Costa Rica: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's unemployment rate was 7.0% in the moving quarter to June 2026, according to INEC's continuous employment survey (ECE), as reproduced in the Central Bank of Costa Rica's Monthly Economic Report for August 2026. A year earlier the rate was 7.4%. About 163,690 people were unemployed, out of a labour force of 2,346,606.

The labour force participation rate was 54.6%, below the 56% to 57% recorded in 2024. A falling unemployment rate can partly reflect people leaving the labour force rather than finding work. INEC publishes the survey results every month for a rolling three-month period.

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

What is the minimum wage in Costa Rica?

The minimum monthly wage for an unskilled worker in Costa Rica's private sector (generic category TONCG) is ¢373,092.30 in 2026, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's 2026 list of minimum wages. For unskilled jobs paid by the day (TONC), the minimum is ¢12,436.41 a day.

The National Wage Council agreed a general rise of 1.63% for all private sector minimum wages from 1 January 2026, according to the ministry. Costa Rica sets many minimum wages, by occupation and by skill level, from unskilled to specialised and graduate jobs, so the right rate depends on the job.

Official sources: MTSS: List of minimum wages 2026 (PDF) · MTSS: Wage Council agrees 1.63% rise

What is the average salary in Costa Rica?

The average nominal wage per contributor in Costa Rica was ¢784,142.4 in June 2026, 1.7% higher than a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica's Monthly Economic Report for August 2026. In March 2026 it was ¢840,121.3, a month that includes seasonal payments.

The series is calculated from wages reported to social security, so it covers formal workers who pay contributions, not informal ones. Because consumer prices were slightly lower than a year earlier, real wages rose by a little more than the nominal increase. The BCCR also publishes nominal and real minimum wage indices.

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

How many people are employed in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica had 2,206,569 employed people in 2025, 2.2% fewer than the 2,255,397 of 2024, according to the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements' 2025 housing statistics compendium, which reproduces INEC's continuous employment survey. Construction employed 160,029 people, 7.3% of the total, up from 130,295 in 2024.

The compendium gives one figure a year from the survey. Year-on-year changes can be large because the survey is a sample. INEC publishes the full survey every month for rolling three-month periods, with breakdowns by sector, sex and region.

Official sources: 2025 housing statistics compendium

What is youth unemployment in Costa Rica?

Unemployment among people aged 15 to 24 in Costa Rica was 19.95% of the youth labour force in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate on World Bank Open Data. It was 20.48% in 2024 and 24.31% in 2023. The modelled rate for all ages was 6.84% in 2025.

The ILO harmonises national survey data so that countries can be compared, so its figures can differ from INEC's own continuous employment survey. INEC reports unemployment by age group in each quarterly survey release.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

How much is the minimum wage in Costa Rica?

358,609 CRC a month (about $696): that is the statutory minimum wage in Costa Rica for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average wage in Costa Rica?

$1,205 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Costa Rica for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012. Latin America & Caribbean median: $523 a month; Costa Rica is 1st highest of 14. Worldwide: 32nd of 57.

What is the unemployment rate in Costa Rica?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Costa Rica was 6.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 16.4%; its low point was 2007, at 4.6%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 6.0%; Costa Rica is 13th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 56th highest.

How many young people in Costa Rica are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Costa Rica was 19.9% in 2025. The peak was 40.1% in 2020 and the low 11.1% in 2007. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.0%, and Costa Rica placed 8th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 45th highest.

How many people in Costa Rica are working or looking for work?

57.7%: that is the labour force participation rate in Costa Rica for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 64.3% in 2012 and the low 56.8% in 2023. Latin America & Caribbean median: 63.4%; Costa Rica is 24th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 119th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Costa Rica?

46.0%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Costa Rica for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 52.7%; its low point was 2006, at 43.3%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 52.5%; Costa Rica is 24th highest of 29. Worldwide: 127th of 174.

What share of adults in Costa Rica have a job?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 53.7%. The peak was 58.7% in 2014 and the low 50.7% in 2020. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 59.4%, and Costa Rica placed 25th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 121st highest.

How common is self-employment in Costa Rica?

23.4%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Costa Rica for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 20th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.8%. Worldwide: 106th of 174.

What share of workers in Costa Rica earn a wage or salary?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Costa Rica was 73.4%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 64.8%; Costa Rica is 9th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 67th highest.