2016 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

land

51,060 sq km

note

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

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

mean elevation

746 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

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

1,015 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

661 km Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km

border countries (2)

Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km

total

661 km

Land use

37.1% arable land 4.9%; permanent crops 6.7%; permanent pasture 25.5% 51.5% 11.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

37.1%

forest

51.5%

other

11.4% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

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

Terrain

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

Age structure

22.82% (male 568,738/female 543,312) 16.75% (male 416,046/female 399,931) 43.99% (male 1,078,000/female 1,065,327) 8.9% (male 211,670/female 222,183) 7.54% (male 169,646/female 197,690) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

22.82% (male 568,738/female 543,312)

15-24 years

16.75% (male 416,046/female 399,931)

25-54 years

43.99% (male 1,078,000/female 1,065,327)

55-64 years

8.9% (male 211,670/female 222,183)

65 years and over

7.54% (male 169,646/female 197,690) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

15.7 births/1,000 population (2016 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

76.2% (2011)

Death rate

4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 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

45.4% 32.4% 12.9% 7.7% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

12.9%

potential support ratio

7.7% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

45.4%

youth dependency ratio

32.4%

Drinking water source

urban: 99.6% of population rural: 91.9% of population total: 97.8% of population urban: 0.4% of population rural: 8.1% of population total: 2.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

8.1% of population

total

2.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.4% of population

Education expenditures

7% of GDP (2014)

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

9.3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.33% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

200 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

10,000 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

8.3 deaths/1,000 live births 9 deaths/1,000 live births 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

78.6 years 75.9 years 81.4 years (2016 est.)

female

81.4 years (2016 est.)

male

75.9 years

total population

78.6 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.8% 97.7% 97.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.8% (2015 est.)

male

97.7%

total population

97.8%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea dengue fever active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever

Major urban areas - population

SAN JOSE (capital) 1.17 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

25 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

30.9 years 30.4 years 31.3 years (2016 est.)

female

31.3 years (2016 est.)

male

30.4 years

total

30.9 years

Nationality

Costa Rican(s) Costa Rican

adjective

Costa Rican

noun

Costa Rican(s)

Net migration rate

0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24% (2014)

Physicians density

1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

4,872,543 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

1.19% (2016 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 95.2% of population rural: 92.3% of population total: 94.5% of population urban: 4.8% of population rural: 7.7% of population total: 5.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

7.7% of population

total

5.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

4.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 16 years (2014)

female

16 years (2014)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 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

0.95 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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.9 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

25% 21.3% 31.4% (2014 est.)

female

31.4% (2014 est.)

male

21.3%

total

25%

Urbanization

76.8% of total population (2015) 2.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

76.8% of total population (2015)

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)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 7 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Constitution

previous 1825; latest effective 8 November 1949; amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Costa Rica Costa Rica Republica de Costa Rica Costa Rica the name means "rich coast" in Spanish and was first applied in the early colonial period of the 16th century

conventional long form

Republic of Costa Rica

conventional short form

Costa Rica

etymology

the name means "rich coast" in Spanish and was first applied in the early colonial period of the 16th century

local long form

Republica de Costa Rica

local short form

Costa Rica

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Stafford Fitzgerald HANEY (since 30 June 2015) Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose APO AA 34020 [506] 2519-2000 [506] 2519-2305

chief of mission

Ambassador Stafford Fitzgerald HANEY (since 30 June 2015)

embassy

Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose

FAX

[506] 2519-2305

mailing address

APO AA 34020

telephone

[506] 2519-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Roman MACAYA Hayes (since 18 September 2014) 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 Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (FL), Washington DC San Francisco

chancery

2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Roman MACAYA Hayes (since 18 September 2014)

consulate(s)

San Francisco

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (FL), Washington DC

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 CHACON Echeverria (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 Venegas (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACON Echeverria (since 8 May 2014) Cabinet selected by the president president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 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) 77.8%; Johnny ARAYA (PLN) 22.2%

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 CHACON Echeverria (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) 77.8%; Johnny ARAYA (PLN) 22.2%

elections/appointments

president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 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 Venegas (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACON Echeverria (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 placed toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed

note

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

Government type

presidential 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), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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; trial 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; trial 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 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-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 8, PML 4, other 5

description

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 18, PAC 13, FA 9, PUSC 8, PML 4, 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 US and UK; 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)

note

adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the US and UK; the lyrics were added in 1903

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

yiguirro (clay-colored robin); national colors: blue, white, red

yiguirro (clay-colored robin); national colors

blue, white, red

Political parties and leaders

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias] Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Patricia MORA] Citizen Action Party or PAC [Olivier PEREZ Gonzalez] Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez] 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) Confederation of Workers Rerum Novarum or CTRN (National Libertion Party affiliate) Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (National Libertion 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

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

$7.813 billion $10.93 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$10.93 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$7.813 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

21.5% (31 December 2010) 23% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.24% (31 December 2015 est.) 14.9% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.135 billion (2015 est.) -$2.34 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$23.18 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $20.97 billion (31 December 2014 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 in 2009 but resumed growth at about 4% per year in 2010-15. While 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 medical devices, 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; Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. 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. However, poor infrastructure, high energy costs, bureaucracy, weak investor protection, and legal uncertainty due to the difficulty of enforcing contracts and overlapping and at times conflicting responsibilities between agencies, remain impediments to greater competitiveness. Costa Rica’s economy also faces challenges due to a rising fiscal deficit, rising public debt, and relatively low levels of domestic revenue. 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, which in 2014 represented 1% 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.

