<style type="text/css"> .no-show { display: none; } .disable-fade-in{ opacity: 1 !important; transform: none !important; visibility: visible !important; } </style>
Skip to main content
Go to CIA.gov
Explore All Countries

Costa Rica

Central America and the Caribbean

Photos of Costa Rica

view 4 photos
Located in the north central part of the country, Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica's scenic wonders. The volcano was dormant for hundreds of years until it suddenly erupted in 1968. It remained active, off and on, for decades, but has been relatively quiet since 2010, with only occasional rumbles.
Country Flag

View Details

Arrow Right Icon
Country Map

View Details

Arrow Right Icon
World Factbook Glyph
Special Country Products

Country Factsheet

Arrow Right Icon

Travel Facts

Arrow Right Icon
Locator Map

View Details

Arrow Right Icon
Contents

Introduction

Tip
World Factbook Glyph

Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Definitions and Notes
Arrow Right Icon

Geography

Area

comparison ranking: total 129

Area - comparative

Area comparison map:
<p>slightly smaller than West Virginia</p>

People and Society

Languages

Spanish audio file:

Age structure

2024 population pyramid:
This is the population pyramid for Costa Rica. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. <br/><br/>For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Median age

comparison ranking: total 96

Population growth rate

comparison ranking: 119

Birth rate

comparison ranking: 171

Death rate

comparison ranking: 188

Net migration rate

comparison ranking: 52

Maternal mortality ratio

comparison ranking: 120

Infant mortality rate

comparison ranking: total 158

Total fertility rate

comparison ranking: 210

Tobacco use

comparison ranking: total 142

Environment

Government

National coat of arms

The Costa Rican coat of arms highlights the country’s natural beauty and history. Three volcanoes, each topped with a white cloud, are surrounded with water, symbolizing the seaports of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The rising sun in the background commemorates the birth of a new nation, and the seven white stars stand for the country's seven provinces. The two merchant ships carrying Costa Rica’s flag are a reminder of the maritime trade that shaped the country's history.

Economy

Real GDP growth rate

comparison ranking: 60

Real GDP per capita

comparison ranking: 86

Labor force

comparison ranking: 123

Unemployment rate

comparison ranking: 133

Taxes and other revenues

comparison ranking: 100

Current account balance

comparison ranking: 137

Exports

comparison ranking: 78

Imports

comparison ranking: 82

Debt - external

comparison ranking: 40

Energy

Communications

Transportation

Airports

comparison ranking: 39

Heliports

comparison ranking: 79

Merchant marine

comparison ranking: total 157

Military and Security

Space

Transnational Issues

Contents