Costa Rica vs Panama Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (Costa Rica vs Panama)
ⓘ 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 Panama in 9 of 11 comparable indicators, while Panama leads in 2. Costa Rica's strongest global position is 23rd (2024) in Political Stability - Governance score (0-100). Panama's strongest global position is 55th (2024) in Life expectancy at birth, total (years).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in GDP growth (annual %): 4.56 (2025, ranked 60th) vs 4.35 (2025, ranked 69th).
- Panama wins against Costa Rica in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 37,516.18 (2025, ranked 60th) vs 28,443.41 (2025, ranked 76th).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Gini index: 45.50 (2025, ranked 111th) vs 49.70 (2024, ranked 159th).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 87.17 (2024, ranked 86th) vs 72.77 (2024, ranked 131st).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 81 (2024, ranked 47th) vs 79.78 (2024, ranked 55th).
- Panama wins against Costa Rica in Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group): 78.84 (2024, ranked 130th) vs 61.39 (2024, ranked 151st).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 6.84 (2025, ranked 124th) vs 8.36 (2025, ranked 138th).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Political Stability - Governance score (0-100): 85.98 (2024, ranked 23rd) vs 70.42 (2024, ranked 90th).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100): 64.04 (2024, ranked 56th) vs 53.70 (2024, ranked 100th).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100): 67.58 (2024, ranked 57th) vs 52.43 (2024, ranked 115th).
- Costa Rica wins against Panama in Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100): 61.60 (2024, ranked 53rd) vs 36.64 (2024, ranked 135th).
| Metric | Costa Rica(9) | Panama(2) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2025) 4.56 (60/214) | (2025) 4.35 (69/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2025) 28,443.41 (76/199) | (2025) 37,516.18 (60/199) |
| Gini index | (2025) 45.50 (111/171) | (2024) 49.70 (159/171) |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 87.17 (86/213) | (2024) 72.77 (131/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 81 (47/217) | (2024) 79.78 (55/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2024) 61.39 (151/197) | (2024) 78.84 (130/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 6.84 (124/187) | (2025) 8.36 (138/187) |
| Political Stability - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 85.98 (23/206) | (2024) 70.42 (90/206) |
| Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 64.04 (56/204) | (2024) 53.70 (100/204) |
| Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 67.58 (57/206) | (2024) 52.43 (115/206) |
| Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 61.60 (53/206) | (2024) 36.64 (135/206) |