Updated
Overview
Nicaragua has about 35% more people than Costa Rica: 7.01 million against 5.15 million (2025).
Costa Rica's economy is 4.6 times the size of Nicaragua's, at $102.90B versus $22.24B.
Per person, Costa Rica is the wealthier of the two: $19,970 against $3,173 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Nicaragua | Costa Rica | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $22.24B | Higher: $102.90B | 2025 | $19.69B / $95.35B |
| GDP per capita | $3,173 | Higher: $19,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.9% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: -0.1% | 2025 | 4.6% / -0.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.0% | 6.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 34 | 59 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $1,205 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $210 | Higher: $696 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.11 | $7.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 7.01 million | 5.15 million | 2025 | 6.74 million / 5.30 million |
| Population growth | 1.3% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 35.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.18 | 1.31 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.1 yrs | Higher: 81.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 80% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 61% | Higher: 87% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 130,373 km² | 51,100 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.7/km² | 100.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 5.63 Mt | 8.76 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.8 t | 1.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $105.26M | $0 | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.5% | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 12,000 | 10,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (4.9% for Nicaragua, 4.6% for Costa Rica).
Nicaragua runs the hotter price environment: 2.1% inflation versus -0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Nicaragua: a price level of 34 versus 59 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Nicaragua is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 35.2 years.
Life expectancy is 5.9 years longer in Costa Rica (81.0 vs 75.1).
Costa Rica is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 59%.
Internet adoption is higher in Costa Rica (87% vs 61% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Nicaragua is 2.6 times the size of Costa Rica: 130,373 km² versus 51,100 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Nicaragua fields the larger armed forces: 12,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Nicaragua bigger than Costa Rica?
- Nicaragua is larger by land area. Nicaragua covers 130,373 km² while Costa Rica covers 51,100 km², so Nicaragua is 2.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Nicaragua or Costa Rica?
- Nicaragua has the larger population: 7.01 million versus 5.15 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Nicaragua richer than Costa Rica?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Costa Rica is richer: $19,970 against $3,173. Total GDP tells the same story: $22.24B for Nicaragua versus $102.90B for Costa Rica.