If you lived in Costa Rica instead of Saint Kitts and Nevis, you would:

Health

live 8.7 years longer

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, the average life expectancy is 72 years (69 years for men, 76 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 30.0% less likely to be obese

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, 46.7% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Costa Rica, that number is 32.7% of people as of 2024.

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Economy

make 20.8% less money

Saint Kitts and Nevis has a GDP per capita of $25,223 as of 2025, while in Costa Rica, the GDP per capita is $19,970 as of 2025.

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Life

be 67.6% less likely to die during childbirth

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, approximately 74.0 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 34.5% less likely to die during infancy

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, approximately 13.9 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 14.9% fewer children

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, there are approximately 11.7 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 13.4% more likely to have internet access

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, approximately 76.9% 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 51.7% more on education

Saint Kitts and Nevis spends 3.5% of its total GDP on education as of 2023. Costa Rica spends 5.3% of total GDP on education as of 2023.

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spend 19.7% more on healthcare

Saint Kitts and Nevis spends 5.7% 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 9.6 times more coastline

Saint Kitts and Nevis has a total of 135 km of coastline. In Costa Rica, that number is 1,290 km.

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Safety

be 72.3% less likely to be murdered

Saint Kitts and Nevis has a homicide rate of 64.2 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Costa Rica, that number is 17.8 per 100,000 as of 2023.

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be 32.9% less likely to die in a road accident

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, road accidents kill 23.1 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Costa Rica, they kill 15.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Infrastructure

live with 88.4% less strain on fresh water

Saint Kitts and Nevis withdraws 51% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Costa Rica withdraws 6% as of 2022.

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find 50.2% less home broadband

Saint Kitts and Nevis has 46.7 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. Costa Rica has 23.3 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 43.4% less CO2

Saint Kitts and Nevis emits 2.9 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Costa Rica emits 1.6 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators (2021). 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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