $12,091 | $2,132 |
| 2015 | $11,715 | $2,074 |
| 2014 | $10,911 | $1,958 |
| 2013 | $10,803 | $1,835 |
| 2012 | $10,127 | $1,785 |
| 2011 | $9,276 | $1,680 |
| 2010 | $8,266 | $1,527 |
| 2009 | $6,833 | $1,467 |
| 2008 | $6,937 | $1,524 |
| 2007 | $6,138 | $1,350 |
| 2006 | $5,257 | $1,248 |
| 2005 | $4,703 | $1,183 |
| 2004 | $4,431 | $1,099 |
| 2003 | $4,173 | $1,021 |
| 2002 | $4,068 | $1,014 |
| 2001 | $3,985 | $1,052 |
| 2000 | $3,813 | $1,017 |
| 1999 | $3,691 | $980 |
| 1998 | $3,617 | $949 |
| 1997 | $3,408 | $913 |
| 1996 | $3,227 | $911 |
| 1995 | $3,275 | $892 |
| 1994 | $3,040 | $849 |
| 1993 | $2,840 | $394 |
| 1992 | $2,612 | $411 |
| 1991 | $2,253 | $350 |
| 1990 | $1,830 | $242.5 |
| 1989 | $1,725 | $249.2 |
| 1988 | $1,555 | $662 |
| 1987 | $1,567 | $992 |
| 1986 | $1,569 | $761 |
| 1985 | $1,429 | $724 |
| 1984 | $1,372 | $861 |
| 1983 | $1,213 | $780 |
| 1982 | $1,032 | $714 |
| 1981 | $1,068 | $740 |
| 1980 | $2,021 | $659 |
| 1979 | $1,735 | $495 |
| 1978 | $1,556 | $691 |
| 1977 | $1,393 | $744 |
| 1976 | $1,123 | $633 |
| 1975 | $937 | $561 |
| 1974 | $817 | $557 |
| 1973 | $769 | $413 |
| 1972 | $639 | $341 |
| 1971 | $570 | $331 |
| 1970 | $536 | $321 |
| 1969 | $477 | $319 |
| 1968 | $445 | $304 |
| 1967 | $414 | $297.9 |
| 1966 | $395 | $284 |
| 1965 | $374 | $272.3 |
| 1964 | $354 | $172.7 |
| 1963 | $346 | $152.5 |
| 1962 | $335 | $142.3 |
| 1961 | $356 | $132.9 |
| 1960 | $382 | $127.5 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/nicaragua | CC BY
Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
| 2026 | 81.4 | 75.4 |
| 2025 | 81.2 | 75.3 |
| 2024 | 81 | 75.1 |
| 2023 | 80.8 | 74.9 |
| 2022 | 79.3 | 74.5 |
| 2021 | 78.1 | 70.5 |
| 2020 | 79.7 | 70.8 |
| 2019 | 80.3 | 73.8 |
| 2018 | 80.1 | 73.9 |
| 2017 | 80 | 73.4 |
| 2016 | 80 | 73.2 |
| 2015 | 80.4 | 72.9 |
| 2014 | 80.2 | 72.8 |
| 2013 | 80.2 | 72.6 |
| 2012 | 79.9 | 72.4 |
| 2011 | 79.6 | 72 |
| 2010 | 79.4 | 71.8 |
| 2009 | 79.4 | 71.5 |
| 2008 | 79.2 | 71.4 |
| 2007 | 79.1 | 71.2 |
| 2006 | 79 | 71 |
| 2005 | 78.9 | 70.4 |
| 2004 | 78.5 | 69.5 |
| 2003 | 78.2 | 68.7 |
| 2002 | 77.9 | 68 |
| 2001 | 77.6 | 67 |
| 2000 | 77.3 | 66.4 |
| 1999 | 77.1 | 65.9 |
| 1998 | 76.9 | 64.1 |
| 1997 | 76.6 | 65.5 |
| 1996 | 76.4 | 65.2 |
| 1995 | 76.4 | 64.9 |
| 1994 | 76.3 | 64.5 |
| 1993 | 76.3 | 64.1 |
| 1992 | 76.4 | 63.7 |
| 1991 | 76.2 | 63.3 |
| 1990 | 76.1 | 62.5 |
| 1989 | 75.9 | 61.9 |
| 1988 | 75.5 | 59.8 |
| 1987 | 75.2 | 57.3 |
| 1986 | 74.9 | 57.6 |
| 1985 | 74.8 | 56.4 |
| 1984 | 74.6 | 56.1 |
| 1983 | 74.2 | 56.9 |
| 1982 | 73.9 | 58.7 |
| 1981 | 73.4 | 58.3 |
| 1980 | 73 | 58 |
| 1979 | 72.5 | 50.8 |
| 1978 | 72 | 53.5 |
| 1977 | 71.5 | 56.1 |
| 1976 | 70.9 | 56.1 |
| 1975 | 70.3 | 55.8 |
| 1974 | 69.4 | 55.4 |
| 1973 | 68.7 | 55 |
| 1972 | 68 | 48 |
| 1971 | 67.4 | 54.2 |
| 1970 | 66.8 | 53.8 |
| 1969 | 66.4 | 53.4 |
| 1968 | 65.8 | 52.9 |
| 1967 | 65.6 | 52.3 |
| 1966 | 65.1 | 51.6 |
| 1965 | 64.8 | 50.6 |
| 1964 | 64.5 | 49.6 |
| 1963 | 64.3 | 48.8 |
| 1962 | 64.2 | 48 |
| 1961 | 63.9 | 47.3 |
| 1960 | 63.5 | 46.4 |
| 1959 | 62.9 | 46.1 |
| 1958 | 62.3 | 45.5 |
| 1957 | 61.6 | 44.9 |
| 1956 | 61.2 | 44.3 |
| 1955 | 60.5 | 43.7 |
| 1954 | 59.9 | 43.1 |
| 1953 | 59.1 | 42.4 |
| 1952 | 58.1 | 41.9 |
| 1951 | 57.8 | 40.8 |
| 1950 | 57.5 | 40.6 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/nicaragua | CC BY
Costa Rica and Nicaragua population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
