Costa Rica vs Philippines
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 Philippines at 55/100. 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
45
62
Business climate
Costa Rica leads
52
52
Financial maturity
Philippines leads
55
55
Growth outlook
Philippines leads
72
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-364.5 bn
435
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
-1.8 pp
5.6%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
+9300.0
$3,900
1.8%
Inflation (%)
-3.5 pp
5.3%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
+2.0 pp
2.5%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+1.0 pp
61%
5.2
Population (M)
-109.8M
115
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Philippines: strong sectors
- BPO & Services8.0% of GDP88
- Remittances9.0% of GDP82
- Manufacturing18.0% of GDP65
- Real Estate5.0% of GDP62
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Philippines?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Philippines a score of 55/100. 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 Philippines?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Philippines as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Philippines?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 5.6% for Philippines. Philippines has the faster headline growth rate today.