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Costa Rica vs Papua New Guinea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 10.6M in Papua New Guinea (ranked 92/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 174,850 sq mi for Papua New Guinea (ranked 126th vs. 54th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Papua New Guinea ranks 110/197 ($31.8B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Papua New Guinea ranks 140/197 ($3,007).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
Population
5181862
11002753
Population rank 126/197 89/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 110/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 140/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$4,875
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 129/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$2,362
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 174,850 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
62.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
3.1
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
23.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
66.5 years
2026

Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
2024 $95,350,423,177 $31,800,428,266
2023 $86,497,941,439 $30,816,367,067
2022 $69,243,626,029 $31,653,185,953
2021 $64,960,725,734 $26,109,413,521
2020 $62,395,610,760 $23,848,447,850
2019 $64,417,670,521 $24,750,626,030
2018 $62,420,164,992 $24,109,780,708
2017 $60,516,044,657 $22,742,699,138
2016 $58,847,019,610 $20,758,876,953
2015 $56,441,920,821 $21,723,437,010
2014 $52,016,408,854 $23,210,823,987
2013 $50,949,668,842 $21,261,338,065
2012 $47,231,655,432 $21,295,168,666
2011 $42,762,613,699 $17,985,138,066
2010 $37,658,616,952 $14,250,786,675
2009 $30,745,714,313 $11,619,456,449
2008 $30,801,745,700 $11,670,892,801
2007 $26,884,700,709 $9,545,028,944
2006 $22,715,540,324 $8,354,911,041
2005 $20,040,642,477 $4,865,892,972
2004 $18,610,594,846 $3,927,157,867
2003 $17,271,760,507 $3,536,411,824
2002 $16,578,820,687 $2,999,511,040
2001 $15,976,174,337 $3,081,024,212
2000 $15,013,629,662 $3,521,339,699
1999 $14,254,866,285 $3,477,038,204
1998 $13,684,255,947 $3,789,443,015
1997 $12,614,602,382 $4,936,615,299
1996 $11,678,424,507 $5,155,311,077
1995 $11,578,594,260 $4,636,057,476
1994 $10,489,903,725 $5,502,786,070
1993 $9,564,815,975 $4,974,550,286
1992 $8,579,754,758 $4,377,980,510
1991 $7,215,725,487 $3,787,394,958
1990 $5,711,687,787 $3,219,729,083
1989 $5,251,025,767 $3,546,472,566
1988 $4,614,629,898 $3,656,177,881
1987 $4,532,952,047 $3,143,851,794
1986 $4,418,983,871 $2,647,995,602
1985 $3,919,203,960 $2,423,339,172
1984 $3,660,477,856 $2,552,662,617
1983 $3,146,772,631 $2,562,351,551
1982 $2,606,623,555 $2,368,719,683
1981 $2,623,803,096 $2,498,190,847
1980 $4,831,447,001 $2,545,808,456
1979 $4,035,519,323 $2,293,760,511
1978 $3,523,208,810 $1,947,878,831
1977 $3,072,427,013 $1,640,746,619
1976 $2,412,555,426 $1,511,843,235
1975 $1,960,863,466 $1,356,603,608
1974 $1,666,544,754 $1,467,417,672
1973 $1,528,925,846 $1,299,079,410
1972 $1,238,251,696 $858,761,926
1971 $1,077,147,538 $717,750,278
1970 $984,830,158 $645,568,215
1969 $853,630,204 $551,263,864
1968 $773,841,494 $485,184,190
1967 $699,456,619 $441,728,183
1966 $647,305,630 $390,992,063
1965 $592,981,162 $344,176,055
1964 $542,578,367 $305,312,049
1963 $511,902,137 $275,968,044
1962 $479,180,824 $261,184,042
1961 $490,325,182 $244,832,039
1960 $507,513,830 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
2024 $18,587 $3,007
2023 $16,942 $2,966
2022 $13,626 $3,102
2021 $12,838 $2,608
2020 $12,394 $2,430
2019 $12,885 $2,576
2018 $12,590 $2,566
2017 $12,317 $2,478
2016 $12,091 $2,316
2015 $11,715 $2,485
2014 $10,911 $2,723
2013 $10,803 $2,561
2012 $10,127 $2,635
2011 $9,276 $2,288
2010 $8,266 $1,867
2009 $6,833 $1,569
2008 $6,937 $1,625
2007 $6,138 $1,371
2006 $5,257 $1,238
2005 $4,703 $744
2004 $4,431 $621
2003 $4,173 $577
2002 $4,068 $506
2001 $3,985 $538
2000 $3,813 $636
1999 $3,691 $650
1998 $3,617 $733
1997 $3,408 $990
1996 $3,227 $1,071
1995 $3,275 $998
1994 $3,040 $1,228
1993 $2,840 $1,151
1992 $2,612 $1,051
1991 $2,253 $942
1990 $1,830 $826
1989 $1,725 $934
1988 $1,555 $985
1987 $1,567 $865
1986 $1,569 $745
1985 $1,429 $697
1984 $1,372 $750
1983 $1,213 $769
1982 $1,032 $726
1981 $1,068 $781
1980 $2,021 $813
1979 $1,735 $748
1978 $1,556 $648
1977 $1,393 $558
1976 $1,123 $525
1975 $937 $482
1974 $817 $533
1973 $769 $483
1972 $639 $327
1971 $570 $279.7
1970 $536 $257.6
1969 $477 $225.3
1968 $445 $202.9
1967 $414 $189
1966 $395 $171.1
1965 $374 $153.9
1964 $354 $139.5
1963 $346 $128.9
1962 $335 $124.7
1961 $356 $119.7
1960 $382 $115.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Costa Rica vs. Papua New Guinea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
2026 81.4 66.5
2025 81.2 66.4
2024 81 66.3
2023 80.8 66.1
2022 79.3 65.3
2021 78.1 64.4
2020 79.7 65.1
2019 80.3 65.3
2018 80.1 65.1
2017 80 64.9
2016 80 64.7
2015 80.4 64.5
2014 80.2 64.2
2013 80.2 63.9
2012 79.9 63.6
2011 79.6 63.4
2010 79.4 63.1
2009 79.4 62.8
2008 79.2 62.5
2007 79.1 62.2
2006 79 62
2005 78.9 61.9
2004 78.5 61.8
2003 78.2 61.7
2002 77.9 61.6
2001 77.6 61.6
2000 77.3 61.6
1999 77.1 61.5
1998 76.9 60.4
1997 76.6 61.3
1996 76.4 61.1
1995 76.4 60.9
1994 76.3 60.7
1993 76.3 60.5
1992 76.4 60.3
1991 76.2 59.9
1990 76.1 59.8
1989 75.9 59.6
1988 75.5 59.4
1987 75.2 59.2
1986 74.9 59
1985 74.8 58.8
1984 74.6 58.6
1983 74.2 58.3
1982 73.9 58.1
1981 73.4 57.8
1980 73 57.4
1979 72.5 57
1978 72 56.5
1977 71.5 56
1976 70.9 55.5
1975 70.3 55
1974 69.4 54.4
1973 68.7 53.9
1972 68 53.3
1971 67.4 52.6
1970 66.8 52.1
1969 66.4 51.5
1968 65.8 50.9
1967 65.6 50.2
1966 65.1 49.6
1965 64.8 48.9
1964 64.5 48.3
1963 64.3 47.7
1962 64.2 46.7
1961 63.9 46.4
1960 63.5 45.8
1959 62.9 45.1
1958 62.3 44.6
1957 61.6 43.9
1956 61.2 43.3
1955 60.5 42.6
1954 59.9 42
1953 59.1 41.3
1952 58.1 40.7
1951 57.8 35.5
1950 57.5 39.4