| 2024 | 5,129,910 | 6,916,140 |
| 2023 | 5,105,525 | 6,823,613 |
| 2022 | 5,081,765 | 6,730,654 |
| 2021 | 5,059,988 | 6,644,741 |
| 2020 | 5,034,320 | 6,565,267 |
| 2019 | 4,999,553 | 6,483,657 |
| 2018 | 4,957,818 | 6,400,080 |
| 2017 | 4,913,177 | 6,316,231 |
| 2016 | 4,866,998 | 6,232,666 |
| 2015 | 4,818,038 | 6,149,417 |
| 2014 | 4,767,119 | 6,066,492 |
| 2013 | 4,716,147 | 5,983,845 |
| 2012 | 4,663,934 | 5,901,287 |
| 2011 | 4,609,833 | 5,819,051 |
| 2010 | 4,555,962 | 5,737,450 |
| 2009 | 4,499,791 | 5,656,601 |
| 2008 | 4,440,056 | 5,576,593 |
| 2007 | 4,380,248 | 5,497,243 |
| 2006 | 4,321,340 | 5,418,855 |
| 2005 | 4,261,240 | 5,342,105 |
| 2004 | 4,200,078 | 5,272,912 |
| 2003 | 4,138,784 | 5,210,963 |
| 2002 | 4,075,705 | 5,149,909 |
| 2001 | 4,008,947 | 5,087,825 |
| 2000 | 3,937,739 | 5,022,633 |
| 1999 | 3,862,101 | 4,954,018 |
| 1998 | 3,782,838 | 4,883,655 |
| 1997 | 3,701,711 | 4,809,573 |
| 1996 | 3,619,013 | 4,729,974 |
| 1995 | 3,535,176 | 4,642,931 |
| 1994 | 3,451,122 | 4,549,316 |
| 1993 | 3,367,434 | 4,453,732 |
| 1992 | 3,284,258 | 4,357,026 |
| 1991 | 3,202,176 | 4,259,637 |
| 1990 | 3,121,706 | 4,162,559 |
| 1989 | 3,043,827 | 4,066,476 |
| 1988 | 2,968,103 | 3,972,320 |
| 1987 | 2,892,699 | 3,882,164 |
| 1986 | 2,817,216 | 3,794,157 |
| 1985 | 2,741,894 | 3,706,479 |
| 1984 | 2,667,595 | 3,619,104 |
| 1983 | 2,595,153 | 3,530,282 |
| 1982 | 2,524,806 | 3,438,745 |
| 1981 | 2,456,637 | 3,345,674 |
| 1980 | 2,390,633 | 3,252,403 |
| 1979 | 2,326,490 | 3,164,525 |
| 1978 | 2,264,510 | 3,080,314 |
| 1977 | 2,205,025 | 2,992,534 |
| 1976 | 2,147,774 | 2,903,851 |
| 1975 | 2,092,719 | 2,816,943 |
| 1974 | 2,039,643 | 2,732,075 |
| 1973 | 1,988,343 | 2,649,278 |
| 1972 | 1,938,248 | 2,573,578 |
| 1971 | 1,888,539 | 2,499,825 |
| 1970 | 1,838,949 | 2,423,065 |
| 1969 | 1,789,276 | 2,348,398 |
| 1968 | 1,739,731 | 2,275,836 |
| 1967 | 1,689,523 | 2,205,567 |
| 1966 | 1,638,116 | 2,137,820 |
| 1965 | 1,586,208 | 2,072,681 |
| 1964 | 1,533,960 | 2,010,176 |
| 1963 | 1,481,604 | 1,950,159 |
| 1962 | 1,429,445 | 1,892,320 |
| 1961 | 1,377,920 | 1,836,451 |
| 1960 | 1,327,496 | 1,782,370 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/nicaragua | CC BY
Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
| 2023 | 1.33 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 1.34 | 2.24 |
| 2021 | 1.35 | 2.27 |
| 2020 | 1.45 | 2.3 |
| 2019 | 1.6 | 2.32 |
| 2018 | 1.71 | 2.35 |
| 2017 | 1.71 | 2.38 |
| 2016 | 1.75 | 2.41 |
| 2015 | 1.8 | 2.43 |
| 2014 | 1.8 | 2.46 |
| 2013 | 1.78 | 2.49 |
| 2012 | 1.85 | 2.53 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 2.56 |
| 2010 | 1.83 | 2.6 |
| 2009 | 1.95 | 2.63 |
| 2008 | 1.98 | 2.66 |
| 2007 | 1.95 | 2.7 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 2.73 |
| 2005 | 2.04 | 2.77 |
| 2004 | 2.03 | 2.78 |
| 2003 | 2.08 | 2.83 |
| 2002 | 2.16 | 2.89 |
| 2001 | 2.31 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2.41 | 3.12 |
| 1999 | 2.48 | 3.22 |
| 1998 | 2.53 | 3.34 |
| 1997 | 2.59 | 3.47 |
| 1996 | 2.68 | 3.62 |
| 1995 | 2.78 | 3.78 |
| 1994 | 2.86 | 3.94 |
| 1993 | 2.93 | 4.1 |
| 1992 | 3 | 4.27 |
| 1991 | 3.08 | 4.43 |
| 1990 | 3.17 | 4.6 |
| 1989 | 3.24 | 4.76 |
| 1988 | 3.31 | 4.93 |
| 1987 | 3.38 | 5.07 |
| 1986 | 3.45 | 5.22 |
| 1985 | 3.51 | 5.36 |
| 1984 | 3.52 | 5.49 |
| 1983 | 3.53 | 5.61 |
| 1982 | 3.54 | 5.74 |
| 1981 | 3.56 | 5.84 |
