2014 Edition

Background

Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance 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.

Area

51,100 sq km 51,060 sq km 40 sq km includes Isla del Coco

total

51,100 sq km

water

40 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Climate

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

Coastline

1,290 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

highest point

Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution

Environment - international agreements

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 Marine Life Conservation

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

5.77 cu km/yr (15%/9%/77%) 1,582 cu m/yr (2006)

per capita

1,582 cu m/yr (2006)

total

5.77 cu km/yr (15%/9%/77%)

Geographic coordinates

10 00 N, 84 00 W

Geography - note

four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65

Irrigated land

1,031 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

661 km Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km

border countries

Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km

total

661 km

Land use

4.89% 6.46% 88.65% (2011)

arable land

4.89%

other

88.65% (2011)

permanent crops

6.46%

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200 nm

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

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

hydropower

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

112.4 cu km (2011)

Age structure

23.5% (male 570,311/female 545,026) 17.5% (male 423,340/female 407,335) 43.8% (male 1,045,296/female 1,035,273) 8.3% (male 193,205/female 201,377) 6.8% (male 154,467/female 179,604) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

23.5% (male 570,311/female 545,026)

15-24 years

17.5% (male 423,340/female 407,335)

25-54 years

43.8% (male 1,045,296/female 1,035,273)

55-64 years

8.3% (male 193,205/female 201,377)

65 years and over

6.8% (male 154,467/female 179,604) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

16.08 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

39,082 5 % (2002 est.)

percentage

5 % (2002 est.)

total number

39,082

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.1% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

82.2% (2010)

Death rate

4.49 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Demographic profile

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.

Dependency ratios

43.6 % 33.2 % 10.4 % 9.6 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.4 %

potential support ratio

9.6 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.6 %

youth dependency ratio

33.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.6% of population rural: 90.9% of population total: 96.6% of population urban: 0.4% of population rural: 9.1% of population total: 3.4% of population (2012 est.)

rural

9.1% of population

total

3.4% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.4% of population

Education expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

white or mestizo 83.6%, mulato 6.7%, indigenous 2.4%, black of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

10.9% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

300 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,800 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

8.7 deaths/1,000 live births 9.5 deaths/1,000 live births 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

7.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

8.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

78.23 years 75.59 years 81.01 years (2014 est.)

female

81.01 years (2014 est.)

total population

78.23 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.3% 96% 96.5% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.5% (2011 est.)

male

96%

total population

96.3%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea dengue fever (2013)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever (2013)

Major urban areas - population

SAN JOSE (capital) 1.515 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

40 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

30 years 29.5 years 30.5 years (2014 est.)

female

30.5 years (2014 est.)

male

29.5 years

total

30 years

Nationality

Costa Rican(s) Costa Rican

adjective

Costa Rican

noun

Costa Rican(s)

Net migration rate

0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.7% (2008)

Physicians density

1.32 physicians/1,000 population (2000)

Population

4,755,234 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.24% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

urban: 94.9% of population rural: 92% of population total: 93.9% of population urban: 5.1% of population rural: 8% of population total: 6.1% of population (2012 est.)

rural

8% of population

total

6.1% of population (2012 est.)

urban

5.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2012)

female

14 years (2012)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.91 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

18.4% 15% 24.2% (2012)

female

24.2% (2012)

total

18.4%

Urbanization

64.7% of total population (2011) 2.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

64.7% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

San Jose 9 56 N, 84 05 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

9 56 N, 84 05 W

name

San Jose

time difference

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

Constitution

previous 1825; latest adopted 7 November 1949; amended many times, last in 2005 (2005)

Country name

Republic of Costa Rica Costa Rica Republica de Costa Rica Costa Rica

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

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gonzalo GALLEGOS Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose APO AA 34020 [506] 2519-2000 [506] 2519-2305

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gonzalo GALLEGOS

embassy

Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose

FAX

[506] 2519-2305

mailing address

APO AA 34020

telephone

[506] 2519-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Shanon Muni FIGUERES Boggs (since 7 September 2010) 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 480-2200 [1] (202) 265-4795 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington DC; note - Honorary Consulate: Dallas (Texas), Denver (Colorado), Tucson (Arizona) Austin

chancery

2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Shanon Muni FIGUERES Boggs (since 7 September 2010)

consulate(s)

