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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

multiple 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 (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.cr

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

147,258 (2012) country comparison to the world: 78

Internet users [time series]

1.485 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 82

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; under the terms of CAFTA-DR, the state-run telecommunications monopoly is scheduled to be opened to competition from domestic and international firms, but has been slow to open to competition domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: country code - 506; landing points for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), MAYA-1, and the Pan American Crossing 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) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.234 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 68

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.358 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 114

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber

Budget [time series]

revenues: $6.949 billion expenditures: $8.937 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-4.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Central bank discount rate [time series]

21.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 23% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

16% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 16.15% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$2.556 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 -$2.2 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$12.04 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $10.75 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

50.3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 22 45.9 (1997)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Prior to the global economic crisis, Costa Rica enjoyed stable economic growth. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 but resumed growth at about 4.5% per year in 2010-12. While the traditional agricultural exports of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are still the backbone of commodity export trade, a variety of industrial and specialized agricultural products have broadened export trade in recent years. High value added goods and services, including microchips, have further bolstered exports. Tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the incentives offered in the free-trade zones; and Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. However, many business impediments remain such as high levels of bureaucracy, legal uncertainty due to overlapping and at times conflicting responsibilities between agencies, difficulty of enforcing contracts, and weak investor protection. Poverty has remained around 15-20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Unlike the rest of Central America, Costa Rica is not highly dependent on remittances as they only represent about 2% of GDP. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of mostly unskilled labor but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. The US-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force on 1 January 2009 after significant delays within the Costa Rican legislature. CAFTA-DR has increased foreign direct investment in key sectors of the economy, including the insurance and telecommunications sectors recently opened to private investors. President CHINCHILLA was not able to gain legislative approval for fiscal reform, her top priority, though she continued to pursue fiscal reform in 2012. President CHINCHILLA and the PLN were successful in passing a tax on corporations to fund an increase for security services.

Exchange rates [time series]

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 504.5 (2012 est.) 505.66 (2011 est.) 525.83 (2010 est.) 573.29 (2009) 530.41 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$11.47 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $10.38 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; beef; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment

Exports - partners [time series]

US 30.4%, China 11.3%, Netherlands 10.9%, UK 9.6%, Mexico 8.5% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$44.88 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$58.6 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $55.92 billion (2011 est.) $53.68 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 6.2% industry: 21.1% services: 72.7% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$12,600 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $12,100 (2011 est.) $11,800 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 4.2% (2011 est.) 4.7% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 39.5% (2009 est.)

Imports [time series]

$16.79 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $15.53 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials

Imports - partners [time series]

US 43%, Mexico 7%, China 6.2%, Japan 6% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2.8% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 4.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

19.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Labor force [time series]

2.196 million country comparison to the world: 118 note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 14% industry: 22% services: 64% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.443 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 101 $1.445 billion (31 December 2010) $1.452 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

24.2% (2010 est.)

Public debt [time series]

47.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 44.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$5.461 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $4.756 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$20.09 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $18.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$729.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $704.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$18.59 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $16.34 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$23.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $19.21 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$4.209 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $3.693 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

15.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 6.5% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

6.411 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Crude oil - imports [time series]

7,361 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Electricity - consumption [time series]

8.144 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Electricity - exports [time series]

38 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

24.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

61.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

13.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity - imports [time series]

62 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.49 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Electricity - production [time series]

9.113 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

50,200 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

737 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

39,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

12,090 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 51,100 sq km country comparison to the world: 130 land: 51,060 sq km water: 40 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands

Coastline [time series]

1,290 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 2.68 cu km/yr (29%/17%/53%) per capita: 619 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

10 00 N, 84 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

1,080 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 4.4% permanent crops: 5.87% other: 89.73% (2005)

Location [time series]

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes volcanism: Arenal (elev. 1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (elev. 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

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower

Terrain [time series]

coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes

Total renewable water resources [time series]

112.4 cu km (2000)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

Capital [time series]

name: San Jose geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

7 November 1949

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Anne Slaughter ANDREW embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 2519-2000 FAX: [506] 2519-2305

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Shanon Muni FIGUERES Boggs chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 480-2200 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014) election results: Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda elected president; percent of vote - Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (PLN) 46.7%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 25.1%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (ML) 20.8%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk 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: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed

Government type [time series]

democratic republic

Independence [time series]

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 24, PAC 11, ML 9, PUSC 6, PASE 4, other 3

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica) lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ note: adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the United States and United Kingdom; the lyrics were added in 1903

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s) [time series]

clay-colored robin known as Yiguirro

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Elizabeth FONSECA]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Jose MERINO del Rio]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Bernal JIMENEZ]; National Restoration Party or PRN; Patriotic Alliance [Mariano FIGUERES Olsen]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES Araya]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Gerardo VARGAS]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,255,798 females age 16-49: 1,230,202 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,058,419 females age 16-49: 1,037,053 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 42,201 female: 40,444 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.6% of GDP country comparison to the world: 154 note: includes public security and police expenditures (2009)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 24.2% (male 572,665/ female 547,458) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 1,614,495/ female 1,597,010) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 141,075/ female 163,645) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

16.4 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Death rate [time series]

4.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Demographic profile [time series]

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.

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 24

Ethnic groups [time series]

white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

9,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

10.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 25

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 151 male: 10.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.89 years country comparison to the world: 59 male: 75.26 years female: 80.65 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.9% male: 94.7% female: 95.1% (2000 census)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

SAN JOSE (capital) 1.416 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

40 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 115

Median age [time series]

total: 29.2 years male: 28.7 years female: 29.6 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican

Net migration rate [time series]

0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.32 physicians/1,000 population (2000)

Population [time series]

4,636,348 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Population growth rate [time series]

1.288% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 95% of population rural: 96% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population rural: 4% of population total: 5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.92 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 11% country comparison to the world: 97 male: 9.6% female: 13.4% (2008)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 64% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

the ICJ had given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Rio San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 10,297 (Colombia) (2011)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

153 (2012) country comparison to the world: 35

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 14 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 112 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 93 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 149 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

refined products 662 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Caldera, Puerto Limon

Railways [time series]

total: 278 km country comparison to the world: 122 narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge note: none of the railway network is in use (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 38,049 km country comparison to the world: 92 paved: 9,619 km unpaved: 28,430 km (2004)

Waterways [time series]

730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011) country comparison to the world: 75