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Costa Rica vs Syria statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 24.7M in Syria (ranked 57/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 70,900 sq mi for Syria (ranked 126th vs. 87th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Syria ranks 129/197 ($20B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Syria ranks 185/197 ($847).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Syria
Population
5181862
26829400
Population rank 126/197 56/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank 73/197 129/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank 62/197 185/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$4,650
2023
Government debt
$57B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank 50/185 148/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$730
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 70,900 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
375 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
2.71
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
23.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
73.4 years
2026

Costa Rica and Syria: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Syria economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Syria
2024 $95,350,423,177 -
2023 $86,497,941,439 $19,993,439,950
2022 $69,243,626,029 $23,622,827,080
2021 $64,960,725,734 $14,353,205,678
2020 $62,395,610,760 $12,047,752,036
2019 $64,417,670,521 $22,583,045,060
2018 $62,420,164,992 $21,497,782,868
2017 $60,516,044,657 $16,369,843,352
2016 $58,847,019,610 $12,597,854,877
2015 $56,441,920,821 $16,466,863,117
2014 $52,016,408,854 $21,502,061,466
2013 $50,949,668,842 $21,361,254,635
2012 $47,231,655,432 $43,190,318,033
2011 $42,762,613,699 $67,539,428,159
2010 $37,658,616,952 $61,390,830,875
2009 $30,745,714,313 $54,111,735,629
2008 $30,801,745,700 $52,557,913,569
2007 $26,884,700,709 $40,465,318,382
2006 $22,715,540,324 $33,751,788,856
2005 $20,040,642,477 $28,858,965,517
2004 $18,610,594,846 $25,086,950,495
2003 $17,271,760,507 $21,828,144,686
2002 $16,578,820,687 $20,669,357,462
2001 $15,976,174,337 $20,237,024,725
2000 $15,013,629,662 $18,937,052,543
1999 $14,254,866,285 $15,873,875,969
1998 $13,684,255,947 $15,200,846,154
1997 $12,614,602,382 $14,505,233,463
1996 $11,678,424,507 $13,789,560,878
1995 $11,578,594,260 $11,396,706,587
1994 $10,489,903,725 $10,122,020,000
1993 $9,564,815,975 $13,695,962,055
1992 $8,579,754,758 $13,253,565,861
1991 $7,215,725,487 $12,981,833,333
1990 $5,711,687,787 $12,308,624,418
1989 $5,251,025,767 $9,853,395,762
1988 $4,614,629,898 $10,577,041,645
1987 $4,532,952,047 $11,356,215,543
1986 $4,418,983,871 $13,293,205,278
1985 $3,919,203,960 $16,403,539,893
1984 $3,660,477,856 $17,503,078,174
1983 $3,146,772,631 $17,589,277,143
1982 $2,606,623,555 $16,298,929,011
1981 $2,623,803,096 $15,518,201,335
1980 $4,831,447,001 $13,062,420,382
1979 $4,035,519,323 $9,929,681,529
1978 $3,523,208,810 $9,275,200,458
1977 $3,072,427,013 $7,696,011,396
1976 $2,412,555,426 $7,633,528,867
1975 $1,960,863,466 $6,826,980,444
1974 $1,666,544,754 $5,159,557,148
1973 $1,528,925,846 $3,239,487,516
1972 $1,238,251,696 $3,059,681,698
1971 $1,077,147,538 $2,589,851,325
1970 $984,830,158 $2,140,384,010
1969 $853,630,204 $2,245,011,515
1968 $773,841,494 $1,753,746,430
1967 $699,456,619 $1,580,229,799
1966 $647,305,630 $1,342,287,553
1965 $592,981,162 $1,472,036,540
1964 $542,578,367 $1,339,494,267
1963 $511,902,137 $1,200,447,408
1962 $479,180,824 $1,110,565,881
1961 $490,325,182 $945,244,972
1960 $507,513,830 $857,704,413

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

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

Costa Rica and Syria economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Syria
2024 $18,587 -
2023 $16,942 $847
2022 $13,626 $1,052
2021 $12,838 $664
2020 $12,394 $572
2019 $12,885 $1,110
2018 $12,590 $1,098
2017 $12,317 $852
2016 $12,091 $656
2015 $11,715 $848
2014 $10,911 $1,061
2013 $10,803 $986
2012 $10,127 $1,898
2011 $9,276 $2,952
2010 $8,266 $2,731
2009 $6,833 $2,462
2008 $6,937 $2,429
2007 $6,138 $1,938
2006 $5,257 $1,719
2005 $4,703 $1,534
2004 $4,431 $1,368
2003 $4,173 $1,220
2002 $4,068 $1,183
2001 $3,985 $1,187
2000 $3,813 $1,138
1999 $3,691 $978
1998 $3,617 $961
1997 $3,408 $941
1996 $3,227 $918
1995 $3,275 $780
1994 $3,040 $712
1993 $2,840 $993
1992 $2,612 $990
1991 $2,253 $1,000
1990 $1,830 $978
1989 $1,725 $809
1988 $1,555 $898
1987 $1,567 $997
1986 $1,569 $1,208
1985 $1,429 $1,544
1984 $1,372 $1,706
1983 $1,213 $1,776
1982 $1,032 $1,703
1981 $1,068 $1,676
1980 $2,021 $1,458
1979 $1,735 $1,146
1978 $1,556 $1,108
1977 $1,393 $951
1976 $1,123 $976
1975 $937 $904
1974 $817 $707
1973 $769 $459
1972 $639 $448
1971 $570 $393
1970 $536 $335
1969 $477 $364
1968 $445 $293.3
1967 $414 $272.9
1966 $395 $239.3
1965 $374 $270.8
1964 $354 $254.2
1963 $346 $234.9
1962 $335 $223.9
1961 $356 $196.3
1960 $382 $183.5

