{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "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 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 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. On 1 December 1948, 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." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "10 00 N, 84 00 W" }, "Map references": { "text": "Central America and the Caribbean" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "51,100 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "51,060 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "40 sq km" }, "note": "note: includes Isla del Coco" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "slightly smaller than West Virginia" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "661 km" }, "border countries": { "text": "Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "1,290 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" }, "continental shelf": { "text": "200 nm" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands" }, "Terrain": { "text": "coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Pacific Ocean 0 m" }, "mean elevation": { "text": "746 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "hydropower" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "37.1% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 25.5% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "51.5% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "11.4% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "1,015 sq km (2012)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "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" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "

occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes

volcanism: Arenal (1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, 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 - note": { "text": "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" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "5,256,612 (2023 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Costa Rican(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Costa Rican" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "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.)" }, "Languages": { "Languages": { "text": "Spanish (official), English" }, "major-language sample(s)": { "text": "
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information." } }, "Religions": { "text": "Roman Catholic 47.5%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 19.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other Protestant 1.2%, other 3.1%, none 27% (2021 est.)" }, "Demographic profile": { "text": "

Costa Rica's political stability, high standard of living, and well-developed social benefits system set it apart from its Central American neighbors. Through the government's sustained social spending - almost 20% of GDP annually - Costa Rica has made tremendous progress toward achieving its goal of providing universal access to education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity. Since the 1970s, expansion of these services has led to a rapid decline in infant mortality, an increase in life expectancy at birth, and a sharp decrease in the birth rate. The average number of children born per women has fallen from about 7 in the 1960s to 3.5 in the early 1980s to below replacement level today. Costa Rica's poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries, but it has stalled at around 20% for almost two decades.

Costa Rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of its job opportunities and social programs. Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born, with Nicaraguans comprising nearly three-quarters of the foreign population. Many Nicaraguans who perform unskilled seasonal labor enter Costa Rica illegally or overstay their visas, which continues to be a source of tension. Less than 3% of Costa Rica's population lives abroad. The overwhelming majority of expatriates have settled in the United States after completing a university degree or in order to work in a highly skilled field.

" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "21.49% (male 577,782/female 552,041)" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "68.59% (male 1,813,827/female 1,791,510)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "9.92% (2023 est.) (male 238,971/female 282,481)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "45.1" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "29.8" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "15.3" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "6.5 (2021 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "32.6 years" }, "male": { "text": "32.1 years" }, "female": { "text": "33.1 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "0.98% (2023 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "14.03 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "4.97 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "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" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "82.6% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "1.462 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2023)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "1.01 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.85 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1 male(s)/female (2023 est.)" } }, "Maternal mortality ratio": { "text": "22 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)" }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "8.2 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "9.24 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "79.87 years" }, "male": { "text": "77.23 years" }, "female": { "text": "82.65 years (2023 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "1.86 children born/woman (2023 est.)" }, "Gross reproduction rate": { "text": "0.91 (2023 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "70.9% (2018)" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 100% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 100% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 100% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Current health expenditure": { "text": "7.9% of GDP (2020)" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "3.3 physicians/1,000 population (2020)" }, "Hospital bed density": { "text": "1.1 beds/1,000 population (2019)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 99% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 97.1% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 98.7% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 1% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 2.9% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Major infectious diseases": { "degree of risk": { "text": "intermediate (2023)" }, "food or waterborne diseases": { "text": "bacterial diarrhea" }, "vectorborne diseases": { "text": "dengue fever" }, "note": "note: on 17 April 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for an outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the province of Limón, Costa Rica; there is also malaria transmission in Alajuela Province; public health authorities in Costa Rica are responding to this outbreak by enhancing malaria surveillance; CDC now recommends malaria chemoprohylaxis for travelers visiting Limón and Alajuela Provinces in Costa Rica prior to travel; the parasite P. falciparum, which is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas is spread through the bite of female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles; P. falciparum can cause severe malaria because it multiples rapidly in the blood, and can thus cause severe blood loss (anemia); in addition, the infected parasites can clog small blood vessels; when this occurs in the brain, cerebral malaria results, a complication that can be fatal; seek medical care if you develop fever, chills, sweats, headache, vomiting, or body aches; malaria is a medical emergency, and appropriate treatment should not be delayed (see attached map)" }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "25.7% (2016)" }, "Alcohol consumption per capita": { "total": { "text": "3.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "beer": { "text": "2.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "wine": { "text": "0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "spirits": { "text": "0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "other alcohols": { "text": "0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" } }, "Tobacco use": { "total": { "text": "8.8% (2020 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "12.9% (2020 est.)" }, "female": { "text": "4.6% (2020 est.)" } }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "2.9% (2018)" }, "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": { "text": "48.4% (2023 est.)" }, "Child marriage": { "women married by age 15": { "text": "2%" }, "women married by age 18": { "text": "17.1% (2018 est.)" } }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "6.7% of GDP (2020 est.)" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "age 15 and over can read and write" }, "total population": { "text": "98%" }, "male": { "text": "98%" }, "female": { "text": "98.1% (2021)" } }, "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": { "total": { "text": "17 years" }, "male": { "text": "16 years" }, "female": { "text": "17 years (2019)" } }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "45.4%" }, "male": { "text": "37%" }, "female": { "text": "56.3% (2021 est.)" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "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" }, "signed, but not ratified": { "text": "Marine Life Conservation" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "37.1% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 25.5% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "51.5% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "11.4% (2018 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "82.6% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "text": "0.82% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Revenue from coal": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Air pollutants": { "particulate matter emissions": { "text": "15.85 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)" }, "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "8.02 megatons (2016 est.)" }, "methane emissions": { "text": "5.61 megatons (2020 est.)" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "1.46 million tons (2014 est.)" }, "municipal solid waste recycled annually": { "text": "18,396 tons (2014 est.)" }, "percent of municipal solid waste recycled": { "text": "1.3% (2014 est.)" } }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { "text": "830 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" }, "industrial": { "text": "230 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" }, "agricultural": { "text": "2.08 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "113 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)" } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Republic of Costa Rica" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Costa Rica" }, "local long form": { "text": "República de Costa Rica" }, "local short form": { "text": "Costa Rica" }, "etymology": { "text": "the name means \"rich coast\" in Spanish and was first applied in the early colonial period of the 16th century" } }, "Government type": { "text": "presidential republic" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "San Jose" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "9 56 N, 84 05 W" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "etymology": { "text": "named in honor of Saint Joseph" } }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose" }, "Independence": { "text": "15 September 1821 (from Spain)" }, "National holiday": { "text": "Independence Day, 15 September (1821)" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949" }, "amendments": { "text": "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; amended many times, last in 2020" } }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court" }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction" }, "Citizenship": { "citizenship by birth": { "text": "yes" }, "citizenship by descent only": { "text": "yes" }, "dual citizenship recognized": { "text": "yes" }, "residency requirement for naturalization": { "text": "7 years" } }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal and compulsory" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, "head of government": { "text": "President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet selected by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "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); election last held on 6 February 2022 with a runoff on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in February 2026 with a runoff in April 2026)" }, "election results": { "text": "

