Country Profile: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country located between Nicaragua and Panama, bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. It has a population of approximately 5.3 million people, primarily residing in urban areas, with the capital city being San José. The economy is classified as an upper middle-income trade-based economy that has diversified from agriculture into technology and tourism. Costa Rica is known for its stable democratic governance and commitment to environmental sustainability.

Geography

Costa Rica is characterized by its tropical and subtropical climate, with a terrain of coastal plains and rugged mountains, including numerous active volcanoes. The country covers an area of about 51,100 square kilometers, slightly smaller than West Virginia, and features a coastline of 1,290 kilometers along both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The mean elevation is 746 meters, with the highest point being Cerro Chirripo at 3,819 meters.

Area: 51,100 sq km
Coastline: 1,290 km
Highest Point: Cerro Chirripo (3,819 m)
Natural Hazards: Active volcanoes and occasional earthquakes
Major Climate: Dry season (December to April) and rainy season (May to November)

People and Society

Costa Rica's population is estimated at 5,304,932 in 2025, predominantly comprised of White or Mestizo (83.6%). The country is known for its high urbanization rate, with about 82.6% of the population living in urban areas. The official language is Spanish, and the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. Life expectancy in Costa Rica is 80.3 years, reflecting a comparatively high standard of health and living conditions.

Population (2025 est.): 5,304,932
Urban Population: 82.6%
Life Expectancy: 80.3 years
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Median Age: 36 years

Economy

Costa Rica has a diverse economy that includes strong agriculture, technology, and tourism sectors. As of 2024, the estimated GDP (purchasing power parity) is $138.371 billion, with a real GDP growth rate of 4.3%. The country has successfully implemented policies that led to environmental sustainability, investing in both green and blue economies. However, challenges remain in managing government debt and economic inequality.

GDP (PPP, 2024 est.): $138.371 billion
Real GDP Growth Rate (2024 est.): 4.3%
Unemployment Rate (2024 est.): 7.9%
Poverty Rate: 24.4% (2023 est.)
Exports: $36.77 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Costa Rica operates as a presidential republic with a history of stability and a commitment to democratic governance. The capital city is San José, with a legislative assembly consisting of 57 members, all directly elected. The current president, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, took office in May 2022. The country has a unique position in Latin America, having abolished its military in 1949 and instead relies on civil authorities for security.

Government Type: Presidential republic
Capital: San José
Last Presidential Election: February 2022
Next Election Date: February 2026
Legislative Assembly Size: 57 members

Military and Security

Costa Rica has no standing army as it abolished its military in 1949. Instead, the security is managed by the Ministry of Public Security, which oversees the National Police and various specialized units for addressing domestic security and countering drug trafficking. Military expenditures represent a small fraction of GDP, emphasizing the country’s focus on civil governance and public safety.

Military Expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Security Personnel: Approximately 10,000 - 15,000 (2025)
Primary Security Force: National Police

Energy

Costa Rica has achieved significant milestones in energy sustainability, with 100% of its population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country derives the majority of its electricity from renewable sources, particularly hydroelectric power, accounting for approximately 72.9% of total installed capacity in 2023.

Electricity Capacity: 3.751 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Generation: 9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Hydroelectric Contribution: 72.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 30.725 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Costa Rica is renowned for its environmental initiatives but faces challenges such as deforestation and pollution. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements, aiming to preserve biodiversity and combat climate change effects. With 58.4% of its land covered by forests, Costa Rica is a leader in ecological sustainability and is recognized for reversing deforestation trends.

Forest Coverage: 58.4% of total land (2023 est.)
Total Water Resources: 113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 7.91 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Transportation

Costa Rica's transportation network includes 132 airports and a limited railway system primarily rehabilitated in recent years. The country has a merchant marine fleet for maritime trade and offers various transport alternatives for goods and passengers, though rail infrastructure remains in development.

Total Airports: 132 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 11 vessels (2023)
Total Railways: 278 km (2014)

Communications

Costa Rica boasts a robust telecommunications sector, with 85% of the population using the internet as of 2023. The country has a significant number of both fixed-line and mobile telephone subscriptions, along with a diverse media landscape that includes numerous television and radio stations.

Internet Users: 85% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 6.98 million (2024 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 610,000 (2024 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,304,932	2025 estimate
Area	51,100 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$138.371 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	7.9%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	80.3 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	100%	2022 estimate
Poverty Rate	24.4%	2023 estimate
Urban Population	82.6%	2023 estimate
Agricultural Land	33.1%	2023 estimate
Forest Coverage	58.4%	2023 estimate