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Costa Rica vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has a population of 5.13M (ranked 126/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). Costa Rica's land area is 19,714 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 126th vs. 37th).

By GDP, Costa Rica ranks 73/197 ($95.4B) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, Costa Rica ranks 62/197 ($18,587), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

Costa Rica Zambia
Population
5181862
22697916
Population rank 126/197 62/197
GDP
$95.4B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 73/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$18,587
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 62/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,107
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$57B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.8%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,106
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 50/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,150
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 19,714 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
262.6 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.33
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
35.6 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

Costa Rica and Zambia: Comparison Charts

Costa Rica and Zambia economies compared

GDP
Costa Rica

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
Costa Rica Zambia
2024 $95,350,423,177 $25,303,185,342
2023 $86,497,941,439 $27,577,956,471
2022 $69,243,626,029 $29,163,782,140
2021 $64,960,725,734 $22,096,416,932
2020 $62,395,610,760 $18,137,764,931
2019 $64,417,670,521 $23,308,667,781
2018 $62,420,164,992 $26,311,507,274
2017 $60,516,044,657 $25,873,601,261
2016 $58,847,019,610 $20,958,412,538
2015 $56,441,920,821 $21,251,216,799
2014 $52,016,408,854 $27,141,023,558
2013 $50,949,668,842 $28,037,239,463
2012 $47,231,655,432 $25,503,060,420
2011 $42,762,613,699 $23,459,515,276
2010 $37,658,616,952 $20,265,559,484
2009 $30,745,714,313 $15,328,342,304
2008 $30,801,745,700 $17,910,858,638
2007 $26,884,700,709 $14,056,957,976
2006 $22,715,540,324 $12,756,858,899
2005 $20,040,642,477 $8,331,870,169
2004 $18,610,594,846 $6,221,110,219
2003 $17,271,760,507 $4,901,869,764
2002 $16,578,820,687 $4,193,850,445
2001 $15,976,174,337 $4,094,441,301
2000 $15,013,629,662 $3,600,632,111
1999 $14,254,866,285 $3,404,284,891
1998 $13,684,255,947 $3,537,741,942
1997 $12,614,602,382 $4,303,288,480
1996 $11,678,424,507 $3,597,220,962
1995 $11,578,594,260 $3,806,983,413
1994 $10,489,903,725 $3,656,806,166
1993 $9,564,815,975 $3,273,505,344
1992 $8,579,754,758 $3,182,810,841
1991 $7,215,725,487 $3,376,806,697
1990 $5,711,687,787 $3,288,381,797
1989 $5,251,025,767 $3,994,673,161
1988 $4,614,629,898 $3,728,878,149
1987 $4,532,952,047 $2,265,250,972
1986 $4,418,983,871 $1,664,413,508
1985 $3,919,203,960 $2,252,454,500
1984 $3,660,477,856 $2,719,518,933
1983 $3,146,772,631 $3,321,048,451
1982 $2,606,623,555 $3,871,117,093
1981 $2,623,803,096 $4,008,126,497
1980 $4,831,447,001 $3,884,530,854
1979 $4,035,519,323 $3,353,445,378
1978 $3,523,208,810 $2,811,032,473
1977 $3,072,427,013 $2,515,296,940
1976 $2,412,555,426 $2,742,859,263
1975 $1,960,863,466 $2,442,672,141
1974 $1,666,544,754 $2,910,981,262
1973 $1,528,925,846 $2,434,255,237
1972 $1,238,251,696 $1,872,416,680
1971 $1,077,147,538 $1,653,259,341
1970 $984,830,158 $1,788,779,285
1969 $853,630,204 $1,926,399,230
1968 $773,841,494 $1,573,739,371
1967 $699,456,619 $1,340,639,464
1966 $647,305,630 $1,238,999,505
1965 $592,981,162 $1,061,199,576
1964 $542,578,367 $822,639,671
1963 $511,902,137 $704,339,719
1962 $479,180,824 $679,279,729
1961 $490,325,182 $682,359,727
1960 $507,513,830 $698,739,721

