Costa Rica vs El Salvador Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (Costa Rica vs El Salvador)
ⓘ When data for the selected year is missing, the closest prior year with data is used instead. Whenever the two countries' data points are 5+ years apart those indicators are excluded from the total score.
Costa Rica leads against El Salvador in 9 of 11 comparable indicators, while El Salvador leads in 2. Costa Rica's strongest global position is 23rd (2024) in Political Stability - Governance score (0-100). El Salvador's strongest global position is 51st (2025) in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in GDP growth (annual %): 4.56 (2025, ranked 60th) vs 3.91 (2025, ranked 80th).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 28,443.41 (2025, ranked 76th) vs 12,050.03 (2025, ranked 126th).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in Gini index: 45.50 (2025, ranked 111th) vs 39.80 (2023, ranked 136th).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 87.17 (2024, ranked 86th) vs 66.48 (2024, ranked 143rd).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 81 (2024, ranked 47th) vs 72.30 (2024, ranked 135th).
- El Salvador wins against Costa Rica in Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group): 72.68 (2024, ranked 137th) vs 61.39 (2024, ranked 151st).
- El Salvador wins against Costa Rica in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 3.30 (2025, ranked 51st) vs 6.84 (2025, ranked 124th).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in Political Stability - Governance score (0-100): 85.98 (2024, ranked 23rd) vs 66 (2024, ranked 104th).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100): 64.04 (2024, ranked 56th) vs 52.08 (2024, ranked 108th).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100): 67.58 (2024, ranked 57th) vs 44.69 (2024, ranked 146th).
- Costa Rica wins against El Salvador in Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100): 61.60 (2024, ranked 53rd) vs 36.18 (2024, ranked 139th).
| Metric | Costa Rica(9) | El Salvador(2) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2025) 4.56 (60/214) | (2025) 3.91 (80/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2025) 28,443.41 (76/199) | (2025) 12,050.03 (126/199) |
| Gini index | (2025) 45.50 (111/171) | (2023) 39.80 (136/171) |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 87.17 (86/213) | (2024) 66.48 (143/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 81 (47/217) | (2024) 72.30 (135/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2024) 61.39 (151/197) | (2024) 72.68 (137/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 6.84 (124/187) | (2025) 3.30 (51/187) |
| Political Stability - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 85.98 (23/206) | (2024) 66 (104/206) |
| Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 64.04 (56/204) | (2024) 52.08 (108/204) |
| Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 67.58 (57/206) | (2024) 44.69 (146/206) |
| Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 61.60 (53/206) | (2024) 36.18 (139/206) |