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 (PRS) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%

" } }, "Legislative branch": { "description": { "text": "unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)" }, "elections": { "text": "last held on 6 February 2022 (next to be held in February 2026)" }, "election results": { "text": "percent of vote by party - PLN 24.8%, PPSD 15%, PUSC 11.4%, PNR 10.1%, PLP 9.1%, 8.3%, other 21.3%; seats by party - PLN 19,  PPSD 10, PUSC 9, PNR 7, PLP 6, PFA 6; composition - men 30, women 27, percent of women 47.4%" } }, "Judicial branch": { "highest court(s)": { "text": "Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges)" }, "judge selection and term of office": { "text": "Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly" }, "subordinate courts": { "text": "appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal" } }, "Political parties and leaders": { "text": "

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias]
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Patricia MORA Castellanos]
Christian Democratic Alliance or ADC [Mario REDONDO Poveda]
Citizen Action Party or PAC [Marta Eugenia SOLANO Arias]
Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO Alvarez]
Liberal Progressive Party or PLP [Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz]
Libertarian Movement Party or ML [Victor Danilo CUBERO Corrales]
National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]
National Liberation Party or PLN [Kattia RIVERA Soto]
National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos Luis AVENDANO Calvo]
New Generation or PNG [Rodolfo SOLIS Herrera]
New Republic Party or PNR [Francisco Javier PRENDAS Rodriguez]
Patriotic Alliance [Jorge ARAYA Westover]
Social Christian Republican Party or PRS [Otto ROBERTO Vargas]
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC of UNIDAD [Randall QUIROS Bustamante]
Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD [Luz Mary ALPIZAR Loaiza]