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

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

Costa Rica vs. Syria life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Syria
2026 81.4 73.4
2025 81.2 73
2024 81 72.6
2023 80.8 72.1
2022 79.3 72.8
2021 78.1 72.4
2020 79.7 71.9
2019 80.3 71
2018 80.1 67.4
2017 80 65.7
2016 80 65.2
2015 80.4 63.3
2014 80.2 65.5
2013 80.2 65.1
2012 79.9 66.2
2011 79.6 72.3
2010 79.4 73.5
2009 79.4 73.5
2008 79.2 73.4
2007 79.1 73.3
2006 79 73
2005 78.9 72.8
2004 78.5 72.5
2003 78.2 72.2
2002 77.9 71.7
2001 77.6 71.3
2000 77.3 70.9
1999 77.1 70.5
1998 76.9 70.2
1997 76.6 70.2
1996 76.4 70.2
1995 76.4 70.2
1994 76.3 70.3
1993 76.3 70.3
1992 76.4 70.2
1991 76.2 70.1
1990 76.1 69.8
1989 75.9 69.5
1988 75.5 69.2
1987 75.2 68.8
1986 74.9 68.4
1985 74.8 68
1984 74.6 67.7
1983 74.2 67.4
1982 73.9 60.8
1981 73.4 64.6
1980 73 66.5
1979 72.5 66.2
1978 72 65.9
1977 71.5 65.4
1976 70.9 64.8
1975 70.3 64.2
1974 69.4 63.4
1973 68.7 60.8
1972 68 62
1971 67.4 61.3
1970 66.8 60.6
1969 66.4 59.8
1968 65.8 59.1
1967 65.6 58
1966 65.1 57.6
1965 64.8 56.9
1964 64.5 56.2
1963 64.3 55.4
1962 64.2 54.6
1961 63.9 53.7
1960 63.5 52.7
1959 62.9 51.7
1958 62.3 50.7
1957 61.6 49.6
1956 61.2 48.5
1955 60.5 47.4
1954 59.9 46.4
1953 59.1 45.3
1952 58.1 44.3
1951 57.8 43.4
1950 57.5 42.5

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

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

Costa Rica and Syria population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Syria
2024 5,129,910 24,672,760
2023 5,105,525 23,594,623
2022 5,081,765 22,462,173
2021 5,059,988 21,628,839
2020 5,034,320 21,049,429
2019 4,999,553 20,353,534
2018 4,957,818 19,577,845
2017 4,913,177 19,224,668
2016 4,866,998 19,193,834
2015 4,818,038 19,424,618
2014 4,767,119 20,273,659
2013 4,716,147 21,666,917
2012 4,663,934 22,759,763
2011 4,609,833 22,878,098
2010 4,555,962 22,482,421
2009 4,499,791 21,976,969
2008 4,440,056 21,636,564
2007 4,380,248 20,884,125
2006 4,321,340 19,637,022
2005 4,261,240 18,814,091
2004 4,200,078 18,336,875
2003 4,138,784 17,889,296
2002 4,075,705 17,468,332
2001 4,008,947 17,051,338
2000 3,937,739 16,637,888
1999 3,862,101 16,228,061
1998 3,782,838 15,820,413
1997 3,701,711 15,417,542
1996 3,619,013 15,018,104
1995 3,535,176 14,616,801
1994 3,451,122 14,208,583
1993 3,367,434 13,795,686
1992 3,284,258 13,385,571
1991 3,202,176 12,980,821
1990 3,121,706 12,579,208
1989 3,043,827 12,179,060
1988 2,968,103 11,782,264
1987 2,892,699 11,388,923
1986 2,817,216 11,002,844
1985 2,741,894 10,625,672
1984 2,667,595 10,258,398
1983 2,595,153 9,904,809
1982 2,524,806 9,572,511
1981 2,456,637 9,260,189
1980 2,390,633 8,957,663
1979 2,326,490 8,661,909
1978 2,264,510 8,372,759
1977 2,205,025 8,090,501
1976 2,147,774 7,817,320
1975 2,092,719 7,554,364
1974 2,039,643 7,302,160
1973 1,988,343 7,060,321
1972 1,938,248 6,826,024
1971 1,888,539 6,598,094
1970 1,838,949 6,380,609
1969 1,789,276 6,175,166
1968 1,739,731 5,978,742
1967 1,689,523 5,790,198
1966 1,638,116 5,609,047
1965 1,586,208 5,435,267
1964 1,533,960 5,269,087
1963 1,481,604 5,110,467
1962 1,429,445 4,959,340
1961 1,377,920 4,815,466
1960 1,327,496 4,673,500

