Country Risk Profile · Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index

Costa Rica

Country Profile

Population

5,129,910

Global avg: 41.5M

Area

51,100 km²

Global avg: 714,913 km²

Population Density

100 /km²

World: 58 /km²

GDP (Nominal)

$95.4B

Global avg: $569.2B

GDP per Capita

$18,587

World: $13,684

Sustainable Competitiveness

Overall GSCI Rank

#38

of 193 countries

Overall Score

52.0

83% of best score · 81st percentile

vs. Global Average

+6.7 higher

Global average: 45.4

2026 Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index Performance

Overall competitiveness score (high score → lower risk)

Rank 38 / 193
025507510052.0Costa Rica62.9Global best45.4Global average(Sweden)

10-year change (2015–2025)

+0.8

vs global trend

10-year outlook (projection)

+1.7

Sustainable Competitiveness Dimensions for Costa Rica

How Costa Rica compares to the global best and global average across the six GSCI dimensions.

Natural Capital

Rank 69 / 193
025507510053.7Costa Rica66.4Global best49.9Global average

Resource Efficiency

Rank 50 / 193
025507510051.3Costa Rica60.8Global best46.6Global average

Social Capital

Rank 74 / 193
025507510046.7Costa Rica62.0Global best45.0Global average

Intellectual Capital

Rank 50 / 193
025507510048.8Costa Rica79.7Global best40.4Global average

Economic Sustainability

Rank 7 / 193
025507510057.1Costa Rica61.2Global best42.0Global average

Governance

Rank 61 / 193
025507510054.6Costa Rica75.1Global best48.3Global average
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Key figures and GSCI 2026 results for Costa Rica

Costa Rica ranks 38th of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 52.0. This is 83% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places Costa Rica in the 81st percentile, 6.7 points above the global average of 45.4.
Costa Rica performs best in Economic Sustainability (7th) and Resource Efficiency (50th), and weakest in Social Capital (74th) and Natural Capital (69th). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Intellectual Capital 50th, Governance 61st.
Costa Rica's GSCI score has improved by 0.8 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is positive (+1.7 points).
Costa Rica has a population of 5.1 million, 88% below the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 100 people per km², 73% above the world average (58). Its GDP is $95.4 billion, 83% below the average country ($569.2 billion).
Costa Rica's GDP per capita is $18,587, 36% above the world average of $13,684.
The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures the sustainable competitiveness of 193 countries across six dimensions: Natural Capital, Resource Efficiency, Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, Economic Sustainability and Governance. It is based on 296 quantitative indicators from sources such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the IMF, with no surveys or opinions.

Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index

Browse the full GSCI: 193 countries ranked across six structural dimensions of sustainable competitiveness, built on 296 quantitative indicators from the World Bank, UN, IMF, IEA, and other recognised data providers.

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About the GSCI methodology

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index ranks 193 countries across six structural dimensions. Scores are derived from 200+ quantitative indicators sourced from the World Bank, UN, IMF, IEA, and other recognised data providers.

Read the full methodology

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