" }, "International organization participation": { "text": "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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)" }, "chancery": { "text": "2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (202) 499-2980" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] (202) 265-4795" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
embcr-us@rree.go.cr

http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/21" }, "consulate(s) general": { "text": "Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC" }, "honorary consulate(s)": { "text": "San Juan (Puerto Rico), Saint Paul (MN), Tucson (AZ)" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Cynthia A. TELLES (since 11 March 2022)" }, "embassy": { "text": "Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose" }, "mailing address": { "text": "3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC  20521-3180" }, "telephone": { "text": "[506] 2519-2000" }, "FAX": { "text": "[506] 2519-2305" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
acssanjose@state.gov

https://cr.usembassy.gov/" } }, "Flag description": { "text": "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 hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people", "note": "note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "yiguirro (clay-colored robin); national colors: blue, white, red" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica\" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ" }, "note": "note: adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the US and UK; the lyrics were added in 1903" }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { "text": "Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)" } } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "trade-based upper middle-income economy; green economy leader, having reversed deforestation; investing in blue economy infrastructure; declining poverty until hard impacts of COVID-19; lingering inequality and growing government debts have prompted a liquidity crisis" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": { "text": "$109.26 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020": { "text": "$101.562 billion (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019": { "text": "$105.85 billion (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2021": { "text": "7.58% (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2020": { "text": "-4.05% (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2019": { "text": "2.42% (2019 est.)" } }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2021": { "text": "$21,200 (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2020": { "text": "$19,800 (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2019": { "text": "$20,800 (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$61.855 billion (2019 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": { "text": "1.73% (2021 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020": { "text": "0.72% (2020 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019": { "text": "2.1% (2019 est.)" } }, "Credit ratings": { "Fitch rating": { "text": "B (2020)" }, "Moody's rating": { "text": "B2 (2020)" }, "Standard & Poors rating": { "text": "B (2020)" }, "note": "note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained." }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "5.5% (2017 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "20.6% (2017 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "73.9% (2017 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "64.2% (2017 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "17.3% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "17.1% (2017 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "1% (2017 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "33.3% (2017 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-32.9% (2017 est.)" } }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice" }, "Industries": { "text": "medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "9.83% (2021 est.)" }, "Labor force": { "text": "2.426 million (2021 est.)", "note": "note: official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica" }, "Labor force - by occupation": { "agriculture": { "text": "14%" }, "industry": { "text": "22%" }, "services": { "text": "64% (2006 est.)" } }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2021": { "text": "17.95% (2021 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2020": { "text": "17.41% (2020 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2019": { "text": "11.49% (2019 est.)" } }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "45.4%" }, "male": { "text": "37%" }, "female": { "text": "56.3% (2021 est.)" } }, "Population below poverty line": { "text": "21% (2019 est.)" }, "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": { "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2020": { "text": "49.3 (2020 est.)" } }, "Average household expenditures": { "on food": { "text": "25.7% of household expenditures (2018 est.)" }, "on alcohol and tobacco": { "text": "1.2% of household expenditures (2018 est.)" } }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "1.5%" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "36.9% (2014 est.)" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "$9.664 billion (2019 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "$14.001 billion (2019 est.)" } }, "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": { "text": "-6.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2017": { "text": "48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt 2016": { "text": "44.9% of GDP (2016 est.)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "12.32% (of GDP) (2020 est.)" }, "Fiscal year": { "text": "calendar year" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2021": { "text": "-$2.136 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2020": { "text": "-$638.741 million (2020 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2019": { "text": "-$826.158 million (2019 est.)" } }, "Exports": { "Exports 2021": { "text": "$23.761 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Exports 2020": { "text": "$19.996 billion (2020 est.)" }, "Exports 2019": { "text": "$22.738 billion (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports." }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "United States 38%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, Guatemala 5%, Panama 5% (2019)" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "medical instruments, bananas, pineapples, orthopedic appliances, food preparations (2021)" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2021": { "text": "$22.298 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars" }, "Imports 2020": { "text": "$17.701 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars" }, "Imports 2019": { "text": "$20.314 billion (2019 est.)" } }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "United States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019)" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines (2019)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2021": { "text": "$6.921 billion (31 December 2021 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2020": { "text": "$7.232 billion (31 December 2020 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2019": { "text": "$8.937 billion (31 December 2019 est.)" } }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 2019": { "text": "$29.589 billion (2019 est.)" }, "Debt - external 2018": { "text": "$28.553 billion (2018 est.)" } }, "Exchange rates": { "Currency": { "text": "Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2021": { "text": "620.785 (2021 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "584.901 (2020 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2019": { "text": "587.295 (2019 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2018": { "text": "576.973 (2018 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2017": { "text": "567.513 (2017 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "100% (2021)" } }, "Electricity": { "installed generating capacity": { "text": "3.674 million kW (2020 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "10,072,472,000 kWh (2019 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "712 million kWh (2019 est.)" }, "imports": { "text": "733 million kWh (2019 est.)" }, "transmission/distribution losses": { "text": "1,321,498,000 kWh (2019 est.)" } }, "Electricity generation sources": { "fossil fuels": { "text": "0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "nuclear": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "solar": { "text": "0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "wind": { "text": "12.