Costa Rica

total: 1.15 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

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)

.cr

percent of population: 85% (2023 est.)

total subscriptions: 610,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions: 6.98 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 136 (2024 est.)

sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, oil palm fruit, milk, fruits, oranges, chicken, cassava, beef (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

on food: 21.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

revenues: $26.333 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $25.953 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

-$1.291 billion (2024 est.) -$1.239 billion (2023 est.) -$2.272 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$15.574 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 515.11 (2024 est.) 544.051 (2023 est.) 647.136 (2022 est.) 620.785 (2021 est.) 584.901 (2020 est.)

$36.77 billion (2024 est.) $33.683 billion (2023 est.) $29.392 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

medical instruments, integrated circuits, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

USA 40%, Netherlands 6%, China 5%, Guatemala 4%, Belgium 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

$95.35 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

household consumption: 63.9% (2024 est.) government consumption: 14.7% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 15.8% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.5% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

agriculture: 3.6% (2024 est.) industry: 19.7% (2024 est.) services: 68.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

45.8 (2024 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

lowest 10%: 1.7% (2024 est.) highest 10%: 34.2% (2024 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

$30.459 billion (2024 est.) $28.413 billion (2023 est.) $27.095 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

refined petroleum, plastic products, cars, medical instruments, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

USA 38%, China 15%, Mexico 6%, Brazil 3%, Guatemala 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

4.1% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products

-0.4% (2024 est.) 0.5% (2023 est.) 8.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

2.357 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

24.4% (2023 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line

48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

$138.371 billion (2024 est.) $132.64 billion (2023 est.) $126.189 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

4.3% (2024 est.) 5.1% (2023 est.) 4.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

$27,000 (2024 est.) $26,000 (2023 est.) $24,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

0.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

$14.177 billion (2024 est.) $13.225 billion (2023 est.) $8.554 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

13.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

7.9% (2024 est.) 8.4% (2023 est.) 11.4% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 23% (2024 est.) male: 20.7% (2024 est.) female: 26.2% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

consumption: 23,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity: 3.751 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 774 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 54 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.039 billion kWh (2023 est.)

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

fossil fuels: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 72.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 13.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

30.725 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

total petroleum production: 400 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 60,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

7.91 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 58,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 7.852 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

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

deforestation, largely from clearing land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution

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 signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

agricultural land: 33.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.) forest: 58.4% (2023 est.) other: 8.4% (2023 est.)

15.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

municipal: 1.109 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 245.34 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 2.093 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

urban population: 82.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.46 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.4% (2022 est.)

total : 51,100 sq km land: 51,060 sq km water: 40 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco

slightly smaller than West Virginia

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

1,290 km

highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 746 m

10 00 N, 84 00 W

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

1,015 sq km (2012)

total: 661 km border countries (2): Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km

agricultural land: 33.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.) forest: 58.4% (2023 est.) other: 8.4% (2023 est.)

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

Central America and the Caribbean

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

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

hydropower

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

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

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

name: San Jos geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Spanish settlers originally named the city Villa Nueva in 1736; it was later renamed for Saint Joseph

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

history: many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949 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

conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Rep blica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica etymology: the name means "rich coast" in Spanish; Christopher COLUMBUS named it in 1502, referring to the region's abundant vegetation and water

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Melinda HILDEBRAND (since 3 December 2025); Charg d Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025) embassy: Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: 3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC 20521-3180 telephone: [506] 2519-2000 FAX: [506] 2519-2305 email address and website: acssanjose@state.gov https://cr.usembassy.gov/

chief of mission: Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023) chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 499-2980 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 email address and website: embcr-us@rree.go.cr https://www.embassycr.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC

chief of state: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022) head of government: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president 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) most recent election date: 6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022 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% expected date of next election: 1 February 2026 (a runoff, if needed, will take place in April 2026) note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

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 note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand, but with the blue and red colors reversed

presidential republic

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

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) 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 subordinate courts: appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal

civil law system based on Spanish civil code; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts

legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 57 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 2/6/2022 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) percentage of women in chamber: 49.1% expected date of next election: February 2026

title: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica) lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ 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

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

blue, white, red

total World Heritage Sites: 4 (1 cultural, 3 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

yiguirro (clay-colored thrush)

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

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

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.

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)

Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad P blica de Costa Rica): National Police (Fuerza P blica), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia A rea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Drug Control Police (Polic a Control de Drogas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras), Professional Migration Police (Polic a Profesional de Migraci n) Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2025) note: Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949

approximately 10-15,000 Ministry of Public Security personnel (2025)

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)

0.6% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 506,041/female 482,481) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 1,862,872/female 1,832,024) 65 years and over: 11.1% (2024 est.) (male 266,568/female 315,589)

total: 3.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

10.86 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

women married by age 15: 2% (2018) women married by age 18: 17.1% (2018)

2.9% (2018 est.)

41.7% (2022 est.)

5.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio: 42.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 26.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 16.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6.1 (2025 est.)

urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

6.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 31.2% national budget (2021 est.)

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.)

0.71 (2025 est.)

7.6% of GDP (2021) 25.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Spanish (official), English major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de informaci n b sica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

total population: 80.3 years (2024 est.) male: 77.7 years female: 82.9 years

female: 94.1% (2018 est.)

1.462 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2023)

24 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

total: 36 years (2025 est.) male: 34.9 years female: 36.1 years

noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican

1.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

25.7% (2016)

2.69 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

total: 5,304,932 (2025 est.) male: 2,654,314 female: 2,650,618

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

0.75% (2025 est.)

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.)

urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 97.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 2.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

total: 16 years (2019 est.) male: 15 years (2019 est.) female: 16 years (2019 est.)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

total: 8.1% (2025 est.) male: 12.2% (2025 est.) female: 4.1% (2025 est.)

1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)

urban population: 82.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

2018 - first domestically produced remote sensing cube satellite (Iraz ) 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

Costa Rican Space Agency (ACE; established by legislation in 2021) (2025) note: ACE is a non-state, public entity subject to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications of Costa Rica

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)

USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025)

refugees: 249,521 (2024 est.) IDPs: 58 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 345 (2024 est.)

132 (2025)

TI

8 (2025)

total: 11 (2023) by type: other 11

total ports: 6 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 5 ports with oil terminals: 4 key ports: Golfito, Puerto Caldera, Puerto Limon, Puerto Moin, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas

total: 278 km (2014) narrow gauge: 278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge 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