Costa Rica—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #115 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
-2.2%
2031
YoY Change
+12.0%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#115
of 192 countries
Maximum
0.6%
2007
Minimum
-8.3%
2020
Last
-2.2%
Previous
-2.5%
Highest
0.6%
Lowest
-8.3%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Costa Rica's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was -3.6% in 2026, ranking #115 out of 192 countries. This represents a +12.0% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 0.6% (2007) and the lowest was -8.3% (2020). The IMF WEO projects -2.2% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | -2.2% | +12.0% |
| 2030 | -2.5% | +10.7% |
| 2029 | -2.8% | +12.5% |
| 2028 | -3.2% | +8.6% |
| 2027 | -3.5% | +2.8% |
| 2026 | -3.6% | -5.9% |
| 2025 | -3.4% | +8.1% |
| 2024 | -3.7% | -15.6% |
| 2023 | -3.2% | -18.5% |
| 2022 | -2.7% | +46.0% |
| 2021 | -5.0% | +39.8% |
| 2020 | -8.3% | -25.8% |
| 2019 | -6.6% | -17.9% |
| 2018 | -5.6% | +5.1% |
| 2017 | -5.9% | -15.7% |
| 2016 | -5.1% | +7.3% |
| 2015 | -5.5% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | -5.5% | -5.8% |
| 2013 | -5.2% | -23.8% |
| 2012 | -4.2% | -7.7% |
| 2011 | -3.9% | +22.0% |
| 2010 | -5.0% | -51.5% |
| 2009 | -3.3% | -1750.0% |
| 2008 | 0.2% | -66.7% |
| 2007 | 0.6% | +160.0% |
| 2006 | -1.0% | +52.4% |
| 2005 | -2.1% | +38.2% |
| 2004 | -3.4% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | -3.4% | +32.0% |
| 2002 | -5.0% | -42.9% |
| 2001 | -3.5% | +5.4% |
| 2000 | -3.7% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | -3.6% | -5.9% |
| 2027Forecast | -3.5% | +2.8% |
| 2028Forecast | -3.2% | +8.6% |
| 2029Forecast | -2.8% | +12.5% |
| 2030Forecast | -2.5% | +10.7% |
| 2031Forecast | -2.2% | +12.0% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Naoero | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 8 | Singapore | 3.3% | 2026 |
| 9 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP. A positive value indicates a fiscal surplus; negative indicates a deficit.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
Percent of GDP