Costa Rica

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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.

Land

51,060 sq km

Note

<strong>note:</strong> includes Isla del Coco

Total

51,100 sq km

Water

40 sq km

slightly smaller than West Virginia

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

1,290 km

North America

Highest point

Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m

Lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Mean elevation

746 m

10 00 N, 84 00 W

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

1,015 sq km (2012)

Border countries

Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km

number of neighbors

2

Total

661 km

Agricultural land

33.1% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 3.3% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.)

arable land

3.27%

Forest

58.4% (2023 est.)

Other

8.4% (2023 est.)

permanent crops

7.39%

No

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

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/RFiwytjvNrpfKN7k6

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/287667

Central America and the Caribbean

Continental shelf

200 nm

Exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Territorial sea

12 nm

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

hydropower

roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one fifth of the population

Central America

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

UTC-06:00

number of time zones

1

0-14 years

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

15-64 years

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

65 years and over

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

Beer

2.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols

0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits

0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total

3.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine

0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

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

Women married by age 15

2% (2018)

Women married by age 18

17.1% (2018)

2.9% (2018 est.)

41.7% (2022 est.)

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

adult female

58 per 1,000

adult male

111 per 1,000

Elderly dependency ratio

16.5 (2025 est.)

Potential support ratio

6.1 (2025 est.)

Total dependency ratio

42.7 (2025 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

26.2 (2025 est.)

improved total

80.5%

Improved: rural

rural: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure (% GDP)

6.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

31.2% national budget (2021 est.)

6 % of GDP

White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black or African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)

0.71 (2025 est.)

7 % of GDP

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

7.6% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

25.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.41%

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

Female

6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

7 deaths/1,000 live births

neonatal

7 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

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

Languages

Spanish (official), English

Major-language sample(s)

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

number of languages

1

Female

82.9 years

Male

77.7 years

Total population

80.3 years (2024 est.)

Female

94.1% (2018 est.)

1.462 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2023)

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

Female

36.1 years

Male

34.9 years

Total

36 years (2025 est.)

26 births/1,000 women 15-19

Adjective

Costa Rican

Noun

Costa Rican(s)

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

25.7% (2016)

2.69 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Female

2,650,618

Male

2,654,314

Total

5,304,932 (2025 est.)

0.75% (2025 est.)

Roman Catholic 47.5%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 19.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other Protestant 1.2%, other 3.1%, none 27% (2021 est.)

improved total

26.29%

Improved: rural

rural: 97.6% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)

Female

16 years (2019 est.)

Male

15 years (2019 est.)

Total

16 years (2019 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

At birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total population

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

Female

4.1% (2025 est.)

Male

12.2% (2025 est.)

Total

8.1% (2025 est.)

1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

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

Urban population

82.6% of total population (2023)

measles

93%

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

Etymology

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

Geographic coordinates

9 56 N, 84 05 W

Name

San Jos&eacute;

Time difference

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

Citizenship by birth

yes

Citizenship by descent only

yes

Dual citizenship recognized

yes

Residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/cr.svg

Amendment process

proposals require the signatures of at least 10 Legislative Assembly members or petition of at least 5% of qualified voters; consideration of proposals requires two-thirds majority approval in each of three readings by the Assembly, followed by preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its approval by simple majority of the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership; a referendum is required only if approved by at least two thirds of the Assembly

History

many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949

alternative spellings

CR, Republic of Costa Rica, República de Costa Rica

Conventional long form

Republic of Costa Rica

Conventional short form

Costa Rica

Etymology

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

FIFA code

CRC

Local long form

Rep&uacute;blica de Costa Rica

local long form (spa)

República de Costa Rica

Local short form

Costa Rica

Chief of mission

Ambassador-designate Melinda HILDEBRAND (since 3 December 2025); Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)

Email address and website

<br>acssanjose@state.gov<br><br>https://cr.usembassy.gov/

Embassy

Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose

FAX

[506] 2519-2305

Mailing address

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

Telephone

[506] 2519-2000

Chancery

2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief of mission

Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)

Consulate(s) general

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

Email address and website

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

FAX

[1] (202) 265-4795

Telephone

[1] (202) 499-2980

Cabinet

Cabinet selected by the president

Chief of state

President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)

Election results

<br><em>2022: </em>Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%,<em> </em>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%<br><br><em>2018:</em> 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%

Election/appointment process

president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms)

Expected date of next election

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

Head of government

President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)

Most recent election date

6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022

Note

<strong>note: </strong>the president is both chief of state and head of government

<strong>description:</strong> 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<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> 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<br><br><strong>history: </strong>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

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

The flag of Costa Rica is composed of five horizontal bands of blue, white, red, white and blue. The central red band is twice the height of the other four bands. The national coat of arms is placed in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/cr.svg

presidential republic

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

ACS, BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges)

Judge selection and term of office

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

Subordinate courts

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

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

Electoral system

proportional representation

Expected date of next election

February 2026

Legislative structure

unicameral

Legislature name

Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)

Most recent election date

2/6/2022

Number of seats

57 (all directly elected)

Parties elected and seats per party

National Liberation Party (PLN) (19); Democratic Social Progress Party (PPSD) (10); Christian Social Unity Party (USC) (9); New Republic Party (NR) (7); Broad Front (FA) (6); Progressive Liberal Party (LP) (6)

Percentage of women in chamber

49.1%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

4 years

the Costa Rican coat of arms highlights the country&rsquo;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&rsquo;s flag are a reminder of the maritime trade that shaped the country's history

blue, white, red

Selected World Heritage Site locales

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

Total World Heritage Sites

4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

yiguirro (clay-colored thrush)

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE<br>Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA<br>Citizen Action Party or PAC<br>Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC<br>Here Costa Rica Commands Party or ACRM<br>Liberal Progressive Party or PLP <br>Libertarian Movement Party or ML<br>National Integration Party or PIN<br>National Liberation Party or PLN<br>National Restoration Party or PRN<br>New Generation or PNG<br>New Republic Party or PNR<br>Social Christian Republican Party or PRSC<br>Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC of UNIDAD<br>Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD

Monday

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Yes

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

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

On alcohol and tobacco

1.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

On food

21.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Expenditures

$25.953 billion (2023 est.)

