The latest officially reported population of Costa Rica was 5,129,910 in 2024 vs 568,847 people in Malta in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Costa Rica's population is 5,181,862 people compared to 581,729 in Malta.
Population statistics:
- Costa Rica's population is 8.91 times bigger than Malta's.
- Costa Rica is ranked the 126th most populous country in the world, while Malta is the 167th.
- The countries together account for 0.07% of the world: 0.06% for Costa Rica vs 0.007% for Malta.
- For the last 10 years, Costa Rica has had an average growth rate of +0.77% per year vs +2.69% in Malta.
- Since 2006, the population of Costa Rica has increased from 4.32M people to 5.18M (19.9% growth), while Malta has grown from 405K to 582K (43.5% growth).
Costa Rica vs Malta: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Costa Rica
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | 3,804,183 | 383,244 |
| 2099 | 3,842,423 | 386,421 |
| 2098 | 3,880,999 | 389,613 |
| 2097 | 3,919,996 | 392,917 |
| 2096 | 3,959,352 | 396,295 |
| 2095 | 3,999,084 | 399,956 |
| 2094 | 4,039,053 | 403,710 |
| 2093 | 4,079,349 | 407,487 |
| 2092 | 4,119,898 | 411,340 |
| 2091 | 4,160,663 | 415,407 |
| 2090 | 4,201,548 | 419,592 |
| 2089 | 4,242,452 | 423,826 |
| 2088 | 4,283,327 | 428,052 |
| 2087 | 4,324,225 | 432,556 |
| 2086 | 4,364,979 | 437,240 |
| 2085 | 4,405,520 | 441,882 |
| 2084 | 4,445,770 | 446,649 |
| 2083 | 4,485,644 | 451,551 |
| 2082 | 4,525,171 | 456,344 |
| 2081 | 4,564,265 | 461,335 |
| 2080 | 4,602,737 | 466,229 |
| 2079 | 4,640,677 | 471,100 |
| 2078 | 4,677,935 | 475,924 |
| 2077 | 4,714,527 | 480,771 |
| 2076 | 4,750,309 | 485,655 |
| 2075 | 4,785,359 | 490,208 |
| 2074 | 4,819,691 | 494,656 |
| 2073 | 4,853,137 | 499,046 |
| 2072 | 4,885,727 | 503,370 |
| 2071 | 4,917,445 | 507,604 |
| 2070 | 4,948,313 | 511,683 |
| 2069 | 4,978,425 | 515,748 |
| 2068 | 5,007,604 | 519,737 |
| 2067 | 5,035,877 | 523,520 |
| 2066 | 5,063,521 | 527,140 |
| 2065 | 5,090,474 | 530,620 |
| 2064 | 5,116,546 | 533,923 |
| 2063 | 5,141,922 | 537,029 |
| 2062 | 5,166,260 | 540,145 |
| 2061 | 5,189,836 | 543,018 |
| 2060 | 5,212,549 | 545,828 |
| 2059 | 5,234,066 | 548,562 |
| 2058 | 5,254,528 | 551,048 |
| 2057 | 5,273,844 | 553,389 |
| 2056 | 5,292,013 | 555,804 |
| 2055 | 5,308,829 | 558,190 |
| 2054 | 5,324,305 | 560,309 |
| 2053 | 5,338,417 | 562,511 |
| 2052 | 5,350,974 | 564,772 |
| 2051 | 5,361,865 | 567,078 |
| 2050 | 5,371,197 | 569,189 |
| 2049 | 5,378,904 | 571,016 |
| 2048 | 5,385,081 | 572,923 |
| 2047 | 5,389,678 | 574,977 |
| 2046 | 5,392,713 | 576,728 |
| 2045 | 5,394,209 | 578,442 |
| 2044 | 5,394,124 | 580,046 |
| 2043 | 5,392,590 | 581,639 |
| 2042 | 5,389,628 | 583,042 |
| 2041 | 5,385,101 | 584,485 |
| 2040 | 5,379,344 | 585,747 |
| 2039 | 5,372,186 | 587,035 |
| 2038 | 5,363,617 | 588,223 |
| 2037 | 5,353,928 | 589,140 |
| 2036 | 5,343,027 | 589,886 |
| 2035 | 5,330,994 | 590,469 |
| 2034 | 5,317,895 | 590,868 |
| 2033 | 5,303,634 | 590,759 |
