Costa Rica vs Malaysia
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: Malaysia ranks higher
Malaysia scores 67/100 on our composite investment index, ahead of Costa Rica at 60/100. 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
58
Economic strength
Malaysia leads
70
68
Political stability
Costa Rica leads
60
62
Business climate
Malaysia leads
72
52
Financial maturity
Malaysia leads
68
55
Growth outlook
Malaysia leads
70
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-336.5 bn
407
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
-0.9 pp
4.7%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
+900.0
$12,300
1.8%
Inflation (%)
-0.7 pp
2.5%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
+1.0 pp
3.5%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
-4.0 pp
66%
5.2
Population (M)
-28.8M
34
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Malaysia: strong sectors
- Electronics22.0% of GDP85
- Palm Oil4.0% of GDP72
- Financial Services7.0% of GDP70
- Tourism6.0% of GDP68
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Malaysia?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Malaysia a score of 67/100. Malaysia ranks higher overall, but the right answer depends on your sector and risk tolerance. See the category breakdown above.
Is Costa Rica a safer market than Malaysia?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Malaysia as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Malaysia?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 4.7% for Malaysia. Malaysia has the faster headline growth rate today.