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Costa Rica Current Account Balance

Current account balance as % of GDP  BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS

Costa Rica's current account balance was -1.89% in 2025, ranked 95th globally. This represents a 44.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1977–2025.

-1.89% −0.58% (-44.4%)
Year 2025 Rank #95 Global Peak -1.04% (1991) Source World Bank

Costa Rica Current Account Balance (1977–2025)

Overview

Costa Rica's current account balance stood at -1.89% in 2025, a decline of +0.58% from 2024. The IMF projects -1.89% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 95th globally.

Costa Rica's current account balance has experienced fluctuations over the past 49 years, with the latest figure standing at -1.89 in 2025, ranking #95 globally. Notably, the country's account balance has seen a significant improvement since its all-time trough of -15.59 in 1981, a year marked by economic instability in the region. However, this improvement has not been consistent, as evidenced by the all-time peak of -1.04 in 1991, followed by a decline. In comparison, Australia, a peer country, has maintained a relatively stable account balance, with a value of -1.85 in 2025. Costa Rica's current account balance has been influenced by its reliance on imports, particularly in the energy sector, and the country's efforts to promote exports and attract foreign investment. A significant shift in the global energy market, such as an increase in renewable energy prices, could potentially alter the trajectory of Costa Rica's current account balance and lead to a more sustainable economic path.

Data & projection

Year Current Account Balance YoY change Rank
2030* IMF -1.66% - -
2029* IMF -1.68% - -
2028* IMF -1.86% - -
2027* IMF -1.90% - -
2026* IMF -2.10% - -
2025* IMF -1.89% - -
2025 -1.89% −0.58% #95
2024 -1.31% +0.12% #94
2023 -1.43% +1.85% #92
2022 -3.28% −0.11% #93
2021 -3.18% −2.13% #83
2020 -1.05% +0.14% #106
2019 -1.19% +1.80% #108
2018 -2.99% +0.63% #89
2017 -3.62% −1.48% #72
2016 -2.14% +1.27% #113
2015 -3.40% +1.31% #88
2014 -4.72% +0.06% #74
2013 -4.77% +0.33% #78
2012 -5.10% +0.19% #78
2011 -5.30% −2.07% #78
Show all years (1977-2025)
* IMF World Economic Outlook projection

Detected Pattern

Orthodox Tightening Cycle
Inflation above 40%, lending rate above 30%, rate-inflation gap narrowing, reserves stable or rising. Signals credible monetary tightening.
Inflation 23.2% Rate 36.7% Gap +13.5pp Reserves YoY +16.9%
Occurred 311 times, 177 successful
Inflation
28.2%
Rate
19.4%
Gap
-8.8pp
Reserves YoY
+2.2%
Inflation
219.9%
Rate
61.7%
Gap
-158.2pp
Reserves YoY
+28.1%
Inflation
28.3%
Rate
24.3%
Gap
-4.0pp
Reserves YoY
+35.8%
Inflation
33.9%
Rate
17.8%
Gap
-16.1pp
Reserves YoY
+2.9%
Inflation
17.0%
Rate
20.8%
Gap
+3.8pp
Reserves YoY
+1.5%
Inflation
17.1%
Rate
15.3%
Gap
-1.8pp
Reserves YoY
+10.9%

Analysis

Costa Rica matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1995. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw current account balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Costa Rica's current account balance?▾

Costa Rica's current account balance was -1.89% in 2025. Ranked 95th globally. This represents a 44.4% decrease from the previous year.

What was the highest current account balance in Costa Rica?▾

Costa Rica's current account balance peaked at -1.04% in 1991.

What was the lowest current account balance in Costa Rica?▾

The lowest current account balance in Costa Rica was -15.59% in 1981.

How does Costa Rica rank in current account balance?▾

Costa Rica ranks 95th globally in current account balance as of 2025.

What is the World Bank indicator code for current account balance?▾

The World Bank indicator code is BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.

What is the projected current account balance of Costa Rica in 2025?▾

Costa Rica's current account balance is projected to reach -1.89% by 2025 based on IMF projection.

What is the current account balance of Costa Rica in 2025?▾

The current account balance of Costa Rica in 2025 was -1.89%. This ranks 95th in the world.

Cite this page

APA
Costa Rica Current Account Balance. HistorySaid. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/current-account/
BibTeX
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_current-account, title = {Costa Rica Current Account Balance}, url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/current-account/}, publisher = {HistorySaid}, year = {2026} }
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