Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
23.29 (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
1.15 million (2023 est.)
Communications: Broadcast media
over two dozen privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned radio stations and a public radio network (2022)
Communications: Internet country code
.cr
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
87.2% (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
11.90 (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
610,000 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
136.02 (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
6.98 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, oil palm fruit, milk, fruits, oranges, chicken, cassava, beef (2023)
Economy: Average household expenditures: on alcohol and tobacco
1.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Economy: Average household expenditures: on food
21.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$25.953 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$26.333 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
-$2.272 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2023
-$1.239 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2024
$-686.753 million (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2023
$15.574 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
584.901 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
620.785 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
647.136 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
544.051 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
515.11 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
medical instruments, integrated circuits, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$29.392 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2023
$33.683 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2024
$39.978 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: exports of goods and services
38.8% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption
14.0% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption
64.0% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: imports of goods and services
32.6% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in fixed capital
16.3% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in inventories
-0.1% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture
3.4% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
19.9% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
69.2% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$33,815 (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$102.905 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$146.567 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2024
45.50 (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: highest 10%
34.3% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%
1.8% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic products, cars, medical instruments, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$27.095 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2023
$28.413 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2024
$33.590 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
4.1% (2024 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
8.3% (2022 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
0.5% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
-0.1% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Labor force
2,427,166 (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Population below poverty line
17.1% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2017
48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2023
39.3% of GDP (2001, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$126.189 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$132.64 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$146.567 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
4.6% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
5.1% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
4.6% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$24,800 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$26,000 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2024
0.8% of GDP (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$8.554 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$13.225 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$17.086 billion (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Taxes and other revenues
27.4% of GDP (2024, World Bank)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022
11.4% (2022 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2023
8.4% (2023 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2024
6.8% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): female
22.2% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male
18.5% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total
19.9% (2025, World Bank)
Energy: Coal: consumption
23,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: imports
24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - rural areas
99.4% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
99.8% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - urban areas
99.9% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: biomass and waste
0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: geothermal
13.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: hydroelectricity
72.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: solar
0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: wind
12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: consumption
9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: exports
774 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: imports
54 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: installed generating capacity
3.751 million kW (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: transmission/distribution losses
1.039 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023
30.725 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption
60,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: total petroleum production
400 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from coal and metallurgical coke
58,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from petroleum and other liquids
7.852 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions
7.91 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Climate
tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Environment: Environmental issues
deforestation, largely from clearing land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
Environment: International environmental agreements: party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
Marine Life Conservation
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
33.1% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
3.3% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
60.4% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: other
8.4% (2023 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
15.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Total renewable water resources
113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: agricultural
2.093 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: industrial
245.34 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: municipal
1.109 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
79.7% (2025, World Bank)
Environment: Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually
1.46 million tons (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: percent of municipal solid waste recycled
5.4% (2022 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Geography: Area: land
51,060 sq km
Geography: Area: water
40 sq km
Geography: Coastline
1,290 km
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geography: Elevation: mean elevation
746 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
10 00 N, 84 00 W
Geography: Geography - note
four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Geography: Irrigated land
1,015 sq km (2012)
Geography: Land boundaries: border countries
Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km
Geography: Land boundaries: total
661 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
33.1% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 3.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
58.4% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
8.4% (2023 est.)
