Costa Rica

Code: CS | Region: Central America N Caribbean

Introduction

Background

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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.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

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10 00 N, 84 00 W

Map references

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Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total

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51,100 sq km

land

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51,060 sq km

water

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40 sq km

note

note: includes Isla del Coco

Area - comparative

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slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries

total

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661 km

border countries

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Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km

Coastline

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1,290 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

continental shelf

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200 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point

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Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m

lowest point

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Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation

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746 m

Natural resources

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hydropower

Land use

agricultural land

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33.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 3.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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58.4% (2023 est.)

other

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8.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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1,015 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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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

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occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes volcanism: Arenal (1,670 m) is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city, as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba

Geography - note

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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

total

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5,304,932 (2025 est.)

male

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2,654,314

female

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2,650,618

Nationality

noun

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Costa Rican(s)

adjective

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Costa Rican

Ethnic groups

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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

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Spanish (official), English

major-language sample(s)

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La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions

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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.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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18.8% (male 506,041/female 482,481)

15-64 years

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70.2% (male 1,862,872/female 1,832,024)

65 years and over

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11.1% (2024 est.) (male 266,568/female 315,589)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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42.7 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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26.2 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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16.5 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

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6.1 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

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36 years (2025 est.)

male

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34.9 years

female

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36.1 years

Population growth rate

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0.75% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

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

Population distribution

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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

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82.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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1.462 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.84 male(s)/female

total population

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1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Infant mortality rate

total

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6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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7 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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80.3 years (2024 est.)

male

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77.7 years

female

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82.9 years

Total fertility rate

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1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.71 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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7.6% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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25.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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2.69 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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25.7% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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3.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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2.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

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8.1% (2025 est.)

male

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12.2% (2025 est.)

female

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4.1% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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2.9% (2018 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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41.7% (2022 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

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2% (2018)

women married by age 18

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17.1% (2018)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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6.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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31.2% national budget (2021 est.)

Literacy

female

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94.1% (2018 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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16 years (2019 est.)

male

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15 years (2019 est.)

female

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16 years (2019 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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

International environmental agreements

party to

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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

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Marine Life Conservation

Climate

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

Land use

agricultural land

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33.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 3.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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58.4% (2023 est.)

other

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8.4% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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82.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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7.91 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

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58,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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7.852 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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15.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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1.46 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

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5.4% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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1.109 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

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245.34 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

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2.093 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

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113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Republic of Costa Rica

conventional short form

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Costa Rica

local long form

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República de Costa Rica

local short form

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Costa Rica

etymology

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the name means "rich coast" in Spanish; Christopher COLUMBUS named it in 1502, referring to the region's abundant vegetation and water

Government type

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presidential republic

Capital

name

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San José

geographic coordinates

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9 56 N, 84 05 W

time difference

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UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology

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Spanish settlers originally named the city Villa Nueva in 1736; it was later renamed for Saint Joseph

Administrative divisions

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

Legal system

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

Constitution

history

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many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949

amendment process

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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

International law organization participation

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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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yes

citizenship by descent only

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yes

dual citizenship recognized

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yes

residency requirement for naturalization

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7 years

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state

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President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)

head of government

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President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)

cabinet

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Cabinet selected by the president

election/appointment process

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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

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6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022

election results

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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

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1 February 2026 (a runoff, if needed, will take place in April 2026)

note

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative branch

legislature name

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Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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57 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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proportional representation

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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2/6/2022

parties elected and seats per party

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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

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49.1%

expected date of next election

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February 2026

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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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

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Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly

subordinate courts

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

Political parties

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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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)

chancery

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2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone

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[1] (202) 499-2980

FAX

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[1] (202) 265-4795

email address and website

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embcr-us@rree.go.cr https://www.embassycr.org/

consulate(s) general

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Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador-designate Melinda HILDEBRAND (since 3 December 2025); Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)

embassy

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Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose

mailing address

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3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC  20521-3180

telephone

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[506] 2519-2000

FAX

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[506] 2519-2305

email address and website

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acssanjose@state.gov https://cr.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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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

Independence

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15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday

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Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Flag

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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

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)

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yiguirro (clay-colored thrush)

National color(s)

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blue, white, red

National coat of arms

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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

National anthem(s)

title

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"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)

lyrics/music

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Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ

history

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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

