Costa Rica Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Costa Rica's government spending was 28.28% in 2025, ranked 66th globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1973–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's government spending stood at 28.28% in 2025, a decline of +0.63% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 28.28% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 66th globally.
Costa Rica’s government spending as a share of GDP has risen steadily over the 52‑year series, moving from 15.55 in 1973 to a record 31.89 in 2020 before easing to 28.28 in 2025, which places the country 66th globally. The all‑time trough of 15.06 in 1974 underscores how the fiscal stance has more than doubled in real terms, reflecting expanded social programs, infrastructure investment and pandemic‑related stimulus. Compared with peers of similar ranking, Costa Rica’s 2025 level is close to El Salvador’s 28.37 and Norway’s 28.56, indicating a convergence toward middle‑income fiscal patterns despite differing income levels. The modest decline from the 2020 peak suggests a gradual rebalancing of expenditures after the COVID‑19 shock, while the upward trajectory since the 1970s points to a sustained commitment to public investment. Continued fiscal discipline and targeted reforms will be crucial if the country aims to stabilize spending below the peak while supporting growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 27.86% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 28.28% | - | - |
| 2025 | 28.28% | −0.63% | #66 |
| 2023 | 28.91% | +0.15% | #49 |
| 2022 | 28.76% | −2.06% | #54 |
| 2021 | 30.82% | −1.07% | #71 |
| 2020 | 31.89% | +2.43% | #73 |
| 2019 | 29.46% | +0.54% | #86 |
| 2018 | 28.92% | +3.52% | #86 |
| 2017 | 25.40% | −1.75% | #76 |
| 2016 | 27.15% | −1.41% | #84 |
| 2015 | 28.55% | +1.82% | #88 |
| 2014 | 26.74% | +0.22% | #80 |
| 2013 | 26.52% | +0.57% | #71 |
| 2012 | 25.94% | +0.57% | #71 |
| 2011 | 25.38% | −0.24% | #66 |
| 2010 | 25.61% | +0.87% | #65 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Costa Rica matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1995. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Costa Rica's approval of university budget cuts directly signals government efforts to reduce or control public expenditure, which would influence the current 28.28% government spending figure. These cuts align with broader austerity measures and protests observed across Latin America. The news regarding Romania's visa-free travel is unrelated to Costa Rica's government spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's government spending was 28.28% in 2025. Ranked 66th globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's government spending peaked at 31.89% in 2020.
The lowest government spending in Costa Rica was 15.06% in 1974.
Costa Rica ranks 66th globally in government spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's government spending is projected to reach 28.28% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government spending of Costa Rica in 2025 was 28.28%. This ranks 66th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_government-spending,
title = {Costa Rica Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}