Costa Rica vs Saudi Arabia
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: Saudi Arabia ranks higher
Saudi Arabia scores 63/100 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
Saudi Arabia leads
68
68
Political stability
Costa Rica leads
50
62
Business climate
Saudi Arabia leads
72
52
Financial maturity
Saudi Arabia leads
75
55
Growth outlook
Saudi Arabia leads
65
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-998.5 bn
1,069
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
+0.7 pp
3.1%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
-16800.0
$30,000
1.8%
Inflation (%)
-0.5 pp
2.3%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
+3.0 pp
1.5%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+38.0 pp
24%
5.2
Population (M)
-31.8M
37
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Saudi Arabia: strong sectors
- Energy40.0% of GDP85
- Construction6.0% of GDP78
- Tourism4.0% of GDP72
- Technology3.0% of GDP68
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Saudi Arabia?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Saudi Arabia a score of 63/100. Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Saudi Arabia as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Saudi Arabia?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 3.1% for Saudi Arabia. Costa Rica has the faster headline growth rate today.