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Costa Rica vs Sao Tome and Principe statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 236K in Sao Tome and Principe (ranked 176/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 371 sq mi for Sao Tome and Principe (ranked 126th vs. 172nd).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Sao Tome and Principe ranks 189/197 ($822M). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 134/197 ($3,491).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Sao Tome
Population
5181862
246362
Population rank 126/197 176/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank 73/197 189/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 134/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$6,242
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 116/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$3,111
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 371 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
661 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
3.64
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
20.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
70.3 years
2026

Costa Rica and Sao Tome and Principe: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Sao Tome and Principe economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Sao Tome
2024 $95,350,423,177 $822,154,621
2023 $86,497,941,439 $690,456,807
2022 $69,243,626,029 $540,809,499
2021 $64,960,725,734 $524,402,456
2020 $62,395,610,760 $471,229,485
2019 $64,417,670,521 $412,976,083
2018 $62,420,164,992 $383,717,328
2017 $60,516,044,657 $322,002,845
2016 $58,847,019,610 $292,267,272
2015 $56,441,920,821 $259,999,643
2014 $52,016,408,854 $293,119,143
2013 $50,949,668,842 $267,041,748
2012 $47,231,655,432 $225,815,132
2011 $42,762,613,699 $226,455,001
2010 $37,658,616,952 $190,021,192
2009 $30,745,714,313 $200,668,065
2008 $30,801,745,700 $188,021,165
2007 $26,884,700,709 $149,146,919
2006 $22,715,540,324 $142,775,104
2005 $20,040,642,477 $136,450,662
2004 $18,610,594,846 $114,582,284
2003 $17,271,760,507 $102,085,769
2002 $16,578,820,687 $85,171,074
2001 $15,976,174,337 $75,951,133
2000 $15,013,629,662 $76,198,395
1999 $14,254,866,285 $77,302,212
1998 $13,684,255,947 $72,285,404
1997 $12,614,602,382 $91,920,274
1996 $11,678,424,507 $135,188,166
1995 $11,578,594,260 $103,695,237
1994 $10,489,903,725 $131,338,415
1993 $9,564,815,975 $125,742,229
1992 $8,579,754,758 $94,861,781
1991 $7,215,725,487 $107,484,143
1990 $5,711,687,787 $119,297,933
1989 $5,251,025,767 $98,545,367
1988 $4,614,629,898 $99,000,764
1987 $4,532,952,047 $115,952,925
1986 $4,418,983,871 $115,928,907
1985 $3,919,203,960 $82,733,069
1984 $3,660,477,856 $78,213,796
1983 $3,146,772,631 $75,110,289
1982 $2,606,623,555 $80,307,763
1981 $2,623,803,096 $83,499,264
1980 $4,831,447,001 $81,662,231
1979 $4,035,519,323 $65,755,928
1978 $3,523,208,810 $55,044,563
1977 $3,072,427,013 $49,207,692
1976 $2,412,555,426 $52,039,421
1975 $1,960,863,466 $60,101,710
1974 $1,666,544,754 $57,817,591
1973 $1,528,925,846 $56,011,245
1972 $1,238,251,696 $41,430,257
1971 $1,077,147,538 $37,288,845
1970 $984,830,158 $37,211,826
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Costa Rica and Sao Tome and Principe economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Sao Tome
2024 $18,587 $3,491
2023 $16,942 $2,991
2022 $13,626 $2,390
2021 $12,838 $2,363
2020 $12,394 $2,167
2019 $12,885 $1,935
2018 $12,590 $1,826
2017 $12,317 $1,556
2016 $12,091 $1,435
2015 $11,715 $1,298
2014 $10,911 $1,490
2013 $10,803 $1,383
2012 $10,127 $1,192
2011 $9,276 $1,220
2010 $8,266 $1,045
2009 $6,833 $1,128
2008 $6,937 $1,082
2007 $6,138 $879
2006 $5,257 $862
2005 $4,703 $844
2004 $4,431 $727
2003 $4,173 $664
2002 $4,068 $568
2001 $3,985 $519
2000 $3,813 $529
1999 $3,691 $543
1998 $3,617 $514
1997 $3,408 $662
1996 $3,227 $987
1995 $3,275 $769
1994 $3,040 $990
1993 $2,840 $964
1992 $2,612 $740
1991 $2,253 $855
1990 $1,830 $970
1989 $1,725 $821
1988 $1,555 $847
1987 $1,567 $1,018
1986 $1,569 $1,043
1985 $1,429 $761
1984 $1,372 $735
1983 $1,213 $720
1982 $1,032 $783
1981 $1,068 $830
1980 $2,021 $829
1979 $1,735 $683
1978 $1,556 $587
1977 $1,393 $539
1976 $1,123 $585
1975 $937 $693
1974 $817 $683
1973 $769 $676
1972 $639 $511
1971 $570 $470
1970 $536 $479
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Costa Rica vs. Sao Tome and Principe life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Sao Tome
2026 81.4 70.3
2025 81.2 70.1
2024 81 69.9
2023 80.8 69.7
2022 79.3 69.2
2021 78.1 68
2020 79.7 68
2019 80.3 68
2018 80.1 67.6
2017 80 67.1
2016 80 66.6
2015 80.4 66
2014 80.2 65.5
2013 80.2 64.9
2012 79.9 64.5
2011 79.6 64.1
2010 79.4 63.9
2009 79.4 63.7
2008 79.2 63.4
2007 79.1 63.3
2006 79 63
2005 78.9 62.4
2004 78.5 62.6
2003 78.2 62.2
2002 77.9 61.8
2001 77.6 61.5
2000 77.3 61.2
1999 77.1 61
1998 76.9 60.8
1997 76.6 60.6
1996 76.4 60.6
1995 76.4 60.5
1994 76.3 60.6
1993 76.3 60.6
1992 76.4 60.7
1991 76.2 60.8
1990 76.1 60.7
1989 75.9 59.7
1988 75.5 60.8
1987 75.2 60.7
1986 74.9 57.6
1985 74.8 60.1
1984 74.6 59.9
1983 74.2 59.7
1982 73.9 59.5
1981 73.4 59.4
1980 73 59.4
1979 72.5 59.3
1978 72 59.1
1977 71.5 59
1976 70.9 58.8
1975 70.3 58.6
1974 69.4 58.3
1973 68.7 57.9
1972 68 57.4
1971 67.4 57
1970 66.8 56.3
1969 66.4 55.4
1968 65.8 54.5
1967 65.6 53.4
1966 65.1 52.3
1965 64.8 51.1
1964 64.5 49.7
1963 64.3 48.4
1962 64.2 46.8
1961 63.9 45.2
1960 63.5 43.6
1959 62.9 42.1
1958 62.3 41
1957 61.6 40.1
1956 61.2 39.5
1955 60.5 39.3
1954 59.9 39.2
1953 59.1 39.1
1952 58.1 39.1
1951 57.8 39.1
1950 57.5 39.1