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

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

Costa Rica and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Costa Rica

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Costa Rica Zambia
2024 $18,587 $1,187
2023 $16,942 $1,331
2022 $13,626 $1,447
2021 $12,838 $1,127
2020 $12,394 $952
2019 $12,885 $1,259
2018 $12,590 $1,464
2017 $12,317 $1,483
2016 $12,091 $1,239
2015 $11,715 $1,296
2014 $10,911 $1,707
2013 $10,803 $1,821
2012 $10,127 $1,710
2011 $9,276 $1,625
2010 $8,266 $1,451
2009 $6,833 $1,136
2008 $6,937 $1,376
2007 $6,138 $1,119
2006 $5,257 $1,052
2005 $4,703 $711
2004 $4,431 $549
2003 $4,173 $446
2002 $4,068 $394
2001 $3,985 $397
2000 $3,813 $359
1999 $3,691 $350
1998 $3,617 $373
1997 $3,408 $466
1996 $3,227 $400
1995 $3,275 $433
1994 $3,040 $426
1993 $2,840 $391
1992 $2,612 $389
1991 $2,253 $423
1990 $1,830 $422
1989 $1,725 $526
1988 $1,555 $504
1987 $1,567 $315
1986 $1,569 $238.2
1985 $1,429 $332
1984 $1,372 $413
1983 $1,213 $520
1982 $1,032 $627
1981 $1,068 $670
1980 $2,021 $669
1979 $1,735 $595
1978 $1,556 $514
1977 $1,393 $474
1976 $1,123 $533
1975 $937 $490
1974 $817 $601
1973 $769 $518
1972 $639 $410
1971 $570 $372
1970 $536 $414
1969 $477 $459
1968 $445 $387
1967 $414 $341
1966 $395 $325
1965 $374 $287.4
1964 $354 $230
1963 $346 $203.2
1962 $335 $202.3
1961 $356 $209.7
1960 $382 $221.6

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

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

Costa Rica vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Costa Rica

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Costa Rica Zambia
2026 81.4 66.9
2025 81.2 66.7
2024 81 66.5
2023 80.8 66.3
2022 79.3 65.3
2021 78.1 62.4
2020 79.7 63.4
2019 80.3 62.9
2018 80.1 62.1
2017 80 61.6
2016 80 61.1
2015 80.4 60.7
2014 80.2 60.1
2013 80.2 59.4
2012 79.9 58.7
2011 79.6 57.8
2010 79.4 56.9
2009 79.4 55.9
2008 79.2 54.8
2007 79.1 53.7
2006 79 52.7
2005 78.9 51.6
2004 78.5 50.5
2003 78.2 49.6
2002 77.9 48.5
2001 77.6 47.4
2000 77.3 46.6
1999 77.1 45.9
1998 76.9 45.7
1997 76.6 45.7
1996 76.4 45.8
1995 76.4 46.1
1994 76.3 46.3
1993 76.3 46.7
1992 76.4 47
1991 76.2 47.4
1990 76.1 48.2
1989 75.9 48.9
1988 75.5 49.7
1987 75.2 50.4
1986 74.9 51.1
1985 74.8 52
1984 74.6 52.9
1983 74.2 53.7
1982 73.9 54.4
1981 73.4 55
1980 73 55.5
1979 72.5 56
1978 72 56.3
1977 71.5 56.3
1976 70.9 56.1
1975 70.3 55.7
1974 69.4 55.4
1973 68.7 54.9
1972 68 54.4
1971 67.4 53.9
1970 66.8 53.4
1969 66.4 53
1968 65.8 52.7
1967 65.6 52.5
1966 65.1 52.3
1965 64.8 52.1
1964 64.5 51.2
1963 64.3 51.6
1962 64.2 51.3
1961 63.9 51
1960 63.5 50.6
1959 62.9 50.3
1958 62.3 49.9
1957 61.6 49.5
1956 61.2 49.1
1955 60.5 48.8
1954 59.9 48.4
1953 59.1 48
1952 58.1 47.6
1951 57.8 47.2
1950 57.5 46.8