| 2032 | 5,288,416 | 590,166 |
| 2031 | 5,272,215 | 589,366 |
| 2030 | 5,255,064 | 588,281 |
| 2029 | 5,236,901 | 586,978 |
| 2028 | 5,217,724 | 585,310 |
| 2027 | 5,197,413 | 583,310 |
| 2026 | 5,176,096 | 581,144 |
| 2025 | 5,153,634 | 575,661 |
| 2024 | 5,129,910 | 568,847 |
| 2023 | 5,105,525 | 552,747 |
| 2022 | 5,081,765 | 531,113 |
| 2021 | 5,059,988 | 518,150 |
| 2020 | 5,034,320 | 515,490 |
| 2019 | 4,999,553 | 503,912 |
| 2018 | 4,957,818 | 483,903 |
| 2017 | 4,913,177 | 467,106 |
| 2016 | 4,866,998 | 454,505 |
| 2015 | 4,818,038 | 444,220 |
| 2014 | 4,767,119 | 433,481 |
| 2013 | 4,716,147 | 424,810 |
| 2012 | 4,663,934 | 420,028 |
| 2011 | 4,609,833 | 416,268 |
| 2010 | 4,555,962 | 414,508 |
| 2009 | 4,499,791 | 412,477 |
| 2008 | 4,440,056 | 409,379 |
| 2007 | 4,380,248 | 406,724 |
| 2006 | 4,321,340 | 405,308 |
| 2005 | 4,261,240 | 403,834 |
| 2004 | 4,200,078 | 401,268 |
| 2003 | 4,138,784 | 398,582 |
| 2002 | 4,075,705 | 395,969 |
| 2001 | 4,008,947 | 393,028 |
| 2000 | 3,937,739 | 390,087 |
| 1999 | 3,862,101 | 387,578 |
| 1998 | 3,782,838 | 385,287 |
| 1997 | 3,701,711 | 382,791 |
| 1996 | 3,619,013 | 379,905 |
| 1995 | 3,535,176 | 377,419 |
| 1994 | 3,451,122 | 374,797 |
| 1993 | 3,367,434 | 371,308 |
| 1992 | 3,284,258 | 367,618 |
| 1991 | 3,202,176 | 363,845 |
| 1990 | 3,121,706 | 354,170 |
| 1989 | 3,043,827 | 350,722 |
| 1988 | 2,968,103 | 347,325 |
| 1987 | 2,892,699 | 344,485 |
| 1986 | 2,817,216 | 342,121 |
| 1985 | 2,741,894 | 336,452 |
| 1984 | 2,667,595 | 330,593 |
| 1983 | 2,595,153 | 330,524 |
| 1982 | 2,524,806 | 325,898 |
| 1981 | 2,456,637 | 318,982 |
| 1980 | 2,390,633 | 316,645 |
| 1979 | 2,326,490 | 313,342 |
| 1978 | 2,264,510 | 310,182 |
| 1977 | 2,205,025 | 306,970 |
| 1976 | 2,147,774 | 305,774 |
| 1975 | 2,092,719 | 304,222 |
| 1974 | 2,039,643 | 301,996 |
| 1973 | 1,988,343 | 302,200 |
| 1972 | 1,938,248 | 302,450 |
| 1971 | 1,888,539 | 302,700 |
| 1970 | 1,838,949 | 302,650 |
| 1969 | 1,789,276 | 304,300 |
| 1968 | 1,739,731 | 307,900 |
| 1967 | 1,689,523 | 311,550 |
| 1966 | 1,638,116 | 315,200 |
| 1965 | 1,586,208 | 318,800 |
| 1964 | 1,533,960 | 321,250 |
| 1963 | 1,481,604 | 322,550 |
| 1962 | 1,429,445 | 323,900 |
| 1961 | 1,377,920 | 325,250 |
| 1960 | 1,327,496 | 326,550 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/malta | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Costa Rica increased by 545,658 people (a 12.6% growth), while Malta gained 49,197 people (a 12.1% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Costa Rica gained 314,864 people (a 6.47% growth), while Malta's population increased by 127,224 people (a 28% growth).
Costa Rica was ranked 119th most populous country in 2006 and is 126th in 2026. Malta was ranked 168th in 2006 and ranked 167th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Costa Rica's population will grow by 3.65% to 5,371,197 people and will still be ranked 126th. The population of Malta will decrease by 2.16% to 569,189 people and will still be ranked 167th.
