Brazil vs Costa Rica
A data-driven side-by-side: investment score, economy, business climate, political stability, and tax, to help you decide where to invest, incorporate, or relocate.
Overall: Costa Rica ranks higher
Costa Rica scores 60/100 on our composite investment index, ahead of Brazil at 52/100. This blends economic strength, political stability, business climate, financial maturity, and growth outlook. Read the breakdown below to see where each country actually leads.
Category breakdown
52
Economic strength
Costa Rica leads
58
42
Political stability
Costa Rica leads
68
48
Business climate
Costa Rica leads
62
50
Financial maturity
Costa Rica leads
52
65
Growth outlook
Brazil leads
55
Macro snapshot
2,170
GDP (USD bn)
+2099.5 bn
71
2.9%
GDP growth (%)
-0.9 pp
3.8%
$10,100
GDP per capita (USD)
-3100.0
$13,200
4.6%
Inflation (%)
+2.8 pp
1.8%
3.0%
FDI (% of GDP)
-1.5 pp
4.5%
88%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+26.0 pp
62%
216
Population (M)
+210.8M
5.2
Brazil: strong sectors
- Agriculture (Agribusiness)6.0% of GDP90
- Mining4.0% of GDP78
- Energy5.0% of GDP75
- Financial Services8.0% of GDP72
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Brazil or Costa Rica?
Our composite investment index gives Brazil a score of 52/100 and Costa Rica a score of 60/100. Costa Rica ranks higher overall, but the right answer depends on your sector and risk tolerance. See the category breakdown above.
Is Brazil a safer market than Costa Rica?
Risk classification puts Brazil as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Brazil or Costa Rica?
Brazil is currently growing at 2.9% per year, vs 3.8% for Costa Rica. Costa Rica has the faster headline growth rate today.