Costa Rica: environment

How much of Costa Rica's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 99.37% of Costa Rica's electricity in 2021, according to the World Bank's renewable electricity series. The share was 98.94% in 2020 and 98.33% in 2019. 2021 is the latest year in the series.

The share counts hydropower, geothermal, wind, solar and biomass. It covers electricity only, not fuels used in transport or industry; the Central Bank describes Costa Rica as an importer of hydrocarbons. Costa Rica's greenhouse gas emissions were 17.08 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, or 1.63 tonnes of CO2 per person, according to the World Bank's greenhouse gas series.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Costa Rica · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Costa Rica

What are Costa Rica's greenhouse gas emissions?

Costa Rica emitted 17.08 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalent) in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, up from 16.73 million in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data. Carbon dioxide alone came to 1.63 tonnes per person, the same source shows.

The World Bank figures come from the EDGAR database, which uses a single method for all countries. Costa Rica's own national inventory, prepared by the Climate Change Directorate of the environment ministry, also counts carbon absorbed by forests, which makes net emissions much lower.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data · the same source shows

How much of Costa Rica is forest?

Forest covered 59.06% of Costa Rica's land area in 2024, up from 58.92% in 2022, according to the FAO estimates on World Bank Open Data.

The FAO defines forest as land of more than half a hectare with trees over 5 metres tall and canopy cover above 10%. It excludes land used mainly for farming. Costa Rica pays landowners to keep and restore forest through the National Forestry Financing Fund (FONAFIFO).

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

What is air quality like in Costa Rica?

People in Costa Rica were exposed to an average of 17.7 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, down from 18.24 in 2022, according to World Bank Open Data. The World Health Organization guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms.

The figure is a modelled estimate that combines satellite data and ground monitors, weighted by where people live. It is a national average, so exposure is higher in the Greater Metropolitan Area around San José, where traffic is heaviest.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

How many Costa Ricans have safe drinking water?

80.5% of Costa Rica's population used safely managed drinking water in 2024, according to the WHO and UNICEF estimates on World Bank Open Data. The share has been about the same since 2022.

"Safely managed" means water from an improved source on the premises, available when needed and free from contamination. Many more people have a piped supply that does not meet all three tests. Costa Rica's water stress, withdrawals as a share of available fresh water, was 5.88% in 2022, according to the FAO figures on the same site.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data · FAO figures on the same site

How much CO2 does Costa Rica emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Costa Rica was 1.6 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.4 tonnes (2020) to 1.8 tonnes (2007). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Costa Rica placed 23rd highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 110th of 186.

What are Costa Rica's total greenhouse gas emissions?

17.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Costa Rica for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Costa Rica is 19th highest of 33. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 126th highest.

How much renewable energy does Costa Rica use?

34.2%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Costa Rica for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. The peak was 42.4% in 2006 and the low 33.1% in 2018. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 18.9%, and Costa Rica placed 8th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 71st highest.

How much of Costa Rica is forest?

59.1%: that is forest area as a share of land in Costa Rica for 2024, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 50.6%; Costa Rica is 6th highest of 32. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 30th highest.

How polluted is the air in Costa Rica?

17.7 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Costa Rica for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 20.0 micrograms per cubic metre in 2010 and the low 17.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2018. Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Costa Rica is 12th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 99th highest.

How much of Costa Rica's land is protected?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 26.6%. Since 2013 it has ranged from 26.5% (2024) to 28.4% (2020). It is 8th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 20.1%. World rank, highest first: 49th of 192.

Is Costa Rica short of water?

5.9%: that is water stress in Costa Rica for 2022, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Latin America & Caribbean median: 7.7%; Costa Rica is 20th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 111th of 175.