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Costa Rican Scorecard

Country profile

Costa Rica is a Central American country renowned for its lush rainforests, abundant biodiversity, and a long-standing commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. It has a population of 5.1 million, a population growth rate of 0.47%, and a median age of 34.07 years.

Its history, free from major colonial conflicts since gaining independence from Spain, has fostered a peaceful democratic tradition and respect for nature.

Today, Costa Rica is celebrated for its ecotourism, progressive environmental policies, and vibrant cultural traditions rooted in a strong sense of community.

Its capital city is San José.

How does Costa Rica compare to other countries?

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Economic Development

GDP per Capita (PPP) in Costa Rica improved by 8.3% from 2022 to 2023

Unemployment Rate in Costa Rica improved by 5.7% from 2023 to 2024

Inflation Rate in Costa Rica improved by 177.4% from 2023 to 2024

General Government Debt in Costa Rica improved by 3.0% from 2022 to 2023

Income Inequality in Costa Rica improved by 1.1% from 2022 to 2023

Health and Social Development

Life Expectancy in Costa Rica improved by 1.9% from 2022 to 2023

Infant Mortality Rate in Costa Rica worsened by 4.5% from 2022 to 2023

Human Development in Costa Rica improved by 1.3% from 2021 to 2022

Suicide Mortality Rate in Costa Rica worsened by 26.7% from 2020 to 2021

World Happiness Report in Costa Rica improved by 4.6% from 2023 to 2024

Freedom in the World showed no change from 2023 to 2024

Education

Completion of Upper Secondary Education in Costa Rica worsened by 2.6% from 2022 to 2023

PISA Scores (Reading) in Costa Rica worsened by 2.6% from 2018 to 2022

PISA Scores (Math) in Costa Rica worsened by 4.2% from 2018 to 2022

PISA Scores (Science) in Costa Rica worsened by 1.2% from 2018 to 2022

Governance and Security

Corruption Perception in Costa Rica improved by 1.9% from 2022 to 2023

Control of Corruption in Costa Rica improved by 38.3% from 2022 to 2023

Homicide Rate in Costa Rica worsened by 2.5% from 2020 to 2021

Government Effectiveness in Costa Rica improved by 394.6% from 2022 to 2023

Political Stability in Costa Rica improved by 2.1% from 2022 to 2023

Rule of Law in Costa Rica worsened by 10.8% from 2022 to 2023

Voice and Accountability in Costa Rica worsened by 0.3% from 2022 to 2023

Environmental Sustainability and Energy

CO2 Emissions per Capita in Costa Rica worsened by 5.2% from 2022 to 2023

Air Pollution (PM2.5) in Costa Rica worsened by 7.0% from 2019 to 2020

Renewable Energy Consumption in Costa Rica worsened by 6.0% from 2020 to 2021