Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Costa Rica instead of Taiwan, you would:

Health

live 1.5 years less

In Taiwan, the average life expectancy is 81 years (78 years for men, 84 years for women) as of 2022. In Costa Rica, that number is 80 years (77 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

pay a 66.7% lower top tax rate

Taiwan has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2016. In Costa Rica, the top tax rate is 15.0% as of 2016.

make 46.0% less money

Taiwan has a GDP per capita of $47,800 as of 2019, while in Costa Rica, the GDP per capita is $25,800 as of 2023.

be 2.2 times more likely to be unemployed

In Taiwan, 3.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2019. In Costa Rica, that number is 8.3% as of 2023.

be 17.0 times more likely to live below the poverty line

In Taiwan, 1.5% live below the poverty line as of 2012. In Costa Rica, however, that number is 25.5% as of 2022.

Life

have 47.9% more children

In Taiwan, there are approximately 7.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Costa Rica, there are 10.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 2.1 times more likely to die during infancy

In Taiwan, approximately 4.0 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Costa Rica, on the other hand, 8.4 children do as of 2022.

Geography

see 17.6% less coastline

Taiwan has a total of 1,566 km of coastline. In Costa Rica, that number is 1,290 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Taxation Administration, Ministry of Finance, R.O.C., Directorate General of Taxation of Costa Rica.

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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How big is Costa Rica compared to Taiwan? See an in-depth size comparison.

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