Costa Rica: immigration

How many refugees and asylum seekers are in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica hosted 36,395 refugees and 178,212 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR refugee population statistics. At the end of 2024 there were 31,632 refugees and 217,889 asylum seekers. Nicaraguans accounted for 160,398 of the asylum seekers and 18,473 of the refugees in 2025.

Asylum seekers are people whose claims have not yet been decided; refugees have been recognised. The General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners handles refugee applications; its site returned 403 on 15 October 2026, so its own figures are not quoted.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee population statistics

How many people claim asylum in Costa Rica?

29,916 new asylum applications were lodged in Costa Rica in 2025, up from 28,423 in 2024, according to UNHCR's refugee data. Nicaraguans made 23,335 of them, Cubans 3,317 and Venezuelans 1,724.

In 2025 the authorities recognised 974 refugees and rejected 1,777 claims, while 67,232 cases were closed without a decision on the merits, UNHCR reports. Closures explain why the number of pending asylum seekers fell from 217,889 to 178,212 over the year. Claims are handled by the Refugee Unit of the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners.

Official sources: UNHCR's refugee data · UNHCR reports

How many immigrants live in Costa Rica?

International migrants made up 12.2% of Costa Rica's population in 2024, up from 10.3% in 2020 and 8.5% in 2015, according to the UN migrant stock estimates on World Bank Open Data. The figure counts people born abroad, including refugees.

The UN estimates are based mainly on census data, here INEC's 2022 census, and are published every five years with interim updates. Nicaragua is the largest country of origin, and Nicaraguans are also the largest group of refugees and asylum seekers recorded by UNHCR.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

How many foreign-born people live in Costa Rica?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Costa Rica was 12.2%, according to the UN Population Division. It was 8.5% in 2015. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 4.8%, and Costa Rica placed 7th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 53rd highest.

What is net migration in Costa Rica?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 1,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 4,567; its low point was 2024, at 967. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was -967, and Costa Rica placed 6th highest of 33. Worldwide: 62nd of 193.

How many refugees live in Costa Rica?

36,395: that is the number of refugees in the country in Costa Rica for 2025, according to UNHCR. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 1,306; Costa Rica is 3rd highest of 28. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 71st highest.

How many refugees have fled Costa Rica?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Costa Rica was 367, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 463; its low point was 2005, at 176. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 710, and Costa Rica placed 22nd highest of 33. Worldwide: 121st of 189.

How much are remittances to Costa Rica?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 0.8% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 2.3% of GDP; its low point was 2024, at 0.7% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.3% of GDP; Costa Rica is 21st highest of 27. World rank, highest first: 84th of 127.