Photo: Henry Zbyszynski from Capitola California, USA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Costa Rica: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Costa Rica is placed joint 57th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 28,443 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 50.8 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
joint57th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 28,443GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 50.8Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- 0.334Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 71.35Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Costa Rica on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
28,443
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Costa Rica: 28,443. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Central America
- 37,516 Panama
- Land neighbours
- Nicaragua 7,933 · Panama 37,516
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Costa Rica’s is from 2023 · CC BY 4.0
50.8
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Costa Rica: 50.8. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Central America
- 68.26 Guatemala
- Land neighbours
- Nicaragua 47.81 · Panama 43.84
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
0.334
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 61st of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Costa Rica: 0.334. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Central America
- 0.942 Mexico
- Land neighbours
- Nicaragua -0.891 · Panama 0.361
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
71.35
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Costa Rica: 71.35. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Central America
- 71.35 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Nicaragua 23.47 · Panama 64.1
02Over time
Which way Costa Rica is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
Costa RicaWorld median
Costa Rica rose from 14,026 in 2000 to 28,443 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Costa Rica World median 2025 28,443 17,265 2024 27,325 18,108 2023 26,379 17,686 2022 25,290 16,933 2021 24,084 16,260 2020 22,368 15,631 2019 23,497 16,761 2018 23,070 16,349 2017 22,634 16,129 2016 21,936 15,512 2015 21,265 14,857 2014 20,735 14,475 2013 20,242 14,681 2012 19,971 14,631 2011 19,264 13,916 2010 18,670 14,101 2009 17,942 13,655 2008 18,343 14,030 2007 17,752 13,755 2006 16,628 12,983 2005 15,712 12,023 2004 15,331 11,608 2003 14,899 11,183 2002 14,503 11,144 2001 14,258 10,907 2000 14,026 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
Costa RicaWorld median
Costa Rica rose from -0.022 in 2000 to 0.334 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Costa Rica World median 2024 0.334 0.1310 2023 0.231 0.0710 2022 0.157 0.0580 2021 0.178 0.0010 2020 0.166 0.0470 2019 0.257 0.0300 2018 0.229 -0.0150 2017 0.206 0.0080 2016 0.227 -0.0660 2015 0.248 -0.0600 2014 0.318 -0.0190 2013 0.334 0.0140 2012 0.291 0.0060 2011 0.178 -0.0140 2010 0.209 -0.0020 2009 0.099 0.0990 2008 0.191 0.0700 2007 0.195 -0.0080 2006 0.212 0.0740 2005 0.081 0.0510 2004 0.100 0.0505 2003 0.060 0.0450 2002 -0.002 0.0100 2001 0.101 0.0470 2000 -0.022 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
Costa RicaWorld median
Costa Rica rose from 50.36 in 2011 to 71.35 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Costa Rica World median 2024 71.4 73 2021 68.5 74 2017 67.8 59 2014 64.6 52 2011 50.4 37
03In context
Costa Rica beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Costa Rica and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | =57th | 28,443 | 50.8 | 0.334 | 71.35 |
 Panama | 63rd | 37,516 | 43.84 | 0.361 | 64.1 |
 Nicaragua | 119th | 7,933 | 47.81 | -0.891 | 23.47 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Costa Rica in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Costa Rica is ahead of the world, and behind
67 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median24
Statistics on which Costa Rica does better than the middle country measured.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4257.1625.42▲ Improved since 2014
Costa Rica: 57.16 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 24th of 170 · derived.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38916.928.389▲ Improved since 2011
Costa Rica: 16.92 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 26th of 118 · derived.
Business Ready: Public ServicesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 50.1363.5850.13No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 63.58 · world median 50.13 · Public services score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 18.35 to 73.31; higher is better.
Position 12th of 50 · derived.
