Costa Rica

Country Summary

Introduction

Background

Costa Rica proclaimed its independence from the United Provinces of central America in 1838.  Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country’s democratic development. Its standard of living is relatively high and land ownership is widespread.

Geography

Area

total: 51,100 sq km
land: 51,060 sq km
water: 40 sq km

Climate

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

Natural resources

hydropower

People and Society

Population

5,256,612 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups

White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black or African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official), English

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.)

Population growth rate

0.72% (2023 est.)

Government

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

name: San Jose

Executive branch

chief of state: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022)

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

Economy

Economic overview

trade-based upper middle-income economy; green economy leader, having reversed deforestation; investing in blue economy infrastructure; declining poverty until hard impacts of COVID-19; lingering inequality and growing government debts have prompted a liquidity crisis

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$109.26 billion (2021 est.)
$101.562 billion (2020 est.)
$105.85 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$21,200 (2021 est.)
$19,800 (2020 est.)
$20,800 (2019 est.)

Agricultural products

sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice

Industries

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

Remittances

0.92% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.84% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.86% of GDP (2019 est.)

Exports

$23.761 billion (2021 est.)
$19.996 billion (2020 est.)
$22.738 billion (2019 est.)

Exports - partners

United States 38%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, Guatemala 5%, Panama 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities

medical instruments, bananas, pineapples, orthopedic appliances, food preparations (2021)

Imports

$22.298 billion (2021 est.)
$17.701 billion (2020 est.)
$20.314 billion (2019 est.)

Imports - partners

United States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines (2019)

Exchange rates

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
620.785 (2021 est.)
584.901 (2020 est.)
587.295 (2019 est.)
576.973 (2018 est.)
567.513 (2017 est.)


Page last updated: Wednesday, December 06, 2023