Costa Rica vs Portugal
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: Portugal ranks higher
Portugal scores 72/100 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
Portugal leads
70
68
Political stability
Portugal leads
78
62
Business climate
Portugal leads
72
52
Financial maturity
Portugal leads
68
55
Growth outlook
Portugal leads
72
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-216.6 bn
287
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
+1.6 pp
2.2%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
-14620.0
$27,820
1.8%
Inflation (%)
-0.7 pp
2.5%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
-0.3 pp
4.8%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
-38.5 pp
101%
5.2
Population (M)
-5.1M
10.3
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Portugal: strong sectors
- Tourism15.2% of GDP78
- Renewable Energy5.5% of GDP75
- Technology & Startups4.8% of GDP72
- Cork & Agriculture2.8% of GDP68
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Portugal?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Portugal a score of 72/100. Portugal 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 Portugal?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Portugal as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Portugal?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 2.2% for Portugal. Costa Rica has the faster headline growth rate today.