Costa Rica Real Interest Rate
Real interest rate FR.INR.RINR
Costa Rica's real interest rate was 7.99% in 2025, ranked 18th globally. This represents a 9.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1982–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's real interest rate stood at 7.99% in 2025, a rise of +0.71pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 7.99% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 18th globally.
Costa Rica’s real interest rate stands at 7.99 % in 2025, placing the country 18th in the world according to the World Bank. The indicator has swung dramatically over the 44‑year series, falling to a historic trough of –32.13 % in 1982 before soaring to an all‑time peak of 17.73 % in 1993, reflecting the volatility of inflation‑adjusted financing costs during the 1980s debt crisis and the early 1990s liberalisation. Compared with peers of similar rank, Costa Rica’s rate is marginally below South Africa’s 8.91 % and close to Barbados’ 8.64 %, suggesting a relatively moderate cost of borrowing in the region. The recent level remains higher than Eswatini’s 7.92 % and Brunei Darussalam’s 7.90 %, indicating that monetary policy is still calibrated to contain inflation while supporting growth. If inflation expectations ease and fiscal consolidation continues, the real interest rate could drift lower, tightening the upward trajectory observed since the early 1990s.
Data & projection
| Year | Real Interest Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 9.80% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.90% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 7.99% | - | - |
| 2025 | 7.99% | +0.71pp | #18 |
| 2024 | 7.28% | −1.91pp | #51 |
| 2023 | 9.19% | +8.18pp | #75 |
| 2022 | 1.02% | −2.05pp | #53 |
| 2021 | 3.07% | −2.76pp | #61 |
| 2020 | 5.82% | −0.20pp | #51 |
| 2019 | 6.02% | −2.71pp | #52 |
| 2018 | 8.74% | +0.47pp | #94 |
| 2017 | 8.27% | −1.22pp | #98 |
| 2016 | 9.49% | −0.39pp | #93 |
| 2015 | 9.89% | +1.70pp | #92 |
| 2014 | 8.19% | −1.95pp | #88 |
| 2013 | 10.13% | −2.74pp | #107 |
| 2012 | 12.87% | +1.82pp | #123 |
| 2011 | 11.05% | +1.23pp | #121 |
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 real interest rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's real interest rate was 7.99% in 2025. Ranked 18th globally. This represents a 9.7% increase from the previous year.
Costa Rica's real interest rate peaked at 17.73% in 1993.
The lowest real interest rate in Costa Rica was -32.13% in 1982.
Costa Rica ranks 18th globally in real interest rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FR.INR.RINR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's real interest rate is projected to reach 7.99% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The real interest rate of Costa Rica in 2025 was 7.99%. This ranks 18th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_real-interest-rate,
title = {Costa Rica Real Interest Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/real-interest-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}