National Debt (% of GDP): Costa Rica
Costa Rica's national debt (% of gdp) is currently 59.5% as of 2026. # Costa Rica National Debt (% of GDP) Costa Rica's national debt stands at 59.
Current (2026)
59.5%
-0.3% y/y
Peak (2021)
67.6%
Low (2008)
24.0%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1996–2026 · 35 pts
National Debt (% of GDP) — Costa Rica
1996 — 2026
National Debt (% of GDP) — Costa Rica
Analysis# Costa Rica National Debt (% of GDP)
Costa Rica's national debt stands at 59.5% of GDP in 2026, down from its all-time peak of 67.6% in 2021. Since 1996, the debt ratio has grown 76.6 percentage points, climbing from a low of 24% in 2008. The country's debt burden remained relatively moderate through the 2010s before accelerating sharply during the pandemic period.
The most significant shift occurred between 2017 and 2021, when debt surged from 47.1% to 67.6% of GDP—a four-year spike of over 20 percentage points. Since that 2021 peak, Costa Rica has entered a steady decline, with debt falling 8.1 percentage points over the following five years. Projections suggest this downward trajectory will continue through 2026, indicating gradual fiscal consolidation and improved debt sustainability.
Historical Data
35 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 57.4% | -1.37% |
| 2029 | 58.2% | -1.02% |
| 2028 | 58.8% | -0.68% |
| 2027 | 59.2% | -0.50% |
| 2026 | 59.5% | -0.34% |
| 2025 | 59.7% | -0.17% |
| 2024 | 59.8% | -2.13% |
| 2023 | 61.1% | -3.02% |
| 2022 | 63.0% | -6.80% |
| 2021 | 67.6% | +1.05% |
| 2020 | 66.9% | +18.62% |
| 2019 | 56.4% | +8.88% |
| 2018 | 51.8% | +9.98% |
| 2017 | 47.1% | +6.80% |
| 2016 | 44.1% | +10.80% |
| 2015 | 39.8% | +6.42% |
| 2014 | 37.4% | +6.55% |
| 2013 | 35.1% | +4.15% |
| 2012 | 33.7% | +14.24% |
| 2011 | 29.5% | +4.98% |
Show all 35 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 28.1% | +8.08% |
| 2009 | 26.0% | +8.33% |
| 2008 | 24.0% | -11.11% |
| 2007 | 27.0% | -18.18% |
| 2006 | 33.0% | -11.53% |
| 2005 | 37.3% | -9.02% |
| 2004 | 41.0% | +0.99% |
| 2003 | 40.6% | -1.93% |
| 2002 | 41.4% | +4.55% |
| 2001 | 39.6% | +1.80% |
| 2000 | 38.9% | -0.26% |
| 1999 | 39.0% | -4.18% |
| 1998 | 40.7% | +33.01% |
| 1997 | 30.6% | -9.20% |
| 1996 | 33.7% | — |
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