Costa Rica is projected to reach its peak in 2045 at 5.39M people compared to the peak of 591K people in 2034 for Malta.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | -1% | -0.82% |
| 2099 | -0.99% | -0.82% |
| 2098 | -0.99% | -0.84% |
| 2097 | -0.99% | -0.85% |
| 2096 | -0.99% | -0.92% |
| 2095 | -0.99% | -0.93% |
| 2094 | -0.99% | -0.93% |
| 2093 | -0.98% | -0.94% |
| 2092 | -0.98% | -0.98% |
| 2091 | -0.97% | -1% |
| 2090 | -0.96% | -1% |
| 2089 | -0.95% | -0.99% |
| 2088 | -0.95% | -1.04% |
| 2087 | -0.93% | -1.07% |
| 2086 | -0.92% | -1.05% |
| 2085 | -0.91% | -1.07% |
| 2084 | -0.89% | -1.09% |
| 2083 | -0.87% | -1.05% |
| 2082 | -0.86% | -1.08% |
| 2081 | -0.84% | -1.05% |
| 2080 | -0.82% | -1.03% |
| 2079 | -0.8% | -1.01% |
| 2078 | -0.78% | -1.01% |
| 2077 | -0.75% | -1.01% |
| 2076 | -0.73% | -0.93% |
| 2075 | -0.71% | -0.9% |
| 2074 | -0.69% | -0.88% |
| 2073 | -0.67% | -0.86% |
| 2072 | -0.65% | -0.83% |
| 2071 | -0.62% | -0.8% |
| 2070 | -0.6% | -0.79% |
| 2069 | -0.58% | -0.77% |
| 2068 | -0.56% | -0.72% |
| 2067 | -0.55% | -0.69% |
| 2066 | -0.53% | -0.66% |
| 2065 | -0.51% | -0.62% |
| 2064 | -0.49% | -0.58% |
| 2063 | -0.47% | -0.58% |
| 2062 | -0.45% | -0.53% |
| 2061 | -0.44% | -0.51% |
| 2060 | -0.41% | -0.5% |
| 2059 | -0.39% | -0.45% |
| 2058 | -0.37% | -0.42% |
| 2057 | -0.34% | -0.43% |
| 2056 | -0.32% | -0.43% |
| 2055 | -0.29% | -0.38% |
| 2054 | -0.26% | -0.39% |
| 2053 | -0.23% | -0.4% |
| 2052 | -0.2% | -0.41% |
| 2051 | -0.17% | -0.37% |
| 2050 | -0.14% | -0.32% |
| 2049 | -0.11% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | -0.09% | -0.36% |
| 2047 | -0.06% | -0.3% |
| 2046 | -0.03% | -0.3% |
| 2045 | 0.002% | -0.28% |
| 2044 | 0.03% | -0.27% |
| 2043 | 0.05% | -0.24% |
| 2042 | 0.08% | -0.25% |
| 2041 | 0.11% | -0.22% |
| 2040 | 0.13% | -0.22% |
| 2039 | 0.16% | -0.2% |
| 2038 | 0.18% | -0.16% |
| 2037 | 0.2% | -0.13% |
| 2036 | 0.23% | -0.1% |
| 2035 | 0.25% | -0.07% |
| 2034 | 0.27% | 0.02% |
| 2033 | 0.29% | 0.1% |
| 2032 | 0.31% | 0.14% |
| 2031 | 0.33% | 0.18% |
| 2030 | 0.35% | 0.22% |
| 2029 | 0.37% | 0.29% |
| 2028 | 0.39% | 0.34% |
| 2027 | 0.41% | 0.37% |
| 2026 | 0.44% | 0.95% |
| 2025 | 0.46% | 1.2% |
| 2024 | 0.48% | 2.91% |
| 2023 | 0.47% | 4.07% |
| 2022 | 0.43% | 2.5% |
| 2021 | 0.51% | 0.52% |
| 2020 | 0.7% | 2.3% |
| 2019 | 0.84% | 4.13% |
| 2018 | 0.91% | 3.6% |
| 2017 | 0.95% | 2.77% |
| 2016 | 1.02% | 2.32% |
| 2015 | 1.07% | 2.48% |
| 2014 | 1.08% | 2.04% |
| 2013 | 1.12% | 1.14% |
| 2012 | 1.17% | 0.9% |
| 2011 | 1.18% | 0.42% |
| 2010 | 1.25% | 0.49% |
| 2009 | 1.35% | 0.76% |
| 2008 | 1.37% | 0.65% |
| 2007 | 1.36% | 0.35% |
| 2006 | 1.41% | 0.37% |
| 2005 | 1.46% | 0.64% |
| 2004 | 1.48% | 0.67% |
| 2003 | 1.55% | 0.66% |
| 2002 | 1.67% | 0.75% |
| 2001 | 1.81% | 0.75% |
| 2000 | 1.96% | 0.65% |
| 1999 | 2.1% | 0.59% |
| 1998 | 2.19% | 0.65% |
| 1997 | 2.29% | 0.76% |
| 1996 | 2.37% | 0.66% |
| 1995 | 2.44% | 0.7% |
| 1994 | 2.49% | 0.94% |
| 1993 | 2.53% | 1% |
| 1992 | 2.56% | 1.04% |
| 1991 | 2.58% | 2.73% |
| 1990 | 2.56% | 0.98% |
| 1989 | 2.55% | 0.98% |
| 1988 | 2.61% | 0.82% |
| 1987 | 2.68% | 0.69% |
