Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Costa Rica has a diversified Central American economy supported by services, tourism, technology, manufacturing, and exports. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.6%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#70
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-1.0 pp
2025: +4.6%
North America Rank
#5
Out of 23 countries
1. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Costa Rican economic growth is supported by tourism, foreign investment, technology services, medical manufacturing, and household demand. U.S. and global demand remain important.
2. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The country’s growth history has been shaped by export diversification, education, tourism, and foreign direct investment. High-value manufacturing and services have become increasingly important.
3. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.6% | -1.0 pp |
| 2025 | +4.6% | +0.5 pp |
| 2024 | +4.1% | -0.7 pp |
| 2023 | +4.8% | -0.7 pp |
| 2022 | +5.5% | -2.7 pp |
| 2021 | +8.2% | +12.3 pp |
| 2020 | -4.1% | -6.8 pp |
| 2019 | +2.7% | -0.2 pp |
| 2018 | +2.9% | -1.3 pp |
| 2017 | +4.2% | 0.0 pp |
| 2016 | +4.2% | +0.5 pp |
| 2015 | +3.7% | +0.2 pp |
| 2014 | +3.5% | +1.0 pp |
| 2013 | +2.5% | -2.4 pp |
| 2012 | +4.9% | +0.5 pp |
| 2011 | +4.4% | -1.0 pp |
| 2010 | +5.4% | +6.3 pp |
| 2009 | -0.9% | -5.6 pp |
| 2008 | +4.7% | -3.5 pp |
| 2007 | +8.2% | +0.9 pp |
| 2006 | +7.3% | +3.3 pp |
| 2005 | +4.0% | -0.4 pp |
| 2004 | +4.4% | +0.1 pp |
| 2003 | +4.3% | +0.9 pp |
| 2002 | +3.4% | -0.1 pp |
| 2001 | +3.5% | -0.3 pp |
| 2000 | +3.8% | -0.3 pp |
| 1999 | +4.1% | -3.0 pp |
| 1998 | +7.1% | +1.6 pp |
| 1997 | +5.5% | +4.1 pp |
| 1996 | +1.4% | -2.8 pp |
| 1995 | +4.2% | -0.3 pp |
| 1994 | +4.5% | -2.6 pp |
| 1993 | +7.1% | -2.1 pp |
| 1992 | +9.2% | +6.9 pp |
| 1991 | +2.3% | -1.3 pp |
| 1990 | +3.6% | -2.1 pp |
| 1989 | +5.7% | +2.3 pp |
| 1988 | +3.4% | -1.4 pp |
| 1987 | +4.8% | -0.7 pp |
| 1986 | +5.5% | +4.8 pp |
| 1985 | +0.7% | -7.3 pp |
| 1984 | +8.0% | +5.1 pp |
| 1983 | +2.9% | +10.2 pp |
| 1982 | -7.3% | -5.0 pp |
| 1981 | -2.3% | -3.1 pp |
| 1980 | +0.8% | — |
4. Costa Rica GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.6%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.5%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+3.6%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.9%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from strong foreign investment, technology-related exports, and tourism. Fiscal improvements and stable institutions support business confidence.
5. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate vs North America and World
Costa Rica
+3.6%
North America Average
+2.2%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.8%
3.6%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Costa Rica’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.4 pp
above the
North America average
and
0.7 pp
above the world average.
6. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate Ranking in North America
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Guatemala | +3.9% |
| #2 | Nicaragua | +3.8% |
| #3 | Panama | +3.8% |
| #4 | Dominican Republic | +3.7% |
| #5 | Costa Rica | +3.6% |
| #6 | El Salvador | +3.3% |
| #7 | Honduras | +3.3% |
| #8 | Dominica | +3.1% |
| #9 | Grenada | +3.1% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Costa Rica
Costa Rica GDP (Nominal)
$109.9 Billion
(2026)
Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate
+3.6%
(2026)
Costa Rica often performs strongly within Central America because of its diversified export base and high-value industries. Its openness still creates sensitivity to external demand.
Explore more:
Costa Rica GDP
9. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on investment, tourism, exports, technology, and consumer activity. Global slowdowns and fiscal pressures remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +3.6% | +0.0 pp |
| 2028 | +3.6% | 0.0 pp |
| 2029 | +3.5% | -0.1 pp |
| 2030 | +3.5% | 0.0 pp |
10. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Costa Rica GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.6% in 2026.
It ranks #70 globally and #5 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 1.0 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.5%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +3.6%.
The current rate is 1.4 percentage points above the North America average.
The current rate is 0.7 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.5% in 2030, 0.1 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Costa Rica GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Costa Rica GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.6% in 2026.
Costa Rica ranks #70 globally and #5 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.6% in 2026.
Costa Rica GDP growth rate was +3.7% in 2015.
Costa Rica GDP growth rate is 1.4 percentage points above the North America average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.