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "hydroelectricity": { "text": "71.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "tide and wave": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "geothermal": { "text": "14.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" }, "biomass and waste": { "text": "1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)" } }, "Coal": { "production": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "imports": { "text": "0 metric tons (2020 est.)" }, "proven reserves": { "text": "0 metric tons (2019 est.)" } }, "Petroleum": { "total petroleum production": { "text": "400 bbl/day (2021 est.)" }, "refined petroleum consumption": { "text": "63,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)" }, "crude oil and lease condensate exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2018 est.)" }, "crude oil and lease condensate imports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2018 est.)" }, "crude oil estimated reserves": { "text": "0 barrels (2021 est.)" } }, "Refined petroleum products - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - imports": { "text": "51,320 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Natural gas": { "production": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "imports": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" }, "proven reserves": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2021 est.)" } }, "Carbon dioxide emissions": { "total emissions": { "text": "8.115 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" }, "from coal and metallurgical coke": { "text": "1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" }, "from petroleum and other liquids": { "text": "8.114 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" }, "from consumed natural gas": { "text": "0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)" } }, "Energy consumption per capita": { "Total energy consumption per capita 2019": { "text": "44.899 million Btu/person (2019 est.)" } } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "553,455 (2021 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "11 (2021 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "7,834,435 (2021 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "152 (2021 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "the fixed broadband market is one of the few parts of Costa Rica’s telecom sector to experience solid growth in recent years, both in size and revenue; the country’s fiber network expanded by 56% in 2020, reaching about 176,200km; fixed-line broadband traffic volume also increased by more than 30%, year-on-year;  other areas of the market have proven relatively lack luster, with slow or even negative growth; some of this can be attributed to the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, but the fixed-line and mobile sectors have both been struggling to produce decent results since well before the start of the crisis; the rollout of 5G network infrastructure in Costa Rica is unlikely to occur to any scale before 2023, but this may be one of the few remaining areas of opportunity open to investors outside of fixed-line internet and pay TV services (2021)" }, "domestic": { "text": "roughly 11 per 100 fixed-line and 152 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 506; landing points for the ARCOS-1, MAYA-1, and the PAC submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" } }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "over two dozen privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station nationwide; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned radio stations and a public radio network (2022)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".cr" }, "Internet users": { "total": { "text": "4.316 million (2021 est.)" }, "percent of population": { "text": "83% (2021 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "992,725 (2020 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "20 (2020 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "National air transport system": { "number of registered air carriers": { "text": "1 (2020)" }, "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": { "text": "39" }, "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "1,948,546 (2018)" }, "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "11.13 million (2018) mt-km" } }, "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "TI" }, "Airports": { "text": "161 (2021)" }, "Airports - with paved runways": { "text": "47", "note": "note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)" }, "Airports - with unpaved runways": { "text": "114", "note": "note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control" }, "Pipelines": { "text": "662 km refined products (2013)" }, "Railways": { "total": { "text": "278 km (2014)" }, "narrow gauge": { "text": "278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge" }, "note": "note: the entire rail network fell into disrepair and out of use at the end of the 20th century; since 2005, certain sections of rail have been rehabilitated" }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "5,035 km (2017)" } }, "Waterways": { "text": "730 km (2011) (seasonally navigable by small craft)" }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "11" }, "by type": { "text": "other 11 (2022)" } }, "Ports and terminals": { "major seaport(s)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Puerto Limon" }, "container port(s) (TEUs)": { "text": "Puerto Limon (1,319,372)" }, "note": "Pacific Ocean - Caldera" } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Public Force (Fuerza Pública (National Police)), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras); Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2023)", "note": "note: Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2022": { "text": "0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2021": { "text": "0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2020": { "text": "0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2019": { "text": "0.7% of GDP (2019 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2018": { "text": "0.7% of GDP (2018 est.)" } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { "text": "12,500 Public Force personnel; approximately 500-600 Air, 500-600 Coast Guard, and 300-400 Border Police personnel (2022)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Public Force is lightly armed with an inventory that includes mostly older, secondhand US equipment (2023)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "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 both Colombia and the US; since 2012, the US has also provided some military equipment, including aircraft and patrol boats (2022)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Disputes - international": { "text": "

Costa Rica and Nicaragua regularly file border dispute cases over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed region

" }, "Refugees and internally displaced persons": { "refugees (country of origin)": { "text": "29,906 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021)" }, "stateless persons": { "text": "192 (2022)" } }, "Illicit drugs": { "text": "

Costa Rica remains a significant transshipment point for cocaine enroute to the United States from South America; a key transit point in international narcotics trafficking; transit and warehousing hub for illicit drug trafficking; growing domestic drug consumption problem; a major source of precursor or essential chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics

" } } }