| 1986 | 2.75% | 1.68% |
| 1985 | 2.79% | 1.77% |
| 1984 | 2.79% | 0.02% |
| 1983 | 2.79% | 1.42% |
| 1982 | 2.77% | 2.17% |
| 1981 | 2.76% | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 2.76% | 1.05% |
| 1979 | 2.74% | 1.02% |
| 1978 | 2.7% | 1.05% |
| 1977 | 2.67% | 0.39% |
| 1976 | 2.63% | 0.51% |
| 1975 | 2.6% | 0.74% |
| 1974 | 2.58% | -0.07% |
| 1973 | 2.58% | -0.08% |
| 1972 | 2.63% | -0.08% |
| 1971 | 2.7% | 0.02% |
| 1970 | 2.78% | -0.54% |
| 1969 | 2.85% | -1.17% |
| 1968 | 2.97% | -1.17% |
| 1967 | 3.14% | -1.16% |
| 1966 | 3.27% | -1.13% |
| 1965 | 3.41% | -0.76% |
| 1964 | 3.53% | -0.4% |
| 1963 | 3.65% | -0.42% |
| 1962 | 3.74% | -0.42% |
| 1961 | 3.8% | -0.4% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/malta | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Costa Rica grew by 0.48%, while Malta's population grew by 2.91%.
Live population counters
|
Costa Rica
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
5181862
|
581729
|
| Population rank | 126/197 | 167/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.06% | 0.007% |
| One net population change |
21.6 minutes
|
32.6 minutes
|
| One birth every |
10.1 minutes
|
1.96 hours
|
| One death every |
18.9 minutes
|
2.17 hours
|
| Daily growth/decline | +67 | +44 |
| Annual growth/decline | +24,385 | +16,100 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.48% | +2.91% |
| Population growth rate rank | 138/197 | 19/197 |
| One migration net change every |
8.78 hours
|
1.7 hours
|
| Annual migration change | +1,000 | +5,161 |
| Net migration rank | 63/196 | 52/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 628,404 | 199,466 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 75/195 | 112/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 12.2% | 37% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 55/195 | 15/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Malta
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 1,000 | - | 5,161 |
| 2024 | - | 967 | - | 6,323 |
| 2023 | 24,109 | 995 | 442 | 6,591 |
| 2022 | 21,409 | 1,006 | 54 | 2,480 |
| 2021 | 20,119 | 1,018 | 259 | 4,638 |
| 2020 | 29,164 | 1,029 | 361 | 6,904 |
| 2019 | 37,682 | 1,653 | 655 | 20,302 |
| 2018 | 42,469 | 1,673 | 774 | 16,961 |
| 2017 | 43,471 | 1,671 | 747 | 14,372 |
| 2016 | 45,565 | 1,649 | 1,091 | 8,624 |
| 2015 | 49,077 | 1,617 | 888 | 9,588 |
| 2014 | 49,559 | 1,589 | 910 | 9,192 |
| 2013 | 49,227 | 1,579 | 807 | 861 |
| 2012 | 52,036 | 1,587 | 714 | 911 |
| 2011 | 52,884 | 1,695 | 916 | 999 |
| 2010 | 50,803 | 2,357 | 871 | 741 |
| 2009 | 55,757 | 3,432 | 825 | 836 |
| 2008 | 56,491 | 3,794 | 777 | 869 |
| 2007 | 55,244 | 4,080 | 691 | 926 |
| 2006 | 54,177 | 4,321 | 568 | 997 |
| 2005 | 57,139 | 4,567 | 727 | 1,626 |
| 2004 | 55,769 | 4,856 | 883 | 1,662 |
| 2003 | 56,743 | 5,216 | 917 | 1,626 |
| 2002 | 58,388 | 5,812 | 911 | 1,821 |
| 2001 | 62,199 | 7,119 | 1,061 | 1,678 |
| 2000 | 64,268 | 8,826 | 1,482 | 1,591 |
| 1999 | 64,922 | 13,253 | 1,357 | 1,463 |
| 1998 | 64,788 | 15,556 | 1,656 | 1,260 |
| 1997 | 64,954 | 16,954 | 1,991 | 1,003 |
| 1996 | 66,094 | 17,393 | 2,279 | 1,142 |
| 1995 | 67,585 | 16,609 | 1,887 | 1,306 |
