Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 126th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
5181862
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 126/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$95.4B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 73/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$18,587
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 62/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$31,107
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$57B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
59.8%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$11,106
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 50/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$12,150
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 19,714 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.33
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
35.6 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
81.4 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Costa Rica and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Costa Rica and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $95,350,423,177 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $86,497,941,439 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $69,243,626,029 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $64,960,725,734 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $62,395,610,760 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $64,417,670,521 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $62,420,164,992 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $60,516,044,657 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $58,847,019,610 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $56,441,920,821 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $52,016,408,854 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $50,949,668,842 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $47,231,655,432 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $42,762,613,699 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $37,658,616,952 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $30,745,714,313 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $30,801,745,700 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $26,884,700,709 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $22,715,540,324 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $20,040,642,477 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $18,610,594,846 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $17,271,760,507 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $16,578,820,687 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $15,976,174,337 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $15,013,629,662 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $14,254,866,285 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $13,684,255,947 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $12,614,602,382 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $11,678,424,507 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $11,578,594,260 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $10,489,903,725 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $9,564,815,975 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $8,579,754,758 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $7,215,725,487 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $5,711,687,787 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $5,251,025,767 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $4,614,629,898 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $4,532,952,047 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $4,418,983,871 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $3,919,203,960 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $3,660,477,856 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $3,146,772,631 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $2,606,623,555 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $2,623,803,096 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $4,831,447,001 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $4,035,519,323 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $3,523,208,810 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $3,072,427,013 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $2,412,555,426 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $1,960,863,466 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $1,666,544,754 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $1,528,925,846 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $1,238,251,696 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $1,077,147,538 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $984,830,158 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $853,630,204 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $773,841,494 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $699,456,619 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $647,305,630 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $592,981,162 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $542,578,367 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $511,902,137 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $479,180,824 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $490,325,182 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $507,513,830 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/south-africa | CC BY 
Costa Rica and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $18,587 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $16,942 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $13,626 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $12,838 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $12,394 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $12,885 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $12,590 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $12,317 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $12,091 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $11,715 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $10,911 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $10,803 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $10,127 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $9,276 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $8,266 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $6,833 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $6,937 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $6,138 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $5,257 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $4,703 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $4,431 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $4,173 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $4,068 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $3,985 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $3,813 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $3,691 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $3,617 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $3,408 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $3,227 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $3,275 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $3,040 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $2,840 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $2,612 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $2,253 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $1,830 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $1,725 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $1,555 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $1,567 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $1,569 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $1,429 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $1,372 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $1,213 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $1,032 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $1,068 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $2,021 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $1,735 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $1,556 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $1,393 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $1,123 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $937 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $817 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $769 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $639 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $570 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $536 | $952 |
| 1969 | $477 | $891 |
| 1968 | $445 | $817 |
| 1967 | $414 | $779 |
| 1966 | $395 | $722 |
| 1965 | $374 | $685 |
| 1964 | $354 | $646 |
| 1963 | $346 | $605 |
| 1962 | $335 | $563 |
| 1961 | $356 | $546 |
| 1960 | $382 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/south-africa | CC BY
Costa Rica vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 81.4 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 81.2 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 81 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 80.8 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 79.3 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 78.1 | 62 |
| 2020 | 79.7 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 80.3 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 80.1 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 80 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 80 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 80.4 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 80.2 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 80.2 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 79.9 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 79.6 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 79.4 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 79.4 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 79.2 | 56 |
| 2007 | 79.1 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 79 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 78.9 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 78.5 | 54 |
| 2003 | 78.2 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 77.9 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 77.6 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 77.3 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 77.1 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 76.9 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 76.6 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 76.4 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 76.4 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 76.3 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 76.3 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 76.4 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 76.2 | 63 |
| 1990 | 76.1 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 75.9 | 63 |
| 1988 | 75.5 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 75.2 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 74.9 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 74.8 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 74.6 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 74.2 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 73.9 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 73.4 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 73 | 60 |
| 1979 | 72.5 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 72 | 59 |
| 1977 | 71.5 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 70.9 | 58 |
| 1975 | 70.3 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 69.4 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 68.7 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 68 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 67.4 | 56 |
| 1970 | 66.8 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 66.4 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 65.8 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 65.6 | 55 |
| 1966 | 65.1 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 64.8 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 64.5 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 64.3 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 64.2 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 63.9 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 63.5 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 62.9 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 62.3 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 61.6 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 61.2 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 60.5 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 59.9 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 59.1 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 58.1 | 45 |
| 1951 | 57.8 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 57.5 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/south-africa | CC BY
