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Costa Rica vs Uruguay statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 3.39M in Uruguay (ranked 133/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 67,576 sq mi for Uruguay (ranked 126th vs. 89th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Uruguay ranks 81/197 ($81B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Uruguay ranks 52/197 ($23,907).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Uruguay
Population
5181862
3382789
Population rank 126/197 133/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 81/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 52/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$36,418
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 38/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$12,433
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 67,576 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
50.1 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
1.41
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
37.2 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
78.6 years
2026

Costa Rica and Uruguay: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Uruguay economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Uruguay
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Uruguay
2024 $95,350,423,177 $80,961,511,074
2023 $86,497,941,439 $77,991,666,838
2022 $69,243,626,029 $70,594,110,920
2021 $64,960,725,734 $60,739,084,241
2020 $62,395,610,760 $53,559,359,262
2019 $64,417,670,521 $62,222,313,619
2018 $62,420,164,992 $65,344,577,416
2017 $60,516,044,657 $65,005,997,963
2016 $58,847,019,610 $57,480,787,465
2015 $56,441,920,821 $57,680,327,999
2014 $52,016,408,854 $61,496,186,974
2013 $50,949,668,842 $61,337,621,934
2012 $47,231,655,432 $54,232,266,359
2011 $42,762,613,699 $50,342,406,067
2010 $37,658,616,952 $41,950,361,212
2009 $30,745,714,313 $32,708,319,078
2008 $30,801,745,700 $31,119,602,539
2007 $26,884,700,709 $23,797,773,024
2006 $22,715,540,324 $19,741,420,740
2005 $20,040,642,477 $17,362,857,684
2004 $18,610,594,846 $13,686,329,890
2003 $17,271,760,507 $12,045,638,352
2002 $16,578,820,687 $13,606,515,723
2001 $15,976,174,337 $20,898,761,742
2000 $15,013,629,662 $22,823,270,892
1999 $14,254,866,285 $23,983,945,191
1998 $13,684,255,947 $25,385,886,978
1997 $12,614,602,382 $23,969,739,234
1996 $11,678,424,507 $20,515,458,114
1995 $11,578,594,260 $19,297,663,097
1994 $10,489,903,725 $17,474,588,896
1993 $9,564,815,975 $15,002,136,971
1992 $8,579,754,758 $12,878,148,791
1991 $7,215,725,487 $11,206,176,651
1990 $5,711,687,787 $9,298,807,850
1989 $5,251,025,767 $8,438,951,476
1988 $4,614,629,898 $8,213,538,369
1987 $4,532,952,047 $7,367,494,080
1986 $4,418,983,871 $5,880,112,788
1985 $3,919,203,960 $4,732,017,873
1984 $3,660,477,856 $4,850,238,550
1983 $3,146,772,631 $5,102,276,308
1982 $2,606,623,555 $9,178,780,077
1981 $2,623,803,096 $11,048,301,421
1980 $4,831,447,001 $10,163,020,116
1979 $4,035,519,323 $7,181,182,224
1978 $3,523,208,810 $4,910,254,566
1977 $3,072,427,013 $4,114,670,014
1976 $2,412,555,426 $3,667,161,241
1975 $1,960,863,466 $3,538,278,047
1974 $1,666,544,754 $4,090,209,682
1973 $1,528,925,846 $3,964,296,443
1972 $1,238,251,696 $2,189,418,689
1971 $1,077,147,538 $2,807,258,065
1970 $984,830,158 $2,137,096,774
1969 $853,630,204 $2,004,435,484
1968 $773,841,494 $1,593,674,185
1967 $699,456,619 $1,597,713,469
1966 $647,305,630 $1,809,185,094
1965 $592,981,162 $1,890,767,156
1964 $542,578,367 $1,975,701,816
1963 $511,902,137 $1,539,681,491
1962 $479,180,824 $1,710,004,407
1961 $490,325,182 $1,547,388,781
1960 $507,513,830 $1,242,289,239

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

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

Costa Rica and Uruguay economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Uruguay
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Uruguay
2024 $18,587 $23,907
2023 $16,942 $23,019
2022 $13,626 $20,819
2021 $12,838 $17,882
2020 $12,394 $15,758
2019 $12,885 $18,316
2018 $12,590 $19,250
2017 $12,317 $19,185
2016 $12,091 $17,010
2015 $11,715 $17,126
2014 $10,911 $18,322
2013 $10,803 $18,335
2012 $10,127 $16,260
2011 $9,276 $15,132
2010 $8,266 $12,641
2009 $6,833 $9,881
2008 $6,937 $9,424
2007 $6,138 $7,222
2006 $5,257 $6,001
2005 $4,703 $5,284
2004 $4,431 $4,169
2003 $4,173 $3,671
2002 $4,068 $4,150
2001 $3,985 $6,383
2000 $3,813 $6,988
1999 $3,691 $7,371
1998 $3,617 $7,837
1997 $3,408 $7,436
1996 $3,227 $6,398
1995 $3,275 $6,050
1994 $3,040 $5,508
1993 $2,840 $4,753
1992 $2,612 $4,102
1991 $2,253 $3,589
1990 $1,830 $2,995
1989 $1,725 $2,734
1988 $1,555 $2,677
1987 $1,567 $2,416
1986 $1,569 $1,939
1985 $1,429 $1,568
1984 $1,372 $1,615
1983 $1,213 $1,707
1982 $1,032 $3,085
1981 $1,068 $3,728
1980 $2,021 $3,443
1979 $1,735 $2,443
1978 $1,556 $1,678
1977 $1,393 $1,414
1976 $1,123 $1,268
1975 $937 $1,232
1974 $817 $1,433
1973 $769 $1,397
1972 $639 $776
1971 $570 $1,000
1970 $536 $766
1969 $477 $723
1968 $445 $579
1967 $414 $585
1966 $395 $668
1965 $374 $705
1964 $354 $745
1963 $346 $587
1962 $335 $659
1961 $356 $604
1960 $382 $491