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Syria

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Syria
2023 1.33 2.71
2022 1.34 2.75
2021 1.35 2.8
2020 1.45 2.84
2019 1.6 2.88
2018 1.71 2.93
2017 1.71 2.97
2016 1.75 3.01
2015 1.8 3.07
2014 1.8 3.12
2013 1.78 3.17
2012 1.85 3.22
2011 1.88 3.29
2010 1.83 3.36
2009 1.95 3.42
2008 1.98 3.48
2007 1.95 3.54
2006 1.94 3.56
2005 2.04 3.61
2004 2.03 3.68
2003 2.08 3.76
2002 2.16 3.87
2001 2.31 3.98
2000 2.41 4.07
1999 2.48 4.14
1998 2.53 4.25
1997 2.59 4.37
1996 2.68 4.54
1995 2.78 4.7
1994 2.86 4.86
1993 2.93 4.99
1992 3 5.14
1991 3.08 5.34
1990 3.17 5.56
1989 3.24 5.78
1988 3.31 6
1987 3.38 6.2
1986 3.45 6.37
1985 3.51 6.48
1984 3.52 6.59
1983 3.53 6.69
1982 3.54 6.81
1981 3.56 6.97
1980 3.58 7.12
1979 3.65 7.25
1978 3.66 7.35
1977 3.7 7.42
1976 3.75 7.45
1975 3.8 7.49
1974 3.89 7.52
1973 3.99 7.55
1972 4.16 7.57
1971 4.36 7.6
1970 4.59 7.62
1969 4.84 7.59
1968 5.03 7.57
1967 5.42 7.56
1966 5.7 7.55
1965 5.96 7.53
1964 6.19 7.53
1963 6.39 7.51
1962 6.54 7.51
1961 6.65 7.5
1960 6.71 7.51

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

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

Costa Rica and Syria demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Syria
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Syria
2024 35.6 23.9
2023 35.1 23.3
2022 34.5 22.7
2021 34 22.2
2020 33.5 21.6
2019 33 20.9
2018 32.6 20.1
2017 32.1 19.6
2016 31.7 19.5
2015 31.2 19.5
2014 30.7 20.1
2013 30.3 21.2
2012 29.8 21.8
2011 29.4 21.9
2010 29 21.7
2009 28.6 21.5
2008 28.2 21.3
2007 27.8 21
2006 27.4 20.3
2005 27 19.7
2004 26.7 19.5
2003 26.3 19.2
2002 25.9 19
2001 25.5 18.8
2000 25.2 18.5
1999 24.9 18.3
1998 24.7 18.1
1997 24.4 17.9
1996 24.1 17.7
1995 23.9 17.5
1994 23.6 17.3
1993 23.4 17.1
1992 23.2 16.9
1991 22.9 16.7
1990 22.7 16.5
1989 22.5 16.4
1988 22.3 16.2
1987 22.1 16.1
1986 21.8 16
1985 21.6 15.9
1984 21.4 15.8
1983 21.2 15.8
1982 20.9 15.7
1981 20.6 15.6
1980 20.3 15.6
1979 20 15.6
1978 19.7 15.6
1977 19.5 15.6
1976 19.2 15.6
1975 18.9 15.7
1974 18.6 15.7
1973 18.4 15.7
1972 18.1 15.8
1971 17.8 15.8
1970 17.6 15.9
1969 17.3 16
1968 17.1 16.1
1967 16.9 16.2
1966 16.8 16.4
1965 16.7 16.5
1964 16.7 16.7
1963 16.7 16.9
1962 16.7 17.1
1961 16.8 17.3
1960 16.8 17.6

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Syria
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$18.2B
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
28.6%
2010
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
5.13%
2009
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
4.06%
2010
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
269,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-7.79%
2010
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
8.61%
2010
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
12%
2022
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
51.2
2012
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
3.8%
2022
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$1.62B
2010
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
2,424,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
32.2%
2010
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
23.3%
2011

Energy

Costa Rica Syria
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
455 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$10.5
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
31.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
1.27 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
99.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
1.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
0.72%
2022
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
61.3%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
690 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
3.91%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
3.76%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
88.4%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Syria
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.3%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
+421,693
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
72.1%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
50:50
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.63 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
18.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
33
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
2.07
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
14.9
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
37
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
94.4%
2021
English speaking
8.15%
2023
4%
2025
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
34.7%
2019

Health

Costa Rica Syria
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$33.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$24.1
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
73.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
11.8%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
1.52
2021
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
20
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
20.6
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
n/a
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
19%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
0.09 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Syria
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.12%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
2,874 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
52,533 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
2,016 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 (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2012–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
  11. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.