New Business DensityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.1876.3122.187▲ Improved since 2014
Costa Rica: 6.312 · world median 2.187 · New limited liability companies registered per 1,000 people aged 15–64. World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 26.76; higher is better.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.520.527.5No real change since 2010
Costa Rica: 20.5 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.47413.887.474▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 13.88 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 31st of 118 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,486128,53446,486No real change since 2010
Costa Rica: 128,534 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 40th of 150 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0930.538-0.093No real change since 2015
Costa Rica: 0.538 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 58th of 209 · derived.
Business Ready: Regulatory FrameworkWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 66.871.3466.8No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 71.34 · world median 66.8 · Regulatory framework score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 46.21 to 78.34; higher is better.
Position 15th of 50 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3964.563.396▲ Improved since 2015
Costa Rica: 4.56 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 54th of 186 · derived.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,27325,80914,273▲ Improved since 2015
Costa Rica: 25,809 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 30th of 102 · derived.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.7630.627▲ Improved since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.763 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.869.763.8No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 69.7 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 33rd of 99 by World Energy Council.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.415.1310.4No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 15.13 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6751.5746.67No real change since 2012
Costa Rica: 51.57 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 71st of 195 · derived.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.6050.485No real change since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.605 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 62nd of 170 · derived.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06113.36107.06▲ Improved since 2012
Costa Rica: 113.36 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 194 · derived.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.2185.9256.21▼ Worsened since 2016
Costa Rica: 85.92 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 63rd of 175 by UNCTAD.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,80016,67812,800No real change since 2017
Costa Rica: 16,678 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 69th of 173 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1945.9240.19▲ Improved since 2020
Costa Rica: 45.92 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 79th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89015,49712,890No real change since 2012
Costa Rica: 15,497 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 166 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,8431,636No real change since 2014
Costa Rica: 1,843 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 36th of 75 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.119.0216.1▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 19.02 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9751.010.975▼ Worsened since 2014
Costa Rica: 1.01 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 58th of 119 · derived.
Behind the world median13
Statistics on which Costa Rica does worse than the middle country measured.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5228.3628.52No real change since 2022
Costa Rica: 28.36 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 72nd of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95507.76701.95No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 507.76 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 145 · derived.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3951.0452.39No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 51.04 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 96th of 169 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.3370.814▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.337 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 59th of 84 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08100.36106.08▼ Worsened since 2012
Costa Rica: 100.36 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 141st of 195 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.2396.09106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
Costa Rica: 96.09 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 147th of 195 · derived.
Business Ready: Operational EfficiencyWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 65.8253.6665.82No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 53.66 · world median 65.82 · Operational efficiency score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 40.36 to 87.33; higher is better.
Position 40th of 50 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8161.1141.81No earlier reading
Costa Rica: 61.11 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 31st of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID)Frederick Solt, University of Iowa · 2023 · world median 3345.133▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 45.1 · world median 33 · Gini index of disposable household income (0–100), SWIID estimate. Frederick Solt, University of Iowa, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 22.3 to 51.2; lower is better.
Position 8th of 79 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 33.7246.7333.72No real change since 2013
Costa Rica: 46.73 · world median 33.72 · Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 54.58; lower is better.
Position 5th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Income Share Held by Lowest 20%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.124.497.12No real change since 2013
Costa Rica: 4.49 · world median 7.12 · Share of national income held by the poorest fifth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.24 to 11.07; higher is better.
Position 56th of 60 · derived.
Palma RatioWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.3322.661.332No real change since 2013
Costa Rica: 2.66 · world median 1.332 · Palma ratio (income share of the richest 10% ÷ share of the poorest 40%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.771 to 4.193; lower is better.
Position 5th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Income Share Held by Richest 10%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 26.1835.0526.18▼ Worsened since 2013
Costa Rica: 35.05 · world median 26.18 · Share of national income or consumption held by the richest tenth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 18.79 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 4th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.92.92.9▲ Improved since 2014
Costa Rica: 2.9 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 66th of 139 by World Bank Group.
