Costa Rica Trade Openness
Trade as % of GDP NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS
Costa Rica's trade openness was 78.61% in 2025, ranked 103rd globally. This represents a 10.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's trade openness stood at 78.61% in 2025, a rise of +7.28% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 78.61% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 103rd globally.
Costa Rica’s trade openness has risen markedly since the early 1960s, climbing from a trough of 45.92 in 1961 to an all‑time peak of 92.04 in 1998, before settling at 78.61 in 2025, which places the country 103rd globally. Over the 66‑year series the indicator shows a sustained upward trajectory, reflecting successive liberalisation measures, the expansion of free‑trade agreements and the growth of export‑oriented sectors such as agriculture and technology services. The 2025 figure of 78.61 is closely aligned with peer economies such as Ukraine (78.50) and Samoa (79.24), underscoring Costa Rica’s integration into global markets relative to similarly sized developing nations. While the post‑1998 decline from the peak suggests a modest rebalancing of trade flows, the long‑run pattern remains one of openness. Continued diversification of export products and deeper participation in regional trade blocs could reinforce this trend, potentially pushing the openness index above the current level in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Openness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 83.43% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 81.02% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 78.61% | - | - |
| 2025 | 78.61% | +7.28% | #103 |
| 2024 | 71.33% | −1.14% | #68 |
| 2023 | 72.47% | −9.76% | #70 |
| 2022 | 82.23% | +11.45% | #80 |
| 2021 | 70.78% | +10.64% | #76 |
| 2020 | 60.14% | −5.62% | #71 |
| 2019 | 65.76% | −1.18% | #66 |
| 2018 | 66.95% | +1.87% | #69 |
| 2017 | 65.07% | +2.89% | #67 |
| 2016 | 62.18% | +1.42% | #66 |
| 2015 | 60.75% | −4.44% | #63 |
| 2014 | 65.19% | +1.12% | #63 |
| 2013 | 64.07% | −2.98% | #62 |
| 2012 | 67.05% | −1.59% | #60 |
| 2011 | 68.64% | +1.13% | #61 |
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 trade openness improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's trade openness was 78.61% in 2025. Ranked 103rd globally. This represents a 10.2% increase from the previous year.
Costa Rica's trade openness peaked at 92.04% in 1998.
The lowest trade openness in Costa Rica was 45.92% in 1961.
Costa Rica ranks 103rd globally in trade openness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's trade openness is projected to reach 78.61% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade openness of Costa Rica in 2025 was 78.61%. This ranks 103rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_trade-openness,
title = {Costa Rica Trade Openness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/trade-openness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}