Costa Rica Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
Costa Rica's interest payments to revenue was 16.50% in 2025, ranked 21st globally. This represents a 4.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1973–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's interest payments to revenue stood at 16.50% in 2025, a rise of +0.63pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.50% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 21st globally.
Costa Rica's interest payments to revenue ratio, a key indicator of a country's fiscal sustainability, has experienced considerable fluctuations over the past five decades. At 16.50% in 2025, Costa Rica ranks 21st globally, surpassing closest peers such as Namibia and Malaysia. This ratio has reached an all-time high of 22.65% in 1996, exceeding the levels of several developed economies, and an all-time low of 6.30% in 1976, a period of relative economic stability. Since then, the ratio has continued to rise, reflecting growing debt obligations and a decline in revenue as a share of GDP. The current level of interest payments to revenue remains a concern, as it indicates that a significant portion of the country's revenue is dedicated to servicing its debt. A sustained decline in interest rates or a reduction in debt levels would help alleviate this burden and potentially alter the trajectory of this trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 16.73% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 16.50% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.50% | +0.63pp | #21 |
| 2023 | 15.87% | +0.58pp | #82 |
| 2022 | 15.29% | −0.77pp | #95 |
| 2021 | 16.06% | −0.40pp | #108 |
| 2020 | 16.46% | +2.35pp | #116 |
| 2019 | 14.11% | +0.65pp | #119 |
| 2018 | 13.47% | +2.45pp | #114 |
| 2017 | 11.02% | −0.01pp | #110 |
| 2016 | 11.03% | −0.01pp | #108 |
| 2015 | 11.04% | +0.22pp | #116 |
| 2014 | 10.82% | +0.25pp | #112 |
| 2013 | 10.57% | +1.98pp | #106 |
| 2012 | 8.59% | −0.45pp | #94 |
| 2011 | 9.04% | +0.01pp | #91 |
| 2010 | 9.04% | +0.24pp | #89 |
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 interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's interest payments to revenue was 16.50% in 2025. Ranked 21st globally. This represents a 4.0% increase from the previous year.
Costa Rica's interest payments to revenue peaked at 22.65% in 1996.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in Costa Rica was 6.30% in 1976.
Costa Rica ranks 21st globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's interest payments to revenue is projected to reach 16.50% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest payments to revenue of Costa Rica in 2025 was 16.50%. This ranks 21st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_interest-to-revenue,
title = {Costa Rica Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}