Costa Rica vs Malawi: Urban and rural population
Costa Rica
4.11 million
in 2025
Malawi
3.91 million
in 2025
Costa Rica rank
114th
Malawi rank
116th
Urban and rural population over time
- Costa Rica
- Malawi
How they compare
Costa Rica currently reports 4.11 million against 3.91 million in Malawi, a difference of 199,360.
That makes Costa Rica's figure about 1.1 times Malawi's.
Across all 76 years both countries report, Costa Rica has been ahead every year.
Costa Rica ranks 114th and Malawi ranks 116th of 236 countries.
Costa Rica has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Costa Rica | Malawi | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 367,689 | 119,404 | 248,284 | Costa Rica |
| 1960s | 554,984 | 186,870 | 368,114 | Costa Rica |
| 1970s | 852,553 | 396,808 | 455,744 | Costa Rica |
| 1980s | 1.22 million | 770,168 | 449,789 | Costa Rica |
| 1990s | 1.86 million | 1.37 million | 490,954 | Costa Rica |
| 2000s | 2.73 million | 1.92 million | 806,968 | Costa Rica |
| 2010s | 3.58 million | 2.67 million | 905,512 | Costa Rica |
| 2020s | 4.01 million | 3.53 million | 480,257 | Costa Rica |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher urban and rural population, Costa Rica or Malawi?
- Costa Rica, at 4.11 million against 3.91 million in Malawi as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between Costa Rica and Malawi?
- 199,360, with Costa Rica ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Costa Rica and Malawi?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do Costa Rica and Malawi rank globally for urban and rural population?
- Costa Rica ranks 114th and Malawi ranks 116th of 236 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Urban and rural population. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.