Costa Rica: economy

What is the GDP growth rate in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's economic activity grew 2.2% in August 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to the trend-cycle series of the Central Bank of Costa Rica's monthly economic activity index (IMAE), reported in its 24 September 2026 release. In its July 2026 Monetary Policy Report, the BCCR projects GDP growth of 3.4% in 2026 and 3.5% in 2027, 0.1 points lower than in April.

The IMAE is a monthly proxy for GDP. The BCCR splits it into the definitive regime, which grew 3.2% in August, and the special regimes (mainly free trade zones), which grew 0.7%. The free zone slowdown, in medical devices among others, explains much of the cooling from 3.7% average growth in the first half of the year.

Official sources: BCCR: Monetary policy decision, 24 September 2026 · BCCR: July 2026 Monetary Policy Report release

What is the inflation rate in Costa Rica?

Consumer prices in Costa Rica were 0.3% lower in July 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica's Monthly Economic Report for August 2026, based on INEC's consumer price index. The rate was also -0.3% in June. Goods prices fell 1.3% over the year, led by new vehicles, eggs and rice, while services rose 0.9%.

Inflation is below the BCCR's target range of 3.0% plus or minus 1 point. The BCCR expects it to average above 2% but below 3% from late 2026 to mid-2028. INEC updated the index from July 2026 with a new basket and weights based on the 2024 household income and expenditure survey (ENIGH).

Official sources: BCCR: Monthly Economic Report, August 2026 (PDF) · INEC: CPI update press release, 4 August 2026 (PDF)

What is the interest rate in Costa Rica?

The Central Bank of Costa Rica's monetary policy rate (TPM) is 3.00% a year. Its Board kept the rate unchanged, by majority, on 24 September 2026, according to the BCCR's announcement. The rate was cut by 0.25 points from 3.25% in July 2026.

The BCCR describes the current stance as slightly expansionary, close to neutral, and says it expects inflation to approach its 3% target in the medium term. It cites risks from oil supply disruptions in the Middle East and possible effects of El Niño on food production. Bank lending and deposit rates are set by banks and are published in the BCCR's monthly economic report.

Official sources: BCCR: Monetary policy decision, 24 September 2026

What is Costa Rica's trade balance?

Costa Rica had a goods trade deficit of USD 1,936.5 million in January to July 2026, equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared with 1.4% a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica's Monthly Economic Report for August 2026. Imports grew 7.4% on average over the year and exports 4.5%; in the same period of 2025 the growth rates were 6.7% and 16.2%.

The BCCR says import growth in the definitive regime was concentrated in fuels and lubricants, telecommunications devices and data processing machines, while special regime companies bought more capital goods. Exports and imports include the gross value of free zone trade. The figures come from customs data.

Official sources: BCCR: Monthly Economic Report, August 2026 (PDF)

What is the exchange rate of the Costa Rican colón?

The colón averaged ¢452.3 per US dollar on the MONEX foreign exchange market in July 2026, down from ¢455.8 in June, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica's Monthly Economic Report for August 2026. A lower figure means a stronger colón. Day-to-day movement was smaller than in June, with a coefficient of variation of 0.28%.

The colón floats, but the BCCR buys and sells dollars on MONEX. In July it bought USD 334.0 million to meet the needs of the non-bank public sector, plus USD 101.0 million in stabilisation operations. The BCCR's real effective exchange rate index showed the colón 1.0% stronger in real terms in June than in May.

Official sources: Monthly Economic Report for August 2026

How much are Costa Rica's international reserves?

The Central Bank of Costa Rica held net international reserves of USD 20,816.4 million at the end of July 2026, USD 82.9 million more than a month earlier, according to its Monthly Economic Report for August 2026. The stock equals 18.1% of GDP and 11.3 months of the goods imports expected for 2026 under the definitive regime.

The BCCR also reports the reserves at 177.0% of the minimum adequate level set by its Board, and at 2.0 times the broad monetary base. The July increase came mainly from the bank's net dollar purchases on the foreign exchange market and interest earned on the reserves, partly offset by lower deposits from banks and the Ministry of Finance.

Official sources: Monthly Economic Report for August 2026

How many tourists visit Costa Rica?

Costa Rica received 1,733,596 international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2026, 7.0% more than the 1,619,976 of the first half of 2025, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Board's half-year tourism report for 2026. The United States accounted for 984,939 arrivals and Canada for 207,110. March was the busiest month, with 379,818 arrivals.

The ICT counts overnight visitors from the passport scans recorded by the General Directorate of Migration at airports, land borders and ports. About 1.6 million arrived by air, most through Juan Santamaría airport near San José, and 122,911 by land or river, many of them from Nicaragua and Panama. The first half of 2025 had been 3.0% below 2024.

Official sources: half-year tourism report for 2026

What is GDP per head in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's GDP per head was USD 19,970 in 2025, up from USD 18,853 in 2024 and USD 17,141 in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data. The figure is gross domestic product in current US dollars divided by the mid-year population.

Because it is in current dollars, the series moves with the colón's exchange rate as well as with real growth, so part of the rise reflects a stronger colón. The Central Bank of Costa Rica publishes the national accounts in colones, from which the World Bank series is derived.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

Is Costa Rica's economy growing?

In 2025, real GDP growth in Costa Rica was 4.6%, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from -4.1% (2020) to 8.2% (2021). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.7%, and Costa Rica placed 5th highest of 31. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 180.

What is GDP per capita in Costa Rica?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in Costa Rica at $19,970 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was $10,989, and Costa Rica placed 6th highest of 31. Worldwide: 51st of 180.

What is Costa Rica's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Costa Rica was $33,815 in international dollars in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was $22,756 in international dollars, and Costa Rica placed 8th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 62nd of 179.

How big are Costa Rica's exports?

In 2025, exports of goods and services in Costa Rica was 38.8% of GDP, according to the World Bank. The peak was 43.5% of GDP in 2005 and the low 30.0% of GDP in 2015. Latin America & Caribbean median: 30.0% of GDP; Costa Rica is 3rd highest of 17. Of 133 countries with 2025 data, 62nd highest.

Does Costa Rica earn more abroad than it spends?

The IMF puts the current account balance in Costa Rica at -0.5% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 11th highest of 27 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is -1.2% of GDP. Worldwide: 64th of 132.

What is FDI in Costa Rica?

5.4% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Costa Rica for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.3% of GDP (2020) to 8.3% of GDP (2007). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.5% of GDP, and Costa Rica placed 9th highest of 31. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 179.

How high are loan rates in Costa Rica?

According to the IMF, the average bank lending rate in Costa Rica was 6.9% in 2025. The peak was 24.7% in 2005 and the low 5.5% in 2021. It is 17th highest of 23 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 8.8%. Worldwide: 52nd of 73.