Costa Rica vs Mexico
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 Mexico at 57/100. 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
58
68
Political stability
Costa Rica leads
42
62
Business climate
Costa Rica leads
58
52
Financial maturity
Mexico leads
60
55
Growth outlook
Mexico leads
62
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-1249.5 bn
1,320
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
+0.6 pp
3.2%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
+3200.0
$10,000
1.8%
Inflation (%)
-2.8 pp
4.6%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
+2.0 pp
2.5%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+8.0 pp
54%
5.2
Population (M)
-126.8M
132
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Mexico: strong sectors
- Manufacturing (Nearshoring)22.0% of GDP85
- Automotive5.0% of GDP80
- Tourism8.0% of GDP75
- Energy6.0% of GDP65
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Mexico?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Mexico a score of 57/100. Costa Rica 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 Mexico?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Mexico as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Mexico?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 3.2% for Mexico. Costa Rica has the faster headline growth rate today.