Costa Rica vs Uruguay
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: Uruguay ranks higher
Uruguay scores 66/100 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
Uruguay leads
62
68
Political stability
Uruguay leads
78
62
Business climate
Uruguay leads
68
52
Financial maturity
Uruguay leads
58
55
Growth outlook
Costa Rica leads
52
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-6.5 bn
77
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
+0.8 pp
3.0%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
-8800.0
$22,000
1.8%
Inflation (%)
-3.7 pp
5.5%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
+1.7 pp
2.8%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+4.0 pp
58%
5.2
Population (M)
+1.8M
3.4
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Uruguay: strong sectors
- Renewable Energy4.0% of GDP72
- Agriculture7.0% of GDP68
- Technology5.0% of GDP65
- Tourism6.0% of GDP58
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Uruguay?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Uruguay a score of 66/100. Uruguay 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 Uruguay?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Uruguay as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Uruguay?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 3.0% for Uruguay. Costa Rica has the faster headline growth rate today.