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
2024 5,129,910 10,576,502
2023 5,105,525 10,389,635
2022 5,081,765 10,203,169
2021 5,059,988 10,012,896
2020 5,034,320 9,815,746
2019 4,999,553 9,609,010
2018 4,957,818 9,394,513
2017 4,913,177 9,178,714
2016 4,866,998 8,961,718
2015 4,818,038 8,743,246
2014 4,767,119 8,523,441
2013 4,716,147 8,302,698
2012 4,663,934 8,081,390
2011 4,609,833 7,859,346
2010 4,555,962 7,633,523
2009 4,499,791 7,406,438
2008 4,440,056 7,183,002
2007 4,380,248 6,963,345
2006 4,321,340 6,747,720
2005 4,261,240 6,535,905
2004 4,200,078 6,328,041
2003 4,138,784 6,123,997
2002 4,075,705 5,924,003
2001 4,008,947 5,728,435
2000 3,937,739 5,537,064
1999 3,862,101 5,349,333
1998 3,782,838 5,166,390
1997 3,701,711 4,987,883
1996 3,619,013 4,813,361
1995 3,535,176 4,644,278
1994 3,451,122 4,480,208
1993 3,367,434 4,320,872
1992 3,284,258 4,166,699
1991 3,202,176 4,021,837
1990 3,121,706 3,896,481
1989 3,043,827 3,796,078
1988 2,968,103 3,711,880
1987 2,892,699 3,632,543
1986 2,817,216 3,554,793
1985 2,741,894 3,478,936
1984 2,667,595 3,405,198
1983 2,595,153 3,333,633
1982 2,524,806 3,264,291
1981 2,456,637 3,197,019
1980 2,390,633 3,131,512
1979 2,326,490 3,067,341
1978 2,264,510 3,003,714
1977 2,205,025 2,940,327
1976 2,147,774 2,877,327
1975 2,092,719 2,814,820
1974 2,039,643 2,752,671
1973 1,988,343 2,690,629
1972 1,938,248 2,628,432
1971 1,888,539 2,566,421
1970 1,838,949 2,505,628
1969 1,789,276 2,446,927
1968 1,739,731 2,390,803
1967 1,689,523 2,337,532
1966 1,638,116 2,285,774
1965 1,586,208 2,235,820
1964 1,533,960 2,188,325
1963 1,481,604 2,141,376
1962 1,429,445 2,093,919
1961 1,377,920 2,046,127
1960 1,327,496 1,995,110

