Country Profile: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American nation known for its rich biodiversity and progressive policies. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and North Pacific Ocean, it has a varied climate and diverse terrain, including rugged mountains and coastal plains. The population is approximately 5.3 million, primarily concentrated in urban areas like the capital, San José. Economically, Costa Rica boasts a trade-based upper middle-income economy, noted for its leadership in green practices and a growing technology sector, while maintaining a commitment to democratic governance.

Geography

Costa Rica is located in Central America, situated between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The country covers an area of about 51,100 sq km, with coastal plains and rugged mountains, including numerous active volcanoes. Its diverse climate features tropical and subtropical zones, with distinct wet and dry seasons.

1,290 km of coastline along the Caribbean Sea and North Pacific Ocean.
Home to several major active volcanoes, including Arenal and Irazu.
58.4% of land is forested as of 2023.
Major natural resource: Hydropower.

People and Society

As of 2025, Costa Rica's population is estimated at 5,304,932, with a diverse ethnic composition primarily consisting of White or Mestizo (83.6%). Costa Ricans are known for their high literacy rates and an urbanization rate of 82.6%.

Median age is 36 years (2025 est.).
18.8% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
Life expectancy stands at 80.3 years (2024 est.).
99.8% of the population has access to improved drinking water (2022 est.).

Economy

Costa Rica's economy is classified as an upper middle-income trade-based economy that has been successful in reversing deforestation. The GDP (PPP) is projected to be $138.371 billion in 2024, with a notable focus on the tech and tourism sectors.

Real GDP growth rate estimated at 4.3% for 2024.
7.9% unemployment rate projected for 2024.
Exports projected at $36.77 billion for 2024.
Major agricultural products include sugarcane and bananas.

Government

Costa Rica is a presidential republic with a democratic government structure. The current president, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, has been in office since May 2022. The country is administratively divided into seven provinces.

Last constitutional amendment effective on 8 November 1949.
The legislative assembly consists of 57 members, all directly elected.
Universal suffrage is granted at 18 years of age.
Active participation in international organizations, committing to various international agreements.

Military and Security

Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949, relying primarily on the Ministry of Public Security for domestic safety. The country has invested around 0.6% of its GDP in military expenditures.

The national police force comprises approximately 10-15,000 personnel.
Specialized paramilitary units handle internal security and organized crime.
Costa Rica cooperates with the US for training and equipment support.

Energy

Costa Rica is recognized for its commitment to renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower, which constitutes 72.9% of its electricity generation capacity.

100% electrification rate as of 2022.
Total installed generating capacity at 3.751 million kW (2023 est.).
Energy consumption per capita is approximately 30.725 million Btu (2023 est.).

Environment

The country faces environmental challenges such as deforestation and pollution, but it is also a leader in sustainability and conservation.

Approximately 33.1% of land is used for agriculture as of 2023.
Participates in numerous environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement.
Total renewable water resources amount to 113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.).

Transportation

Costa Rica has developed a network of transportation facilities, although rail infrastructure has seen better days.

132 airports are available (2025 est.).
278 km of railway, largely in disrepair since the late 20th century.
11 ships in the merchant marine fleet (2023).

Communications

Costa Rica boasts a high rate of internet access and mobile phone subscriptions.

85% of the population uses the internet (2023 est.).
Over 6.98 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.).
610,000 fixed line subscriptions (2024 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,304,932 (2025 est.)	Total population
Area	51,100 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$138.371 billion (2024 est.)	Projected GDP (PPP)
Unemployment rate	7.9% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force
Birth rate	10.86 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Rate of live births
Life expectancy	80.3 years (2024 est.)	Average lifespan
Electricity access	100%	Electrification rate
Urban population	82.6%	Percentage in urban areas
Total renewable water resources	113 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)	Water resources
Military expenditures	0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)	Military spending percentage