Costa Rica vs Vietnam
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 Vietnam at 54/100. 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
Vietnam leads
62
68
Political stability
Costa Rica leads
42
62
Business climate
Costa Rica leads
52
52
Financial maturity
52
55
Growth outlook
Vietnam leads
80
Macro snapshot
71
GDP (USD bn)
-359.5 bn
430
3.8%
GDP growth (%)
-2.7 pp
6.5%
$13,200
GDP per capita (USD)
+8900.0
$4,300
1.8%
Inflation (%)
-1.7 pp
3.5%
4.5%
FDI (% of GDP)
0.0 pp
4.5%
62%
Public debt (% of GDP)
+24.0 pp
38%
5.2
Population (M)
-94.8M
100
Costa Rica: strong sectors
- Technology7.0% of GDP72
- Tourism8.5% of GDP68
- Medical Devices6.0% of GDP65
- Agriculture5.5% of GDP55
Vietnam: strong sectors
- Manufacturing33.0% of GDP85
- Electronics18.0% of GDP82
- Tourism7.0% of GDP72
- Agriculture12.0% of GDP68
Frequently asked
Which is better for investment: Costa Rica or Vietnam?
Our composite investment index gives Costa Rica a score of 60/100 and Vietnam a score of 54/100. 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 Vietnam?
Risk classification puts Costa Rica as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios) and Vietnam as moderate (Growing economy with manageable risks - suitable for diversified portfolios).
Which has higher GDP growth: Costa Rica or Vietnam?
Costa Rica is currently growing at 3.8% per year, vs 6.5% for Vietnam. Vietnam has the faster headline growth rate today.