Costa Rica GDP Per Capita (2026)
Costa Rica has a diversified Central American economy supported by services, tourism, medical devices, technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and international investment. GDP per capita provides a useful measure of how national economic production compares with population and helps show the country’s development on a per-person basis. Explore Costa Rica’s latest GDP per capita data, historical trends, growth patterns, and economic comparisons below.
GDP Per Capita 2026
$20,299
Est. in USD
World Rank
#60
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+5.9%
+$1,137
North America Rank
#8
Out of 23 countries
1. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita in 2026
Costa Rica’s GDP per capita reflects economic output generated for each resident across services, manufacturing, tourism, technology, agriculture, and export industries. The country’s growing medical-device and high-value services sectors contribute increasingly to national production. Adjusting total GDP for population provides a clearer basis for comparing Costa Rica with economies of different sizes.
2. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita Growth (1980–2026)
3. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $20,299 | +5.9% |
| 2025 | $19,162 | +5.5% |
| 2024 | $18,165 | +9.5% |
| 2023 | $16,582 | +22.1% |
| 2022 | $13,576 | +7.2% |
| 2021 | $12,661 | +3.4% |
| 2020 | $12,244 | -4.0% |
| 2019 | $12,757 | +2.4% |
| 2018 | $12,458 | +2.2% |
| 2017 | $12,185 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | $11,987 | +3.0% |
| 2015 | $11,635 | +7.2% |
| 2014 | $10,854 | +0.8% |
| 2013 | $10,765 | +6.5% |
| 2012 | $10,107 | +9.0% |
| 2011 | $9,271 | +12.1% |
| 2010 | $8,269 | +20.2% |
| 2009 | $6,879 | -1.6% |
| 2008 | $6,994 | +12.9% |
| 2007 | $6,194 | +16.7% |
| 2006 | $5,309 | +11.6% |
| 2005 | $4,756 | +6.1% |
| 2004 | $4,484 | +6.1% |
| 2003 | $4,228 | +2.5% |
| 2002 | $4,123 | +2.0% |
| 2001 | $4,042 | +2.6% |
| 2000 | $3,941 | +6.1% |
| 1999 | $3,715 | +1.7% |
| 1998 | $3,653 | +5.9% |
| 1997 | $3,451 | +5.3% |
| 1996 | $3,278 | -1.8% |
| 1995 | $3,337 | +7.3% |
| 1994 | $3,110 | +6.3% |
| 1993 | $2,927 | +9.1% |
| 1992 | $2,684 | +16.4% |
| 1991 | $2,305 | +22.5% |
| 1990 | $1,881 | +6.7% |
| 1989 | $1,763 | +10.3% |
| 1988 | $1,598 | -0.9% |
| 1987 | $1,613 | +0.1% |
| 1986 | $1,611 | +9.0% |
| 1985 | $1,478 | +4.0% |
| 1984 | $1,421 | +13.0% |
| 1983 | $1,257 | +17.3% |
| 1982 | $1,072 | -3.5% |
| 1981 | $1,111 | -47.3% |
| 1980 | $2,109 | — |
4. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita Growth
1-Year Change
+5.9%
(2025 to 2026)
5-Year Change
+60.3%
(2021 to 2026)
10-Year Change
+69.3%
(2016 to 2026)
20-Year Change
+282.4%
(2006 to 2026)
Costa Rica’s GDP per capita has generally increased over the longer term as investment, tourism, exports, technology services, manufacturing, and productivity have expanded. Inflation, exchange rates, population growth, global demand, and visitor activity can influence annual movements. Historical data helps show how structural changes in the economy have translated into higher output per resident over time.
5. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita vs North America and World
Costa Rica
$20,299
North America Average
$30,373
World Average
$25,179
$0
$15,186
$30,373
USD
Costa Rica’s GDP per capita is approximately
33.2%
below the
North America average
and
19.4%
below the world average.
6. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita Ranking in North America
| Rank | Country | GDP Per Capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| #5 | Antigua and Barbuda | $22,448 |
| #6 | Saint Kitts & Nevis | $22,146 |
| #7 | Panama | $20,564 |
| #8 | Costa Rica | $20,299 |
| #9 | Trinidad and Tobago | $18,616 |
| #10 | Cuba | $18,329 |
| #11 | Mexico | $15,779 |
7. GDP vs GDP Per Capita in Costa Rica
Costa Rica GDP (Nominal)
$109.9 Billion
(2026)
Costa Rica GDP Per Capita
$20,299
(2026)
Costa Rica’s total GDP measures the overall scale of economic activity produced nationwide, while GDP per capita divides that output by population. Total GDP highlights the size of the Costa Rican economy, whereas GDP per capita provides a standardized measure of production generated for each resident. Both indicators together give a broader picture of economic performance.
Explore more:
Costa Rica GDP
8. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita Forecast
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $21,278 | +4.8% |
| 2028 | $22,288 | +4.7% |
| 2029 | $23,322 | +4.6% |
| 2030 | $24,413 | +4.7% |
Costa Rica GDP per capita is projected to reach $24,413 by 2030, representing a 20.3% increase from the 2026 level.
9. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita: Key Findings
Costa Rica GDP per capita is estimated at $20,299 in 2026.
It ranks #60 globally and #8 in North America.
GDP per capita increased by 5.9% compared with 2025.
Over the last 5 years, GDP per capita grew by 60.3%.
Over the last 10 years, GDP per capita grew by 69.3%.
It is approximately 33.2% below the North America average.
It is approximately 19.4% below the world average.
The forecast reaches $24,413 by 2030, 20.3% above the 2026 level.
10. What Is GDP Per Capita?
GDP per capita is the total economic output of a country divided by its population.
GDP Per Capita
=
GDP
÷
Population
It helps measure the average economic output per person and is widely used to compare economic performance across countries. Higher values generally indicate greater economic output per resident.
11. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Sources:
World Bank,
United Nations
Population Source:
UN Population Division
Currency:
Current USD (Nominal)
Update Frequency:
Annually
Last Updated:
September 2026
12. Costa Rica GDP Per Capita FAQs
Costa Rica GDP per capita is estimated at $20,299 in 2026.
Costa Rica ranks #60 globally and #8 in North America by GDP per capita.
Yes. GDP per capita increased by approximately 5.9% compared with 2025.
Costa Rica GDP per capita was approximately $11,635 in 2015.
Costa Rica GDP per capita is approximately 33.2% below the North America average.
14. Explore GDP Per Capita
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.