Costa Rica: health and care

What is life expectancy in Costa Rica?

Life expectancy at birth in Costa Rica was 81.0 years in 2024, according to the World Bank's life expectancy series, based on UN and national data. It was 80.8 years in 2023 and 79.32 in 2022.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if death rates by age stayed as they were in that year; it is not a forecast. INEC publishes national vital statistics, including deaths by cause, but its site returned 403 on 15 October 2026, so its own estimate is not quoted. Current health spending was 6.87% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank's health expenditure series.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Costa Rica · World Bank: Current health expenditure, Costa Rica

What is the infant mortality rate in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's infant mortality rate was 9.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, up from 8.8 in 2023 and 8.6 in 2022, according to the UN inter-agency estimates on World Bank Open Data. The under-five mortality rate was 10.4 per 1,000 in 2024.

The infant mortality rate counts deaths before the first birthday. The UN estimates are modelled from national vital registration so that countries can be compared. INEC publishes the registered figure each year in its vital statistics.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

How many doctors does Costa Rica have?

Costa Rica had 2.69 physicians per 1,000 people in 2022, up from 2.56 in 2021, according to World Bank Open Data, based on World Health Organization data. There were 1.14 hospital beds per 1,000 people in 2022.

Physicians include general practitioners and specialists. Most public health care in Costa Rica is provided by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which runs the hospitals and clinics. Its site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data · hospital beds per 1,000 people

How much does Costa Rica spend on health?

Current health spending in Costa Rica was 6.87% of GDP in 2023, down from 7.18% in 2022 and 7.61% in 2021, according to the World Health Organization's estimates on World Bank Open Data. Out-of-pocket payments by households made up 24.13% of current health spending in 2023, according to the same source.

Current health spending counts public and private spending on health goods and services, excluding investment in buildings and equipment. Most public spending goes through the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). The out-of-pocket share was 20.52% in 2021.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data · according to the same source

What is the birth rate in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's total fertility rate was 1.32 births per woman in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data. It was 1.33 in 2023 and 2022. The crude birth rate was 9.99 births per 1,000 people in 2024.

The total fertility rate is the number of children a woman would have if current birth rates by age held through her life. A rate of about 2.1 keeps a population stable without migration, so Costa Rica's rate is well below replacement. INEC publishes the registered number of births each year.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

What is life expectancy in Costa Rica?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Costa Rica at 81.0 years in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 74.0 years, and Costa Rica placed 2nd highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 38th highest.

How many babies die in Costa Rica?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Costa Rica was 9.1 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. The peak was 9.7 per 1,000 in 2005 and the low 7.7 per 1,000 in 2016. It is 26th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 12.1 per 1,000. Worldwide: 116th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Costa Rica?

24.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Costa Rica for 2023, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 31st highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 55.0 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 120th of 192.

How much does Costa Rica spend on health?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Costa Rica was 6.9% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 8.1% of GDP in 2011 and the low 6.7% of GDP in 2005. It is 16th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 6.8% of GDP. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 85th highest.

How much do people in Costa Rica pay for health care themselves?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Costa Rica at 24.1% in 2023. The peak was 32.8% in 2005 and the low 20.3% in 2020. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.3%, and Costa Rica placed 27th highest of 33. Worldwide: 115th of 191.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Costa Rica?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Costa Rica at 2.7 per 1,000 in 2022. No year since 2006 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.6 per 1,000; Costa Rica is 6th highest of 12. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 57th highest.

How many hospital beds per person does Costa Rica have?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Costa Rica was 1.1 per 1,000 in 2022. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 1.3 per 1,000; its low point was 2019, at 1.1 per 1,000. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.0 per 1,000; Costa Rica is 23rd highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 92nd of 110.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Costa Rica?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Costa Rica was 93.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 96.0%; its low point was 2009, at 81.0%. It is 10th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 89.5%. World rank, highest first: 74th of 191.