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Costa Rica and Sao Tome and Principe population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Sao Tome
2024 5,129,910 235,536
2023 5,105,525 230,871
2022 5,081,765 226,305
2021 5,059,988 221,961
2020 5,034,320 217,435
2019 4,999,553 213,392
2018 4,957,818 210,187
2017 4,913,177 206,970
2016 4,866,998 203,689
2015 4,818,038 200,291
2014 4,767,119 196,767
2013 4,716,147 193,148
2012 4,663,934 189,439
2011 4,609,833 185,649
2010 4,555,962 181,802
2009 4,499,791 177,853
2008 4,440,056 173,793
2007 4,380,248 169,700
2006 4,321,340 165,638
2005 4,261,240 161,639
2004 4,200,078 157,705
2003 4,138,784 153,814
2002 4,075,705 149,922
2001 4,008,947 146,375
2000 3,937,739 144,018
1999 3,862,101 142,442
1998 3,782,838 140,751
1997 3,701,711 138,922
1996 3,619,013 136,962
1995 3,535,176 134,895
1994 3,451,122 132,732
1993 3,367,434 130,467
1992 3,284,258 128,110
1991 3,202,176 125,697
1990 3,121,706 122,980
1989 3,043,827 119,979
1988 2,968,103 116,939
1987 2,892,699 113,919
1986 2,817,216 111,150
1985 2,741,894 108,658
1984 2,667,595 106,394
1983 2,595,153 104,380
1982 2,524,806 102,508
1981 2,456,637 100,615
1980 2,390,633 98,544
1979 2,326,490 96,252
1978 2,264,510 93,794
1977 2,205,025 91,301
1976 2,147,774 88,922
1975 2,092,719 86,708
1974 2,039,643 84,672
1973 1,988,343 82,798
1972 1,938,248 81,041
1971 1,888,539 79,330
1970 1,838,949 77,626
1969 1,789,276 76,083
1968 1,739,731 74,765
1967 1,689,523 73,596
1966 1,638,116 72,576
1965 1,586,208 71,680
1964 1,533,960 70,865
1963 1,481,604 70,112
1962 1,429,445 69,403
1961 1,377,920 68,707
1960 1,327,496 68,012

