CapitalSan José
Population5,304,932
Area51,100 km²
GDP per capita$27,000
LanguagesSpanish , English
CurrencyCosta Rican colones
Life Expectancy80.3 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
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 from Indigenous populations, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two-and-a-half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica was one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence.
Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. General Federico TINOCO Granados led a coup in 1917, but the threat of US intervention pushed him to resign in 1919. In 1948, landowner Jose FIGUERES Ferrer raised his own army and rebelled against the government. The brief civil war ended with an agreement to allow FIGUERES to remain in power for 18 months, then step down in favor of the previously elected Otilio ULATE. FIGUERES was later elected twice in his own right, in 1953 and 1970.
Costa Rica experienced destabilizing waves of refugees from Central American civil wars in the 1970s and 1980s, but peace in the region has since helped the economy rebound. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries.
Geography
Area
land
51,060 sq km
water
40 sq km
total
51,100 sq km
Climate
tropical and subtropical climate; dry period (December to April); wet season (May to November); cooler temperatures in the highland regions
Terrain
coastal lowlands divided by steep mountains, featuring more than 100 volcanic cones, several of which are significant active volcanoes
Land use
other
8.4% (2023 est.)
forest
58.4% (2023 est.)
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.)
Location
Located in Central America, it borders the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, positioned between Nicaragua and Panama
Coastline
1,290 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m
mean elevation
746 m
Irrigated land
1,015 sq km (2012)
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Land boundaries
total
661 km
border countries
Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences occasional earthquakes, hurricanes affecting the Atlantic coastline; lowlands often face flooding at the beginning of the rainy season and landslides; active volcanic activity
volcanism: Arenal (1,670 m) is Costa Rica's most active volcano; an eruption in 1968 devastated the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), located just east of San Jose, has the capacity to emit ash over the capital, as it did from 1963 to 1965; other historically significant volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba
Geography - note
four volcanoes, two of which are active, are situated near San Jose, the capital; one of these, Irazu, had a significant eruption from 1963 to 1965
Natural resources
hydropower generation
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia
Geographic coordinates
10 00 N, 84 00 W
Population distribution
approximately half of the population lives in urban settings; San Jose, the capital, is the largest city, housing about one fifth of the total population
People & Society
Literacy
female
94.1% (2018 est.)
Languages
Languages
Spanish (official), English
major-language sample(s)
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 47.5%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 19.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other Protestant 1.2%, other 3.1%, none 27% (2021 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.84 male(s)/female
Birth rate
10.86 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
34.9 years
total
36 years (2025 est.)
female
36.1 years
Population
male
2,654,314
total
5,304,932 (2025 est.)
female
2,650,618
Nationality
noun
Costa Rican(s)
adjective
Costa Rican
Tobacco use
male
12.2% (2025 est.)
total
8.1% (2025 est.)
female
4.1% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
82.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
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)
Ethnic groups
White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black or of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 estimate)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
2% (2018)
women married by age 18
17.1% (2018)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
42.7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
26.2 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
6.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
16.5 (2025 est.)
Physician density
2.69 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
25.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
1.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
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
Education expenditure (% GDP)
6.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
31.2% national budget (2021 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
7 deaths/1,000 live births
total
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.75% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.71 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
approximately 50% of the country's populace lives in urban regions; San Jose, the capital, is the most populous city, housing about one-fifth of the total population
Life expectancy at birth
male
77.7 years
female
82.9 years
total population
80.3 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
24 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
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.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
3.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.462 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
25.7% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
41.7% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.9% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
15 years (2019 est.)
total
16 years (2019 est.)
female
16 years (2019 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical and subtropical climates; dry period occurring from December to April; wet period spanning from May to November; temperature is lower in highland areas
Land use
other
8.4% (2023 est.)
forest
58.4% (2023 est.)
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.)
Urbanization
urban population
82.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
1.46 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
5.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation primarily resulting from land being cleared for cattle ranching and agricultural practices; soil erosion issues; pollution affecting coastal marine environments; protection of fisheries; management of solid waste; air quality concerns
Total water withdrawal
municipal
1.109 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
245.34 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
2.093 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
7.91 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
58,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
7.852 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
15.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
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
Government
Flag
description: features five horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, red (double-width), white, and blue, with the national coat of arms situated within a white elliptical disk towards the left of the red band
meaning: blue symbolizes the sky, opportunity, and perseverance; white represents peace, happiness, and wisdom; while red signifies the blood spilled for freedom, in addition to the generosity and vibrancy of the Costa Rican people
history: Costa Rica maintained the previous blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to European revolutions, it was resolved to incorporate French colors by introducing a central red stripe
Capital
name
San José
etymology
The city was initially named Villa Nueva by Spanish settlers in 1736; it was subsequently renamed in honor of Saint Joseph
time difference
UTC-6 (one hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
9 56 N, 84 05 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949
amendment process
proposals must be supported by the signatures of a minimum of 10 members of the Legislative Assembly or a petition from at least 5% of eligible voters; proposals require a two-thirds majority approval during three readings in the Assembly, followed by the preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its subsequent approval by a simple majority in the Assembly; passage necessitates a two-thirds majority vote from Assembly members; a referendum is only required if it receives approval from at least two-thirds of the Assembly
Country name
etymology
The name translates to "rich coast" in Spanish; it was given by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1502, in reference to the area's lush vegetation and water resources
local long form
República de Costa Rica
local short form
Costa Rica
conventional long form
Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form
Costa Rica
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Legal system
civil law system derived from the Spanish civil code; legislative acts are subject to review by the Supreme Court
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
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)
subordinate courts
appellate courts; trial courts; courts of first instance and justices of the peace; Superior Electoral Tribunal
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
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet selected by the president
chief of state
President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
election results
2022: Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%, Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 16.8%, Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PNR) 14.9%, Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz (PLP) 12.4%, Lineth SABORIO Chaverri (PUSC) 12.4%, Jose Maria VILLALTA Florez-Estrada 8.7% (PFA), other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 52.8%, Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 47.2%
2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRSC) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%
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
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 (if necessary, a runoff will occur in April 2026)
