Nicaragua vs Costa Rica Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (Nicaragua vs Costa Rica)
ⓘ 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 Nicaragua in 8 of 9 comparable indicators, while Nicaragua leads in 1. Nicaragua's strongest global position is 88th (2025) in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Costa Rica's strongest global position is 32nd (2023) in Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate.
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in GDP growth (annual %): 4.32 (2024, ranked 56th) vs 3.59 (2024, ranked 92nd).
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 26,973.44 (2024, ranked 77th) vs 7,661.60 (2024, ranked 143rd).
- Gini index data for Nicaragua and Costa Rica is too far apart to compare directly. The latest available data shows 46.20 (2014, ranked 150th) vs 45.50 (2025, ranked 111th).
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 87.17 (2024, ranked 86th) vs 61.40 (2024, ranked 151st).
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 81 (2024, ranked 47th) vs 75.10 (2024, ranked 106th).
- Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) data for Nicaragua and Costa Rica is too far apart to compare directly. The latest available data shows 64.66 (2010, ranked 128th) vs 61.39 (2024, ranked 152nd).
- Nicaragua wins against Costa Rica in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 5.04 (2025, ranked 88th) vs 6.84 (2025, ranked 124th).
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in Regulatory Quality: Estimate: 0.54 (2023, ranked 59th) vs -0.88 (2023, ranked 162nd).
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in Control of Corruption: Estimate: 0.65 (2023, ranked 55th) vs -1.39 (2023, ranked 190th).
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in Rule of Law: Estimate: 0.39 (2023, ranked 79th) vs -1.28 (2023, ranked 185th).
- Costa Rica wins against Nicaragua in Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate: 0.98 (2023, ranked 32nd) vs -0.13 (2023, ranked 116th).
| Metric | Nicaragua(1) | Costa Rica(8) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2024) 3.59 (92/214) | (2024) 4.32 (56/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2024) 7,661.60 (143/199) | (2024) 26,973.44 (77/199) |
| Gini index | (2014) 46.20 (150/171) | (2025) 45.50 (111/171) |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 61.40 (151/213) | (2024) 87.17 (86/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 75.10 (106/217) | (2024) 81 (47/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2010) 64.66 (128/197) | (2024) 61.39 (152/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 5.04 (88/187) | (2025) 6.84 (124/187) |
| Regulatory Quality: Estimate | (2023) -0.88 (162/205) | (2023) 0.54 (59/205) |
| Control of Corruption: Estimate | (2023) -1.39 (190/205) | (2023) 0.65 (55/205) |
| Rule of Law: Estimate | (2023) -1.28 (185/205) | (2023) 0.39 (79/205) |
| Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate | (2023) -0.13 (116/205) | (2023) 0.98 (32/205) |