Note

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

Revenues

$26.333 billion (2023 est.)

code

CRC

name

Costa Rican colón (CRC) [₡]

$-1,248,842,816

Current account balance 2022

-$2.272 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$1.239 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2024

-$1.291 billion (2024 est.)

Note

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

Debt - external 2023

$15.574 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars

trade-based upper middle-income economy; green economy leader, having reversed deforestation; investing in blue economy infrastructure; declining poverty until hard impacts of COVID-19; lingering inequality and growing government debts have prompted a liquidity crisis

Currency

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

584.901 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

620.785 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

647.136 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

544.051 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

515.11 (2024 est.)

$36.74 billion

Exports 2022

$29.392 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$33.683 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$36.77 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

net inflows

$5.3 billion

Exports of goods and services

38.5% (2024 est.)

Government consumption

14.7% (2024 est.)

Household consumption

63.9% (2024 est.)

Imports of goods and services

-32.8% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital

15.8% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories

-0.1% (2024 est.)

Note

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

Agriculture

3.6% (2024 est.)

Industry

19.7% (2024 est.)

Note

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

Services

68.8% (2024 est.)

$95.35 billion (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$18,587

48.2 (2019)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2024

45.8 (2024 est.)

Note

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

$88.41 billion

$15,620

16 % of GDP

Highest 10%

34.2% (2024 est.)

Lowest 10%

1.7% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

$31.27 billion

Imports 2022

$27.095 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$28.413 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$30.459 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

4.1% (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

-0.41%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

8.3% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

0.5% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

-0.4% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

2.357 million (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total

2.43 million persons

agriculture

11.49%

industry

18.48%

services

70.03%

24.4% (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt 2017

48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

$159.57 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$126.189 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$132.64 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$138.371 billion (2024 est.)

4.32%

Note

<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2022

4.6% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

5.1% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

4.3% (2024 est.)

$31,107

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2022

$24,800 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$26,000 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$27,000 (2024 est.)

$724.8 million

Note

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

Remittances 2022

0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2024

0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)

$14.18 billion

Note

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$8.554 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$13.225 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$14.177 billion (2024 est.)

29 % of GDP

14 % of GDP

13.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

6.84%

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2022

11.4% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

8.4% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

7.9% (2024 est.)

Female

26.2% (2024 est.)

Male

20.7% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Total

23% (2024 est.)

Consumption

23,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports

24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption

9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.)

consumption per capita

2,206 kWh

Exports

774 million kWh (2023 est.)

Imports

54 million kWh (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity

3.751 million kW (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses

1.039 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Biomass and waste

0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels

0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Geothermal

13.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectric

69.32%

Hydroelectricity

72.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

0%

renewable

99.37%

Solar

0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Wind

12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

1,025 kg of oil equivalent

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

30.725 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption

60,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Total petroleum production

400 bbl/day (2023 est.)

34.2%

per 100 inhabitants

23 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23 (2023 est.)

Total

1.15 million (2023 est.)

over two dozen privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned radio stations and a public radio network (2022)

.cr

Percent of population

85% (2023 est.)

####

+506

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

12 (2024 est.)

Total subscriptions

610,000 (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100

146 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

136 (2024 est.)

Total subscriptions

6.98 million (2024 est.)

passengers carried

1.97 million passengers

registered carrier departures

15,698 departures

132 (2025)

TI

Right

8 (2025)

By type

other 11

Total

11 (2023)

Key ports

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

Large

0

Medium

0

Ports with oil terminals

4

Small

1

Total ports

6 (2024)

Very small

5

Narrow gauge

278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

Note

<strong>note:</strong> 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

Total

278 km (2014)

CR

Costa Rica relies on specialized paramilitary units within the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) for internal security missions and countering transnational threats such as narcotics smuggling and organized crime, as well as for participating in regional security operations and exercises; MPS forces have received advisory and training support from the US (2025)

Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad 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)<br><br>Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2025)

active duty personnel

10,000

note

<strong>note:</strong> Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949

percent of total labor force

0.41 %

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

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

current USD

$0

Military Expenditures 2020

0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)

USG identification

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

IDPs

58 (2024 est.)

Refugees

249,521 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons

345 (2024 est.)

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<br><br>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<br><br>2022 - domestically produced scientific device (Proyecto Musa or Musa Project) launched on European rocket<br><br>2024 - participated in first China-Latin America and the Caribbean Space Cooperation Forum

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

note

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

has a small, recently established program focused on using space to develop the country&rsquo;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)

From coal and metallurgical coke

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

From petroleum and other liquids

7.852 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Total emissions

7.91 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

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

Party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified

Marine Life Conservation

15.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

28 % of total land area

26 % of total

113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

3 % of internal resources

Agricultural

2.093 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial

245.34 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal

1.109 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually

1.46 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

5.4% (2022 est.)