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
2023 1.33 3.1
2022 1.34 3.17
2021 1.35 3.22
2020 1.45 3.27
2019 1.6 3.32
2018 1.71 3.38
2017 1.71 3.43
2016 1.75 3.5
2015 1.8 3.56
2014 1.8 3.63
2013 1.78 3.68
2012 1.85 3.75
2011 1.88 3.82
2010 1.83 3.88
2009 1.95 3.94
2008 1.98 4.01
2007 1.95 4.08
2006 1.94 4.15
2005 2.04 4.22
2004 2.03 4.28
2003 2.08 4.36
2002 2.16 4.42
2001 2.31 4.47
2000 2.41 4.53
1999 2.48 4.59
1998 2.53 4.63
1997 2.59 4.68
1996 2.68 4.73
1995 2.78 4.78
1994 2.86 4.87
1993 2.93 4.96
1992 3 5.03
1991 3.08 5.11
1990 3.17 5.18
1989 3.24 5.24
1988 3.31 5.3
1987 3.38 5.36
1986 3.45 5.42
1985 3.51 5.47
1984 3.52 5.51
1983 3.53 5.56
1982 3.54 5.59
1981 3.56 5.65
1980 3.58 5.71
1979 3.65 5.79
1978 3.66 5.88
1977 3.7 5.96
1976 3.75 6.02
1975 3.8 6.07
1974 3.89 6.11
1973 3.99 6.16
1972 4.16 6.2
1971 4.36 6.23
1970 4.59 6.25
1969 4.84 6.26
1968 5.03 6.25
1967 5.42 6.24
1966 5.7 6.23
1965 5.96 6.2
1964 6.19 6.19
1963 6.39 6.15
1962 6.54 6.14
1961 6.65 6.07
1960 6.71 6.02

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
2024 35.6 23.6
2023 35.1 23.4
2022 34.5 23.2
2021 34 23
2020 33.5 22.8
2019 33 22.6
2018 32.6 22.4
2017 32.1 22.2
2016 31.7 22
2015 31.2 21.9
2014 30.7 21.7
2013 30.3 21.5
2012 29.8 21.3
2011 29.4 21.2
2010 29 21
2009 28.6 20.9
2008 28.2 20.7
2007 27.8 20.6
2006 27.4 20.4
2005 27 20.3
2004 26.7 20.2
2003 26.3 20
2002 25.9 19.9
2001 25.5 19.9
2000 25.2 19.8
1999 24.9 19.7
1998 24.7 19.6
1997 24.4 19.5
1996 24.1 19.4
1995 23.9 19.2
1994 23.6 19.1
1993 23.4 19
1992 23.2 18.9
1991 22.9 18.8
1990 22.7 18.7
1989 22.5 18.6
1988 22.3 18.6
1987 22.1 18.5
1986 21.8 18.5
1985 21.6 18.4
1984 21.4 18.3
1983 21.2 18.3
1982 20.9 18.2
1981 20.6 18.1
1980 20.3 18
1979 20 17.8
1978 19.7 17.7
1977 19.5 17.5
1976 19.2 17.4
1975 18.9 17.3
1974 18.6 17.2
1973 18.4 17.2
1972 18.1 17.1
1971 17.8 17.2
1970 17.6 17.3
1969 17.3 17.4
1968 17.1 17.5
1967 16.9 17.6
1966 16.8 17.8
1965 16.7 17.9
1964 16.7 18
1963 16.7 18.1
1962 16.7 18.3
1961 16.8 18.4
1960 16.8 18.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$30.7B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
20.4%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
0.78%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.31%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
4,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-3.23%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
2.69%
2022
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
37.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
54.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.9%
2009
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
6
2016
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$1.68B
2017
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$3.87M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
39,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
0.04%
2018
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
n/a

Energy

Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
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
5.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
0.52 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
n/a
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
54.6%
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
40%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
35.3%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
20.5%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.13%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-284
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
15.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
51.4:48.6
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
37.6
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
26
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
30
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
9.4
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
12.6
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
86
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
87.1%
2022
English speaking
8.15%
2023
70.4%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
24.1%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$85.2
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$7.28
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
66.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
18.2%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
0.06
2023
Age at first childbirth n/a
21.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
189
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
40.3
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
21.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
14.1%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
91
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
39.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
1.13 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Papua New Guinea
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.3%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
16,532 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
5,425 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
138,051 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
5,809 mi
2011

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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