| 1994 | 68,336 | 15,587 | 2,136 | 1,136 |
| 1993 | 69,016 | 14,431 | 2,451 | 1,006 |
| 1992 | 69,830 | 13,069 | 2,573 | 737 |
| 1991 | 70,506 | 10,757 | 2,438 | 763 |
| 1990 | 71,727 | 7,949 | 2,621 | 568 |
| 1989 | 72,327 | 3,758 | 2,981 | 248 |
| 1988 | 72,944 | 2,414 | 2,813 | 164 |
| 1987 | 73,188 | 2,267 | 2,412 | 295 |
| 1986 | 73,211 | 2,302 | 2,395 | 464 |
| 1985 | 72,776 | 2,357 | 2,590 | -428 |
| 1984 | 71,062 | 2,402 | 2,678 | -558 |
| 1983 | 68,972 | 2,449 | 2,512 | -740 |
| 1982 | 66,826 | 2,453 | 2,835 | -1,059 |
| 1981 | 64,632 | 2,431 | 2,233 | -548 |
| 1980 | 62,561 | 2,387 | 2,375 | -886 |
| 1979 | 60,984 | 2,349 | 2,852 | -1,311 |
| 1978 | 58,327 | 2,296 | 2,389 | -1,302 |
| 1977 | 56,122 | 2,228 | 2,916 | -1,598 |
| 1976 | 54,019 | 2,129 | 2,721 | -1,641 |
| 1975 | 51,979 | 1,992 | 2,829 | -1,742 |
| 1974 | 50,349 | 1,839 | 2,687 | -1,597 |
| 1973 | 48,943 | 1,468 | 2,327 | -1,549 |
| 1972 | 48,417 | 1,366 | 2,480 | -1,316 |
| 1971 | 48,341 | 1,296 | 2,482 | -1,327 |
| 1970 | 48,398 | 1,137 | 2,270 | -1,123 |
| 1969 | 48,790 | 1,017 | 2,069 | -827 |
| 1968 | 48,361 | 939 | 2,247 | -753 |
| 1967 | 50,193 | 926 | 2,306 | -4,073 |
| 1966 | 50,755 | 930 | 2,458 | -4,318 |
| 1965 | 51,196 | 932 | 2,646 | -4,329 |
| 1964 | 51,435 | 934 | 3,630 | -4,768 |
| 1963 | 51,403 | 938 | 3,709 | -4,773 |
| 1962 | 51,046 | 934 | 4,664 | -5,360 |
| 1961 | 50,149 | 924 | 4,748 | -5,099 |
| 1960 | 48,857 | 910 | 5,747 | -5,540 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/malta | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 96.3% of the population change in Costa Rica is from natural causes (a gain of 362,624 people) and 3.69% is from migration (a gain of 13,900 people). In Malta 5.84% is from natural causes (a gain of 6,181 people) and 94.2% is from migration (a gain of 99,652 people).
As of 2024, 628,404 residents or 12.2% of the population were not native-born in Costa Rica, compared to 199,466 people or 37% in Malta.
Biggest cities by population
|
Costa Rica
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| San Jose | 335K |
| Limon | 71.5K |
| Liberia | 65.9K |
| Alajuela | 44.4K |
| Puntarenas | 41.5K |
| Cartago | 22.8K |
| Heredia | 16.7K |
| Tamarindo | 7.13K |
| Santa Teresa | 3K |
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| St. Paul's Bay | 40.2K |
| Mosta | 25.5K |
| Birkirkara | 24.4K |
| Naxxar | 18.1K |
| Zabbar | 18K |
| Sliema | 16.9K |
| San Gwann | 16.1K |
| Marsaskala | 15.6K |
| Gzira | 8.03K |
| Valletta | 6.44K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Costa Rica and Malta
|
Costa Rica
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 81.4 years | 83.8 years |
| Average age | 37 years | 43 years |
| Median age | 35.6 years | 41.8 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 49.4:50.6 | 51.9:48.1 |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 births per woman | 1.06 births per woman |
| Population density | 262.6 ppl/mi² | 4,704 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/malta | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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