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Costa Rica vs Panama statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 4.52M in Panama (ranked 128/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 28,641 sq mi for Panama (ranked 126th vs. 115th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Panama ranks 78/197 ($86.5B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Panama ranks 60/197 ($19,161).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Panama
Population
5181862
4642198
Population rank 126/197 128/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 78/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 60/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$41,369
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 51/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$10,196
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 28,641 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
161.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
2.12
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
30.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
80.1 years
2026

Costa Rica and Panama: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Panama economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Panama
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Panama
2024 $95,350,423,177 $86,523,959,132
2023 $86,497,941,439 $83,812,155,244
2022 $69,243,626,029 $76,479,304,471
2021 $64,960,725,734 $67,396,392,506
2020 $62,395,610,760 $57,059,846,522
2019 $64,417,670,521 $69,778,991,193
2018 $62,420,164,992 $67,316,471,181
2017 $60,516,044,657 $64,327,688,826
2016 $58,847,019,610 $59,760,858,718
2015 $56,441,920,821 $55,767,806,073
2014 $52,016,408,854 $51,427,104,882
2013 $50,949,668,842 $46,949,496,479
2012 $47,231,655,432 $41,595,439,721
2011 $42,762,613,699 $35,687,738,252
2010 $37,658,616,952 $30,231,009,533
2009 $30,745,714,313 $27,791,215,547
2008 $30,801,745,700 $25,721,327,955
2007 $26,884,700,709 $21,717,433,808
2006 $22,715,540,324 $18,659,721,513
2005 $20,040,642,477 $16,623,906,739
2004 $18,610,594,846 $15,100,203,362
2003 $17,271,760,507 $13,603,456,003
2002 $16,578,820,687 $12,800,851,271
2001 $15,976,174,337 $12,252,906,341
2000 $15,013,629,662 $11,966,497,049
1999 $14,254,866,285 $11,660,704,777
1998 $13,684,255,947 $11,019,557,689
1997 $12,614,602,382 $10,058,854,386
1996 $11,678,424,507 $9,197,503,323
1995 $11,578,594,260 $9,573,813,700
1994 $10,489,903,725 $9,365,289,800
1993 $9,564,815,975 $8,782,585,400
1992 $8,579,754,758 $8,042,337,700
1991 $7,215,725,487 $7,074,675,500
1990 $5,711,687,787 $6,433,967,000
1989 $5,251,025,767 $5,918,469,800
1988 $4,614,629,898 $5,902,783,400
1987 $4,532,952,047 $6,827,665,300
1986 $4,418,983,871 $6,797,834,200
1985 $3,919,203,960 $6,541,517,100
1984 $3,660,477,856 $6,183,387,100
1983 $3,146,772,631 $5,923,755,900
1982 $2,606,623,555 $5,769,767,900
1981 $2,623,803,096 $5,222,421,500
1980 $4,831,447,001 $4,614,086,400
1979 $4,035,519,323 $3,704,551,600
1978 $3,523,208,810 $3,244,558,600
1977 $3,072,427,013 $2,738,261,900
1976 $2,412,555,426 $2,588,106,000
1975 $1,960,863,466 $2,435,304,100
1974 $1,666,544,754 $2,188,307,600
1973 $1,528,925,846 $1,913,793,400
1972 $1,238,251,696 $1,673,411,700
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,523,917,200
1970 $984,830,158 $1,351,006,400
1969 $853,630,204 $1,221,305,700
1968 $773,841,494 $1,112,791,100
1967 $699,456,619 $1,034,376,400
1966 $647,305,630 $928,833,000
1965 $592,981,162 $852,485,300
1964 $542,578,367 $776,137,500
1963 $511,902,137 $722,784,500
1962 $479,180,824 $652,120,900
1961 $490,325,182 $599,026,300
1960 $507,513,830 $537,147,100

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

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

Costa Rica and Panama economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Panama
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Panama
2024 $18,587 $19,161
2023 $16,942 $18,797
2022 $13,626 $17,379
2021 $12,838 $15,510
2020 $12,394 $13,291
2019 $12,885 $16,478
2018 $12,590 $16,151
2017 $12,317 $15,695
2016 $12,091 $14,832
2015 $11,715 $14,083
2014 $10,911 $13,213
2013 $10,803 $12,273
2012 $10,127 $11,065
2011 $9,276 $9,662
2010 $8,266 $8,331
2009 $6,833 $7,797
2008 $6,937 $7,348
2007 $6,138 $6,318
2006 $5,257 $5,529
2005 $4,703 $5,018
2004 $4,431 $4,645
2003 $4,173 $4,265
2002 $4,068 $4,091
2001 $3,985 $3,992
2000 $3,813 $3,975
1999 $3,691 $3,950
1998 $3,617 $3,808
1997 $3,408 $3,546
1996 $3,227 $3,308
1995 $3,275 $3,514
1994 $3,040 $3,508
1993 $2,840 $3,358
1992 $2,612 $3,140
1991 $2,253 $2,821
1990 $1,830 $2,620
1989 $1,725 $2,462
1988 $1,555 $2,509
1987 $1,567 $2,966
1986 $1,569 $3,019
1985 $1,429 $2,972
1984 $1,372 $2,875
1983 $1,213 $2,819
1982 $1,032 $2,811
1981 $1,068 $2,605
1980 $2,021 $2,357
1979 $1,735 $1,938
1978 $1,556 $1,738
1977 $1,393 $1,503
1976 $1,123 $1,457
1975 $937 $1,406
1974 $817 $1,296
1973 $769 $1,164
1972 $639 $1,046
1971 $570 $979
1970 $536 $893
1969 $477 $830
1968 $445 $778
1967 $414 $745
1966 $395 $689
1965 $374 $651
1964 $354 $611
1963 $346 $587
1962 $335 $546
1961 $356 $516
1960 $382 $477