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Sao Tome and Principe

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Sao Tome
2023 1.33 3.64
2022 1.34 3.7
2021 1.35 3.76
2020 1.45 3.83
2019 1.6 3.9
2018 1.71 3.98
2017 1.71 4.07
2016 1.75 4.2
2015 1.8 4.35
2014 1.8 4.49
2013 1.78 4.58
2012 1.85 4.66
2011 1.88 4.72
2010 1.83 4.77
2009 1.95 4.84
2008 1.98 4.91
2007 1.95 4.96
2006 1.94 4.93
2005 2.04 4.94
2004 2.03 4.96
2003 2.08 5.01
2002 2.16 5.06
2001 2.31 5.1
2000 2.41 5.16
1999 2.48 5.23
1998 2.53 5.3
1997 2.59 5.4
1996 2.68 5.47
1995 2.78 5.55
1994 2.86 5.56
1993 2.93 5.64
1992 3 5.7
1991 3.08 5.77
1990 3.17 5.83
1989 3.24 5.88
1988 3.31 5.94
1987 3.38 5.99
1986 3.45 6.05
1985 3.51 6.1
1984 3.52 6.16
1983 3.53 6.22
1982 3.54 6.28
1981 3.56 6.33
1980 3.58 6.39
1979 3.65 6.43
1978 3.66 6.47
1977 3.7 6.5
1976 3.75 6.52
1975 3.8 6.53
1974 3.89 6.53
1973 3.99 6.53
1972 4.16 6.51
1971 4.36 6.49
1970 4.59 6.47
1969 4.84 6.44
1968 5.03 6.42
1967 5.42 6.39
1966 5.7 6.37
1965 5.96 6.35
1964 6.19 6.33
1963 6.39 6.31
1962 6.54 6.28
1961 6.65 6.26
1960 6.71 6.24

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Costa Rica and Sao Tome and Principe demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Sao Tome
2024 35.6 20.3
2023 35.1 20.1
2022 34.5 19.9
2021 34 19.7
2020 33.5 19.5
2019 33 19.4
2018 32.6 19.3
2017 32.1 19.1
2016 31.7 19
2015 31.2 19
2014 30.7 18.9
2013 30.3 18.9
2012 29.8 18.9
2011 29.4 18.9
2010 29 18.8
2009 28.6 18.7
2008 28.2 18.7
2007 27.8 18.7
2006 27.4 18.6
2005 27 18.5
2004 26.7 18.4
2003 26.3 18.3
2002 25.9 18.1
2001 25.5 18
2000 25.2 17.9
1999 24.9 17.7
1998 24.7 17.5
1997 24.4 17.4
1996 24.1 17.3
1995 23.9 17.3
1994 23.6 17.2
1993 23.4 17.2
1992 23.2 17.3
1991 22.9 17.3
1990 22.7 17.4
1989 22.5 17.4
1988 22.3 17.4
1987 22.1 17.4
1986 21.8 17.4
1985 21.6 17.4
1984 21.4 17.4
1983 21.2 17.4
1982 20.9 17.4
1981 20.6 17.4
1980 20.3 17.3
1979 20 17.3
1978 19.7 17.2
1977 19.5 17.2
1976 19.2 17.1
1975 18.9 17.1
1974 18.6 17.1
1973 18.4 17
1972 18.1 17
1971 17.8 16.9
1970 17.6 16.9
1969 17.3 17.2
1968 17.1 17.7
1967 16.9 18.5
1966 16.8 19.5
1965 16.7 21
1964 16.7 22.4
1963 16.7 23.5
1962 16.7 24.1
1961 16.8 24.3
1960 16.8 24.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Sao Tome
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$671M
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
24.7%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
5.03%
2023
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
1,000
1999
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
+0.92%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
6.66%
2017
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
2.83%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
60.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.6%
2017
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$80.1M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
33,400
2018
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
73.2%
2018
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
n/a

Energy

Costa Rica Sao Tome
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
259.3 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$10.2
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
0.15 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
0.63 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
42.5%
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
6.06%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
5.85%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
81.3%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Sao Tome
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.003%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-650
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
68.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
49.7:50.3
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.59 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.24 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
32.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
45
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
n/a
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
3.23
2011
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
27.9
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
70
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
93.8%
2022
English speaking
8.15%
2023
4.9%
2025
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
61.5%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Sao Tome
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$171.1
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$28.5
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
70.3 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
43.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
0.46
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
19.4 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
75
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
13.9
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
17.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
12.1%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
24
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
7.8%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
4.79 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Sao Tome
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.0006%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
1,574 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
166 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
193.2 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
808 mi
2018

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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