| 1980 | 3.58 | 5.96 |
| 1979 | 3.65 | 6.07 |
| 1978 | 3.66 | 6.16 |
| 1977 | 3.7 | 6.28 |
| 1976 | 3.75 | 6.37 |
| 1975 | 3.8 | 6.45 |
| 1974 | 3.89 | 6.52 |
| 1973 | 3.99 | 6.59 |
| 1972 | 4.16 | 6.65 |
| 1971 | 4.36 | 6.71 |
| 1970 | 4.59 | 6.77 |
| 1969 | 4.84 | 6.83 |
| 1968 | 5.03 | 6.89 |
| 1967 | 5.42 | 6.94 |
| 1966 | 5.7 | 6.99 |
| 1965 | 5.96 | 7.03 |
| 1964 | 6.19 | 7.06 |
| 1963 | 6.39 | 7.08 |
| 1962 | 6.54 | 7.1 |
| 1961 | 6.65 | 7.11 |
| 1960 | 6.71 | 7.16 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/nicaragua | CC BY
Costa Rica and Nicaragua demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
| 2024 | 35.6 | 26.6 |
| 2023 | 35.1 | 26.3 |
| 2022 | 34.5 | 25.9 |
| 2021 | 34 | 25.6 |
| 2020 | 33.5 | 25.3 |
| 2019 | 33 | 25 |
| 2018 | 32.6 | 24.7 |
| 2017 | 32.1 | 24.3 |
| 2016 | 31.7 | 24 |
| 2015 | 31.2 | 23.7 |
| 2014 | 30.7 | 23.4 |
| 2013 | 30.3 | 23.1 |
| 2012 | 29.8 | 22.8 |
| 2011 | 29.4 | 22.5 |
| 2010 | 29 | 22.2 |
| 2009 | 28.6 | 22 |
| 2008 | 28.2 | 21.7 |
| 2007 | 27.8 | 21.4 |
| 2006 | 27.4 | 21.1 |
| 2005 | 27 | 20.8 |
| 2004 | 26.7 | 20.4 |
| 2003 | 26.3 | 20.1 |
| 2002 | 25.9 | 19.7 |
| 2001 | 25.5 | 19.4 |
| 2000 | 25.2 | 19.1 |
| 1999 | 24.9 | 18.8 |
| 1998 | 24.7 | 18.4 |
| 1997 | 24.4 | 18.1 |
| 1996 | 24.1 | 17.9 |
| 1995 | 23.9 | 17.6 |
| 1994 | 23.6 | 17.4 |
| 1993 | 23.4 | 17.2 |
| 1992 | 23.2 | 17 |
| 1991 | 22.9 | 16.8 |
| 1990 | 22.7 | 16.7 |
| 1989 | 22.5 | 16.5 |
| 1988 | 22.3 | 16.4 |
| 1987 | 22.1 | 16.4 |
| 1986 | 21.8 | 16.3 |
| 1985 | 21.6 | 16.3 |
| 1984 | 21.4 | 16.3 |
| 1983 | 21.2 | 16.3 |
| 1982 | 20.9 | 16.2 |
| 1981 | 20.6 | 16.2 |
| 1980 | 20.3 | 16.2 |
| 1979 | 20 | 16.2 |
| 1978 | 19.7 | 16.2 |
| 1977 | 19.5 | 16.2 |
| 1976 | 19.2 | 16.2 |
| 1975 | 18.9 | 16.2 |
| 1974 | 18.6 | 16.2 |
| 1973 | 18.4 | 16.2 |
| 1972 | 18.1 | 16.2 |
| 1971 | 17.8 | 16.1 |
| 1970 | 17.6 | 16.1 |
| 1969 | 17.3 | 16.1 |
| 1968 | 17.1 | 16 |
| 1967 | 16.9 | 16 |
| 1966 | 16.8 | 16 |
| 1965 | 16.7 | 15.9 |
| 1964 | 16.7 | 15.9 |
| 1963 | 16.7 | 15.9 |
| 1962 | 16.7 | 16 |
| 1961 | 16.8 | 16.1 |
| 1960 | 16.8 | 16.2 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/nicaragua | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$80.2B
2024 |
$17.4B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
18.9%
2024 |
27.1%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
6.25%
2021 |
2.87%
2023 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
0.55%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
10,000
2020 |
12,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-3.78%
2024 |
+2.48%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.94%
2024 |
5.2%
2018 |
| Services, % of GDP |
68.8%
2024 |
46.8%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
19.7%
2024 |
27.6%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
69.1
2026 |
53.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
34.2%
2024 |
37.2%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.7%
2024 |
2%
2014 |
| Listed domestic companies |
9
2022 |
n/a |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$2.23B
2022 |
n/a |
| Total reserves including gold |
$14.2B
2024 |
$6.1B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$725M
2024 |
$5.25B
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
1,146,500
2020 |
474,000
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
7.41%
2020 |
15.2%
1999 |
| Banked people share |
71.4%