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
National color(s)
blue, white, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)
Political parties
Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA
Citizen Action Party or PAC
Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC
Here Costa Rica Commands Party or ACRM
Liberal Progressive Party or PLP
Libertarian Movement Party or ML
National Integration Party or PIN
National Liberation Party or PLN
National Restoration Party or PRN
New Generation or PNG
New Republic Party or PNR
Social Christian Republican Party or PRSC
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC of UNIDAD
Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
57 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
2/6/2022
expected date of next election
February 2026
percentage of women in chamber
49.1%
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)
National anthem(s)
title
"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)
history
adopted in 1949; the music was initially composed for a welcoming ceremony in 1852 for the diplomatic missions of the US and UK; lyrics were added in 1900
lyrics/music
Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ
National symbol(s)
yiguirro (clay-colored thrush)
National coat of arms
the Costa Rican coat of arms showcases the nation's natural beauty and history; three volcanoes, each crowned with a white cloud, are encircled by water, symbolizing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans' seaports; the rising sun in the background signifies the emergence of a new nation, while the seven white stars represent the country's provinces; the two merchant ships flying Costa Rica's flag remind us of the maritime trade that influenced the country's history
Administrative divisions
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-4795
chancery
2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 499-2980
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
[email protected]
https://www.embassycr.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[506] 2519-2305
embassy
Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose
telephone
[506] 2519-2000
mailing address
3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Melinda HILDEBRAND (since 3 December 2025); Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://cr.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$26.333 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$25.953 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$29.392 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$33.683 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$36.77 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$27.095 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$28.413 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$30.459 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
medical apparatus, food processing, textiles and apparel, building materials, fertilizers, plastic items
Labor force
2.357 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
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.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$15.574 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a trade-oriented upper middle-income economy; recognized as a leader in green economy initiatives, having successfully reversed deforestation; investing in blue economy infrastructure; experienced a decline in poverty until the adverse effects of COVID-19; ongoing inequality and increasing governmental debts have led to a liquidity crisis
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
11.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
8.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
7.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 40%, Netherlands 6%, China 5%, Guatemala 4%, Belgium 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 38%, China 15%, Mexico 6%, Brazil 3%, Guatemala 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
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.)
Real GDP growth rate
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.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, oil palm fruit, milk, fruits, oranges, chicken, cassava, beef (2023)
Exports - commodities
medical devices, integrated circuits, orthopedic devices, bananas, tropical fruits (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic items, automobiles, medical devices, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Current account balance
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.)
Taxes and other revenues
13.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$95.35 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
63.9% (2024 est.)
government consumption
14.7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
-0.1% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
15.8% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
38.5% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-32.8% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
24.4% (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
21.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
1.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
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.)
Industrial production growth rate
4.1% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
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.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
20.7% (2024 est.)
total
23% (2024 est.)
female
26.2% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
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.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
19.7% (2024 est.)
services
68.8% (2024 est.)
agriculture
3.6% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.7% (2024 est.)
highest 10%
34.2% (2024 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2024
45.8 (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
23,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
400 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
60,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
774 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
54 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
3.751 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
1.039 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
30.725 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
geothermal
13.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
72.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
85% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
more than twenty privately held television channels and a single publicly owned television channel; cable network offerings are extensively accessible; over 100 privately operated radio stations alongside a public radio network (2022)
Internet country code
.cr
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
610,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
12 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
6.98 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
136 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
1.15 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
23 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Golfito, Puerto Caldera, Puerto Limon, Puerto Moin, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas
very small
5
total ports
6 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
4
Airports
132 (2025)
Railways
total
278 km (2014)
narrow gauge
278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Heliports
8 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
11 (2023)
by type
other 11
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TI
Military & Security
Military - note
Costa Rica depends on specialized paramilitary groups within the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to carry out internal security tasks and address transnational challenges like drug trafficking and organized crime. These units are also involved in regional security operations and training exercises; the MPS has benefitted from advisory and training assistance from the United States (2025)
Military expenditures
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.)
Military and security forces
Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública de Costa Rica): National Police (Fuerza Pública), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Drug Control Police (Policía Control de Drogas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras), Professional Migration Police (Policía Profesional de Migración)
Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
Although the National Police are generally lightly armed, there exist small specialized units that are trained and equipped for tactical operations. The United States has supplied equipment and support to forces such as the Coast Guard, which includes secondhand vessels and aircraft (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
The Ministry of Public Security employs approximately 10,000 to 15,000 personnel (2025)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
58 (2024 est.)
refugees
249,521 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
345 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Costa Rican Space Agency (ACE; created through legislation in 2021) (2025)
Space program overview
features a compact and newly initiated program aimed at leveraging space to enhance the nation’s economy and industry, which includes satellite acquisition and utilization; has developed a remote sensing (RS) cube satellite; maintains partnerships with US space organizations and commercial aerospace sectors, in addition to engaging with the ESA and the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)
Key space-program milestones
2018 - the inaugural domestically manufactured remote sensing cube satellite (Irazú) was launched by the US for the purpose of monitoring tropical forests and climate change, with deployment from the International Space Station.
2021 - established agreements for the newly formed Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency; inaugurated a US commercial entity’s space radar facility aimed at mapping and space situational awareness.
2022 - launched a domestically developed scientific instrument (Proyecto Musa or Musa Project) aboard a European rocket.
2024 - took part in the inaugural China-Latin America and the Caribbean Space Cooperation Forum.
