Population

Costa RicavsGuatemala
This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
The biggest differences first
Surface area
Guatemala is higher
Nominal GDP
Guatemala is higher
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
Guatemala’s population is 259% larger than that of Costa Rica, a difference of 13,276,449.
Surface area
Guatemala’s surface area is 113% larger than that of Costa Rica, a difference of 57,790 km².
Population density
Guatemala’s population density is 68% higher than that of Costa Rica, a difference of 68.6 /km².
Nominal GDP
Guatemala’s nominal GDP is 19% larger than that of Costa Rica, a difference of $17.85 billion.
GDP per capita
Costa Rica’s GDP per capita is 202% higher than that of Guatemala, a difference of $12,437.
Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.
Full side-by-side comparison
Capital
San Jose
Guatemala City
Population
5,129,910
18,406,359
Surface area
51,100 km²
108,890 km²
Population density
100 /km²
169 /km²
Nominal GDP
$95.35 billion · 2024
$113.20 billion · 2024
GDP per capita
$18,587 · 2024
$6,150 · 2024
Region
Americas
Americas
Subregion
Central America
Central America
Currency
Costa Rican colón · CRC · ₡
Guatemalan quetzal · GTQ · Q
Nationality
Costa Rican
Guatemalan
Phone code
+506
+502
Internet domain
.cr
.gt
ISO codes
CR / CRI
GT / GTM
Time zone
America/Costa_Rica
America/Guatemala
Native name
Costa Rica
Guatemala
| Measure | Costa Rica | Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | San Jose | Guatemala City |
| Population | 5,129,910 | 18,406,359 |
| Surface area | 51,100 km² | 108,890 km² |
| Population density | 100 /km² | 169 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $95.35 billion · 2024 | $113.20 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $18,587 · 2024 | $6,150 · 2024 |
| Region | Americas | Americas |
| Subregion | Central America | Central America |
| Currency | Costa Rican colón · CRC · ₡ | Guatemalan quetzal · GTQ · Q |
| Nationality | Costa Rican | Guatemalan |
| Phone code | +506 | +502 |
| Internet domain | .cr | .gt |
| ISO codes | CR / CRI | GT / GTM |
| Time zone | America/Costa_Rica | America/Guatemala |
| Native name | Costa Rica | Guatemala |
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout Costa Rica
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is a small but strikingly diverse nation celebrated for its lush rainforests, abundant wildlife, and a reputation as a global leader in eco‑tourism and sustainable living.
Full Costa Rica profile →About Guatemala
Guatemala, nestled between Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, blends highland mystique with lush lowland tropics, making it a focal point of Central American culture and history.
Full Guatemala profile →Costa Rica & Guatemala: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
The capital of Costa Rica is San Jose.
What is the population of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a recorded population of approximately 5,129,910 people.
How big is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica covers an area of about 51,100 km².
What is the population density of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a population density of roughly 100 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $95.35 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a GDP per capita of approximately $18,587.
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC), with the symbol ₡.
Where is Costa Rica located?
Costa Rica is located in Central America, Americas.
What are people from Costa Rica called?
People from Costa Rica are referred to as Costa Rican.
What is the phone calling code for Costa Rica?
The international dialing code for Costa Rica is +506.
What is the internet domain for Costa Rica?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Costa Rica is .cr.
What time zone is Costa Rica in?
Costa Rica uses the America/Costa_Rica time zone.
What is Costa Rica known for?
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is a small but strikingly diverse nation celebrated for its lush rainforests, abundant wildlife, and a reputation as a global leader in eco‑tourism and sustainable living.
What is the capital of Guatemala?
The capital of Guatemala is Guatemala City.
What is the population of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a recorded population of approximately 18,406,359 people.
How big is Guatemala?
Guatemala covers an area of about 108,890 km².
What is the population density of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a population density of roughly 169 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $113.20 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Guatemala?
Guatemala has a GDP per capita of approximately $6,150.
What currency is used in Guatemala?
Guatemala uses the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ), with the symbol Q.
Where is Guatemala located?
Guatemala is located in Central America, Americas.
What are people from Guatemala called?
People from Guatemala are referred to as Guatemalan.
What is the phone calling code for Guatemala?
The international dialing code for Guatemala is +502.
What is the internet domain for Guatemala?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Guatemala is .gt.
What time zone is Guatemala in?
Guatemala uses the America/Guatemala time zone.
What is Guatemala known for?
Guatemala, nestled between Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, blends highland mystique with lush lowland tropics, making it a focal point of Central American culture and history.