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

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

Costa Rica vs. Uruguay life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Uruguay
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Uruguay
2026 81.4 78.6
2025 81.2 78.5
2024 81 78.3
2023 80.8 78.1
2022 79.3 76.5
2021 78.1 75.4
2020 79.7 78.4
2019 80.3 77.5
2018 80.1 77.5
2017 80 77.6
2016 80 77.4
2015 80.4 77.3
2014 80.2 77.2
2013 80.2 77
2012 79.9 76.7
2011 79.6 76.6
2010 79.4 76.7
2009 79.4 76.7
2008 79.2 76.3
2007 79.1 76.2
2006 79 75.9
2005 78.9 75.8
2004 78.5 75.3
2003 78.2 75.1
2002 77.9 75
2001 77.6 75
2000 77.3 74.7
1999 77.1 74.3
1998 76.9 74
1997 76.6 73.9
1996 76.4 73.8
1995 76.4 73.5
1994 76.3 73.2
1993 76.3 73.1
1992 76.4 73.2
1991 76.2 73.2
1990 76.1 73
1989 75.9 72.6
1988 75.5 72.4
1987 75.2 72.2
1986 74.9 72.2
1985 74.8 71.9
1984 74.6 71.7
1983 74.2 71.6
1982 73.9 71.5
1981 73.4 71
1980 73 70.5
1979 72.5 70.3
1978 72 70.3
1977 71.5 70.1
1976 70.9 69.9
1975 70.3 69.7
1974 69.4 69.5
1973 68.7 69.3
1972 68 69.2
1971 67.4 68.9
1970 66.8 68.7
1969 66.4 68.6
1968 65.8 68.5
1967 65.6 68.4
1966 65.1 68.3
1965 64.8 68.2
1964 64.5 68.1
1963 64.3 68
1962 64.2 67.9
1961 63.9 67.8
1960 63.5 67.7
1959 62.9 67.5
1958 62.3 67.3
1957 61.6 67.1
1956 61.2 66.9
1955 60.5 66.7
1954 59.9 66.5
1953 59.1 66.3
1952 58.1 66.1
1951 57.8 65.8
1950 57.5 65.6

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

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

Costa Rica and Uruguay population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Uruguay
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Uruguay
2024 5,129,910 3,386,588
2023 5,105,525 3,388,081
2022 5,081,765 3,390,913
2021 5,059,988 3,396,695
2020 5,034,320 3,398,968
2019 4,999,553 3,397,206
2018 4,957,818 3,394,534
2017 4,913,177 3,388,438
2016 4,866,998 3,379,283
2015 4,818,038 3,368,017
2014 4,767,119 3,356,334
2013 4,716,147 3,345,337
2012 4,663,934 3,335,401
2011 4,609,833 3,326,825
2010 4,555,962 3,318,580
2009 4,499,791 3,310,091
2008 4,440,056 3,302,177
2007 4,380,248 3,295,153
2006 4,321,340 3,289,506
2005 4,261,240 3,285,771
2004 4,200,078 3,283,148
2003 4,138,784 3,281,186
2002 4,075,705 3,278,867
2001 4,008,947 3,274,251
2000 3,937,739 3,266,206
1999 3,862,101 3,254,015
1998 3,782,838 3,239,280
1997 3,701,711 3,223,345
1996 3,619,013 3,206,324
1995 3,535,176 3,189,440
1994 3,451,122 3,172,834
1993 3,367,434 3,156,345
1992 3,284,258 3,139,702
1991 3,202,176 3,122,354
1990 3,121,706 3,104,403
1989 3,043,827 3,086,255
1988 2,968,103 3,067,961
1987 2,892,699 3,049,896
1986 2,817,216 3,032,845
1985 2,741,894 3,017,037
1984 2,667,595 3,002,488
1983 2,595,153 2,988,778
1982 2,524,806 2,975,492
1981 2,456,637 2,963,246
1980 2,390,633 2,951,953
1979 2,326,490 2,939,903
1978 2,264,510 2,925,715
1977 2,205,025 2,909,461
1976 2,147,774 2,891,392
1975 2,092,719 2,872,320
1974 2,039,643 2,853,944
1973 1,988,343 2,837,133
1972 1,938,248 2,821,644
1971 1,888,539 2,806,462
1970 1,838,949 2,790,807
1969 1,789,276 2,773,974
1968 1,739,731 2,754,606
1967 1,689,523 2,732,277
1966 1,638,116 2,707,646
1965 1,586,208 2,681,169
1964 1,533,960 2,653,180
1963 1,481,604 2,623,766
1962 1,429,445 2,593,298
1961 1,377,920 2,562,044
1960 1,327,496 2,529,957

