Costa Rica

World Book Index

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. Costa Rica still maintains a large agricultural sector but has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries.

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
total: 5,265,575 (2024 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
0.74% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: San José

Executive branch
chief of state: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
head of government: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Catalina CRESPO SANCHO (since 19 April 2023)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since August 2025)

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)
$138.371 billion (2024 est.)
$132.64 billion (2023 est.)
$126.189 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$27,000 (2024 est.)
$26,000 (2023 est.)
$24,800 (2022 est.)

Exports
$36.77 billion (2024 est.)
$33.683 billion (2023 est.)
$29.392 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
USA 40%, Netherlands 6%, China 5%, Guatemala 4%, Belgium 3% (2023)

Exports - commodities
medical instruments, integrated circuits, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits (2023)

Imports
$30.459 billion (2024 est.)
$28.413 billion (2023 est.)
$27.095 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
USA 38%, China 15%, Mexico 6%, Brazil 3%, Guatemala 3% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic products, cars, medical instruments, broadcasting equipment (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.833, ranking it 62th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 11th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 7.057. (more information)