Costa Rica vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Electronic waste generated
Costa Rica
81,000 tonnes
in 2023
Sub-Saharan Africa
2.36 million tonnes
in 2025
Costa Rica rank
20th
Sub-Saharan Africa rank
22nd
Electronic waste generated over time
- Costa Rica
- Sub-Saharan Africa
How they compare
Sub-Saharan Africa currently reports 2.36 million tonnes against 81,000 tonnes in Costa Rica, a difference of 2.27 million tonnes.
That makes Sub-Saharan Africa's figure about 29.1 times Costa Rica's.
Across all 14 years both countries report, Sub-Saharan Africa has been ahead every year.
Costa Rica ranks 20th and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 22nd of 31 countries.
Sub-Saharan Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Costa Rica | Sub-Saharan Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 57,683 tonnes | 1.34 million tonnes | 1.29 million tonnes | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 2020s | 71,310 tonnes | 2.02 million tonnes | 1.95 million tonnes | Sub-Saharan Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher electronic waste generated, Costa Rica or Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Sub-Saharan Africa, at 2.36 million tonnes against 81,000 tonnes in Costa Rica as of 2025.
- What is the difference in electronic waste generated between Costa Rica and Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 2.27 million tonnes, with Sub-Saharan Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Costa Rica and Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 14 years are reported by both, from 2010 to 2023.
- How do Costa Rica and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for electronic waste generated?
- Costa Rica ranks 20th and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 22nd of 31 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Electronic waste generated (Tonnes). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.