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Uruguay

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Uruguay
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Uruguay
2023 1.33 1.41
2022 1.34 1.43
2021 1.35 1.45
2020 1.45 1.5
2019 1.6 1.57
2018 1.71 1.68
2017 1.71 1.82
2016 1.75 1.97
2015 1.8 2.04
2014 1.8 2.03
2013 1.78 2.03
2012 1.85 2.01
2011 1.88 1.99
2010 1.83 2.01
2009 1.95 2.02
2008 1.98 2.03
2007 1.95 2.05
2006 1.94 2.07
2005 2.04 2.1
2004 2.03 2.09
2003 2.08 2.12
2002 2.16 2.16
2001 2.31 2.16
2000 2.41 2.2
1999 2.48 2.25
1998 2.53 2.27
1997 2.59 2.33
1996 2.68 2.36
1995 2.78 2.4
1994 2.86 2.42
1993 2.93 2.41
1992 3 2.43
1991 3.08 2.45
1990 3.17 2.48
1989 3.24 2.5
1988 3.31 2.5
1987 3.38 2.49
1986 3.45 2.47
1985 3.51 2.47
1984 3.52 2.47
1983 3.53 2.49
1982 3.54 2.51
1981 3.56 2.53
1980 3.58 2.59
1979 3.65 2.71
1978 3.66 2.83
1977 3.7 2.9
1976 3.75 3.01
1975 3.8 3.02
1974 3.89 2.96
1973 3.99 2.86
1972 4.16 2.78
1971 4.36 2.77
1970 4.59 2.77
1969 4.84 2.77
1968 5.03 2.77
1967 5.42 2.78
1966 5.7 2.82
1965 5.96 2.84
1964 6.19 2.86
1963 6.39 2.88
1962 6.54 2.87
1961 6.65 2.85
1960 6.71 2.83

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

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

Costa Rica and Uruguay demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Uruguay
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Uruguay
2024 35.6 37.2
2023 35.1 36.8
2022 34.5 36.5
2021 34 36.3
2020 33.5 36
2019 33 35.8
2018 32.6 35.5
2017 32.1 35.3
2016 31.7 35.2
2015 31.2 35
2014 30.7 34.9
2013 30.3 34.7
2012 29.8 34.5
2011 29.4 34.2
2010 29 34
2009 28.6 33.7
2008 28.2 33.5
2007 27.8 33.3
2006 27.4 33.1
2005 27 32.9
2004 26.7 32.7
2003 26.3 32.5
2002 25.9 32.3
2001 25.5 32.2
2000 25.2 32
1999 24.9 31.9
1998 24.7 31.8
1997 24.4 31.7
1996 24.1 31.6
1995 23.9 31.5
1994 23.6 31.4
1993 23.4 31.2
1992 23.2 31.1
1991 22.9 31
1990 22.7 30.9
1989 22.5 30.8
1988 22.3 30.7
1987 22.1 30.6
1986 21.8 30.5
1985 21.6 30.4
1984 21.4 30.3
1983 21.2 30.3
1982 20.9 30.2
1981 20.6 30.1
1980 20.3 30.1
1979 20 30
1978 19.7 30
1977 19.5 30.1
1976 19.2 30.1
1975 18.9 30.1
1974 18.6 30.1
1973 18.4 30.1
1972 18.1 30
1971 17.8 29.9
1970 17.6 29.9
1969 17.3 29.8
1968 17.1 29.7
1967 16.9 29.6
1966 16.8 29.5
1965 16.7 29.4
1964 16.7 29.3
1963 16.7 29.2
1962 16.7 29.2
1961 16.8 29.1
1960 16.8 29

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Uruguay
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$73.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
31.1%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
4.81%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
2.31%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
22,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-3.22%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
8.21%
2024
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
16.8%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
69.8
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
2.2%
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
0
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0%
2025
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
17
1999
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$284M
1996
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$136M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
3,480,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
7.71%
2020
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
73.7%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Uruguay
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
1,626 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$20.3
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
8.7 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
2.57 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
44.9%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
57.8%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
17.1%
2022
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
46.2%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
3,590 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
84.4%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
38.4%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Uruguay
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.04%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
-1,338
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
95.6%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
48.5:51.5
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.72 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.3 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
68
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
73
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
58
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
11.2
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
14.8
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
150
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
98.9%
2024
English speaking
8.15%
2023
24%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
92%
2024

Health

Costa Rica Uruguay
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$2,076
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$355
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
78.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
4.67
2022
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
15
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
6.7
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
34.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
7.8%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
65
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
20.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
5.61 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Uruguay
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.12%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
19,954 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
54,976 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
8,085 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
48,300 mi
2010

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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