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.

Area
Total: 51,100 km²
Land: 51,060 km²
Water: 40 km²
Note: includes Isla del Coco
Comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries
Total: 661 km
Border countries (2): (2) Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km

Coastline: 1,290 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm

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

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

Elevation
Highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Mean elevation: 746 m

Land use
Agricultural land: 33.1% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 3.3% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 7.4% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 22.5% (2023 est.)
Forest: 58.4% (2023 est.)
Other: 8.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 1,015 km² (2012)

Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Volcanism: 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

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

Population
Total: 5,265,575 (2024 est.)
Male: 2,635,481
Female: 2,630,094
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
Growth rate: 0.74% (2024 est.)

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 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)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 42.5 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 26.8 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 15.8 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 6.3 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 35.5 years (2024 est.)
Male: 34.9 years
Female: 36.1 years

Population growth rate: 0.74% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 10.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 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

Urbanization
Urban population: 82.6% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: 1.462 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2023)

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
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 24 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 7 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 80.3 years (2024 est.)
Male: 77.7 years
Female: 82.9 years

Total fertility rate: 1.43 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 2.4% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.9% (2018 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 7.9% (2024 est.); 8.4% (2023 est.); 11.4% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Capital
Name: San José
Geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W
Time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: Spanish settlers originally named the city Villa Nueva in 1736; it was later renamed for Saint Joseph

Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

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

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
Head of government: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
Cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
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)
Most recent election date: 6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022
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%
Expected date of next election: February 2026 (a runoff, if needed, will take place in April 2026)
Note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative branch
Legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
Legislative structure: unicameral
Number of seats: 57 (all directly elected)
Electoral system: proportional representation
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 4 years
Most recent election date: 2/6/2022
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%
Expected date of next election: February 2026

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 left side of the red band

National anthem
Title: 'Himno Nacional de Costa Rica' (National Anthem of Costa Rica)
Lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ
History: adopted 1949; the music was originally written for a welcome ceremony in 1852 for the US and UK diplomatic missions; the lyrics were added in 1900

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:

Real gdp growth rate: 4.3% (2024 est.); 5.1% (2023 est.); 4.6% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: 4.3% (2024 est.); 5.1% (2023 est.); 4.6% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 63.9% (2024 est.)
Government consumption: 14.7% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 15.8% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories: -0.1% (2024 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 38.5% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -32.8% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 3.6% (2024 est.)
Industry: 19.7% (2024 est.)
Services: 68.8% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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

Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 2.357 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 7.9% (2024 est.); 8.4% (2023 est.); 11.4% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 7.9% (2024 est.); 8.4% (2023 est.); 11.4% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $26.333 billion (2023 est.)
Expenditures: $25.953 billion (2023 est.)
Note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 13.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Exports: $36.77 billion (2024 est.); $33.683 billion (2023 est.); $29.392 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: medical instruments, integrated circuits, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $30.459 billion (2024 est.); $28.413 billion (2023 est.); $27.095 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: refined petroleum, plastic products, cars, medical instruments, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 3.751 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 9.957 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Exports: 774 million kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 54 million kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 1.039 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources wind: 12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 72.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources geothermal: 13.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal
Consumption: 23,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum
Total petroleum production: 400 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 60,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 7.91 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 58,000 metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 7.852 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 30.725 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 678,000 (2023 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 7.44 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 152 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 85% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 1.15 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2024 est.); 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.); 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.); 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.); 0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Airports: 132 (2025)

Heliports: 8 (2025)

Railways
Total: 278 km (2014)
Narrow gauge: 278 km (2014) 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

Merchant marine
Total: 11 (2023)
By type: other 11