Geography: Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Geography: Maritime claims: continental shelf
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes volcanism: Arenal (1,670 m) is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city, as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba
Geography: Population distribution
roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one fifth of the population
Geography: Terrain
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes
Government: Administrative divisions
7 provinces ( provincias , singular - provincia ); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Government: Capital: etymology
Spanish settlers originally named the city Villa Nueva in 1736; it was later renamed for Saint Joseph
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
9 56 N, 84 05 W
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by birth
yes
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by descent only
yes
Government: Citizenship: dual citizenship recognized
yes
Government: Citizenship: residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Government: Constitution: amendment process
proposals require the signatures of at least 10 Legislative Assembly members or petition of at least 5% of qualified voters; consideration of proposals requires two-thirds majority approval in each of three readings by the Assembly, followed by preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its approval by simple majority of the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership; a referendum is required only if approved by at least two thirds of the Assembly
Government: Constitution: history
many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Costa Rica
Government: Country name: etymology
the name means "rich coast" in Spanish; Christopher COLUMBUS named it in 1502, referring to the region's abundant vegetation and water
Government: Country name: local long form
República de Costa Rica
Government: Country name: local short form
Costa Rica
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Melinda HILDEBRAND (since 3 December 2025); Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: email address and website
acssanjose@state.gov https://cr.usembassy.gov/
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX
[506] 2519-2305
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: mailing address
3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: telephone
[506] 2519-2000
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chancery
2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: email address and website
embcr-us@rree.go.cr https://www.embassycr.org/
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX
[1] (202) 265-4795
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: telephone
[1] (202) 499-2980
Government: Executive branch: cabinet
Cabinet selected by the president
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
Government: Executive branch: election results
2022: Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%, Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 16.8%, Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PNR) 14.9%, Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz (PLP) 12.4%, Lineth SABORIO Chaverri (PUSC) 12.4%, Jose Maria VILLALTA Florez-Estrada 8.7% (PFA), other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 52.8%, Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 47.2% 2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRSC) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%
Government: Executive branch: election/appointment process
president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms)
Government: Executive branch: expected date of next election
1 February 2026 (a runoff, if needed, will take place in April 2026)
Government: Executive branch: head of government
President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
Government: Executive branch: most recent election date
6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022
Government: Flag
description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double-width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the left side of the red band meaning: the blue is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance; the white for peace, happiness, and wisdom; and the red for the blood shed for freedom, as well as Costa Ricans' generosity and vibrancy history: Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutions in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors by adding a central red stripe
Government: International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Government: International organization participation
ACS, BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Government: Judicial branch: highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges)
Government: Judicial branch: judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal
Government: Legal system
civil law system based on Spanish civil code; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
Government: Legislative branch: electoral system
proportional representation
Government: Legislative branch: expected date of next election
February 2026
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
unicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
Government: Legislative branch: most recent election date
2/6/2022
Government: Legislative branch: number of seats
57 (all directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch: parties elected and seats per party
National Liberation Party (PLN) (19); Democratic Social Progress Party (PPSD) (10); Christian Social Unity Party (USC) (9); New Republic Party (NR) (7); Broad Front (FA) (6); Progressive Liberal Party (LP) (6)
Government: Legislative branch: percentage of women in chamber
49.1%
Government: Legislative branch: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch: term in office
4 years
Government: National anthem(s): history
adopted 1949; the music was originally written for a welcome ceremony in 1852 for the US and UK diplomatic missions; the lyrics were added in 1900
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ
Government: National coat of arms
the Costa Rican coat of arms highlights the country’s natural beauty and history; three volcanoes, each topped with a white cloud, are surrounded with water, symbolizing the seaports of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; the rising sun in the background stands for the birth of a new nation, and the seven white stars for the country's provinces; the two merchant ships carrying Costa Rica’s flag are a reminder of the maritime trade that shaped the country's history
Government: National color(s)
blue, white, red
Government: National heritage: selected World Heritage Site locales
Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)
Government: National heritage: total World Heritage Sites
4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)
Government: National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Government: National symbol(s)
yiguirro (clay-colored thrush)
Government: Political parties
Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA Citizen Action Party or PAC Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC Here Costa Rica Commands Party or ACRM Liberal Progressive Party or PLP Libertarian Movement Party or ML National Integration Party or PIN National Liberation Party or PLN National Restoration Party or PRN New Generation or PNG New Republic Party or PNR Social Christian Republican Party or PRSC Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC of UNIDAD Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Introduction: Background
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 from Indigenous populations, 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 was one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared 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. General Federico TINOCO Granados led a coup in 1917, but the threat of US intervention pushed him to resign in 1919. In 1948, landowner Jose FIGUERES Ferrer raised his own army and rebelled against the government. The brief civil war ended with an agreement to allow FIGUERES to remain in power for 18 months, then step down in favor of the previously elected Otilio ULATE. FIGUERES was later elected twice in his own right, in 1953 and 1970. Costa Rica experienced destabilizing waves of refugees from Central American civil wars in the 1970s and 1980s, but peace in the region has since helped the economy rebound. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries.