2024 |
23.5%
2024 |
Energy
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
1,025 kg
2023 |
608 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$28.2
2023 |
$12.8
2022 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
8.38 megatons
2024 |
5.74 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
1.63 tons
2024 |
0.83 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
51.6%
2023 |
39.9%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
34.2%
2021 |
50.4%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
37.7%
2023 |
17%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share |
60.4%
2023 |
46.5%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
2,206 kWh
2023 |
682 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
99.4%
2021 |
69.5%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
69.3%
2023 |
14.9%
2022 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
100%
2023 |
88.3%
2023 |
Society
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.06%
2024 |
0.09%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
+1,000
2025 |
-8,371
2025 |
| Urban population |
79.3%
2024 |
59.3%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.4:50.6
2024 |
49.2:50.8
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.71 ft
2025 |
5.57 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.26 ft
2025 |
5.1 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
64.8
2026 |
27.3
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
56
2025 |
14
2025 |
| Higher education index |
73
2026 |
23
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
17.7
2023 |
11
2021 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
14.8
2019 |
16.9
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
142
2025 |
124
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
98%
2021 |
82.6%
2015 |
| English speaking |
8.15%
2023 |
1%
2025 |
| People using the Internet |
85.4%
2023 |
58.2%
2023 |
Health
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$1,163
2023 |
$216.6
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$280.7
2023 |
$81.5
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
81.4 years
2026 |
75.4 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
0.01%
2023 |
3.41%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
2.69
2022 |
0.68
2018 |
| Age at first childbirth | n/a |
19.2 years
2025 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
24
2023 |
60
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
10.5
2023 |
13.4
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
32.3%
2022 |
34.5%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.8%
2024 |
10.4%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
80
2026 |
58
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
8.9%
2022 |
n/a |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.4 liters
2020 |
3.67 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Costa Rica
|
Nicaragua
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.03%
2026 |
0.08%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
3,843 sq mi
2024 |
6,718 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
6,534 sq mi
2026 |
19,656 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
11,907 sq mi
2026 |
11,998 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
3,129 mi
2017 |
14,849 mi
2014 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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