Country Profile: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. With a population of over 5.3 million, the country boasts a diverse society and a stable democracy, characterized by its presidential republic governance. Economically, Costa Rica has transitioned from a primarily agricultural base to a more diversified economy with significant contributions from technology and tourism, while also being recognized as a leader in environmental sustainability.

Geography

Costa Rica is situated between Nicaragua and Panama, featuring a diverse landscape of coastal plains and rugged mountains, including over 100 volcanoes. The country has a total area of 51,100 square kilometers, encompassing tropical and subtropical climates with distinct rainy and dry seasons. Its geographic position provides it with a rich variety of ecosystems and significant biodiversity.

Area: 51,100 sq km (2023)
Coastline: 1,290 km along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Highest Point: Cerro Chirripo at 3,819 m.
Land Use: 58.4% forest cover (2023).
Natural Hazards: Prone to earthquakes and active volcanoes, including Arenal and Irazu.

People and Society

Costa Rica has an estimated population of approximately 5.3 million people as of 2025, with a diverse ethnic composition primarily of White or Mestizo (83.6%). The nation is predominantly Spanish-speaking, although English is also commonly spoken. The country values education and health, reflected in its high literacy rates and life expectancy, which stands at 80.3 years.

Urban Population: 82.6% of the total population reside in urban areas.
Life Expectancy: 80.3 years (2024 est.).
Infant Mortality Rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.).
Total Fertility Rate: 1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.).
Religious Demographics: 47.5% Roman Catholic and 19.8% Evangelical (2021 est.).

Economy

Costa Rica’s economy is classified as upper middle-income and is heavily trade-oriented. The nation has made significant strides in sustainability, addressing deforestation, and promoting tourism and technology sectors. While the economy has shown resilience post-COVID-19, it still grapples with economic inequality and government debt issues.

GDP (PPP): $138.371 billion (2024 est.).
Real GDP Growth Rate: 4.3% (2024 est.).
Unemployment Rate: 7.9% (2024 est.).
Poverty Rate: 24.4% below the national poverty line (2023 est.).
Agricultural Sector Contribution: 3.6% of GDP (2024 est.).

Government

Costa Rica is a presidential republic with a well-established democratic system. The capital, San José, is at the center of political activity, with a legislative assembly composed of 57 directly elected members. The country is noted for its commitment to civil liberties and high suffrage participation rates.

Government Type: Presidential Republic.
Last Presidential Election: February 6, 2022; Rodrigo Chaves Robles is the current president.
Next Election: Expected in February 2026.
Constitution: The current constitution has been in effect since November 8, 1949.

Military and Security

Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949 and relies on various police and security services for internal safety. The country emphasizes civil and public security, utilizing a paramilitary structure under the Ministry of Public Security.

Military Expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.).
Police Force: Approximately 10-15,000 personnel for various security roles (2025).
Drug Control: Active drug control measures in place amid challenges with drug trafficking.

Energy

Costa Rica is a leader in renewable energy, with a remarkable 100% electrification rate. The country primarily generates electricity through hydroelectric sources, supplemented by wind and geothermal energy.

Installed Capacity: 3.751 million kW (2023 est.).
Electricity Consumption: 9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.).
Renewable Energy Share: 72.9% of electricity from hydroelectric sources (2023 est.).

Environment

Costa Rica is renowned for its biodiversity and commitment to environmental preservation. However, it faces challenges such as deforestation, coastal pollution, and the impact of climate change on its natural resources.

Deforestation: Driven largely by agriculture and cattle ranching.
Protected Areas: The country participates in numerous international environmental agreements.
Carbon Emissions: 7.91 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.).

Transportation

Costa Rica has a range of transportation options, including a network of roads, limited rail services, and numerous airports serving international and domestic routes.

Airports: 132 (2025).
Railways: 278 km (2014, mostly rehabilitated sections).
Ports: 6 main ports, key for trade on both coasts.

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Costa Rica includes extensive mobile and broadband services, with a high percentage of the population having internet access.

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

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,304,932	Estimated for 2025
Area	51,100 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$138.371 billion	Projected for 2024
Unemployment Rate	7.9%	Projected for 2024
Life Expectancy	80.3 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	94.1% (female, 2018)	Gender-specific
Electricity Access	100%	Total electrification rate
Carbon Emissions	7.91 million metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	10.86 births/1,000 population	Projected for 2025
Total Fertility Rate	1.45 children born/woman	Projected for 2025