Austin

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington DC; note - Honorary Consulate: Dallas (Texas), Denver (Colorado), Tucson (Arizona)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-4795

telephone

[1] (202) 480-2200

Executive branch

President Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (since 8 May 2014); First Vice President Helio FALLAS Venega (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACÓN Echeverría (since 8 May 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (since 8 May 2014); First Vice President Helio FALLAS Venega (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACÓN Echeverría (since 8 May 2014) Cabinet selected by the president president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 6 April 2014 (next to be held in February 2018) Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera elected president; percent of vote - Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (PAC) 77.81%; Johnny ARAYA (PLN) 22.19%

cabinet

Cabinet selected by the president

chief of state

President Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (since 8 May 2014); First Vice President Helio FALLAS Venega (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACÓN Echeverría (since 8 May 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera elected president; percent of vote - Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (PAC) 77.81%; Johnny ARAYA (PLN) 22.19%

elections

president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 6 April 2014 (next to be held in February 2018)

head of government

President Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (since 8 May 2014); First Vice President Helio FALLAS Venega (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACÓN Echeverría (since 8 May 2014)

Flag description

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

Government type

democratic republic

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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, Pacific Alliance, PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges, and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges) Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly appellate courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 2 February 2014 (next to be held in February 2018) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 18, PAC 13, FA 9, PUSC 9, PML 3, other 5

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 18, PAC 13, FA 9, PUSC 9, PML 3, other 5

elections

last held on 2 February 2014 (next to be held in February 2018)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ

name

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

clay-colored robin known as Yiguirro

Political parties and leaders

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias] Citizen Action Party or PAC [Olivier PEREZ Gonzalez] Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez] Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Patricia MORA] Libertarian Movement Party or ML [Victor Danilo CUBERO Corrales] National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes] National Liberation Party or PLN [Bernal JIMENEZ] National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos AVENDANO] Patriotic Alliance [Jorge ARAYA Westover] Popular Vanguard [Humberto VARGAS] Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Gerardo VARGAS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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 Confederation of Workers Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$7.197 billion $9.621 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$9.621 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$7.197 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

$NA (31 December 2010 est.) 23% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

$NA (31 December 2013 est.) $NA (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.673 billion (2013 est.) -$2.341 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$15.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $13.81 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.3 (2009) 45.9 (1997)

Economy - overview

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 20-25% 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

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 500.9 (2013 est.) 502.9 (2012 est.) 525.83 (2010 est.) 573.29 (2009) 530.41 (2008)

Exports

$11.66 billion (2013 est.) $11.44 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 38.9%, Netherlands 7.5%, Panama 5.1%, Hong Kong 4.6%, Nicaragua 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

64.7% 17.9% 20.9% 0.8% 35.2% -39.5% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

35.2%

government consumption

17.9%

household consumption

64.7%

imports of goods and services

-39.5%

investment in fixed capital

20.9%

investment in inventories

0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

6.2% 21.3% 72.5% (2013 est.)

agriculture

6.2%

industry

21.3%

services

72.5% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,900 (2013 est.) $12,700 (2012 est.) $12,200 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2013 est.) 5.1% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$48.51 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$61.43 billion (2013 est.) $59.35 billion (2012 est.) $56.45 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

16.3% of GDP (2013 est.) 15.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 16.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.2% 39.5% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

39.5% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

1.2%

Imports

$17.56 billion (2013 est.) $16.75 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 49.8%, China 8.2%, Mexico 6.6% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.6% (2013 est.) 4.5% (2012 est.)

Labor force

2.222 million this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

14% 22% 64% (2006 est.)

agriculture

14%

industry

22%

services

64% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.015 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.443 billion (31 December 2011) $1.445 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

24.8% (2011 est.)

Public debt

55% of GDP (2013 est.) 51.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.406 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $6.857 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$14.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $14.95 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.681 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.481 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$21.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $18.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$22.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $21.93 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.633 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.197 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.9% (2013 est.) 7.8% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.806 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

10,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

290.7 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

8.532 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

135 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

32.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

55.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

12.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

164 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.8 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

9.473 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

50,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1,898 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

40,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

10,630 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.cr

Internet hosts

147,258 (2012)

Internet users

1.485 million (2009)

Telephone system

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 point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available 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)

domestic

point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available

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

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 - main lines in use

1.018 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.151 million (2012)

Airports

161 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

16 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

27

total

47

under 914 m

16 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

96 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

18

total

114

Merchant marine

passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

total

1

Pipelines

refined products 662 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) Puerto Limon; Pacific Ocean - Caldera

major seaport(s)

Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) Puerto Limon; Pacific Ocean - Caldera

Railways

278 km 278 km 1.067-m gauge none of the railway network is in use (2008)

total

278 km

Roadways

39,018 km 10,133 km 28,885 km (2010)

total

39,018 km

unpaved

28,885 km (2010)

Waterways

730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

1,255,798 1,230,202 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,230,202 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,255,798

Manpower fit for military service

1,058,419 1,037,053 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,037,053 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,058,419

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

42,201 40,444 (2010 est.)

female

40,444 (2010 est.)

male

42,201

Military branches

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

Disputes - international

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

Illicit drugs

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

16,586 (Colombia) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

16,586 (Colombia) (2013)