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

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

Costa Rica and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Costa Rica

Zambia
1x
Year Population
Costa Rica Zambia
2024 5,129,910 21,314,956
2023 5,105,525 20,723,965
2022 5,081,765 20,152,938
2021 5,059,988 19,603,607
2020 5,034,320 19,059,395
2019 4,999,553 18,513,839
2018 4,957,818 17,973,569
2017 4,913,177 17,441,320
2016 4,866,998 16,914,423
2015 4,818,038 16,399,089
2014 4,767,119 15,895,315
2013 4,716,147 15,398,997
2012 4,663,934 14,913,629
2011 4,609,833 14,437,796
2010 4,555,962 13,965,594
2009 4,499,791 13,490,389
2008 4,440,056 13,021,324
2007 4,380,248 12,565,085
2006 4,321,340 12,129,553
2005 4,261,240 11,718,819
2004 4,200,078 11,338,198
2003 4,138,784 10,983,595
2002 4,075,705 10,647,949
2001 4,008,947 10,325,185
2000 3,937,739 10,017,631
1999 3,862,101 9,740,005
1998 3,782,838 9,482,408
1997 3,701,711 9,237,063
1996 3,619,013 9,004,053
1995 3,535,176 8,785,763
1994 3,451,122 8,576,269
1993 3,367,434 8,373,921
1992 3,284,258 8,176,680
1991 3,202,176 7,981,650
1990 3,121,706 7,786,169
1989 3,043,827 7,589,216
1988 2,968,103 7,391,440
1987 2,892,699 7,191,282
1986 2,817,216 6,986,471
1985 2,741,894 6,780,953
1984 2,667,595 6,580,490
1983 2,595,153 6,381,038
1982 2,524,806 6,178,637
1981 2,456,637 5,983,289
1980 2,390,633 5,802,833
1979 2,326,490 5,631,728
1978 2,264,510 5,465,374
1977 2,205,025 5,302,480
1976 2,147,774 5,143,842
1975 2,092,719 4,990,086
1974 2,039,643 4,842,746
1973 1,988,343 4,702,693
1972 1,938,248 4,569,309
1971 1,888,539 4,442,525
1970 1,838,949 4,321,718
1969 1,789,276 4,197,116
1968 1,739,731 4,065,593
1967 1,689,523 3,936,343
1966 1,638,116 3,812,003
1965 1,586,208 3,692,086
1964 1,533,960 3,577,017
1963 1,481,604 3,465,907
1962 1,429,445 3,358,099
1961 1,377,920 3,254,086
1960 1,327,496 3,153,729

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

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

Fertility rates in Costa Rica and Zambia

Fertility rate
Costa Rica

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Zambia
2023 1.33 4.1
2022 1.34 4.18
2021 1.35 4.25
2020 1.45 4.32
2019 1.6 4.42
2018 1.71 4.49
2017 1.71 4.57
2016 1.75 4.67
2015 1.8 4.78
2014 1.8 4.89
2013 1.78 5.01
2012 1.85 5.14
2011 1.88 5.26
2010 1.83 5.36
2009 1.95 5.45
2008 1.98 5.53
2007 1.95 5.61
2006 1.94 5.68
2005 2.04 5.7
2004 2.03 5.7
2003 2.08 5.71
2002 2.16 5.77
2001 2.31 5.85
2000 2.41 5.92
1999 2.48 6
1998 2.53 6.07
1997 2.59 6.12
1996 2.68 6.18
1995 2.78 6.23
1994 2.86 6.26
1993 2.93 6.3
1992 3 6.35
1991 3.08 6.46
1990 3.17 6.57
1989 3.24 6.64
1988 3.31 6.7
1987 3.38 6.8
1986 3.45 6.87
1985 3.51 6.93
1984 3.52 6.97
1983 3.53 7.01
1982 3.54 7.04
1981 3.56 7.07
1980 3.58 7.14
1979 3.65 7.22
1978 3.66 7.29
1977 3.7 7.35
1976 3.75 7.39
1975 3.8 7.42
1974 3.89 7.36
1973 3.99 7.34
1972 4.16 7.3
1971 4.36 7.26
1970 4.59 7.22
1969 4.84 7.18
1968 5.03 7.18
1967 5.42 7.15
1966 5.7 7.14
1965 5.96 7.12
1964 6.19 7.09
1963 6.39 7.06
1962 6.54 7.01
1961 6.65 6.98
1960 6.71 6.95