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

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Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)

Economy

Economic overview

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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) 2024

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$138.371 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

text

$132.64 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

text

$126.189 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

text

4.3% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

text

5.1% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

text

4.6% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

text

$27,000 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

text

$26,000 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

text

$24,800 (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

text

$95.35 billion (2024 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

text

-0.4% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

text

0.5% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

text

8.3% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

text

3.6% (2024 est.)

industry

text

19.7% (2024 est.)

services

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68.8% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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63.9% (2024 est.)

government consumption

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14.7% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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15.8% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

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-0.1% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

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38.5% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-32.8% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

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sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, oil palm fruit, milk, fruits, oranges, chicken, cassava, beef (2023)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

text

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

Industrial production growth rate

text

4.1% (2024 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force

text

2.357 million (2024 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

text

7.9% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

text

8.4% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

text

11.4% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

text

23% (2024 est.)

male

text

20.7% (2024 est.)

female

text

26.2% (2024 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line

text

24.4% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2024

text

45.8 (2024 est.)

note

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

Average household expenditures

on food

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21.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco

text

1.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

text

1.7% (2024 est.)

highest 10%

text

34.2% (2024 est.)

note

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

Remittances 2024

text

0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)

Remittances 2023

text

0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

text

0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

text

$26.333 billion (2023 est.)

expenditures

text

$25.953 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

Public debt 2017

text

48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

text

13.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024

text

-$1.291 billion (2024 est.)

Current account balance 2023

text

-$1.239 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

text

-$2.272 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2024

text

$36.77 billion (2024 est.)

Exports 2023

text

$33.683 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

text

$29.392 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

text

USA 40%, Netherlands 6%, China 5%, Guatemala 4%, Belgium 3% (2023)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

text

medical instruments, integrated circuits, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2024

text

$30.459 billion (2024 est.)

Imports 2023

text

$28.413 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

text

$27.095 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

text

USA 38%, China 15%, Mexico 6%, Brazil 3%, Guatemala 3% (2023)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

text

refined petroleum, plastic products, cars, medical instruments, broadcasting equipment (2023)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

text

$14.177 billion (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$13.225 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

text

$8.554 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

text

$15.574 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

text

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

text

515.11 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

text

544.051 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

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647.136 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

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620.785 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

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584.901 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity

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3.751 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption

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9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports

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774 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports

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54 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

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1.039 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

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0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

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72.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

geothermal

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13.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste

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0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption

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23,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

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24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production

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400 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

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60,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

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30.725 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

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610,000 (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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12 (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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6.98 million (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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136 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

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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)

Internet country code

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.cr

Internet users

percent of population

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85% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

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1.15 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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23 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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Airports

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132 (2025)

Heliports

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8 (2025)

Railways

total

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278 km (2014)

narrow gauge

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278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

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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

Merchant marine

total

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11 (2023)

by type

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other 11

Ports

total ports

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6 (2024)

large

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medium

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small

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very small

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ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Golfito, Puerto Caldera, Puerto Limon, Puerto Moin, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública de Costa Rica): National Police (Fuerza Pública), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Drug Control Police (Policía Control de Drogas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras), Professional Migration Police (Policía Profesional de Migración) Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2025)

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note: Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024

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0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

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0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

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0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

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0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

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0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

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

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

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the National Police are lightly armed although small special units are trained and equipped for tactical operations; the US has provided equipment and support to forces such as the Coast Guard, including secondhand US vessels and aircraft (2025)

Military - note

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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)

Space

Space agency/agencies

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Costa Rican Space Agency (ACE; established by legislation in 2021) (2025)

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note: ACE is a non-state, public entity subject to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications of Costa Rica

Space program overview

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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)

Key space-program milestones

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2018 - first domestically produced remote sensing cube satellite (Irazú) for monitoring tropical forests and climate change launched by US and deployed from the International Space Station 2021 - signed protocols for newly established Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency; opened US commercial company’s space radar facility for mapping and space situational awareness 2022 - domestically produced scientific device (Proyecto Musa or Musa Project) launched on European rocket 2024 - participated in first China-Latin America and the Caribbean Space Cooperation Forum

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

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249,521 (2024 est.)

IDPs

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58 (2024 est.)

stateless persons

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345 (2024 est.)

Illicit drugs

USG identification

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