Costa Rica vs Thailand
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: Thailand ranks higher
Thailand scores 64/100 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
Thailand leads
65
68
Political stability
Costa Rica leads
52
62
Business climate
Thailand leads
68
52
Financial maturity
Thailand leads
72
55
Growth outlook
Thailand leads
62
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-444.5 bn
515
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
+1.3 pp
2.5%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
+5900.0
$7,300
1.8%
Inflation (%)
+0.6 pp
1.2%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
+1.7 pp
2.8%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
0.0 pp
62%
5.2
Population (M)
-66.8M
72
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Thailand: strong sectors
- Tourism12.0% of GDP85
- Automotive7.0% of GDP78
- Electronics15.0% of GDP75
- Agriculture8.0% of GDP68
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Thailand?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Thailand a score of 64/100. Thailand 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 Thailand?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Thailand as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Thailand?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 2.5% for Thailand. Costa Rica has the faster headline growth rate today.