Costa Rica and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 5,129,910 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 5,105,525 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 5,081,765 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 5,059,988 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 5,034,320 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 4,999,553 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 4,957,818 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 4,913,177 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 4,866,998 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 4,818,038 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 4,767,119 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 4,716,147 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 4,663,934 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 4,609,833 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 4,555,962 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 4,499,791 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 4,440,056 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 4,380,248 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 4,321,340 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 4,261,240 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 4,200,078 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 4,138,784 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 4,075,705 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 4,008,947 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 3,937,739 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 3,862,101 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 3,782,838 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 3,701,711 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 3,619,013 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 3,535,176 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 3,451,122 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 3,367,434 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 3,284,258 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 3,202,176 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 3,121,706 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 3,043,827 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 2,968,103 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 2,892,699 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 2,817,216 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 2,741,894 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 2,667,595 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 2,595,153 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 2,524,806 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 2,456,637 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 2,390,633 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 2,326,490 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 2,264,510 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 2,205,025 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 2,147,774 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 2,092,719 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 2,039,643 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 1,988,343 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 1,938,248 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 1,888,539 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 1,838,949 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 1,789,276 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 1,739,731 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 1,689,523 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 1,638,116 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 1,586,208 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 1,533,960 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 1,481,604 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 1,429,445 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 1,377,920 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 1,327,496 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Costa Rica and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 1.33 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 1.34 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 1.35 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 1.45 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 1.6 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 1.71 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 1.71 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 1.75 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 1.8 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 1.8 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 1.78 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 1.85 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 1.83 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 1.95 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 1.98 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 1.95 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 2.04 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 2.03 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 2.08 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 2.16 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 2.31 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 2.41 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 2.48 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 2.53 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 2.68 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 2.78 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 2.86 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 2.93 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 3 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 3.08 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 3.17 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 3.24 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 3.31 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 3.38 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 3.45 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 3.51 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 3.52 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 3.53 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 3.54 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 3.56 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 3.58 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 3.65 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 3.66 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 3.7 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 3.75 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 3.8 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 3.89 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 3.99 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 4.16 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 4.36 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 4.59 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 4.84 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 5.03 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 5.42 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 5.7 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 5.96 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.19 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.39 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.54 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.65 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.71 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/south-africa | CC BY
Costa Rica and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 35.6 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 35.1 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 34.5 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 34 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 33.5 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 33 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 32.6 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 32.1 | 27 |
| 2016 | 31.7 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 31.2 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 30.7 | 26 |
| 2013 | 30.3 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 29.8 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 29.4 | 25 |
| 2010 | 29 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 28.6 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 28.2 | 24 |
| 2007 | 27.8 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 27.4 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 27 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 26.7 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 26.3 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 25.9 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 25.5 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 25.2 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 24.9 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 24.7 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 24.4 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 24.1 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 23.9 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 23.6 | 22 |
| 1993 | 23.4 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 23.2 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 22.9 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 22.7 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 22.5 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 22.3 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 22.1 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 21.8 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 21.6 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 21.4 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 21.2 | 20 |
| 1982 | 20.9 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 20.6 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 20.3 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 20 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 19.7 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 19.5 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 19.2 | 19 |
| 1975 | 18.9 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 18.6 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 18.4 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 18.1 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 17.8 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 17.6 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 17.3 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 17.1 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 16.9 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 16.8 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 16.7 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 16.7 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 16.7 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 16.7 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 16.8 | 19 |
| 1960 | 16.8 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/costa-rica/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Costa Rica and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$80.2B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
18.9%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
6.25%
2021 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
10,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-3.78%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.94%
2024 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
68.8%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
19.7%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
69.1
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
34.2%
2024 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.7%
2024 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies |
9
2022 |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$2.23B
2022 |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$14.2B
2024 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$725M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
1,146,500
2020 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
7.41%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
71.4%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
1,025 kg
2023 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$28.2
2023 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
8.38 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
1.63 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
51.6%
2023 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
34.2%
2021 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
37.7%
2023 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
60.4%
2023 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
2,206 kWh
2023 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
99.4%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
69.3%
2023 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
100%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.06%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
+1,000
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
79.3%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.4:50.6
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.71 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.26 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
64.8
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
56
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
73
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
17.7
2023 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
14.8
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
142
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
98%
2021 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
8.15%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
85.4%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$1,163
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$280.7
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
81.4 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
0.01%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
2.69
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
24
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
10.5
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
32.3%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.8%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
80
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
8.9%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.4 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Costa Rica
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.03%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
3,843 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
6,534 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
11,907 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
3,129 mi
2017 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
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) (2000–2019, 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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