No better end29
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 243024Moved since 2016
Costa Rica: 30 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9685.0761.968Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 5.076 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.7380.523Moved since 2013
Costa Rica: 0.738 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,093657.95Moved since 2014
Costa Rica: 1,093 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.60217.929.602No real change since 2015
Costa Rica: 17.92 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2613.5811.26Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 13.58 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 47th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.8524.8421.85No real change since 2014
Costa Rica: 24.84 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
Creative Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 6.1719.8546.171Moved since 2014
Costa Rica: 9.854 · world median 6.171 · Creative services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.002 to 63.91.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2403,4572,240No real change since 2022
Costa Rica: 3,457 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.225-0.017-0.225No real change since 2014
Costa Rica: -0.017 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.046462.04No real change since 2015
Costa Rica: 64 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 61st of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3438.8536.34Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 38.85 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 66th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23103.53103.23No real change since 2015
Costa Rica: 103.53 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Container Port TrafficUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1,827,7881,717,4391,827,788Moved since 2014
Costa Rica: 1,717,439 · world median 1,827,788 · Container port traffic (TEU, twenty-foot equivalent units). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 17,263 to 299,703,800.
Position 54th of 103 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.2820.306Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 0.282 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.6871.4979.68Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 71.49 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 78th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080.7631.708No real change since 2011
Costa Rica: 0.763 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 119th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2114.0116.21Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 14.01 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 84th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Foreign Value Added Share of Gross ExportsOECD · 2022 · world median 27.4120.9227.41Moved since 2012
Costa Rica: 20.92 · world median 27.41 · Foreign value added (% of gross exports). OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 4.491 to 66.08.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7232.6441.72Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 32.64 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 90th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.7353.06275.73Moved since 2016
Costa Rica: 53.06 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5723.3666.572Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 3.366 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 106th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6519.8824.65Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 19.88 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 114th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2350.3131.235Moved since 2014
Costa Rica: 0.313 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1734.6967.17Moved since 2014
Costa Rica: 34.69 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.0613.8122.06Moved since 2014
Costa Rica: 13.81 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 120th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.9315.7822.93Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: 15.78 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 114th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.661.33.66Moved since 2012
Costa Rica: 1.3 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.306-0.5353.306Moved since 2015
Costa Rica: -0.535 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
No current reading for Costa Rica
Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) and Interest Payments on External Debt. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Costa Rica’s 16 topics
Economy & Innovation is Costa Rica’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Security2nd of 1773/4 keys
- Gender & Equality5th of 1834/4 keys
- Energy12th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties31st of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions32nd of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge53rd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing60th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 57th of 1764/4 keys
- Digital & Technology67th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital70th of 1963/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture80th of 1844/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability84th of 1864/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade84th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 92nd of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 104th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality110th of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Costa Rica can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada18th4/4 keysHighest in Central America
Costa Rica=57th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Costa Rica and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Costa Rica on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Costa Rica rank on economy & innovation?
Costa Rica is placed joint 57th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Costa Rica?
28,443 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Costa Rica?
50.8 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Costa Rica compare with Nicaragua on economy & innovation?
Nicaragua is placed 119th of 176, and Costa Rica joint 57th. GDP per Capita (PPP): Nicaragua 7,933, Costa Rica 28,443; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Nicaragua 47.81, Costa Rica 50.8; Economic Complexity Index: Nicaragua -0.891, Costa Rica 0.334; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Nicaragua 23.47, Costa Rica 71.35.
How have Costa Rica’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 14,026 in 2000 to 28,443 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from -0.022 in 2000 to 0.334 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 50.36 in 2011 to 71.35 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Costa Rica?
No current reading is published for Costa Rica on Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) and Interest Payments on External Debt. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 67 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Costa Rica’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Costa Rica (banner) — Henry Zbyszynski from Capitola California, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Costa Rica: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/costa-rica/economy