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

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

Costa Rica vs. Panama life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Panama
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Panama
2026 81.4 80.1
2025 81.2 80
2024 81 79.8
2023 80.8 79.6
2022 79.3 79.3
2021 78.1 77
2020 79.7 76.3
2019 80.3 78.5
2018 80.1 78.3
2017 80 77.9
2016 80 77.8
2015 80.4 77.6
2014 80.2 77.4
2013 80.2 77.1
2012 79.9 76.9
2011 79.6 76.7
2010 79.4 76.4
2009 79.4 76.2
2008 79.2 75.9
2007 79.1 75.7
2006 79 75.4
2005 78.9 75.2
2004 78.5 74.8
2003 78.2 74.6
2002 77.9 74.2
2001 77.6 73.8
2000 77.3 73.4
1999 77.1 73.1
1998 76.9 72.8
1997 76.6 72.5
1996 76.4 72.2
1995 76.4 72
1994 76.3 71.9
1993 76.3 71.8
1992 76.4 71.5
1991 76.2 71.3
1990 76.1 71.3
1989 75.9 70.1
1988 75.5 70.9
1987 75.2 70.8
1986 74.9 70.7
1985 74.8 70.5
1984 74.6 70.4
1983 74.2 70.1
1982 73.9 69.9
1981 73.4 69.8
1980 73 69.5
1979 72.5 69.1
1978 72 68.7
1977 71.5 68.3
1976 70.9 67.8
1975 70.3 67.2
1974 69.4 66.6
1973 68.7 65.8
1972 68 65.2
1971 67.4 64.7
1970 66.8 64.1
1969 66.4 63.7
1968 65.8 63.2
1967 65.6 62.9
1966 65.1 62.6
1965 64.8 62.3
1964 64.5 62.1
1963 64.3 61.8
1962 64.2 61.4
1961 63.9 60.9
1960 63.5 60.3
1959 62.9 59.6
1958 62.3 58.9
1957 61.6 58.3
1956 61.2 57.9
1955 60.5 57.5
1954 59.9 57.2
1953 59.1 56.8
1952 58.1 56.4
1951 57.8 55.9
1950 57.5 55.4

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

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

Costa Rica and Panama population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Panama
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Panama
2024 5,129,910 4,515,577
2023 5,105,525 4,458,759
2022 5,081,765 4,400,773
2021 5,059,988 4,345,405
2020 5,034,320 4,293,261
2019 4,999,553 4,234,700
2018 4,957,818 4,167,860
2017 4,913,177 4,098,707
2016 4,866,998 4,029,086
2015 4,818,038 3,960,035
2014 4,767,119 3,892,101
2013 4,716,147 3,825,329
2012 4,663,934 3,759,256
2011 4,609,833 3,693,505
2010 4,555,962 3,628,535
2009 4,499,791 3,564,381
2008 4,440,056 3,500,648
2007 4,380,248 3,437,490
2006 4,321,340 3,375,024
2005 4,261,240 3,313,026
2004 4,200,078 3,251,155
2003 4,138,784 3,189,807
2002 4,075,705 3,129,344
2001 4,008,947 3,069,537
2000 3,937,739 3,010,369
1999 3,862,101 2,951,822
1998 3,782,838 2,893,914
1997 3,701,711 2,836,695
1996 3,619,013 2,780,227
1995 3,535,176 2,724,557
1994 3,451,122 2,669,546
1993 3,367,434 2,615,099
1992 3,284,258 2,561,336
1991 3,202,176 2,508,265
1990 3,121,706 2,455,583
1989 3,043,827 2,403,820
1988 2,968,103 2,352,848
1987 2,892,699 2,301,970
1986 2,817,216 2,251,325
1985 2,741,894 2,200,915
1984 2,667,595 2,150,782
1983 2,595,153 2,101,106
1982 2,524,806 2,052,271
1981 2,456,637 2,004,418
1980 2,390,633 1,957,534
1979 2,326,490 1,911,552
1978 2,264,510 1,866,311
1977 2,205,025 1,821,543
1976 2,147,774 1,776,935
1975 2,092,719 1,732,389
1974 2,039,643 1,687,926
1973 1,988,343 1,643,690
1972 1,938,248 1,599,723
1971 1,888,539 1,556,081
1970 1,838,949 1,513,070
1969 1,789,276 1,470,886
1968 1,739,731 1,429,447
1967 1,689,523 1,388,628
1966 1,638,116 1,348,388
1965 1,586,208 1,308,835
1964 1,533,960 1,270,065
1963 1,481,604 1,232,124
1962 1,429,445 1,195,301
1961 1,377,920 1,159,870
1960 1,327,496 1,126,005

