Costa Rica: economy and key statistics
Costa Rica is number 74 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $102.9 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $19,970. The economy grew by 4.6% in 2025. Unemployment is 6.8%. The economy is 69% services, 20% industry, 3% agriculture. In 311 Institute directories: 5 R&D labs.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Costa Rica is number 109 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 30.1 out of 100: economic 58, technology 18, military 0 and human capital 48.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $102.9 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $174.2 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $19,970 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +4.6% | 2025 |
| Inflation | -0.1% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 6.8% | 2025 |
| Population | 5.2 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 2.4 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 69% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 20% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 14% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 3% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 39% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 5.4% of GDP | 2025 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 23% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 0.34% of GDP | 2023 |
| Internet users | 87% of people | 2024 |
R&D labs
Main export industries
Costa Rica exported goods worth about $19.9bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus: $8.7bn (44.0% of goods exports)
- Fruit and nuts, edible: $2.8bn (14.0% of goods exports)
- Miscellaneous edible preparations: $1.1bn (5.6% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $0.8bn (4.2% of goods exports)
- Plastics and articles thereof: $0.5bn (2.7% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in North America
- United States (#1)
- Canada (#10)
- Mexico (#14)
- Puerto Rico (US) (#65)
- Dominican Republic (#66)
- Guatemala (#68)
- Panama (#82)
- Honduras (#105)
- El Salvador (#109)
- Haiti (#112)
- Trinidad and Tobago (#122)
- Jamaica (#125)
- Nicaragua (#128)
- Bahamas (#142)
- Bermuda (#153)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica had a GDP of $102.9 billion in 2025, ranking number 74 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Costa Rica?
GDP per person in Costa Rica was $19,970 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Costa Rica growing?
The economy of Costa Rica grew by 4.6% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
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