NationsData
Country Comparison

Costa Rica vs Netherlands

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.

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Costa Rica

Latin America & Caribbean

60/ 100Moderate
Credit: NRGDP: $71bn
🇳🇱

Netherlands

Europe & Central Asia

Leader
85/ 100Safe
Credit: AAAGDP: $1,093bn

Overall: Netherlands ranks higher

Netherlands scores 85/100 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

Netherlands leads

85

68

Political stability

Netherlands leads

90

62

Business climate

Netherlands leads

88

52

Financial maturity

Netherlands leads

82

55

Growth outlook

Netherlands leads

74

Macro snapshot

71

GDP (USD bn)

-1022.2 bn

1,093

3.8%

GDP growth (%)

+2.3 pp

1.5%

$13,200

GDP per capita (USD)

-49250.0

$62,450

1.8%

Inflation (%)

-0.7 pp

2.5%

4.5%

FDI (% of GDP)

-0.7 pp

5.2%

62%

Public debt (% of GDP)

+13.5 pp

49%

5.2

Population (M)

-12.4M

17.6

Costa Rica: strong sectors

  • Technology7.0% of GDP72
  • Tourism8.5% of GDP68
  • Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
  • Agriculture5.5% of GDP55

Netherlands: strong sectors

  • Trade & Logistics12.5% of GDP90
  • Agriculture & Food Tech5.8% of GDP88
  • Technology8.2% of GDP85
  • Financial Services7.5% of GDP82

Frequently asked

Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Netherlands?

Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Netherlands a score of 85/100. Netherlands 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 Netherlands?

Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Netherlands as safe (Strong fundamentals, stable governance, favorable investment climate).

Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Netherlands?

Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 1.5% for Netherlands. Costa Rica has the faster headline growth rate today.

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