Military and Security: Military - note
Costa Rica relies on specialized paramilitary units within the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) for internal security missions and countering transnational threats such as narcotics smuggling and organized crime, as well as for participating in regional security operations and exercises; MPS forces have received advisory and training support from the US (2025)
Military and Security: Military and security forces
Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública de Costa Rica): National Police (Fuerza Pública), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Drug Control Police (Policía Control de Drogas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras), Professional Migration Police (Policía Profesional de Migración) Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2025)
Military and Security: Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 10-15,000 Ministry of Public Security personnel (2025)
Military and Security: Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the National Police are lightly armed although small special units are trained and equipped for tactical operations; the US has provided equipment and support to forces such as the Coast Guard, including secondhand US vessels and aircraft (2025)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2020
0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2021
0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2022
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2023
0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2024
0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
18.3% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
68.9% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
12.8% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: beer
2.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: other alcohols
0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: spirits
0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: total
3.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: wine
0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Birth rate
9.99 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 15
2% (2018)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 18
17.1% (2018)
People and Society: Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.9% (2018 est.)
People and Society: Contraceptive prevalence rate
70.9% (2018, World Bank)
People and Society: Current health expenditure
6.9% of GDP (2023, World Bank)
People and Society: Currently married women (ages 15-49)
41.7% (2022 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
5.57 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
16.5 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
6.1 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
42.7 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
26.2 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: rural
rural: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
99.8% (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: urban
urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: rural
rural: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: total
total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: urban
urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP)
6.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% national budget)
31.2% national budget (2021 est.)
People and Society: Ethnic groups
White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black or African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
0.71 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7.6% of GDP (2021)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
25.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: Hospital bed density
1.14 (2022, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
8.30 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
9.80 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
9.10 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Languages: Languages
Spanish (official), English
People and Society: Languages: major-language sample(s)
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
83.58 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
78.37 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: female
94.1% (2018, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: male
97.3% (2011, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: total population
97.4% (2011, World Bank)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
1.462 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2023)
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
24.00 (2023, World Bank)
People and Society: Median age: female
36.1 years
People and Society: Median age: male
34.9 years
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Costa Rican
People and Society: Net migration rate
1.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
25.7% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
2.69 (2022, World Bank)
People and Society: Population
5,152,950 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population distribution
roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one fifth of the population
People and Society: Population growth rate
0.4% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population: female
2,607,281 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population: male
2,545,669 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: rural
rural: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: total
98.8% (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: urban
urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: rural
rural: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: total
total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: urban
urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): female
16 years (2019 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): male
15 years (2019 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total
16 years (2019 est.)
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.84 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
4.1% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
12.2% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
8.1% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
1.32 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
1.0% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
79.7% (2025, World Bank)
Space: Key space-program milestones
2018 - first domestically produced remote sensing cube satellite (Irazú) for monitoring tropical forests and climate change launched by US and deployed from the International Space Station 2021 - signed protocols for newly established Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency; opened US commercial company’s space radar facility for mapping and space situational awareness 2022 - domestically produced scientific device (Proyecto Musa or Musa Project) launched on European rocket 2024 - participated in first China-Latin America and the Caribbean Space Cooperation Forum
Space: Space agency/agencies
Costa Rican Space Agency (ACE; established by legislation in 2021) (2025)
Space: Space program overview
has a small, recently established program focused on using space to develop the country’s economy and industry, including acquiring and using satellites; has built a remote sensing (RS) cube satellite; has relations with US space agencies and commercial space industries, as well as with the ESA and the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)
Transnational Issues: Illicit drugs: USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs
58 (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees
36,395 (2025, UNHCR)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons
465 (2025, UNHCR)
Transportation: Airports
132 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TI
Transportation: Heliports
8 (2025)
Transportation: Merchant marine: by type
other 11
Transportation: Merchant marine: total
11 (2023)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Golfito, Puerto Caldera, Puerto Limon, Puerto Moin, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
0
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
4
Transportation: Ports: small
1
Transportation: Ports: total ports
6 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
5
Transportation: Railways: narrow gauge
278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Transportation: Railways: total
278 km (2014)
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.