If you lived in Costa Rica instead of Micronesia, Federated States of, you would:

Health

live 13.6 years longer

In Micronesia, Federated States of, the average life expectancy is 67 years (64 years for men, 71 years for women) as of 2024. In Costa Rica, that number is 81 years (78 years for men, 84 years for women) as of 2024.

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be 32.8% less likely to be obese

In Micronesia, Federated States of, 48.6% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Costa Rica, that number is 32.7% of people as of 2024.

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see 4.0 times more spent on your healthcare

Micronesia, Federated States of spends $482 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Costa Rica spends $1,928 as of 2023.

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have 2.8 times more doctors per person

Micronesia, Federated States of has 9.7 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2020. Costa Rica has 26.9 as of 2022.

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have 68.8% more access to essential health services

Micronesia, Federated States of scores 48 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Costa Rica scores 81 as of 2021.

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be 59.2% less likely to die by suicide

Micronesia, Federated States of has a suicide rate of 19.8 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Costa Rica, it is 8.1 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Economy

make 4.5 times more money

Micronesia, Federated States of has a GDP per capita of $4,414 as of 2025, while in Costa Rica, the GDP per capita is $19,970 as of 2025.

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Life

be 81.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In Micronesia, Federated States of, approximately 129.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Costa Rica, 24.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 55.2% less likely to die during infancy

In Micronesia, Federated States of, approximately 20.3 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Costa Rica, on the other hand, 9.1 children do as of 2024.

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have 55.2% fewer children

In Micronesia, Federated States of, there are approximately 22.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Costa Rica, there are 10.0 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 15.1% more likely to have access to electricity

In Micronesia, Federated States of, approximately 87% of people have electricity access (97% in urban areas, and 84% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Costa Rica, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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be 2.2 times more likely to have internet access

In Micronesia, Federated States of, approximately 39.5% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Costa Rica, about 87.2% do as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 54.1% less on education

Micronesia, Federated States of spends 11.6% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Costa Rica spends 5.3% of total GDP on education as of 2023.

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spend 46.7% less on healthcare

Micronesia, Federated States of spends 12.9% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Costa Rica, that number is 6.9% of GDP as of 2023.

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Geography

see 78.9% less coastline

Micronesia, Federated States of has a total of 6,112 km of coastline. In Costa Rica, that number is 1,290 km.

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Infrastructure

find 4.0 times more home broadband

Micronesia, Federated States of has 5.8 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. Costa Rica has 23.3 as of 2024.

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Environment

be 72.2% less likely to die from air pollution

In Micronesia, Federated States of, air pollution causes 54.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Costa Rica, it causes 15.0 as of 2019.

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Sources: World Bank (2020–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook. How we calculate this

Costa Rica: At a glance

Costa Rica is a sovereign country in Central America/Caribbean, with a total land area of approximately 51,060 sq km. Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. In 1949, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
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