Exchange rates

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 534.57 (2015 est.) 538.32 (2014 est.) 538.32 (2013 est.) 502.9 (2012 est.) 505.66 (2011 est.)

Exports

$9.503 billion (2015 est.) $9.271 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 33.6%, China 6.2%, Mexico 4.6%, Nicaragua 4.3%, Netherlands 4.2%, Guatemala 4% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

64.9% 18.1% 22.5% -3.5% 30.9% -32.9% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

30.9%

government consumption

18.1%

household consumption

64.9%

imports of goods and services

-32.9% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.5%

investment in inventories

-3.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

5.6% 19.2% 75.2% (2015 est.)

agriculture

5.6%

industry

19.2%

services

75.2% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,500 (2015 est.) $15,100 (2014 est.) $14,900 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2015 est.) 3% (2014 est.) 1.8% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$52.9 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$74.89 billion (2015 est.) $72.23 billion (2014 est.) $70.15 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

14.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 14.1% of GDP (2014 est.) 15% of GDP (2013 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

$14.38 billion (2015 est.) $14.84 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 45.3%, China 9.8%, Mexico 7.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.8% (2015 est.) 4.5% (2014 est.)

Labor force

2.268 million official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2015 est.)

note

official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2015 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 est.) $1.445 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

24.8% (2011 est.)

Public debt

60.2% of GDP (2015 est.) 56.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.834 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $7.211 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$21.55 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $18 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$3.154 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $2.768 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$28.75 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $25.66 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$30.53 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $27.25 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.273 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.643 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.4% (2015 est.) 9.6% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7.2 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1,300 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

9.2 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

600 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

30.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

55.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

13.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

800 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.9 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

10 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

24,362 99.5% 99.9% 98.3% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

98.3% (2013)

electrification - total population

99.5%

electrification - urban areas

99.9%

population without electricity

24,362

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

53,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

51,300 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 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 users

2.877 million 59.8% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

59.8% (July 2015 est.)

total

2.877 million

Telephone system

good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage 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) (2015)

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

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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

859,514 18 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

18 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

859,514

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.536 million 157 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

157 (July 2015 est.)

total

7.536 million

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

under 914 m

96 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

TI (2016)

Merchant marine

passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

by type

passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

total

1

National air transport system

1,617,075 9,284,160 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

9,284,160 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,617,075

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

39

number of registered air carriers

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 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 (2014)

narrow gauge

278 km 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 (2014)

total

278 km

Roadways

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

paved

10,133 km

total

39,018 km

unpaved

28,885 km (2010)

Waterways

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

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

1,806 (2015)

stateless persons

1,806 (2015)

Trafficking in persons

Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Costa Rican women and children, as well as those from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American countries, are sex trafficked in Costa Rica; child sex tourism is a particular problem with offenders coming from the US and Europe; men and children from Central America, including indigenous Panamanians, and Asia are exploited in agriculture, construction, fishing, and commerce; Nicaraguans transit Costa Rica to reach Panama, where some are subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking Tier 2 Watch List – Costa Rica does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts declined in 2014, with fewer prosecutions and no convictions and no actions taken against complicit government personnel; some officials conflated trafficking with smuggling, and authorities reported the diversion of funds to combat smuggling hindered anti-trafficking efforts; the government identified more victims than the previous year but did not make progress in ensuring that victims received adequate protective services; specialized services were limited and mostly provided by NGOs without government support, even from a dedicated fund for anti-trafficking efforts; victims services were virtually non-existent outside of the capital (2015)

current situation

Costa Rica is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Costa Rican women and children, as well as those from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American countries, are sex trafficked in Costa Rica; child sex tourism is a particular problem with offenders coming from the US and Europe; men and children from Central America, including indigenous Panamanians, and Asia are exploited in agriculture, construction, fishing, and commerce; Nicaraguans transit Costa Rica to reach Panama, where some are subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Costa Rica does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts declined in 2014, with fewer prosecutions and no convictions and no actions taken against complicit government personnel; some officials conflated trafficking with smuggling, and authorities reported the diversion of funds to combat smuggling hindered anti-trafficking efforts; the government identified more victims than the previous year but did not make progress in ensuring that victims received adequate protective services; specialized services were limited and mostly provided by NGOs without government support, even from a dedicated fund for anti-trafficking efforts; victims services were virtually non-existent outside of the capital (2015)