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

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

Costa Rica and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
Costa Rica

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Costa Rica Zambia
2024 35.6 18.8
2023 35.1 18.6
2022 34.5 18.4
2021 34 18.2
2020 33.5 18
2019 33 17.9
2018 32.6 17.7
2017 32.1 17.5
2016 31.7 17.4
2015 31.2 17.2
2014 30.7 17.1
2013 30.3 17
2012 29.8 16.9
2011 29.4 16.8
2010 29 16.7
2009 28.6 16.6
2008 28.2 16.5
2007 27.8 16.4
2006 27.4 16.3
2005 27 16.3
2004 26.7 16.2
2003 26.3 16.1
2002 25.9 16
2001 25.5 15.9
2000 25.2 15.9
1999 24.9 15.8
1998 24.7 15.8
1997 24.4 15.8
1996 24.1 15.8
1995 23.9 15.8
1994 23.6 15.8
1993 23.4 15.8
1992 23.2 15.8
1991 22.9 15.7
1990 22.7 15.7
1989 22.5 15.7
1988 22.3 15.6
1987 22.1 15.6
1986 21.8 15.5
1985 21.6 15.5
1984 21.4 15.4
1983 21.2 15.4
1982 20.9 15.3
1981 20.6 15.3
1980 20.3 15.2
1979 20 15.3
1978 19.7 15.3
1977 19.5 15.4
1976 19.2 15.4
1975 18.9 15.5
1974 18.6 15.7
1973 18.4 15.8
1972 18.1 15.9
1971 17.8 16.1
1970 17.6 16.2
1969 17.3 16.4
1968 17.1 16.4
1967 16.9 16.5
1966 16.8 16.5
1965 16.7 16.6
1964 16.7 16.6
1963 16.7 16.7
1962 16.7 16.8
1961 16.8 16.9
1960 16.8 17

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Costa Rica Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.25%
2021
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.78%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.94%
2024
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
68.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
69.1
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.2%
2024
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.5%
2022
Listed domestic companies
9
2022
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.23B
2022
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.2B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$725M
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,146,500
2020
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
7.41%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
71.4%
2024
72.7%
2024

Energy

Costa Rica Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,025 kg
2023
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$28.2
2023
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
8.38 megatons
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.63 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
51.6%
2023
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.2%
2021
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
37.7%
2023
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share
60.4%
2023
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
2,206 kWh
2023
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.4%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
69.3%
2023
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

Costa Rica Zambia
% of world population
0.06%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
+1,000
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
79.3%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.71 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.26 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
64.8
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
73
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
17.7
2023
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.8
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
142
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
98%
2021
82%
2023
English speaking
8.15%
2023
16%
2023
People using the Internet
85.4%
2023
33%
2023

Health

Costa Rica Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,163
2023
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$280.7
2023
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
81.4 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.01%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.69
2022
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
24
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
10.5
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
32.3%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.8%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
80
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.9%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.4 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

Costa Rica Zambia
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
3,843 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,534 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,907 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,129 mi
2017
42,049 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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