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Panama

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Panama
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Panama
2023 1.33 2.12
2022 1.34 2.14
2021 1.35 2.15
2020 1.45 2.18
2019 1.6 2.29
2018 1.71 2.4
2017 1.71 2.46
2016 1.75 2.5
2015 1.8 2.53
2014 1.8 2.55
2013 1.78 2.57
2012 1.85 2.59
2011 1.88 2.6
2010 1.83 2.59
2009 1.95 2.59
2008 1.98 2.61
2007 1.95 2.61
2006 1.94 2.62
2005 2.04 2.64
2004 2.03 2.68
2003 2.08 2.68
2002 2.16 2.7
2001 2.31 2.72
2000 2.41 2.74
1999 2.48 2.77
1998 2.53 2.79
1997 2.59 2.81
1996 2.68 2.83
1995 2.78 2.85
1994 2.86 2.88
1993 2.93 2.91
1992 3 2.95
1991 3.08 3
1990 3.17 3.07
1989 3.24 3.12
1988 3.31 3.17
1987 3.38 3.25
1986 3.45 3.34
1985 3.51 3.43
1984 3.52 3.52
1983 3.53 3.6
1982 3.54 3.66
1981 3.56 3.72
1980 3.58 3.8
1979 3.65 3.88
1978 3.66 3.98
1977 3.7 4.12
1976 3.75 4.26
1975 3.8 4.41
1974 3.89 4.58
1973 3.99 4.74
1972 4.16 4.91
1971 4.36 5.05
1970 4.59 5.18
1969 4.84 5.29
1968 5.03 5.41
1967 5.42 5.53
1966 5.7 5.65
1965 5.96 5.73
1964 6.19 5.81
1963 6.39 5.87
1962 6.54 5.87
1961 6.65 5.87
1960 6.71 5.83

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

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

Costa Rica and Panama demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Panama
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Panama
2024 35.6 30.9
2023 35.1 30.6
2022 34.5 30.3
2021 34 30
2020 33.5 29.7
2019 33 29.4
2018 32.6 29.1
2017 32.1 28.8
2016 31.7 28.5
2015 31.2 28.3
2014 30.7 28
2013 30.3 27.8
2012 29.8 27.5
2011 29.4 27.2
2010 29 27
2009 28.6 26.7
2008 28.2 26.4
2007 27.8 26.1
2006 27.4 25.9
2005 27 25.6
2004 26.7 25.3
2003 26.3 25.1
2002 25.9 24.8
2001 25.5 24.5
2000 25.2 24.3
1999 24.9 24
1998 24.7 23.7
1997 24.4 23.5
1996 24.1 23.2
1995 23.9 22.9
1994 23.6 22.7
1993 23.4 22.4
1992 23.2 22.1
1991 22.9 21.8
1990 22.7 21.5
1989 22.5 21.3
1988 22.3 21
1987 22.1 20.7
1986 21.8 20.4
1985 21.6 20.2
1984 21.4 19.9
1983 21.2 19.7
1982 20.9 19.5
1981 20.6 19.2
1980 20.3 19
1979 20 18.8
1978 19.7 18.6
1977 19.5 18.4
1976 19.2 18.3
1975 18.9 18.1
1974 18.6 18
1973 18.4 17.8
1972 18.1 17.7
1971 17.8 17.7
1970 17.6 17.6
1969 17.3 17.6
1968 17.1 17.5
1967 16.9 17.5
1966 16.8 17.5
1965 16.7 17.5
1964 16.7 17.6
1963 16.7 17.6
1962 16.7 17.7
1961 16.8 17.8
1960 16.8 17.8

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Panama
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$81.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
23.1%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
2.47%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.97%
1999
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
28,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-7.42%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
8.61%
2024
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
25.5%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
64.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.2%
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
0
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0%
2025
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
36
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$18.3B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$532M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
647,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
9.3%
2020
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
64.1%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Panama
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
1,063 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$34.2
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
12.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
2.74 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
76.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
28%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
17.3%
2022
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
171.2%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
2,546 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
79.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
66.3%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
97%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Panama
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.06%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
+6,151
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
66%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
50:50
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.58 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.19 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
60.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
33
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
40
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
11.3
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
13.9
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
138
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
96.3%
2024
English speaking
8.15%
2023
14%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
68.5%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Panama
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$1,558
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$630
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
80.1 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
0.76%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
1.63
2022
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
37
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
13.3
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
37.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
11.1%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
79
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
5.2%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
4.66 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Panama
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.05%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
6,343 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
8,456 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
16,138 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
n/a

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) (2000–2019, 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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